Magnetic particle mapping using magnetoelectric sensors as an imaging modality

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a hot topic in the field of medical life sciences, as they are highly relevant in diagnostic applications. In this regard, a large variety of novel imaging methods for MNP in biological systems have been invented. In this proof-of-concept study, a new and novel technique is explored, called Magnetic Particle Mapping (MPM), using resonant magnetoelectric (ME) sensors for the detection of MNPs that could prove to be a cheap and efficient way to localize the magnetic nanoparticles. The simple and straightforward setup and measurement procedure includes the detection of higher harmonic excitations of MNP ensembles. We show the feasibility of this approach by building a measurement setup particularly suited to exploit the inherent sensor properties. We measure the magnetic response from 2D MNP distributions and reconstruct the distribution by solving the inverse problem. Furthermore, biological samples with magnetically labeled cells were measured and reconstruction of the distribution was compared with light microscope images. Measurement results suggest that the approach presented here is promising for MNP localization.

Mechanical-Resonance-Enhanced Thin-Film Magnetoelectric Heterostructures for Magnetometers, Mechanical Antennas, Tunable RF Inductors, and Filters

“…Another practical application of thin-film ME magnetometers refers to magnetic particle mapping, which has been recently demonstrated by Friedrich et al [118]. Imaging magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has gained widespread interest due to its great value in medical life science and diagnostic applications.…”

“…Imaging magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has gained widespread interest due to its great value in medical life science and diagnostic applications. The work presented in [118] shows that thin-film ME magnetometers can be used to localize MNPs, which is proven as a more cost-effective and efficient way compared to other available technologies. In the reported work, the nonlinear nature of the MNPs was utilized.…”

Review of Magnetoelectric Sensors

“…The permanent magnet and electrically shielded ME sensor were placed on two sides of the plate holder [92]. Compared with other methods, this system circumvents the difficulty to separate the magnetic field generated by the sample under excitation and the magnetic field superposition of the excitation source in magnetic particle imaging (MPI) [93] and magnetic particle mapping (MPM) [94]. The magnetic signal originating from different concentrations of SPIONs was measured to determine the performance of the system.…”

Magnetoelectrics: Three Centuries of Research Heading Towards the 4.0 Industrial Revolution

“…With the use of a charge amplifier, the sensor presented a maximum sensitivity 18 kV/T. The MPM can be used as an alternative of more expensive techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetorelaxometry imaging (MRX) [ 102 ].…”

“…This sensor presents a resonance frequency of 13.2 kHz, and a ME coefficient of 50.2 V•cm −1• Oe −1 [101]. Friedrich et al [102], developed a magnetic particle mapping (MPM), based on a ME sensor composed by Fe 70.2 Co 7.8 Si 12 B 10 (FeCoSiB) and aluminium nitride fabricated MEMS for the detection for localizing magnetic particles in a medical context. The magnetic particles were biocompatible and were used for diagnostic/treatment of cancer and labelling and tracking cells.…”