System and method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for analyzing magnetic signals which have been generated by a human body, comprising at least one measuring device for detecting magnetic signals and an analysis unit which is designed to store the detected magnetic signals together with an assigned measurement time and to derive longitudinal biomagnetic field data from the magnetic signals. The detected magnetic signals and / or the items of longitudinal biomagnetic field data are compared with one another at different time scales, wherein a vital function of the human body can be evaluated on the basis of the comparison by means of an analysis unit.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] System and method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body

[0004] The present invention relates to a system and a method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Magnetic fields resulting from the electrophysiological activity of neuronal or muscular tissue can be recorded by various specialized sensor systems and are often used as diagnostic tools. This includes magnetoencephalography, as described, for example, in Pratt, EJ, Ledbetter, M., Jimenez-Martinez, R., Shapiro, B., Solon, A., Iwata, GZ, ... & Alford, JK (2021, March). Kernel Flux: a whole-head 432-magnetometer optically-pumped magnetoencephalography (OP-MEG) system for brain activity imaging during natural human experiences. In Optical and Quantum Sensing and Precision Metrology (Vol. 11700, pp. 162-179). SPIE.), magnetomyography, as described, for example, in Broser, PJ, Middelmann, T., Sometti, D., & Braun, C. (2021). Optically pumped magnetometers reveal magnetic field components of the muscular action potential.Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 56, 102490) and magnetocardiography, for example described in Shirai, Y., Hirao, K., Shibuya, T., Okawa, S., Hasegawa, Y., Adachi, Y., ... & Kawabata, S. (2019). Magnetocardiography using a magnetoresistive sensor array. International Heart Journal, 60(1), 50-54.

[0007] This involves recording and evaluating temporally variable magnetic field data generated by a human body over a period of up to several minutes. In addition to manual analysis (e.g., by a cardiologist), automated systems, such as those based on neural networks, are available for evaluating such data. See, for example, Tao, R., Zhang, S., Wang, Y., Mi, X., Ma, J., Shen, C., & Zheng, G. (2021). MCG-Net: End-to-End Fine-Grained Delineation and Diagnostic Classification of Cardiac Events From Magnetocardiographs. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 26(3), 1057-1067.

[0008] Measurements of significantly longer duration or periodically recurring measurements (both are also referred to as “longitudinal” in the following) currently only take place occasionally due to the technical limitations of the known measuring systems.

[0009] Optically pumped quantum sensors or those based on NV centers in diamond are particularly suitable 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). This method exploits the fact that the energy levels of certain spin states of unpaired electrons split under the influence of an external magnetic field, the so-called Zeeman effect.

[0010] The splitting of energy levels results in altered transitions during relaxation from excited states, which can then be measured, for example, by optical excitation and frequency-dependent detection of the resulting fluorescence radiation or by observing optical properties such as light absorption. The measured optical parameters can then be used to determine the magnetic field strength.

[0011] If such suitable magnetometers are available for recording biomedical fields for long-term studies, they generate data volumes several orders of magnitude greater than those obtained with single-period measurements. In contrast, systems currently only commonly used to evaluate biomagnetic field data lasting a few minutes are common. Manual evaluation, however, must be performed by trained specialists and typically involves a pairwise comparison of current data with data from earlier time points. This type of evaluation is therefore too complex for widespread application.

[0012] If biomagnetic field analyses are performed only at specific points in time, a large portion of the available information is not utilized. For example, rare cardiac arrhythmias may be overlooked. Furthermore, the respective measurement may be viewed outside of its temporal or statistical context. For example, short-term deteriorations in cardiac muscle function (e.g., within days) cannot be distinguished from longer-term changes that do not currently require treatment.

[0013] Disclosure of the invention

[0014] According to the invention, a device and a method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body are proposed, having the features of claim 1 and claim 14, respectively. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

[0015] A system according to the invention for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body comprises at least one measuring device for detecting magnetic signals, an evaluation unit configured to store the detected magnetic signals together with an associated measurement time, and to derive longitudinal biomagnetic field data from the magnetic signals. The detected magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data are compared with each other on different time scales, and based on the comparison, an evaluation of a vital function of the human body can be performed by the evaluation unit.

