Biomagnetism

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INTRODUCTION
Biomagnetism is a combination of two sciences; Physics and
Biology.

It is the science where specifically designed magnets and their

energy fields are used to affect the living system- the human body or what is
called the Body electric. There are some basic physical laws that come into
play with the body electric. The body electric is the energy flow found in the
human body. This energy flow is the collective result of minute electrical
currents and cellular charge values that runs the body and all its function.
Biomagnetism can change and elevate the electrical currents and charges
thereby increasing the efficient of the bodys functional metabolism.

A new field of scientific research called Biomagnetism was

evolved after the major discovering of magnetic field associated with the flow
of electric current in the human body. Biomagnetism deals with the study of
magnetic contaminants of the body. The science of Biomagnetism applies a
technology that was originally developed for the measurement of extremely
small magnetic field in physics.

In Biomagnetism, magnetism fields produced by organs or by

magnetic contaminants of the body are studied. The example of the fields
arising from iron-bearing proteins in human liver. Magnetic particles may be
found in the lungs and stomach where these are commonly introduced by
environmental exposures particularly for workers in industries dealing with
iron or steel. Biomagnetism is a science and should be taken seriously. When
proper protocols are followed Biomagnets can help the body heal itself of even
chronic and long term conditions.

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Biomagnetic Therapy finds curing in person suffering from carpal

tunnel, muscle tension etc or possibly someone who needs a good nights sleep
or just wants to increase his or her general vitality.

Magnetic therapy has been used for over 5000 years to treat many
common health issues and some that are not so common

Known as Iodestones, the Chinese first used the power of this

magnetic stone to help heal disease over 5000 years ago.

Cleopatra used this as a beauty aid.

Paraclesus, a scientific in the late 1400s used them successfully to

treat the cause of seizures and many other illnesses that at a time, had
no known cures.

Today Biomagnetic therapy is used worldwide to treat broken bones,

conquer pain, relieve carpel tunnel, arthritics, increase vitality and
help itself from even chronic disease.

The negative and positive pole techniques on the body are critical for
successful Biomagnetic treatment. When used properly, Biomagnets are safe
have no known side effects. Biomagnets help to regulate the bodys natural
electrical current. They are safe, non invasive therapy that will help your body
to do what the body wants to do naturally- relative pain and heal itself.

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BIOMAGNETIC THERAPY
Researchers through the years have identified that the healthy cell tissue
quantitatively gives off a distinct high- negative, micro voltage charge
(potential). When trauma, stress or malfunction occurs, the cell changes from
its healthy strong negative potential, or in extreme cases changes to a
positively charged state. When this occurs the nerve relay system immediately
transmits the relay to the brain, which floods the problem area with healing
negative charges to correct the chaotically charged cellular orientations.

Health is determined by the electromagnetic vitality of the cells to

maintain the perfect chemical balance. Cells transfer necessary elements and
spent energy wasted through various channels by little electromagnets.
Proper electrical vitality of the cell creates the natural DNA computers that
arrange all the essential elements to properly organize and metabolize
correctly. In the inverse the weak negatively charged or wrong electrical
climate slows and / or shuts down the correction metabolism process and
chemical balance.

The negative field of a magnet is used most often to correctly

stimulate and recognize the electron (spin) charge which results in creating the
healthy cellular charge state of a strong negative potential. The negative field
is used in most treatments to help the body heal. When a cells electrical
charge is elevated from its stressed, improperly charged state to a highlycharged negative state, the cells natural ionic tones and suddenly able to
function properly and correctly metabolize all the necessary micronutrients.
The primary point is that the properly designed Biomagnetic field can
dynamically manipulate the electrical charge of the cellular tissue back to a
normal, healthy condition- thereby return to health.
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PRINCIPLE
A physician named Mesmer claimed that an invisible fluid permeates
(passes through the pores of) all objects in the universe including human body.
He also claimed that our body contains poles like a magnet which when
improperly aligned; prevent the flow of the fluid and the illness

CURRENTS AND FIELDS

We assume positively charged ions within the body to move in the
orientation of arrow along a short narrow path confined by the cell membrane.
Any net movement of charge from one area is the electric current. The field
becomes weaker as the distance increases from the arrow. Such a current
segment is known as current dipole. The current dipole has a strength given by
the product of the current and length of the path. The total current pattern
associated with a current dipole situated within a conducting medium like
human body is shown in figure1.

Figure 1.1

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Figure 1.2

What is a current dipole?

