Magnetic Nanoparticle Heating Apparatus Using Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating heat using magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia are limited by low heating capacity, require strong magnetic fields, and involve invasive procedures, making it difficult to effectively target and kill cancer cells deep within the body while also damaging surrounding tissues.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic nanoparticle heating apparatus that uses a combination of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) magnetic fields to control the resonance frequency of magnetic nanoparticles, allowing for efficient heat generation with a low magnetic field strength, precise targeting, and non-invasive treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a very strong magnetic field of several hundreds of Oe or more is applied to generate heat from magnetic nanoparticles, then heat generation capability is improved, but apparatus cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies resonant vibration to magnetic nanoparticles by tuning the AC magnetic field frequency to match the natural resonance frequency of the particles. This resonance amplifies the heating effect dramatically, allowing sufficient heat generation with much weaker magnetic fields (less than 10 Oe) compared to conventional methods requiring hundreds of Oe, thereby reducing apparatus complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by applying a DC magnetic field to shift the resonance frequency of magnetic nanoparticles to a specific range (1-100 MHz), then applying an AC magnetic field at this tuned frequency. This parameter optimization enables efficient heating with low-strength magnetic fields, resolving the contradiction between heat generation capability and apparatus complexity
2Power
If physical surgery is performed to insert an antenna and high-frequency electrode into the human body for hyperthermia, then heat application capability is improved, but invasiveness and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical approach (inserting antennas and electrodes) with a non-invasive magnetic field approach. Magnetic nanoparticles are administered systemically and targeted to tumors, then activated externally by magnetic fields to generate heat directly at the tumor site, eliminating the need for surgical insertion and reducing invasiveness while maintaining heat application capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic nanoparticles as an intermediary agent that is injected into the bloodstream and accumulates at the tumor site. These nanoparticles serve as the medium that converts external magnetic field energy into localized heat, replacing the need for direct physical contact with antennas or electrodes and enabling non-invasive treatment
3Power
If a high-frequency current is applied to generate heat in tumors, then cancer cell killing capability is improved, but selectivity decreases and surrounding normal tissues are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves local heating by concentrating magnetic nanoparticles specifically at the tumor site through passive accumulation or active targeting mechanisms. When the AC magnetic field is applied, heat is generated locally only where the nanoparticles are present, allowing cancer cells to be killed while surrounding normal tissues remain unaffected, thus improving selectivity
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing resonant vibration of magnetic nanoparticles at their natural frequency (tuned to 1-100 MHz by DC field), the patent achieves highly efficient and localized heat generation. This resonant heating occurs only at the nanoparticle locations (tumor sites), providing selective cancer cell killing without damaging surrounding normal tissues
4Area of stationary object
If existing hyperthermia methods are used to treat tumors with radius of 10 mm or more, then treatment coverage is improved, but heat generation temperature is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes resonant vibration of magnetic nanoparticles, which dramatically amplifies the heating efficiency. This resonance effect enables the generation of sufficient heat (achieving temperatures of 42°C or higher) even with weak magnetic fields, allowing effective treatment of larger tumors (radius of 10 mm or more) that require higher temperatures and greater treatment coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves high heat generation rates, selectively targets specific areas, and operates with a low-cost, compact design, effectively killing cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Implementation Method 1
a static field applier for applying a first magnetic field, which is a direct current (DC) magnetic field, to the magnetic nanoparticles to make the magnetic nanoparticles have a resonance frequency
Implementation Method 2
a radio-frequency (RF) coil for applying a second magnetic field, which is an alternating current (AC) magnetic field or pulsed magnetic field having a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the magnetic nanoparticles, to the magnetic nanoparticles
Implementation Method 3
Existing methods of generating heat from magnetic nanoparticles are based on a principle of generating heat by using energy due to magnetic hysteresis loss caused by the application of high-frequency current
Implementation Method 4
Existing methods of generating heat from magnetic nanoparticles are based on a principle of generating heat due to Brownian relaxation
Implementation Method 5
a gradient field applier for forming a gradient field within a specific plane
Implementation Method 6
the controller controls a temperature change rate dT/dt of the magnetic nanoparticles to be greater than at least 10 K/s by adjusting at least one of a strength of the DC magnetic field, a frequency of the AC magnetic field, a strength of the AC magnetic field, and a pulse width of the AC magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a magnetic nanoparticle heating apparatus using resonance, and more particularly, to a magnetic nanoparticle heating apparatus using resonance, the method being capable of efficiently generating heat within a short time by controlling a factor of a direct current (DC)/alternating current (AC) magnetic field applied to magnetic nanoparticles.