System and method for analyzing magnetic signal generated by human body

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for evaluating magnetic signals generated by a human body, comprising at least one measuring device for detecting the magnetic signals, an evaluation unit, which is designed to store the detected magnetic signals together with associated measurement points in time and to derive longitudinal biomagnetic field data from the magnetic signals. The detected magnetic signals and / or longitudinal biological magnetic field data are compared over different time scales, based on which the evaluation unit can evaluate the life function of the human body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by the human body. Background Art

[0002] Magnetic fields originating from electrophysiological activity of neurons or muscle tissue can be recorded by various specialized sensor systems and used as a diagnostic tool in many cases. This includes magnetoencephalography (MEG), for example in Pratt, EJ, Ledbetter, M., Jiménez-Martínez, R., Shapiro, B., Solon, A., Iwata, GZ, ... & Alford, JK (March 2021) "Kernel Flux: a whole-head 432-magnetometer optically-pumped magnetoencephalography (OP-MEG) system for brain activity imaging during natural human experience." ex-periences” Optical and Quantum Sensing and Precision Metrology, vol. 11700, pp. 162-179, SPIE); magneto-electromyography (MMG), for example in Broser, PJ, Middelmann, T., Sometti, D., & Braun, C. (2021) “Optically pumped magnetometers disclose magnetic field components of the muscular action potential” Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, vol. 56, pp. 102490); and magneto-electrocardiography (MCG), for example in Shirai, Y., Hirao, K., Shibuya, T., Okawa, S., Hasegawa, Y., Adachi, Y., ... & Ka-wabata (2019) “Magnetocardiography using amagnetoresistive sensor array” array” in International Heart Journal, Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 50-54).

[0003] Here, the time-varying magnetic field data generated by the human body are recorded and evaluated over a period of several minutes. In addition to manual evaluation (e.g. by a cardiologist), these data can also be evaluated using automatic systems based on neural networks, see for example Tao, R., Zhang, S., Wang, Y., Mi, X., Ma, J., Shen, C., & Zheng (2021) "MCG-Net: End-to-End Fine-Grained Delineation and Diagnostic Classification of Cardiac Events From Magnetocardiographs" IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 1057-1067).

[0004] At present, due to technical limitations of known measuring systems, measurements of significantly longer duration or periodically repeated measurements (hereinafter also referred to as “longitudinal”) are only performed occasionally.

[0005] Optically pumped quantum sensors or quantum sensors based on NV centers in diamond are particularly suitable as sensors for measuring very small magnetic field strengths. DE 10 2022 204 526.2 describes a magnetometer that uses optically pumped and optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). The following is used here: Under the influence of an external magnetic field, the energy levels of unpaired electrons in a certain spin state split, the so-called Zeeman effect. As a result of the splitting of the energy levels, the relaxation transitions of the excited states change, which can be measured by optical excitation and frequency-dependent fluorescence radiation detection or by observing optical properties such as absorption of light. The magnetic field strength can then be inferred from the measured optical parameters.

[0006] If suitable magnetometers were available for long-term biomedical magnetic field studies, the amount of data they would generate would be several orders of magnitude greater than one-time measurements. However, currently only systems designed to evaluate biomagnetic field data of a few minutes in length are common. Manual evaluation must be performed by trained professionals and usually involves pairwise comparison of current data with data from earlier time points. Such evaluation is too cumbersome for widespread application.

[0007] If the biomagnetic field is evaluated only for a single time point, much of the available information cannot be exploited; for example, rare arrhythmias may be overlooked. In addition, situations may arise where the measurement results are considered outside of their temporal or statistical context. For example, a short-term deterioration in myocardial function (e.g. within a few days) cannot be distinguished from long-standing changes (which currently do not require treatment). Summary of the invention

[0008] According to the invention, a device and a method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by the human body are proposed, having the features of claim 1 or claim 14. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the description below.

[0009] The system for analyzing magnetic signals generated by the human body according to the present invention comprises at least one measuring device for detecting magnetic signals, an analysis unit, which is configured to store the detected magnetic signals together with the assigned measurement time points and derive longitudinal biomagnetic field data from the magnetic signals. The detected magnetic signals and / or longitudinal biomagnetic field data are compared on different time scales, and based on the comparison, the analysis unit can evaluate the vital functions of the human body.

