Bio-Magnetism

Lecturer: Yusra Ahsan

Magnetism

• Magnetism is a fundamental property of matter; it is

generated by moving charges, usually electrons.

• Atoms and molecules have electron orbitals that can

be paired (an even number of electrons cancels the
magnetic field) or unpaired (the magnetic is present).
• Magnetic susceptibility describes the extent to which a material
becomes magnetized when placed in a magnetic field.

• Three categories of susceptibility are defined: diamagnetic,

paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic.

• Examples of diamagnetic materials are calcium, water, and most

organic materials C&H.
• Paramagnetic materials have
slightly positive susceptibility • Ferromagnetic materials are
and enhance the local magnetic "superparamagnetic"-that is,
field. they enhance the external
• Examples of paramagnetic magnetic field substantially.
materials are molecular oxygen • Examples are iron, cobalt, and
O2, some blood degradation nickel.
products, and gadolinium-based
contrast agents (used in MRI).
 Bio-Magnetism

Biomagnetism is the phenomenon of magnetic fields produced by

living organisms; it is a subset of bio-electromagnetism. In contrast,
organisms' use of magnetism in navigation is magnetoception and the
study of the magnetic fields' effects on organisms is magnetobiology.
(The word bio-magnetism has also been used loosely to include magnetobiology,
further encompassing almost any combination of the words magnetism,
cosmology, and biology, such as "magnetoastrobiology".)
 Bio-Magnetism
The origin of the word biomagnetism is unclear, but seems to have appeared
several hundred years ago, linked to the expression "animal magnetism". The first
valid measurement was actually made in 1963, but the field of research began to
expand only after a low-noise technique was developed in 1970.

Today the community of biomagnetic researchers does not have a formal

organization, but international conferences are held every two years, with about
600 attendees. Most conference activity centers on the MEG
(magnetoencephalogram), the measurement of the magnetic field of the brain.
 Magnetobiology

In contrast, organisms' use of magnetism in navigation is

magnetoreception and the study of the magnetic fields' effects on
organisms is magnetobiology such as Magnetocardiography,
Magnetoencephalography, Magneto Gastrography using SQUID
can measure fields as low as 5 x 10-18 Tesla.
Applications of Biomagnetism

As a nurse, understanding biomagnetism can empower you to assist in

procedures like magnetoencephalography (MEG) or
magnetocardiography (MCG), aiding in the diagnosis and management
of neurological and cardiac conditions. Additionally, staying informed
about biomagnetic therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation
(TMS) can broaden your toolkit for patient care, potentially offering
new avenues for treatment and rehabilitation.
Application
• The most important application of Bio-magnetism Magnetic
Resonance Imaging.
Why MRI?
• Which one is Brain MRI?
• Which one is Brain CT?
What is MRI?
• MRI Scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves
& computer to produce image of body structures.
• MRI scan uses radiofrequency waves & strong magnetic field rather
than x-rays to provide remarkably clear & detailed pictures of internal
organs & tissues.
• MRI test done with a large machine that uses a magnetic field &
pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs & structures
inside the body.
• In many cases MRI gives information that cannot be seen as well as
with an x-ray, ultrasound or CT scan.
Principle
• Images are created by the interaction between the external magnet in the
machine and the internal magnet in the human body.
• There are 3 physical principles concerning MRI:
⮚ The moving charged body is surrounded by magnetic field directly proportional with
the size of the body.
⮚ The proton is largely greater in size and number (80% body weight is water) than the
electron.
⮚ The small magnets will take the direction of the larger magnets.
• Radio waves generators emit radio waves having the same frequency as the
frequency of the protons. The hydrogen protons will be moved.
• The protons will be returned back with different speeds loosing the energy
gained by radio waves giving a signal.
Basic principle of MRI
MRI Instrumentation
• Categorization of magnets according to
their action
1. Permanent magnets
✔ (such as Fonar, Toshiba Access, and Hitachi
MRP-5000).
✔ Always stay on and cannot be turned off.
✔ They have the advantage of lower cost and
lower maintenance
✔ They require no cryogens for cooling
• 2. Resistive magnets
✔ Such as siemens open and picker outlook.
✔ Based on the electromagnetic principle that electric current running through
a coil produces a magnetic field.
✔ These magnets can be turned off and on.
• 3. Superconducting magnets
• Form of electromagnets.
• These magnets operate near absolute zero temperature (e.g., 4.2 K or -
270°C).
• There would be almost no resistance in their wires.
• This in turn allows us to use very strong electric currents to generate a high
magnetic field without generating significant heat (hence the name
superconducting).
• To achieve these ultra low temperatures, cryogens (such as liquid nitrogen)
are required (which are very expensive).
• The majority of the available scanners today are superconducting magnets.
Human Magnetism
Human magnetism is a popular name for the supposed ability of some humans
to attract various objects to their skin. People alleged to have such an ability are
often called human magnets. Although metal objects are the most prevalent
material of attraction, some "human magnets" are also able to stick other types
of materials to their skin, such as glass, porcelain, wood or plastic as well as
metals with no ferromagnetic properties, such as brass and aluminium.

However, none of the recorded claims of human magnetism corresponds with the
physics of magnetism.
 Biomagnetic in Alzheimer's Disease
• Biomagnetic imaging can help with the early diagnosis and follow-up of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Some types of biomagnetic imaging include:
1. Magneto-encephalography (MEG): Has a greater temporal resolution than functional MRI (fMRI),
which is another potential biomarker for AD. MEG is also sensitive to mild cognitive impairment.
2. Positron emission tomography (PET): Can detect the effects of AD onset in humans and
transgenic mice.
3. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS): Can detect the effects of AD onset in humans and
transgenic mice.
 Detection of Cancer

The application of biomagnetism in gynaecologic oncology is presented. We

provide a brief description of our research work in the investigation of biomagnetic
activity in benign and malignant ovarian and breast diseases, and an evaluation of
uterine myomas, providing a new approach of biomagnetism as a non invasive
imaging modality for assessing gynaecological tumours.
EX: cervical screening (BE), is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially precancerous and
cancerous processes in the cervix.
 Magnetic Hyperthermia in Cancer Therapy

Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) is a cancer

treatment that uses magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs) to heat tumors. The
MNPs absorb energy from an external
magnetic field and dissipate it as heat,
which can kill cancer cells. MH can also
enhance the effectiveness of other
therapies like radiation or chemotherapy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in
Neuropsychiatry
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive
procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve
cells in the brain to treat neuropsychiatric illnesses. TMS
can help treat depression, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, and other brain-related conditions. It has also
been used as an experimental tool to study the cortex in
healthy and diseased states, and to explore cognitive
mechanisms.
Biomagnetism in Advancing Medical
Diagnosis
Biomagnetism plays a crucial role in advancing medical diagnosis and
treatment by offering non-invasive methods to map brain and heart
activity, detect diseases like epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias, monitor
treatment responses, and explore innovative therapeutic avenues such as
transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic hyperthermia for cancer
therapy. Its significance lies in providing precise diagnostic tools and novel
treatment modalities while minimizing patient discomfort and risk.
Biomagnetism offers
nurses innovative
diagnostic and
therapeutic tools,
enhancing patient
care through non-
invasive techniques
and advanced
treatment modalities.