[0016] Longitudinal biomagnetic field data refers, in particular, to data sets that describe vital functions of a specific person, recorded regularly over a longer period of time, and that are described by measuring magnetic signals generated by the person's body. Suitable examples include the magnetic signals generated by the person's heart, but also signals generated by other muscles or nerves.

[0017] This represents a system that develops and tests hypotheses for changes in the electrophysiological activity of certain tissues and organs, or the overall condition of the user, on different time scales.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic signals are compared on a time scale of a few minutes, whereby in particular a change in the electrical heart axis and / or ST extensions or ST depressions can be detected.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic signals can be compared on a time scale of hours to days, whereby in particular right heart strain signs and / or increases in periods of tachycardic cardiac arrhythmias can be detected.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic signals can be compared on a time scale of months to years, whereby long-term changes in resting heart rate and heart rate variability can be identified in particular.

[0021] The system can preferably process vectorial measured values ​​from multiple sensors or gradiometers for evaluation, can further preferably evaluate the quality of the data (e.g. the signal-to-noise ratio), can further preferably compare the measured values ​​with anonymized data from other users, can further preferably include manual evaluations of previous data in its evaluation and can communicate with the user. The system can further preferably assess the urgency of a message to the user, relatives and other people and can further preferably weigh up the need for escalation of the rescue chain (message on the device, notification of relatives, emergency call). One measuring device for detecting magnetic signals is preferably designed to record a magnetocardiogram (abbreviated MKG).An MCG is the recording and visualization of the heart's magnetic field, which is generated by the electrophysiological activity of the heart muscle cells. This is primarily achieved using nitrogen vacancy magnetometers (NV magnetometers) as a measuring device.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the measuring device comprises a sensor unit for detecting magnetic signals generated by a beating heart, which sensor unit has a support body with a support surface and an arrangement of at least two NV magnetometer units. The arrangement is embedded in the support body, the support body being configured to accommodate a user sitting or lying on the support surface. Such a device can also be referred to as a magnetocardiograph.

[0023] A particular advantage of NV sensors is the size of the sensor, especially the sensor medium or the measuring area. For this application, the active measurement volume should be small compared to the object to be measured (heart), otherwise the area coverage will result in integration over large parts of the signal, and thus the signal may disappear because the integral is zero. The smaller the active measurement volume compared to the heart, the better, and in particular, the more precise and / or accurate, the signal detection. NV sensors have a very small active sensor volume (e.g., a few mm 3 This small size also allows the sensors to be used in a geometric array. In particular, very high-resolution arrays are possible due to the very small active sensor volume.

[0024] This also enables easy integration into textiles or other everyday objects, with numerous options being considered. In one embodiment, the base body is a cushion, a mattress, a lounger, a mat, a bed, a seat (such as a car seat) or a chair; integration is also possible in, for example, a topper, underlay, cover, slatted frame, bed frame, duvet, pillow, side sleeper pillow, etc. Diamond NV magnetometers are based on the readout of the magnetic resonances of special defect centers in diamond, in particular nitrogen vacancies (NV, nitrogen vacancy), which occur as impurities in the carbon lattice of diamond and can also be deliberately introduced. If the NV center is optically excited in the ground state, for example by a pump laser beam with a suitable wavelength (in this case in the green wavelength range, e.g.When a ray of light is irradiated (at 532 nm for off-resonance excitation), the electrons are lifted from the triplet ground state to the excited triplet state and relax, emitting fluorescent light in the red wavelength range at 650–800 nm (637 nm = zero phonon line). Since the probability for non-spin-conserving transitions from the spin state increases with the spin quantum number m. s =±1 is larger, continuous excitation pumping ensures that the NV centers are mostly in the spin state m s =0 hyperpolarized.

[0025] Between the m s = 0 and m s =±1 spin states in the ground state, there is an energy difference, which in this case is about 2.87 GHz. Therefore, if microwave radiation is irradiated into the diamond in addition to the optical excitation, a dip in the red fluorescence occurs at this resonance frequency of 2.87 GHz, since the spin-polarized electrons are deflected by the microwave field from the m s= 0 in the m s =±1 ground state and from there by the pump light into the m s =±1 excited state. From there, however, mainly non-radiative transitions and weak infrared fluorescence transitions occur via the singlet state, while fluorescence in the red region disappears.

