The use of magnets in science and medicine

Published: 2023-03-14 11:46:50 • Daniel Gårdefelt

Science and medicine have always been at the forefront of new technology, and using magnetic materials in these fields is common. Magnets are used in many different ways in science and medicine, from imaging technology to systems that deliver drugs. Today we will look at some of the most interesting ways magnets are used in science and medicine, as well as how they can affect these fields.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is probably the most well-known way of using magnets in medicine. We have gone through this in more detail in another article - see it here: 2023-02-03 Magnet in MR camera: x-ray. But to cut it short - MRI takes pictures of the inside of the body by using a strong magnetic field and radio waves. MRI machines can make detailed images of soft tissues such as the brain, spinal cord and muscles without using ionizing radiation. They do this by controlling the magnetic field. MRI is an important tool for diagnosing and monitoring a wide range of diseases and diagnoses, such as cancer, stroke and neurological disorders.

Hyperthermia from magnets
Magnetic hyperthermia is a promising new way to treat cancer. Cancer cells are heated and killed by using magnetic nanoparticles. The tumor site is injected with magnetic nanoparticles, which are then exposed to an alternating magnetic field. This causes the particles to move back and forth, creating heat that can kill cancer cells. Magnetic hyperthermia is a targeted treatment that can damage healthy tissues less and has shown promising results in preclinical studies.

Magnetic medicine delivery
Magnetic medicine delivery is a way of getting drugs to specific places in the body using small magnetic particles. The medicine are put on the nanoparticles, and then a magnetic field guides them to the right place. By delivering drugs directly to the affected tissues, this method can reduce the side effects of traditional drug delivery methods. Cancer, inflammation and other diseases may be able to be treated with drugs guided by magnets.

Magnetic cell sorting
Magnetic cell sorting is a way to separate certain cells from a group of cells using magnetic particles. The magnetic particles are coated with antibodies that stick to certain types of cells. This makes it possible to use a magnetic field to separate the cells from the rest of the mixture. This method is important for studying cells and can be used in many ways to diagnose and treat diseases.

Nano robots with magnets
Magnetic nanorobots are small robots that can be guided to specific locations in the body using a magnetic field. These robots are made to perform specific jobs, such as delivering drugs or clearing blocked blood vessels. Magnetic nanorobots are still in the early stages of development, but they could revolutionize medicine by providing targeted, minimally invasive treatments for a wide range of conditions.

Magnetic levitation
Magnetic levitation, also called maglev, is a technology that uses magnetic fields to levitate objects in the air. This technology has many uses in science and medicine. For example, it can be used to make microscopes that float and can look at biological processes in real time. Magnetic levitation can also lead to non-invasive surgeries that move and control surgical tools using magnetic fields.

In summary: magnets have become an important tool in science and medicine. They are used in imaging techniques, drug delivery systems and even microscopes that float/levitate in the air. As the field of magnetic materials improves, we can expect to see even more exciting and new uses for them. Using magnets in science and medicine will definitely help improve human health and advance scientific research.