Device and Method for Magnetic Particle Determination

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This invention relates to a device and method for detecting and characterizing magnetic particles, especially magnetic nanoparticles. The system uses a sample holder and two magnetic field generators to apply both low and high frequency alternating magnetic fields to the sample. By measuring phase shifts and harmonic ratios between the applied fields and the response magnetic field generated by the particles, the device can not only detect the presence and quantity of magnetic particles but also determine their type and properties. This enables detailed analysis of the particles, including their material composition, size, or binding states, with applications in areas like diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and quality control.

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• Medical diagnostics, such as immunoassays or disease marker detection using magnetic nanoparticles as labels.
• Biological or chemical assays that require specific detection of target molecules via magnetic particle labeling.
• Environmental monitoring to detect pollutants or pathogens using magnetic markers.
• Quality control in pharmaceuticals or food safety to detect contaminants or authenticate ingredients.
• Nanoparticle research and development, allowing precise characterization and differentiation of magnetic nanoparticles.
• Multiplexed assays, allowing simultaneous identification of multiple analytes in one sample using different particle types.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables both quantitative and qualitative analysis of magnetic particles (not just detecting presence, but also type and binding state).
• Allows rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple harmonic signals, reducing measurement time and improving robustness.
• High specificity due to the ability to distinguish between different types of magnetic nanoparticles based on their characteristic responses.
• Reduced susceptibility to signal fluctuations and external disturbances due to simultaneous multi-frequency analysis and advanced data processing.
• Versatile: can be used in various fields like medicine, environmental science, and industrial quality control.
• Improved error detection and automated correction for better measurement reliability.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device for determining magnetic particles comprising a sample holder for magnetic particles, two magnetic field generating devices (1, 4; 2, 5) for applying a magnetic low-frequency alternating field (f2) and a magnetic high-frequency alternating field (f1) to magnetic particles that can be held by the sample holder, a measuring device with which a phase shift between at least one phase of an applied magnetic alternating field (f1, f2) and a phase of a response magnetic field (f3) can be determined and/or a ratio of harmonics that the response magnetic field (f3) comprises can be determined, an evaluation device with which the type and characteristics of magnetic particles can be determined from a determined phase shift and/or from a determined ratio of harmonics. The invention also relates to a method for determining and characterizing magnetic particles with the device.