[0026] If an external magnetic field is present, the so-called Zeeman effect causes the splitting of the otherwise equally energetic m s=±1 triplet levels into energetically equidistant Zeeman levels. When the fluorescence is plotted against a frequency spectrum of the microwave excitation, two dips are observed in the fluorescence spectrum, the frequency spacing of which is proportional to the magnetic field strength of the external magnetic field. The magnetic field sensitivity is primarily defined by the minimum resolvable frequency shift and can reach up to 1 pTA / Hz or better. Since the NV center in single-crystal diamond has four possible arrangements in the crystal lattice, the presence of a directed magnetic field causes the NV centers present in the crystal to react with varying degrees to the external magnetic field depending on their position within the crystal. Ideally, this results in four pairs of fluorescence minima appearing in the spectrum, from whose shape and position relative to each other, both the magnetic field strength (magnitude) and the direction of the external magnetic field can be clearly determined.

[0027] To enable vector magnetic field measurements, the device, in one embodiment, comprises a device for generating a substantially homogeneous bias magnetic field in the region of the magnetometer units or their sensor media. This device can also be integrated into the base body. It can be a Helmholtz coil arrangement, with at least the sensor medium of the at least two NV magnetometer units being arranged within the Helmholtz coil arrangement. Other devices can also be used, such as a simple coil, an elongated coil, permanent magnet solutions such as in a Hallbach array, etc.

[0028] Heart signals, which are particularly preferably recorded as magnetic signals within the scope of the invention, have a magnetic signature with an amplitude of (only) 1 to 2-digit picotesla (pT) at a distance of a few centimeters, whereas, for example, the Earth's magnetic field in Central Europe is approximately 50 pT (microtesla), i.e. a factor of 10 6 stronger. However, even such small field strengths can be resolved with high precision over the long term using the proposed technology. For example, magnetic shielding or gradiometer circuitry can be used for this purpose.

[0029] When 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 another magnetometer unit. Through the gradiometer interconnection, i.e., essentially (vector) subtraction of the measured value, the magnetic field gradient approximately corresponds to the field emanating from the weak source, while significantly stronger background fields (which are essentially the same in both magnetometer units) are eliminated. This eliminates the need for magnetic shielding, enabling magnetic field measurement in everyday environments. Accordingly, the invention is particularly suitable for the unshielded measurement of weak magnetic fields. Technical details of gradiometer solutions that can also be used within the scope of the present invention are disclosed in DE 102022201690.4 and are intended to be incorporated herein.

[0030] In one embodiment, the measuring device is configured to detect a magnetic field strength and field direction using each of the at least two NV magnetometer units. A further advantage of NV sensors is the directional or vector information. In contrast to other technologies, this is inherent in NV sensors. Therefore, there is no need to introduce interference through modulation techniques or use less favorable projections, nor is there a need to use multiple separate sensors. Thus, the vector and gradiometric information are available at exactly the same location (diamond size, i.e., single-digit mm). 3and below) and not separated by a few centimeters to many centimeters as with other technologies. NV magnetometer units, which can determine not only the field strength but also the direction of the magnetic field, enable improved suppression of a background field and thus better detection of signals that are heavily overlaid by interference.

[0031] In one embodiment, the measuring device comprises a signal processing unit to which the at least two NV magnetometer units are connected. The device is configured to use the signal processing unit to determine an effective magnetic field strength and / or an effective magnetic field direction as the difference between the magnetic field strength and field direction detected by the at least two NV magnetometer units. Both a wireless and a wired connection between the sensor system and the signal processing unit is provided.

[0032] By detecting a magnetic signal, particularly a CMG, and tracking or comparing it over different timescales, a variety of diseases can be detected, such as permanent atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This can prevent a heart attack and, subsequently, a stroke (especially after an undetected heart attack). Furthermore, the invention is suitable for the early detection of ST-elevation myocardial infarction, other types of elevation myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, AV nodal retrieval tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, and even very rare pathogenic diseases such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular tachycardia, which can otherwise only be detected through gene sequencing.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention, additional sensor devices, in particular pressure sensors and / or temperature sensors and / or microphones, can be included in the system. These additional sensor devices can preferably be used to detect additional biosignals from the human body, with the additional biosignals being included in the evaluation of vital functions by the evaluation unit. For example, body weight, body temperature, respiratory rate, and / or other values ​​can be detected and used in the evaluation of vital functions.

