Method of analysis of a mixture of biological and/or chemical components with the use magnetic particles and apparatus for its embodiment

A method of analysis of an analyte in a mixture of biological and/or chemical components, comprising:

• choosing a component for attaching magnetic particles thereto or a component that is already attached to magnetic particles, wherein such component defines a chosen component, the chosen component allows generating quantitative data on the content of the analyte in the mixture being analysed,
• introducing the analyte and the chosen component within a probe volume comprising a recognizing reagent capable of binding the analyte and the chosen component in a selective manner and thereby spatially arranging the chosen component therein,
• attaching magnetic particles either directly or indirectly to the chosen component, either before or after the step of introducing the analyte and the chosen component within the probe volume, or using the chosen component that is already attached to magnetic particles,
• exposing the magnetic particles attached to the chosen component within the probe volume to a magnetic field,
• recording a signal due to the magnetic induction produced by the magnetic particles as a result of their exposure to the magnetic field,
• generating quantitative data on the content of the analyte in the mixture being analysed from the value of the signal,
• wherein
• the magnetic field has a spectrum, and the spectrum is pre-set with spectral components at least at two frequencies,
• wherein the amplitude of at least one of the spectral components is chosen high enough to ensure a non-linear dependence of the magnetic induction on the strength of the magnetic field;
• and
• the signal is recorded at such a frequency that is a linear combination of the frequencies of the spectral components during the exposure of the magnetic particles to the magnetic field.