[0010] Longitudinal biomagnetic field data are to be understood in particular as data sets describing a certain individual's vital functions that are regularly monitored over a longer period of time and are described by measuring magnetic signals generated by the individual's body. For example, magnetic signals generated by the individual's heart, as well as signals generated by other muscles or nerves, are suitable.

[0011] Thus, a system is shown that can generate and verify hypotheses regarding changes in electrophysiological activity of certain tissues and organs or changes in the overall state of a user at different time scales.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic signals are compared over a time scale of several minutes, wherein in particular changes in the cardiac axis and / or ST stretching or ST depression can be detected.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic signals can be compared over a time scale of hours to days, in particular signs of right heart overload and / or tachycardia arrhythmias can be detected. ) period increases.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic signals can be compared over a time scale of months to years, and in particular long-term changes in resting heart rate and long-term changes in heart rate variability can be identified.

[0015] The system can preferably process vector measurements from multiple sensors or gradiometers, can further preferably assess data quality (e.g. signal-to-noise ratio), can further preferably compare measurements with anonymized data from other users, can further preferably incorporate manual assessment of earlier data into its assessment, and can communicate with the user. The system can further preferably assess the urgency of notification to the user, relatives and others, and can further preferably weigh the need to escalate the rescue chain (device notification, relative notification, emergency call).

[0016] The measuring device for detecting magnetic signals is preferably configured for detecting a magnetocardiogram (MKG for short). MKG is the recording and display of the cardiac magnetic field generated by the electrophysiological activity of cardiac muscle cells. This is achieved in particular by a nitrogen vacancy magnetometer (NV magnetometer) as the measuring device.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring device comprises a sensor unit for detecting magnetic signals generated by a beating heart, the sensor unit having a base body with a support surface. and an arrangement of at least two NV magnetometer units, wherein the arrangement is embedded in a base body, wherein the base body is configured to accommodate a user sitting or lying on a support surface. Such a device may also be referred to as a magnetocardiograph.

[0018] A particular advantage of NV sensors is the size of the sensor, in particular the size of the sensor medium or the measuring area. For the application, the active measurement volume should be smaller than the object to be measured (the heart), otherwise a large part of the signal will be integrated through the area coverage, resulting in a possible disappearance of the signal because the integral is zero. The smaller the active measurement volume is relative to the heart, the better the signal detection, in particular the more precise and / or accurate it is. NV sensors have a very small active sensor volume (e.g. a few cubic millimeters). This miniaturization also allows the sensor to be used in geometric arrangements. In particular, due to the very small active sensor volume, very high-resolution arrangements can be achieved.

[0019] This also allows easy integration into textiles or other everyday items, with a wide range of options being envisaged. In one embodiment, the base body is a cushion, a mattress, a recliner, a mat, a bed, a seat (such as a car seat) or a stool; it can also be integrated into, for example, a mattress topper, a mattress underlay, a bedspread, or a mattress cover. ), bed boards (Lattenrost), bed frames, quilts, pillows, side sleeping pillows, etc.

[0020] Diamond NV magnetometers are based on reading the magnetic resonance of special defect centers in diamond, especially nitrogen vacancies (NV), which occur as impurities in the diamond carbon lattice and can also be introduced purposefully. If the NV center is optically excited in the ground state, for example by a pump laser beam of an appropriate wavelength (in this case the green wavelength range, e.g. 532 nm for off-resonant excitation), the electrons are lifted from the triplet ground state to the excited triplet state and relax under fluorescence emission in the red wavelength range (650-800 nm, 637 nm is the zero phonon line). Due to the spin quantum number m s = ±1 has a high probability of non-spin-maintaining transition, and continuous optical pumping excitation makes most of the NV centers in m s =0 spin state hyperpolarization.

[0021] In the ground state m s = 0 and m s = ±1 spin states, which in this case is about 2.87 GHz. Therefore, if microwave radiation is introduced into the diamond in addition to optical excitation, a sudden drop in red fluorescence will occur at this resonant frequency of 2.87 GHz, because the spin-polarized electrons are transferred from m to n by the microwave field. s =0 to m s = ±1 ground state, and from there it is excited to m by pump light s = ±1 excited state. From there, nonradiative transitions and weak infrared fluorescence transitions occur mainly through the singlet state, while fluorescence in the red range disappears.