[0034] Depending on the assessment of vital signs, further measures can be initiated, for example, a notification can be sent. The system preferentially assesses the urgency of a notification to the user, relatives, and other people and weighs the need for escalation of the rescue chain (notification on the device, notification of relatives, emergency call).

[0035] For this purpose, the system preferably has a communication unit which is designed to send and / or receive data. For this purpose, the communication unit can be designed, for example, to send and / or receive data via a data network, for example the Internet. A connection can be made wired or wirelessly via known methods or protocols, such as Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc. Data can preferably be received from at least one other system which is designed according to the invention and can be included in the evaluation of the vital function by the evaluation unit. For example, the recorded signals can be compared with anonymized data from other users and / or manual evaluations of earlier data can be included in the evaluation.

[0036] For example, a user can be notified if certain vital function parameters deteriorate. External institutions, relatives, and / or healthcare providers can also be informed about the development of vital functions by sending relevant data to them via the communication unit. For example, an emergency service or a doctor can be notified if signs of an acute illness are detected.

[0037] The core of the invention is therefore a system for analyzing and evaluating so-called longitudinal biomagnetic field data, i.e. the observation of the data over a longer period of time and across different time scales.

[0038] Such a system can also be connected to other sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, also built into the bed, the mattress, the topper or under the feet of the bed, in order to observe the long-term development of e.g. body weight.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body is proposed, wherein magnetic signals, for example maxillofacial signals, from a human body are detected by means of at least one measuring device, the detected magnetic signals are stored together with an associated measurement time, longitudinal biomagnetic field data are derived from the magnetic signals, and the detected magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data are compared with one another on different time scales, wherein an evaluation of a vital function of the human body is carried out based on the comparison. The method can be carried out in particular with a system designed according to the invention. Further advantages and embodiments of the invention can be found in the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0040] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0041] Short description of the drawings

[0042] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system according to the invention

[0043] Figure 2 shows in a schematic block view the essential components of an NV center magnetometer as can be used in the context of the invention.

[0044] Figure 3 shows schematically in a side view a user on a support body according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Figure 4 schematically shows an analysis of longitudinal biomagnetic field data on different time scales according to the invention.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a schematic analysis of longitudinal biomagnetic field data from several users on different time scales,

[0047] Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0048] Figure 1 schematically shows a system 1 according to a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0049] The system 1 for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body 20 comprises at least one measuring device 13 for detecting magnetic signals, an evaluation unit 19 which is configured to store the detected magnetic signals at regular time intervals and continuously together with an assigned measurement time (indicated by the calendar), and to derive so-called longitudinal biomagnetic field data 4 from the magnetic signals. The detected magnetic signals or the biomagnetic field data are compared with one another on different time scales, wherein an evaluation of a vital function of the human body 20 is carried out by the evaluation unit 19 based on the comparison.

[0050] For the analysis of the longitudinal biomagnetic field data 4 by the system 1, additional data sources are preferably included, for example, previous preliminary findings 2, which can be obtained from an external data source 8. Additionally, anonymized data 7 from other similarly structured or similar systems 100 can be retrieved. For data transmission, the evaluation unit 19 has a communication module 19. Thus, the system 1 can derive a justified suspicion of a disturbance using the biomagnetic field data 4 on different time scales and, if necessary, issue a warning 5 and / or initiate appropriate steps, for example, by informing an emergency service 6.

[0051] Figure 2 schematically shows the essential components of an NV center magnetometer, which can advantageously be used as a measuring device in a system according to the invention. Initially, a diamond 110 with nitrogen vacancies (NV) is present as the sensor medium. The optical excitation of the NV centers can be achieved by a suitable light source 120, such as a pump laser. For example, a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser or a semiconductor laser in the green range of approximately 510-532 nm is suitable, e.g., at 532 nm for off-resonance excitation. Alternatively, LEDs in suitable wavelength ranges can also be used. Depending on the arrangement, the light from the light source 120 can be irradiated into the diamond 110 via suitable optical elements 122, such as mirrors, beam splitters, focusing optics such as lenses, and optionally via fiber optic elements.Furthermore, the excitation light can be radiated continuously or in pulsed form by the laser, so that, for example, time windows are kept free for interference-free fluorescence light measurements. Furthermore, the magnetometer can comprise a microwave source 150 capable of generating an electromagnetic field in the sensor medium over a bandwidth that covers the desired resonance frequency, i.e., in the region of the NV centers of the diamond 110. A microwave resonator structure can be used to homogeneously distribute the generated microwaves over the volume of the measurement area in the diamond. The resonator structure or the microwave source 150 is preferably tuned to the frequency of the electron spin resonances. To enable vector magnetometry, an additional static bias magnetic field 140 is generated. This makes the measurement intrinsically vectorial. Various spatial directions in the crystal structure are used for this purpose.A Helmholtz coil, for example, is suitable for generating such a magnetic field 140, in which a substantially homogeneous magnetic field can be generated in a limited area by means of a pair of coils.