The movement of positive charge in a current dipole produces a buildup of positive charge at the head of the arrow .The outward electric field from
this charge drive ions in the surrounding medium to form an outward
spreading pattern of current. Similarly at the tail of the arrow, the removal of
the positive charge causes an inward flow of current. The total effect produces
two current patterns of opposite polarity, one outward and the other inward,
hence the name current dipole.

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BIOMAGNETIC FIELDS
Depolarization and Repolarization of cells results in currents with in the
human body. And these currents give rise to Biomagnetic field. Figure2 shows
the magnetic fields produced by a current dipole.

Figure 2: Magnetic field produced by a current dipole

DIPOLE THEORY IN BIOMAGNETISM

Since an active tissue is electronegative with respect to an inactive or
recovered area, boundary exists that is characterized by an array of positive
and negative charges. The boundary between active and inactive tissues can
be represented by a dipole, and because tissues and fluids can conduct current,
potential fields will be established. Figure3 illustrates the dipole theory in
Biomagnetism
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Figure 3

DETECTION OF BIOMAGNETIC FIELD

Magnetic field arises from the currents in the human body. When
a person touches a table with a finger, the magnetic response in the brain is
observed as the sensory center of the brain that is devoted to tactile the
response of that region. The magnetic field is influenced by intracellular axial
current that are confined to the regions of discharging cortex in brain. The
most sensitive instrument for measuring magnetic fields is based on the Super
Conductivity Quantum Interference Device (SQUIDS). Figure4 shows a
SQUID control system.

Figure 4
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INSTRUMENTATION
The most sensitive instrument for measuring magnetic fields is
based on the superconductivity quantum interference device SQUID. A
SQUID is a mechanism used to measure extremely weak signals, such as
subtle changes in the human bodys electromagnetic energy field. Using a
device called a Josephsons junction, a SQUID can detect a change of energy as
much as 100 billion times weaker than the electromagnetic energy.

Theory of Josephson junction

The Josephson junction is composed of two superconductors
separated by a thin insulating layer. The junction is connected in a circuit with
an external voltage applied across a resistor, the current; I and the voltage
drop, V across the junction can be measured.

Super conductivity and Super conductors

When certain substances are cooled below a critical temperature,
the electrical temperature, the electrical resistance becomes very small,
effectively vanishing. The superconductor is not a perfect conductor, but a
perfect diamagnetic material with zero electrical resistance. This is known as
Meissner Effect.

The high sensitivity of SQUID is made possible by

superconductivity.

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WORKING
What is SQUID magnetometer?
Superconducting Quantum Interference Device can detect
magnetic fields generated by electrical activity in smooth muscle. The SQUID
MAGNETOMETER, a popular and extremely useful device, uses the
interaction between magnetic flux and josephson junction.

How does a SQUID work?

The SQUID has as its active elements one or more josephson junctions.
A josephson junction is a weak link between two superconductors that can
support supercurrent below a critical value. The special properties the
josephson junction cause the impedance of the SQUID loop to be a periodic
function of the magnetic flux threading the SQUID so that a modulation signal
applied to the bias current is used with a lock in detector to measure the
impedance and to linearism the voltage to flux relationship. The net result is
that a SQUID functions as a flux to voltage converter with unrivaled energy
sensitivity.Figure5 shows the structure of SQUID

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Vaccum space

Thermal shield

Liquid helium

Outer dewar wall

Inner dewar wall
Magneto meter
probe

SQUID

Gradiometer
pickup coils

AC or DC
magnet

Tall area
Figure 5

The SQUID is located inside a small cylindrical, superconducting magnetic

shield in the middle of liquid helium dewar as shown in fig: 5 This minimizes
helium evaporation due to excessive heating. The special geometry of the
detection coil is less sensitive to the magnetic field from distant sources. The
coil is mounted at the bottom of the dewar, close to the head. The rest of the
hardware is designed to minimize helium boil off, eliminate RF interference,
and to not contribute Johnson noise or distort any external ac fields.

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TYPES OF SQUIDS
Based on the applied bias there are two types
1. AC or RF
2. DC SQUIDS
DC SQUIDS are easier to analyze and understand, but until the past
decade, AC SQUIDS were more popular as they were easier to construct and
use.

