An innovative cardiac scanner will dramatically improve the process of diagnosing heart conditions. The portable magnetometer* is being developed at the University of Leeds.

With its unmatched sensitivity to magnetic fluctuations the device will detect a number of conditions, including heart problems in the fetus earlier than the diagnostic techniques currently available, such as ultrasound, ECG (electrocardiogram) and possible magnetometers heart. It will also be smaller, easier to use, able to gather more information and far less expensive than other devices currently available.

Another important advantage is that for the first time, qualified nurses and doctors will be able to perform analysis of the heart, helping to relieve pressure on waiting lists in hospitals. The device will also function through clothes, cutting the time needed for analysis and eliminating the need for patients to undress for an examination. It could also be removed to accommodate a patient, leading to reduced use of hospital facilities.

Magnetometers scale have been used for some time for things like directional drilling for oil and gas on the spacecraft for exploring Earth and to detect archaeological sites and locate other objects buried or submerged . What has prevented its use to identify heart disease is their size and their high cost and expertise needed for their operation. Used to examine a patient involves contain the person within a magnetically shielded to reduce electrical interference other.

“The new system circumvents previous difficulties in placing the detector current in its own magnetic shield,” said Professor Ben Varcoe who heads the research team.

“The sensor placed on the surface to contemplate life outside the protected area and transmitting signals in the detector. The sensor head consists of a series of rollers that remove unwanted signals and amplifies the signals that are necessary. Thus, the tiny magnetic fields produced by the heart of a person can be transmitted in the environment heavily armored. What we have done is to combine existing technology in the fields of atomic physics and medical physics, a totally unique. ”

Like all parts of body, heart produces its own distinctive magnetic “signature”. The research team demonstrated that their magnetometer – developed as part of their work in the field of quantum physics – can reveal changes in lowercase in this signature. The study of these variations can, in turn, reveal the presence of heart disease. The team is now working to miniaturize the magnetometer medical use widespread. The device could be ready for use in routine diagnosis in about three years.

“Early detection of heart disease, improves the prospects for successful treatment. This system will also quickly identify those who need immediate treatment, “explains Professor Varcoe.” But our system will not only benefit patients – it will also help ease pressure on health resources and hospital lists of Waiting. ”

The device should be particularly effective in detecting ischemia, a condition where the blood supply to an area of the body becomes insufficient due to a blockage of blood vessels. It could also shorten the surgical procedures for people suffering from arrhythmia – a very common illness and the patient has an irregular heartbeat. Currently, the situation is corrected by surgery, which can last several hours. Much time is spent trying to identify the knot in the heart needs to be cauterized. Scanning of the heart with the new device during the operation would provide a much quicker to point the node correct, reducing the length of the proceedings as a whole by 80%.

The team working on the magnetometer has included specialists in electronics, precision measuring and optical fiber technology, and physicists. The instrument also may be adapted to detect abnormalities in other organs, such as the brain.

The original research project in which the magnetometer clinic is a spin-off has been called “Creating Long-Chain Entanglement using a phase-sensitive micromaser” This initiative has received funding from EPSRC for a little over £ 450,000. The EPSRC funded graduate students at the University of Leeds, Melody Blackman, now plays a key role in the development of miniaturized version of the magnetometer home for clinical use.

* A magnetometer is an instrument that measures magnetic fields.

** Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between radiation and matter. In laser spectroscopy, pulsed lasers are used to excite the molecules contained in the file, which allows the interaction to be observed.

Funding was provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

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