Detection, Measurement, And Imaging Of Cells Using Cellular Internalization of Nanoparticles

摘要

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for detecting, measuring, or locating cells or substances present in even very low concentrations in vivo in subjects, using targeted magnetic nanoparticles and special magnetic systems. The magnetic systems can comprise magnetizing subsystems and sensors subsystems, including as examples SQUID sensors and atomic magnetometers. The magnetic systems can detect, measure, or location particles preferentially internalized by cells due to the action of antibodies, proteins, macromolecules, or nutrients required for cellular metabolism. Example magnetic systems are capable of detecting sub-nanogram amounts of these nanoparticles.

主权项

1. An apparatus for the detection, measurement, or location of one or more predetermined types of cancer cells or biologic substances in vivo, comprising:
(a) a magnetizing subsystem, configured to magnetize superparamagnetic nanoparticles that are internalized by one or more predetermined types of cells in a patient, where the nanoparticles are preferentially internalized by the cells by antibodies, proteins, macromolecules, or nutrients required for cellular metabolism; and (b) a sensor subsystem, configured to detect a residual magnetic field in a region of the patient during a time after the net magnetic moments of nanoparticles not internalized by cells have decayed and before magnetic moments of nanoparticles internalized by cells have decayed, and (c) an analysis subsystem configured to analyze the residual magnetic field to detect, measure, or locate the one or more predetermined types of cells in the patient.