[0052] The resulting fluorescent light 112 from the diamond 110 can in turn be guided via suitable optical elements 134, such as optical filters, beam splitters, lenses, and / or fiber optic elements, to a first photodetector 130, which is sensitive at least in the range of the fluorescence wavelength. The first photodetector 130 can also be arranged directly on the diamond 110. A second photodetector 132 is arranged such that it can detect at least a portion of the excitation light from the light source 120, which can be coupled out, for example, by a beam splitter, a filter, or a partially transparent element. This detector signal 132 of the excitation light can be used as a reference signal, for example, to eliminate background signals and to highlight the resonance signal of interest by modulating the excitation light using a lock-in amplifier.Additionally or alternatively, this reference signal can be used to account for fluctuations in the excitation light. Appropriate circuits 160, such as a preamplifier, a logarithmic amplifier, a lock-in amplifier, signal filters, or others, are provided to receive the signals from the first and second photodetectors and preprocess the signals appropriately for further evaluation. Finally, the preprocessed fluorescence signal can be evaluated by a signal processing unit 170, e.g., using a suitable microcontroller or processor, to obtain the desired parameters of the detected magnetic field from the signal, in particular the magnetic field strength and the direction of the magnetic field.

[0053] It is understood that such a device may also include additional units not shown, such as communication units or interfaces for outputting the measurement results. Such a device may also advantageously be integrated into an ASIC or FPGA.

[0054] In order to be usable in an everyday environment, magnetic fields that do not originate from desired weak sources should be eliminated from the measurement as far as possible, especially the Earth's magnetic field in the range of 10' 5 Tesla (a few microteslas). In contrast, cardiac magnetic fields are in the range of 10-100 times 10- 12 Tesla (Picotesla).

[0055] The elimination of background magnetic fields can be achieved by shielding or by a gradiometer arrangement during magnetic field measurement according to exemplary embodiments. Gradiometers are generally sensor units capable of detecting not only the field strength but also the field gradient.

[0056] For this purpose, at least two individual magnetometer units can be used, which are arranged at different spatial locations.

[0057] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a possible embodiment of the invention. It shows a measuring device 13 for detecting magnetic signals, which comprises a support body 11 with a support surface 11a and at least one arrangement 12 comprising at least two nitrogen vacancy center (NV) magnetometer units, wherein the at least one arrangement 12 is embedded in the support body 11. The support body is configured to accommodate a user 20 sitting or lying on the support surface. The measuring device 13 serves to detect magnetic signals generated by a beating heart (M), but can in principle detect all magnetic signals, in particular biosignals, i.e., those emanating from living beings. For illustration purposes, the figure has a coordinate system, wherein the drawing plane represents the xz plane and the y-axis extends into the drawing plane.Figure 3 shows, by way of example, a mattress as the base body 11. It is also possible to design the base body, for example, as a blanket, pillow, mattress topper, armchair, seat, car seat, etc.

[0058] Figures 4 a) - c) show examples of possible evaluations of the recorded magnetic signals. In the example according to Fig. 4 a), a table 400 is created in which an assigned value 412 is stored for each day 410. The value 412 is calculated using the magnetic signals measured on that day and, in this example, represents a nighttime resting heart rate. The values ​​412 for each day 410 can now be compared with one another (416), for example to record a trend or detect sudden changes. A health index, for example, can be calculated from the trend of the values ​​412. In addition to the recorded magnetic signals, further biosignals recorded by additional sensors can be included.

