Magnotech is a type of

biosensor A biosensor is an analytical device, used for the detection of a chemical substance, that combines a biological component with a physicochemical detector. The ''sensitive biological element'', e.g. tissue, microorganisms, organelles, cell recep ...

using

magnetic Magnetism is the class of physical attributes that are mediated by a magnetic field, which refers to the capacity to induce attractive and repulsive phenomena in other entities. Electric currents and the magnetic moments of elementary particle ...

nanoparticle A nanoparticle or ultrafine particle is usually defined as a particle of matter that is between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in diameter. The term is sometimes used for larger particles, up to 500 nm, or fibers and tubes that are less than 1 ...

s to measure target

molecule A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and bioch ...

s in

blood Blood is a body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. Blood in the c ...

and

saliva Saliva (commonly referred to as spit) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be ...

in a matter of minutes. The technology is based on magnetic nanoparticles that are actuated by magnetic fields. A cartridge is inserted into a hand-held analyzer. The cartridge is constructed entirely from plastic components, has no moving parts or embedded electronics, and is disposable. It automatically fills itself from a single drop of blood or saliva. Once filled, no other fluid movement is required. The entire assay process within the cartridge is executed by controlled movement of the magnetic nanoparticles, using magnetic fields generated by the hand-held analyzer. The analyzer unit contains the electromagnets, an optical detection system, control electronics, software and the read-out display. Tests have shown that the cardiac marker Troponin I can be measured in blood plasma in around five minutes. Magnotech was used in the Minicare product of Philips Handheld Diagnostics, which was commercially launched in 2016. In 2018 the technology was spun out into Minicare BV, which was acquired by Siemens Healthineers in July 2019. Magnotech technology is used in Siemens' Atellica VTLi Patient-Side Immunoassay Analyzer, a test for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I. The technology behind Magnotech was initiated by

Philips Koninklijke Philips N.V. (), commonly shortened to Philips, is a Dutch multinational conglomerate corporation that was founded in Eindhoven in 1891. Since 1997, it has been mostly headquartered in Amsterdam, though the Benelux headquarters i ...

Research Fellow, Menno Prins. In 2014 he became full professor at Eindhoven University of Technology.

References

{{reflist Biosensors Biotechnology