DC SQUIDS
The main part of a dc SQUID is the dual junction superconducting loop
as shown in figure6

Figure 6
I0-critical supercurrent carried by the loop
I1&I2-junction current
1&2 -phase difference across the junction
The SQUID loop has an inductance, L, which means that any change in
the magnetic flux through the loop will result in a current being induced to

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produce opposing flux. The induced current is the shielding current, is, and
circulates around the loop. A dc SQUID is designed such that when a dc
current is sent to one end of the device, the current divides into two parts to
take different routes to the other end. At this end, interference takes place
between the two waves. When a magnetic field is applied to the region
separating the paths, it accelerates the flow of electrons in one path and retards
the electrons in other path. Because of this the interference conditions are
changed. This can be detected by incorporating a wave link in each of the
paths. This effect is very sensitive to the presence of magnetic field and it is
for this reason that SQUIDS are useful as good magnetic sensors.
The figure7 shows the arrangement of dc SQUID system

Figure 7
Since the signal out of a SQUID is compared with the magnitude of
normal electronic signals, amplification is necessary. The dc SQUID is
supplied with a constant current. The flux through the loop is modulated by a
100 KHz flux from the feedback coil. The greater magnitude would mask any
signal that one would wish to detect. Lock in amplifier amplifies the difference
between the SQUID loops signal and the 100 KHz signal and this is fed back
to the feedback coil, the feedback coil adjusts until the feedback flux cancels
the input flux. The SQUID loop has a small inductance, so flux is usually
collected using a large input coil, and mutually induced into the SQUID loop
via another coil.
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MORE ABOUT SQUIDS

SQUID materials
SQUIDS have been fabricated from pure Nb and from Pb alloys
containing about 10%Au or In. Pure lead is not used because of its instability
in thermal cycling. The Nb-Pb alloy structure is preferred because it has better
properties than all Pb or all Nb alloy structure. It has extra hardness and high
tensile strength.

APPLICATIONS OF SQUIDS
SQUIDS have been used for a variety of testing purposes that demand
extreme sensitivity; including engineering, medical and geological equipment.
A SQUID is capable of detecting a change in magnetic field without any extra
equipment.

SQUIDS IN BIOMAGNETISM
The measurements of biologically produced magnetic fields were
unknown before the invention of SQUIDS. There are many magnetic fields
which have been measured, ranging from the susceptibility of tissue to applied
magnetic fields to ionic healing currents and those associated with neural or
muscle activity

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BRAIN IMAGING
By far the largest area of study within Biomagnetism is brain imaging.
Most existing non invasive brain imaging methods such as Computerized
Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron
Emission Tomography (PET), measure the distribution of some kind of matter
and are therefore primarily a measure of structure.

MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPHY (MEG)
It utilizes SQUIDS to measure the magnetic fields produced in the brain
by ionic current flow arising from neural activity. Brain generates rhythmical
potentials which originate in the individual neurons of the brain. The potentials
get summated as millions of cells developing synchronously and appear as a
surface waveform. Current MEG techniques have spatial resolutions of 1-5mm
but the time resolution\ions is between 1-5ms allowing real time imaging. This
real time imaging allows research into epileptic seizures and other
psychological disorders.figure8 shows the comparison of the spatial and time
resolution of MEG, MRI and PET imaging.

Figure 8
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OTHER APPLICATIONS
MAGNETOCARDIOGRAPH (MCG)
SQUIDS are used in popularly for heart monitoring. The figure9 shows
the MCG measurement system.

Figure 9.1

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Figure 9.2: Schematic diagram of magneto cardiogram measurement system

Heart produces a rhythmically synchronized signal. This signal is

described by means of a current dipole. SQUIDS pick up the magnetic signal.
Signal is then amplified and sampled through an RF amplifier. Controller
interconnects the magnetic signal arising from the heart to the processor via
A\D converter. Processor is connected to printers and to display monitors.

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ADVANTAGES OF MAGNETIC MEASUREMENT

Magnetic measurement of nerve function can be made directly in
the conducting fluid.

The use of split torrid allows measurement without puncture

or intrusive contact with nerve axon.

Measures the current density directly and allows determination of

current profiles (MCG).
MCG exceeds the diagnostic value of ECG.
Good spatial and temporal resolution.

Magnetic field is less than distorted by tissues than the

electric potential.

Localization is more exact especially for multiple dipole

sources.