[0059] In the example shown in Fig. 4 b), a table 420 is created in which an assigned value 432 is stored for each day 430. This value is calculated using the magnetic signals measured on that day and, in this example, also represents a nighttime resting heart rate. A comparison of a current value 432 with the values ​​of the previous days (426) is performed, and deviations that indicate a pathological change in the state of health can be detected, for example through pattern recognition.

[0060] In the example shown in Fig. 4c), a table 440 is created in which an assigned value 452 is stored for each hour 450 of a day. This value is calculated using the magnetic signals measured during that hour and, in this example, represents the maximum heart rate during that hour. Various comparisons 456, 458 can now be performed to detect short-term changes in heart rate. These changes can be assigned to specific events by incorporating additional data sources.

[0061] This is illustrated by way of example in Fig. 5. This shows the curves 62, 64, 66 of a respective magnetic signal recorded for three different people during the same period, as well as a value 63, 65, 67 derived from this, which represents, for example, sleep quality. It is striking that on day 72, a decrease in the recorded value was observed for all people. This can be explained, for example, by a specific weather event (e.g., midsummer night) if the people were in the same region. This can be verified by including additional information sources (weather services, internet, etc.) and taken into account in the further analysis of the magnetic signals.

[0062] REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP

Claims

Claims 1. System (1) for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body (20), comprising at least one measuring device (13) for detecting magnetic signals (4), an evaluation unit (19) which is configured to store the detected magnetic signals at regular time intervals and continuously and / or over a specific period of time together with an associated measurement time, and to derive longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) from the magnetic signals and to compare the detected magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) with one another on different time scales (3), wherein an evaluation of a vital function of the human body (20) can be carried out by the evaluation unit (19) based on the comparison.

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

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the support body (11) comprises elastic material between the arrangement (12) and the support surface (11a) and is designed in particular as a cushion, a mattress, a lounger, a mat, a bed, a seat or a chair.

4. System according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the measuring device (13) is arranged to use each of the at least two NV Magnetometer units to detect a magnetic field strength and field direction, wherein each of the at least two NV magnetometer units has a diamond crystal or a section of a diamond crystal with nitrogen vacancy centers as the sensor medium (110), wherein the device is configured to detect a magnetic field strength and / or field direction by reading out a spin resonance in the sensor medium (110) that is dependent on the magnetic field strength, and wherein the device further comprises at least one excitation light source (120) for radiating light (124) into the sensor medium (110), at least one microwave source (150) for generating a resonant field in the sensor medium, and at least one photodetector (130) for detecting resonance-dependent fluorescent light (112) from the sensor medium (110).

5. System (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the evaluation unit (19) or the measuring device (13) has a signal processing unit to which the at least two NV magnetometer units are connected, wherein the system is configured to determine, by means of the signal processing unit, an effective magnetic field strength and / or field direction as the difference between magnetic field strengths or field directions detected by means of the at least two NV magnetometer units as magnetic signals.

6. System (1) according to 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) on a time scale of a few minutes, wherein in particular a change in the electrical heart axis and / or ST extensions or ST depressions can be detected.

7. System (1) according to 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) on a time scale of hours to days, wherein in particular right heart strain signs and / or Increases in periods of tachycardic cardiac arrhythmias are evident.

8. System (1) according to 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) on a time scale of months to years, wherein in particular long-term changes in the resting pulse and the heart rate variability can be detected.

9. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more additional sensor devices, in particular pressure sensors and / or temperature sensors and / or microphones, are included in the system (1), which detect additional biosignals of the human body, wherein the additional biosignals are included in the evaluation of the vital function by the evaluation unit (19).

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein further measures (5, 6) can be initiated depending on the evaluation of the vital function.

11. System (1) according to one 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. System (1) according to claim 11, wherein data (7) are received from at least one other system (100) designed according to claim 11 and are included in the evaluation of the vital function by the evaluation unit (19).

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

14. A method for analyzing magnetic signals generated by a human body, wherein at least one Measuring device (13) detects magnetic signals from a human body (20), the detected magnetic signals are stored together with an associated measurement time, longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) are derived from the magnetic signals and the detected magnetic signals and / or the longitudinal biomagnetic field data (4) are compared with one another on different time scales, wherein an evaluation of a vital function of the human body (20) is carried out based on the comparison.

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