[0022] If there is an external magnetic field, due to the so-called Zeeman effect, the originally same energy m s =±1 The triplet energy level splits into Zeeman energy levels with equal energy spacing. When the fluorescence is compared with the frequency spectrum of microwave excitation, two dips (Dips) appear in the fluorescence spectrum, and their frequency interval is proportional to the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field. The magnetic field sensitivity is mainly defined by the minimum resolvable frequency shift, which can reach 1pT / √Hz or better. Since there are four possible arrangements of NV centers in single crystal diamond, when there is a directional magnetic field, the NV center in diamond will respond differently to the external magnetic field depending on its position in the crystal. Therefore, in an ideal case, four pairs of fluorescence minima may appear in the spectrum, and the strength and direction of the external magnetic field can be clearly determined from their shape and relative position.

[0023] In order to achieve vector magnetic field measurement, the device in one embodiment includes means for generating a substantially uniform bias magnetic field in the area of ​​the magnetometer unit or its sensor medium. The means can also be integrated in the base body. This can be a Helmholtz coil arrangement, in which the sensor medium of at least two NV magnetometer units is located within the Helmholtz coil arrangement. Other means can also be used, such as simple coils, long coils, permanent magnet solutions (such as Hallbach arrays), etc.

[0024] The cardiac signal, in particular the cardiac signal which is preferably detected in the present invention as a magnetic signal, has a magnetic signature of 1 to 2 picoTesla (pT) at a distance of a few centimeters, whereas the Earth's magnetic field in Central Europe, for example, is approximately 50 μT (microTesla), i.e. a strength of 10 6 However, even such small field strengths can be resolved with high accuracy over the long term using the proposed technology. For example, magnetic shielding or gradiometer interconnections can be used.

[0025] If a gradiometer interconnection of at least two NV magnetometer units is used, one magnetometer unit is always at a greater distance from the heart (as a relatively weak magnetic field source) than the other magnetometer unit. By interconnecting the gradiometers, i.e. essentially (vector) subtracting the measured values, the magnetic field gradient is approximated to the field emitted by the weak source, while the significantly stronger background field (essentially the same in both magnetometer units) is eliminated. Therefore, magnetic shielding is no longer required, so that magnetic field measurements can be carried out in an everyday environment. The present invention is particularly suitable for unshielded weak magnetic field measurements. Technical details about the gradiometer solution can also be disclosed in DE102022201690.4 and should be incorporated herein.

[0026] In one embodiment, the measuring device is arranged to detect the magnetic field strength and field direction with the aid of each of at least two NV magnetometer units. Another advantage of NV sensors is the direction or vector information. Unlike other technologies, this is inherent to NV sensors. Therefore, there is no need to introduce interference through modulation techniques or use unfavorable projections, nor is there a need for multiple separate sensors. Therefore, vector and gradiometer information can be obtained at exactly the same location (diamond size, i.e., single-digit cubic millimeters and below), rather than a few to many centimeters apart as with other technologies. By using NV magnetometer units that can determine not only the magnetic field strength, but also the direction of the magnetic field, the background field can be better suppressed, thereby better detecting signals that are strongly superimposed by interfering signals.

[0027] In one embodiment, the measuring device comprises a signal processing unit to which the at least two NV magnetometer units are connected, wherein the device is configured to determine an effective magnetic field strength and / or an effective magnetic field direction by means of the signal processing unit as a difference in magnetic field strengths or magnetic field directions detected by means of the at least two NV magnetometer units. The connection between the sensor and the signal processing unit can be wired or wireless.

[0028] By detecting magnetic signals, especially MKG, and tracking or comparing them on different time scales, various diseases can be detected, such as permanent atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Thus, myocardial infarction and subsequent stroke (especially after an unrecognized myocardial infarction) can be prevented. In addition, the present invention is suitable for early detection of ST elevation infarction (Hebungsinfarkt), other types of elevation infarction, pulmonary embolism, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, and very rare pathogenic diseases, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular tachycardia, which can usually only be detected by gene sequencing.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the system can include additional sensor devices, in particular pressure sensors and / or temperature sensors and / or microphones. By means of these additional sensor devices, additional biological signals of the human body can preferably be detected, wherein the additional biological signals are taken into account when evaluating the vital functions by the analysis unit. For example, body weight, body temperature, respiratory rate and / or other values ​​can be detected and used when evaluating the vital functions.

[0030] Preferably, based on the assessment of vital functions, further measures may be initiated, such as notifications. The system preferably assesses the urgency of notifications to the user, relatives and others, and weighs the need to escalate the rescue chain (device notification, relative notification, emergency call).

