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Journal of Radio Electronics Online scientific journal · eISSN 1684-1719
2021, № 5 · BIOMEDICAL RADIO ELECTRONICS

Practice and perspectives of using ultrasensitive magnetometers in biomedical research

I.V. Maslennikov1,2,3

1 Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation of RAS, Moscow, Russia
2 Kotelnikov IRE RAS, Moscow, Russia
3 CRYOTON Co. Ltd, Moscow, Russia
Full text (PDF) UDC 621.317.445 EDN PGWWZI

Abstract

There are a large number of sensors for measuring the magnetic field of biological objects. They are characterized by the type of the measured physical parameter (magnetic field strength, magnetic flux, etc.), the level of intrinsic sensitivity, and the frequency range of the recorded signals. The long-term practice of studying biomagnetic signals shows that only SQUID-based magnetometers and optically pumped magnetometers have sensitivity levels sufficient for recording biomagnetic signals with the required signal-to-noise ratio. This chapter reflects the main directions of using such magnetometers and methods of magnetic measurements in biomedical research, gives examples of existing technical solutions, and shows possible ways of their further development.

  • Biomagnetism
  • biomedicine
  • Biomedical investigations
  • dc-SQUID
  • dc-SQUID-based magnetometers
  • quantum optically pumped magnetometers
  • magnetic nanomarkers
  • magnetic nanoparticles
Аннотация (на русском)

Практика и перспективы применения сверхчувствительных магнитометров в биомедицинских исследованиях

Исследования и разработки по использованию магнитометров и магнитных методов измерений в медицине ведутся уже более 50 лет. Основная сложность исследования магнитных сигналов, генерируемых живыми организмами, состоит в том, что их амплитуды очень малы. Так, амплитуда R-пика магнитокардиограммы, регистрируемой бесконтактно над грудной клеткой человека, составляет всего около 50-100 пикоТесла, что примерно в миллион раз меньше величины магнитного поля Земли. Многолетняя практика показала, что для регистрации генерируемых в организме человека биомагнитных сигналов с необходимым отношением «сигнал-шум», магнитометры должны обладать уровнями собственной чувствительности порядка нескольких фемтоТесла в единичной полосе частот. На сегодняшний день подобные значения могут обеспечить лишь магнитометры на основе СКВИДов (СКВИД - сверхпроводниковый квантовый интерференционный датчик) и квантовые магнитометры с оптической накачкой (КМОН). Настоящая статья не является детальным обзором медицинских приборов на основе СКВИД-датчиков и КМОН, и не содержит подробного описания физических принципов, на которых основано их функционирование. Об этом читатели могут прочитать в источниках, ссылки на которые приведены в тексте. В обзоре обозначены значимые с точки зрения автора направления использования подобной магнитометрической аппаратуры и методов магнитных измерений в клинической практике, приведены примеры уже существующих технических решений, применяемых в биомедицинских исследованиях, и отмечены возможные пути их дальнейшего развития.

For citation

Maslennikov I.V. Practice and perspectives of using ultrasensitive magnetometers in biomedical research // Journal of Radio Electronics. – 2021. – No. 5.

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