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US 2002/0177769 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for locating cells in the body by measuring magnetic moments
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsRaymond L. Orbach, John S. Kovach, Gregory G. Kenning
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Abstract
A magnetic body scanning method and apparatus for scanning the entire body for a magnetic signature of a cluster of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in relation to the diamagnetic signature of the body.
Claims57
A method for locating cells in the body, comprising:
- introducing a plurality of cell targeting ferromagnetic nanoparticles into the body;
- and
- scanning the body for a magnetic signature of a cluster of the ferromagnetic nanoparticles in relation to the diamagnetic signature of the body.
A method for locating cells in the body, comprising:
- attaching a biological material to ferromagnetic nanoparticles with a bonding agent;
- introducing said cell targeting nanoparticles into the body;
- wherein said biological material seeks out target cells in the body and causes said ferromagnetic nanoparticles cluster around said cells;
- wherein said clustering causes a net magnetic moment;
- scanning said body for said ferromagnetic particles that have clustered around the target cells;
- and
- identifying said clustered ferromagnetic particles based on said net magnetic moment.
4 more elements
A method for imaging cells in the body, comprising:
- introducing cell targeting ferromagnetic nanoparticles into the body;
- and
- scanning the body for a magnetic signature of a cluster of the ferromagnetic particles in relation to diamagnetic signature of the body;
- and
- generating an image corresponding to said body scan.
2 more elements
A method for locating cells in the body, comprising:
- attaching a biological material to ferromagnetic nanoparticles with a bonding agent;
- introducing said cell targeting nanoparticles into the body;
- wherein said biological material seeks out target cells in the body and causes said ferromagnetic nanoparticles cluster around said cells;
- wherein said clustering causes a net magnetic moment;
- scanning said body for said ferromagnetic particles that have clustered around the target cells;
- and
- generating an image corresponding to said body scan.
4 more elements
An apparatus for locating cells in the body, comprising:
- a magnetic body scanner configured for scanning the body for a magnetic signature of a cluster of cell targeting ferromagnetic nanoparticles in relation to a diamagnetic signature of the body.
An apparatus for locating cells in the body, comprising:
- a magnetic body scanner;
- and
- a plurality of cell targeting ferromagnetic nanoparticles;
- wherein said body scanner is configured for sensing the net magnetic moment generated by a cluster of said ferromagnetic nanoparticles introduced into the body;
- wherein a biological material is attached to ferromagnetic nanoparticles with a bonding agent;
- wherein said biological material seeks out target cells in the body and causes the ferromagnetic nanoparticles to cluster around those cells;
- and
- wherein said clustering causes a net magnetic moment.
5 more elements
An apparatus for imaging cells in the body, comprising:
- a magnetic body scanner configured for scanning the body for a magnetic signature of a cluster of cell targeting ferromagnetic nanoparticles in relation to a diamagnetic signature of the body;
- and
- means for generating an image based on the magnetic signature of a cluster of nanoparticles.
An apparatus for imaging cells in the body, comprising:
- a magnetic body scanner;
- said magnetic body scanner configured for sensing the net magnetic moment generated by a cluster of ferromagnetic nanoparticles introduced into the body;
- wherein a biological material is attached to ferromagnetic nanoparticles with a bonding agent;
- wherein said biological material seeks out target cells in the body and causes the ferromagnetic nanoparticles to cluster around those cells;
- and
- wherein said clustering causes a net magnetic moment;
- and
- means for generating an image based on the net magnetic moment created by a cluster of nanoparticles.
5 more elements
A magnetic body scanner, comprising:
- a magnetic flux measuring device;
- and
- means for generating a line scan of the magnetic signature of the length of the body passing through the magnetic flux measuring device;
- wherein the location of clusters of ferromagnetic particles introduced into the body can be identified from said line scan.
1 more element
A magnetic body scanner, comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic flux measuring devices;
- a split coil, preferably of a superconducting type with the coil split into two windings, associated with each said magnetic flux measuring device, wherein the windings are counterwound in relation to each other;
- and
- a conveyor or other device configured for moving a patient over the block and through the coils to perform a line scan;
- wherein, as the patient gets scanned across the table, the incoming signal produces a broad image of the body;
- and
- wherein, when ferromagnetic nanoparticles in the body are scanned, series of spikes are produced with amplitudes that are a function of the depth in the body.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.