[0031] Here, the system preferably includes a communication unit, which is configured to send and / or receive data. To this end, the communication unit can be configured to send and / or receive data via a data network (e.g., the Internet). The connection can be made by wire or wirelessly using known methods or protocols (e.g., Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.).

[0032] Preferably, data from at least one other system constructed according to the invention can be received and taken into account by the analysis unit when evaluating vital functions, for example the detected signals can be compared with anonymized data of other users and / or a manual evaluation of earlier data can be included in the evaluation.

[0033] Thus, the user can be informed of a deterioration of certain vital function indicators. In addition, external devices, relatives and / or medical services can be informed about the development of vital functions by sending them corresponding data via the communication unit. For example, if signs of an acute illness occur, emergency services or doctors can be notified.

[0034] The core of the invention is therefore a system for analyzing and evaluating so-called longitudinal biomagnetic field data, ie considering data over long periods of time at different time scales.

[0035] Such a system could also be connected to other sensors, such as pressure sensors, and could also be built into the bed, the mattress, the mattress padding or the foot of the bed to observe, for example, the long-term development of weight.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body is provided, wherein a magnetic signal from a human body, such as an MKG signal, is detected by at least one measuring device, the detected magnetic signal is stored together with the assigned measurement time point, longitudinal biomagnetic field data is derived from the magnetic signal, and the detected magnetic signal and / or longitudinal biomagnetic field data are compared on different time scales, and human vital functions are evaluated based on the comparison. The method can be performed in particular by a system constructed according to the present invention.

[0037] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are apparent from the description and the drawings.

[0038] The invention is schematically illustrated on the basis of exemplary embodiments in the drawings and is described below with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system according to the invention is shown.

[0040] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram of the basic components of an NV centre magnetometer which can be used within the scope of the present invention is shown.

[0041] Figure 3 A schematic side view of a user sitting or lying on a base body according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing analysis of longitudinal biomagnetic field data at different time scales according to the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing analysis of longitudinal biomagnetic field data of multiple users at different time scales according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1A system 1 according to a possible embodiment of the invention is schematically shown.

[0045] The system 1 is used for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body 20, and comprises at least one measuring device 13 for detecting magnetic signals, an analysis unit 19, which is configured to store the detected magnetic signals together with the assigned measuring time points (indicated by a calendar) at regular time intervals and continuously, and derive so-called longitudinal biomagnetic field data 4 from the magnetic signals. The detected magnetic signals or biomagnetic field data are compared at different time scales, and based on the comparison, the analysis unit 19 evaluates the vital functions of the human body 20.

[0046] For the analysis of the longitudinal biomagnetic field data 4 by the system 1, other data sources are preferably included, such as early preliminary diagnosis results 2 (Vorbefunde), which can be obtained from external data sources 8. In addition, anonymous data 7 of other similar or identical systems 100 can be retrieved. For data transmission, the analysis unit 19 includes a communication module 19. Thus, the system 1 can draw reasonable suspicions of interference with the help of the biomagnetic field data 4 on different time scales and, if necessary, issue a warning 5 and / or take appropriate steps, such as notifying rescue services 6.

[0047] Figure 2 The basic components of an NV center magnetometer are schematically shown, which can be advantageously used as a measuring device in the system of the present invention. Here, first of all, there is a diamond 110 with nitrogen vacancies (NV) as a sensor medium. The optical excitation of the NV center can be achieved by a suitable light source 120 (such as a pump laser). For example, a frequency-multiplied Nd:YAG laser or a semiconductor laser in the green wavelength range (about 510-532 nm, for example 532 nm for non-resonant excitation) is suitable. Alternatively, an LED of a suitable wavelength range can also be used. Depending on the arrangement, the light of the light source 120 can be introduced into the diamond 110 via suitable optical elements 122 (such as mirrors, beam splitters, focusing optical elements such as lenses, and possibly optical fiber elements). In addition, the laser can introduce the excitation light in a continuous or pulsed manner, thereby, for example, retaining a time window for interference-free fluorescence measurement.

[0048] In addition, the magnetometer may include a microwave source 150 capable of generating an electromagnetic field in the sensor medium (i.e., in the NV center region of the diamond 110) within a bandwidth covering the desired resonant frequency. A microwave resonator structure may be used to evenly distribute the generated microwaves within the diamond measurement region. The resonator structure or microwave source 150 is preferably tuned to the electron spin resonance frequency. In order to achieve vector magnetometry, an additional static bias magnetic field 140 is generated. This makes the measurement vectorial in nature. To this end, different spatial directions in the crystal structure are used. For example, a Helmholtz coil is suitable for generating such a magnetic field 140, and a substantially uniform magnetic field can be generated in a limited area by a pair of coils.

