Electromagnetic Sensing Device for Detecting Magnetic Nanoparticles

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This patent describes a compact electromagnetic sensing device and system designed for detecting and quantifying magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), particularly when used as markers in biological samples (such as in immunoassays). The invention uses microfluidic reservoirs and multiple planar coils integrated onto printed circuit boards (PCBs) to generate precisely controlled magnetic fields at two different frequencies and to detect the non-linear magnetic responses of nanoparticles. The device structure allows for simultaneous reference and analyte measurements, enabling high-sensitivity, low-volume, and rapid analyses suitable for portable and cost-efficient applications.

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• Point-of-care medical diagnostics, including detection of pathogens, proteins, or biomarkers in blood or other biological fluids via immunoassays.
• Field-based or portable environmental monitoring to detect microorganisms or contaminants using antibody-labeled magnetic nanoparticles.
• Rapid screening and quality control in the food industry (e.g., detection of bacteria, viruses, or toxins) using magnetic nanoparticle-based assays.
• Epidemiological monitoring in high-traffic areas (e.g., airports) for rapid disease detection and control.
• Self-testing and autonomous biological analysis for elderly, travelers, or remote area practitioners.
• Pharmaceutical research for rapid quantification and detection of target biomolecules in lab-on-chip settings.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Highly sensitive detection of magnetic nanoparticles, enabling the detection of low-concentration targets in small sample volumes.
• Portable and compact design allows for on-site or point-of-care diagnostics.
• Low cost and industrially scalable thanks to PCB and microfluidic-based construction.
• Capability for rapid analysis (results in minutes) and minimal reagent/sample usage.
• Simultaneous reference and analyte measurements improve accuracy and reproducibility by compensating for environmental or instrumental fluctuations.
• Large dynamic range and good linearity over several orders of magnitude, facilitating reliable quantification.
• Adaptability for multi-analyte detection by integrating multiple reservoirs and coil sets.

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Patent Abstract

An electromagnetic sensing device (400) for detecting magnetic nanoparticles, comprising: a reference microfluidic reservoir (RR) to receive a reference substance with magnetic nanoparticles; an analyte microfluidic reservoir (AR) to receive an analyte and magnetic nanoparticles; a first excitation magnetic coil (HF1) to subject the reference microfluidic reservoir (RR) to an alternating magnetic field at a first frequency; a second excitation magnetic coil (HF2) to subject the analyte microfluidic reservoir (AR) to an alternating magnetic field at the first frequency; a third excitation magnetic coil (BF1) to subject the reference microfluidic reservoir (RR) to an alternating magnetic field at a second frequency distinct from the first frequency; a fourth excitation magnetic coil (BF2) to subject the analyte microfluidic reservoir (AR) to an alternating magnetic field at the second frequency; a first detection magnetic coil (D1) to detect a response magnetic field of the magnetic nanoparticles in the reference microfluidic reservoir (RR); a second detection magnetic coil (D2) to detect a response magnetic field of the magnetic nanoparticles in the analyte microfluidic reservoir (AR). The electromagnetic sensing device is structured according to a plurality of superimposed layers (LI, L2, L3, L4, L5), comprising at least three coil layers (L2, L3, L4, L5) and a reservoir layer (LI).