Effective-inductance-change based magnetic particle sensing

An integrated measurement system to detect a quantity of magnetic particles in a sample, the system comprising:

• a substrate having a surface;
• first and second sample delivery structures;
• a first electromagnetic (EM) structure disposed on said surface of said substrate and configured to receive, via said first sample delivery structure, a sample comprising said magnetic particles in proximity thereof;
• an electrical current generator disposed on said surface of said substrate and electromagnetically coupled to said first EM structure, said electrical current generator configured to cause an electrical current to flow in said first EM structure;
• a sensing oscillator electrically coupled to said first EM structure, said sensing oscillator comprising a selected one of a self inductance sensor and a mutual inductance sensor, said sensing oscillator disposed on said surface of said substrate and configured to measure a selected one of an effective inductance and a change in effective inductance;
• and
• a second EM structure disposed on said surface of said substrate, wherein said second EM structure is configured to receive a control solution via said second sample delivery structure;
• said integrated measurement system being configured to detect said quantity of said magnetic particles based on a differential sensing measurement that is based on a first signal associated with said first EM structure and a second signal associated with said second EM structure.