[0049] The fluorescence 112 generated from the diamond 110 can be guided to a first photodetector 130, which is sensitive to at least the fluorescence wavelength, by means of suitable optical elements 134, such as optical filters, beam splitters, lenses and / or fiber optic elements. The first photodetector 130 can also be mounted directly on the diamond 110. The second photodetector 132 is arranged to detect at least a portion of the excitation light of the light source 120, which can be coupled out by means of a beam splitter, a filter or a partially transmissive element. The detector signal 132 of the excitation light can be used as a reference signal to eliminate background signals and highlight the resonance signal of interest, for example by modulating the excitation light using a lock-in amplifier. Additionally or alternatively, the reference signal can be used to take into account fluctuations of the excitation light. Therefore, a corresponding circuit 160, such as a preamplifier, a logarithmic amplifier, a lock-in amplifier, a signal filter or others, is provided to acquire the signals of the first and second photodetectors and to preprocess the signals in a suitable manner for further evaluation. Finally, the preprocessed fluorescence signal is evaluated by a signal processing unit 170, such as a suitable microcontroller or processor, to obtain the required parameters of the detected magnetic field from the signal, in particular the magnetic field strength and the magnetic field direction.

[0050] It is understood that such a device may also include other units not shown, such as a communication unit or an interface for outputting measurement results. Such a device may also be advantageously integrated into an ASIC or FPGA.

[0051] For use in daily environments, magnetic fields from undesirable weak sources should be eliminated as much as possible, especially the Earth's magnetic field at 10 -5 The magnetic field of the heart is in the range of 10-100 times10 -12 Tesla (picotesla) range.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, in the case of magnetic field measurement the background magnetic field can be eliminated by shielding or by a gradiometer arrangement. A gradiometer is basically a sensor unit which is able to detect not only the field strength but also the field gradient.

[0053] For this purpose, at least two separate magnetometer units can be used, which are located at different locations in space.

[0054] Figure 3 A possible embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. Therein is shown a measuring device 13 for detecting magnetic signals, which comprises a base body 11 and a support surface 11a, and at least one arrangement 12 consisting of at least two nitrogen vacancy center (NV) magnetometer units, wherein at least one arrangement 12 is embedded in the base body 11. The base body is arranged to accommodate a user 20 sitting or lying on the support surface. The measuring device 13 is used to detect magnetic signals generated by a beating heart (M), but basically all magnetic signals can be detected, in particular biosignals, i.e. signals from a living organism. For illustration, a coordinate system is shown in the figure, in which the drawing plane represents the xz plane and the y axis enters the drawing plane. Figure 3 , a mattress is shown as a base body 11 by way of example. The base body can also be formed as, for example, a quilt, a pillow, a mattress pad, a chair, a seat, a car seat, etc.

[0055] Figure 4 a)-c) show exemplary evaluations of the detected magnetic signals. Figure 4 In the example of a), a table 400 is created in which for each day 410 an associated value 412 is stored, which is calculated from the magnetic signals measured on that day and represents the resting heart rate at night in this example. The values ​​412 of each day 410 can now be compared (416) in order to detect trends or identify sudden changes, for example. A health index can be calculated from the trend of the values ​​412. In addition to the detected magnetic signals, other biosignals detected by additional sensors can also be included in this process.

[0056] exist Figure 4 In the example of b), a table 420 is created in which an associated value 432 is stored for each day 430, which is calculated from the magnetic signal measured on that day and in this example also represents the resting heart rate at night. By comparing the current value 432 with the values ​​(426) of the previous days, deviations that indicate pathological changes in the health status can be detected, for example by pattern recognition.

[0057] exist Figure 4 In the example of c), a table 440 is created in which, for each hour 450 of each day, an associated value 452 is stored, which is calculated from the magnetic signals measured during this hour and represents the maximum heart rate during this hour in this example. Various comparisons 456, 458 can now be performed to detect short-term changes in the heart rate. These changes can be assigned to certain events by incorporating other data sources.