Quick measurement
Non- invasiveness
Functional diagnostic information(MRI,CT,PET)

DISADVANTAGES OF MAGNETIC MEASUREMENT

Biomagnetism fields are much weaker than typical fields in our
environment such as those produced by motor vehicles, elevators etc. The
principle challenge in field measurement is from environmental noise. The
most straight forward solution for shielding the magnetic noise is a
magnetically shielding room (MSR).Figure10 shows an MSR

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Figure 10

MAGNETICALLY SHEILDED ROOM

Biomagnetic fields are almost a billion times weaker than the earths
geomagnetic field, thereby requiring a high performance MSR to shield out the
broad spectrum of everyday RF and magnetic interference.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Optimum shielding effectiveness>=80db from 10Khz-1Mhz

Reliable

CONSTRUCTION
MSR is constructed of several high grade materials such as aluminium,
Mu metal and copper. It has demountable construction.
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SHEILDING MATERIALS
Magnetic shielding: Mu metal (high permeability alloy)
Eddy current and RF shielding: aluminium (high conductivity)
WALL: Acoustic damping
FLOORS: Vibration damping & antistatic
WEIGHT: Approximately 3400kg

MSR allows imaging equipment such as MEG system to be able to

detect weak fields in the presence of much stronger environmental magnetic
and RF fields. The figure11 shows the schematic view of an MSR. As shown
in the graph we can see that outside the MSR, there is high field noise and
inside the MSR it is very much reduced.

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Figure 11

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APPLICATIONS

Storage of iron in the liver

Particles in lungs

Brain studies

Heart functions

STORAGE OF IRON IN LIVER

An important application of Biomagnetism in medicine is
measurement of iron concentration in liver. The liver is a major site for iron
which is in the form of ferrinite and hemosiderin proteins which are
paramagnetic. In earlier days, this was measured by chemical analysis in which
a tissue is removed from the liver through biopsy which was painful and
unsafe.

To measure the iron concentration, the basic idea is to apply a

field to the region of the liver and measure the field response produced by
molecules in the body tissues. The response of the tissue in comparison with
the strength of applied field is called magnetic susceptibility of the tissue.
Hence to determine iron concentration only the susceptibility of the liver needs
to be measured.

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PARTICLES IN LUNGS
Another application of Biomagnetism is the measure of the
magnetic field from magnetic particles in the lungs. Well-known examples of
such particles are asbestos fibers, coal dust and metal aerosols.

To detect the presence of magnetic particles, a strong magnetic

field is applied over the region of lungs. The magnetic field is detected by
removing the applied field and bringing a sensitive detector near the chest. The
magnetic particle become magnetized in that common direction and produces a
magnetic field.

Then a scan of the detector over the chest gives the

information about the amount and distribution of magnetic field.

BRAIN STUDIES
Brain research is the most rapidly growing application of
biomagnetism. Neuro magnetic measurements can localize active regions of
the brain whether other approaches have failed. Local paroxysmal discharges
lead to the generation of magnetic field in the skull.

These fields are

calculated by means of neuromagnetic techniques.

Magnetic techniques provide a direct measure of brain activity.

But it has a limitation that radial current sources are magnetically silent. Thus
when a complete specification of source is required, it is better to use both
magnetic and electric techniques.

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HEART FUNCTION
Mapping of the magnetic field outside the chest of the subject
describes the spatial and temporal behavior of MCG. These maps were first
measured by Cohen and Chandler in1969. This measurement instrument was
induction coil magnetometer.

In 1975 flexible magnetocardiographic measurement grid was

introduced in 1975.

The plannar anterior MCG measurement grid was

introduced thereafter. The MCG has diagnostic capabilities comparable to that

of the ECG and in several studies, it has been reported to even exceed the
diagnostic value of ECG.

Based on the double relaxation oscillator SQUIDS (DROS) a 3axis vector magnetometer system has been constructed for magneto
cardiogram and mapping of MCG.

FUTURE SCOPE
A new program to image cancer and tumors in vivo with SQUID
sensor arrays and super paramagnetic nano particles is currently under
development.

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CONCLUSION
Biomagnetism is a boon for medicine. Biomagnetism fields result
from currents or magnetization of biological tissues. Biomagnetism helps in
brain study, measurement of iron concentration in liver, measurement of
magnetic particles in lungs and study of heart functions.

The application of magnetic fields to human and animals is

classified as not being harmful. This is not harmful status resulted from a premarket toxicity study with MRI procedures using longer periods of exposures.
A static magnetic field is an energy field is an electric field by virtue of the
movements of electrons in the static electric field. This fact of the magnetic
field is used in industry with predictable results and can also be used in
magnetic therapy with the same predictable results.

Magnetic therapy is very efficient and have better results.

Biomagnetism also have a good diagnostic value.

To conclude Biomagnetism is a boon for medicine.

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