[0058] This is Figure 5 This is illustrated by way of example in a)-c). There are shown trends 62, 64, 66 of magnetic signals or values ​​63, 65, 67 derived therefrom (e.g. representing sleep quality) of three different individuals detected in the same time period. It is noteworthy that on day 72, a decrease in the values ​​detected for all individuals was observed. This could be explained by a determined weather event (e.g. a midsummer night) if the individuals were in the same area. This could be verified by incorporating other information sources (weather services, Internet, etc.) and taken into account in the further evaluation of the magnetic signals.

Claims

1. A system (1) for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body (20), the system comprising: At least one measuring device (13) for detecting a magnetic signal (4), an analysis unit (19), the analysis unit being configured to: store the detected magnetic signal together with the associated measurement time points at regular time intervals and continuously and / or within a certain time period, derive longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) from the magnetic signal, compare the detected magnetic signal and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) with each other on different time scales (3), wherein, based on the comparison, an evaluation of the vital functions of a human body (20) can be performed by the analysis unit (19).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring device (13) is constructed to detect magnetic signals generated by a beating heart (M), and comprises a base body (11) and an arrangement (12) consisting of at least two nitrogen vacancy center (NV) magnetometer units, wherein the base body has a support surface (11a), wherein the arrangement (12) is embedded in the base body (11), and wherein the base body (11) is configured to accommodate a human body (20) sitting or lying on the support surface (11a).

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The base body (11) has an elastic material between the arrangement (12) and the support surface (11a), the elastic material being in particular a cushion, a mattress, a recliner, a floor mat, a bed, a seat or a stool.

4. The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The measuring device (13) is configured to detect magnetic field strength and magnetic field direction by means of each of at least two NV magnetometer units, wherein each of the at least two NV magnetometer units has a diamond crystal or a portion of a diamond crystal with a nitrogen vacancy center as a sensor medium (110), wherein the device is configured to detect magnetic field strength and / or magnetic field direction by reading a spin resonance in the sensor medium (110) that is dependent on magnetic field strength, wherein the device has at least one excitation light source (120) for irradiating light (124) into the sensor medium (110), at least one microwave source (150) for generating a resonance field in the sensor medium, and at least one photodetector (130), wherein the at least one excitation light source (120) is used to irradiate light (124) into the sensor medium (110), wherein the at least one microwave source is used to generate a resonance field in the sensor medium, and wherein the at least one photodetector is used to detect resonance-dependent fluorescence (112) from the sensor medium (110).

5. The system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The analysis unit (19) or the measuring device (13) has a signal processing unit, and the at least two NV magnetometer units are connected to the signal processing unit, wherein the system is configured to determine the effective magnetic field strength and / or the effective magnetic field direction with the aid of the signal processing unit as the difference in magnetic field strength or magnetic field direction detected with the aid of the at least two NV magnetometer units as a magnetic signal.

6. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The evaluation unit (19) is designed to compare the magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) over a time scale of several minutes, wherein in particular changes in the cardiac axis and / or ST stretching or ST depression can be detected.

7. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The evaluation unit (19) is designed to compare the magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) over a time scale of hours to days, wherein in particular signs of right heart overload and / or an increase in the period of tachycardia arrhythmias can be detected.

8. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The evaluation unit (19) is designed to compare the magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) over a time scale of several months to several years, wherein in particular long-term changes in the resting heart rate and long-term changes in the heart rate variability can be detected.

9. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The system (1) comprises one or more additional sensor devices, in particular a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a microphone, for detecting additional biological signals of the human body, wherein the additional biological signals are taken into account when evaluating the vital functions by the analysis unit (19).

10. The system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: Based on the assessment of the vital functions, further measures can be initiated (5, 6).

11. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The system (1) comprises a communication unit (17) which is designed to send and / or receive data (2, 7).

12. The system (1) according to claim 11, wherein: Data (7) are received from at least one other system (100) which is designed in accordance with claim 11 and which are taken into account when evaluating the vital function by the evaluation unit (19).

13. System (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The communication unit (17) is configured to transmit the assessment of the vital function to an external device.

14. A method for analyzing a magnetic signal generated by a human body, wherein: Magnetic signals from a human body (20) are detected by means of at least one measuring device (13), the detected magnetic signals are stored together with the associated measurement time points, longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) are derived from the magnetic signals, and the detected magnetic signals and / or longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) are compared with each other on different time scales, wherein an assessment of the vital functions of the human body (20) is performed based on the comparison.

Images