Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a computer in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The computer generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles are injected into a breast and the lymph nodes collecting the particles are detected with the probe and deemed sentinel nodes.

Abstract: An implantable marker for imaging and surgical guidance by susceptometry comprising one or more pieces of a ferromagnetic material having a total length to diameter ratio of at least about 500, and a total volume of less than about 1×10?11 m3. The one or more pieces of ferromagnetic material may have a high initial relative permeability (?r,i)>about 1000. Also disclosed is a detection system for locating an implantable marker comprising such an implantable marker; at least one drive coil arranged to excite the marker with an alternating magnetic field, and at least one sense coil arranged to detect a signal received from the excited marker; a magnetic field generator arranged to drive an alternating magnetic field through the at least drive coil; and at least one detector arranged to receive the signal from the sense coil and detect one or more harmonics of the drive frequency in the received signal.

Abstract: There is provided an implantable marker for use in surgical guidance. The implantable marker comprises one or more ferromagnetic elements formed of at least one ferromagnetic material and at least one diamagnetic element formed of at least one diamagnetic material. The at least one diamagnetic material comprises graphite having a substantially isotropic grain structure and the one or more ferromagnetic elements are juxtaposed the at least one diamagnetic element.

Abstract: An implantable susceptometry marker (1001) for use in surgical guidance comprising one or more ferromagnetic elements (1004a, 1004b, 1004c); and at least one diamagnetic element (1003); wherein the one or more ferromagnetic elements are formed of at least one ferromagnetic material having an initial relative permeability of at least about 10,000 and a saturation induction Bs of less than about 1.5 T, and the at least one diamagnetic element is formed of at least one diamagnetic material having a bulk susceptibility of at least about ?0.16×10?4; and wherein the total volume of diamagnetic material in the marker is about 100-10,000 times greater than the total volume of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a computer in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The computer generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles are injected into a breast and the lymph nodes collecting the particles are detected with the probe and deemed sentinel nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a computer in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The computer generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles are injected into a breast and the lymph nodes collecting the particles are detected with the probe and deemed sentinel nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a computer in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The computer generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles are injected into a breast and the lymph nodes collecting the particles are detected with the probe and deemed sentinel nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing tissue of interest in a patient for possible excision by surgery. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: removing a biopsy sample from the tissue of interest; placing a magnetic marker at the biopsy site; performing a pathology analysis of the biopsy sample; and if the pathology analysis indicates that the tissue of interest should be removed, locating the tissue for surgery using a magnetic detection probe. In one embodiment, the marker comprises magnetic nanoparticles in a bioabsorbable matrix. A system for preparing tissue of interest in a patient for possible excision by surgery. In one embodiment, the system includes a magnetic marker and magnetic detection probe system.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for rapid detection of lymph nodes. The compositions include magnetic particles, such as iron oxide, and a solute present in an amount that results in a hypoosomotic solution. Methods for detecting lymph nodes also are provided.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for rapid detection of lymph nodes. The compositions include magnetic particles, such as iron oxide, and a solute present in an amount that results in a hypoosomotic solution. Methods for detecting lymph nodes also are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a processing module in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The processing module generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles collect in the lymph nodes. In one embodiment the particles have a mean hydrodynamic diameter of between 5-200 nm.

Abstract: A probe and method for detecting magnetic particles. In one embodiment, the probe includes a probe core having a first end and a second end, the probe core defining two regions for containing coils of wire, one of the regions being adjacent the first end of the cylindrical probe core; two sense coils, one each of the sense coils being located in a respective one of the regions; and two drive coils, one each of the drive coils being located in a respective one of the regions, wherein the regions are separated by a distance equal to or greater than the diameter of one of the coils and a source of a secondary magnetic drive field. In another embodiment, the frequency of the drive signal of the secondary magnetic drive field is less than the frequency of the drive signal of the primary drive coils.

Abstract: A probe for detecting magnetic particles. In one embodiment, the probe includes: a cylindrical probe core having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical probe core defining two channels for containing coils of wire, one of the channels being adjacent the first end of the cylindrical probe core; two sense coils, one each of the sense coils being located in a respective one of the channels; and two drive coils, one each of the drive coils being co-located with the respective sense coil in a respective one of the channels.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for rapid detection of lymph nodes. The compositions include magnetic particles, such as iron oxide, and a solute present in an amount that results in a hypoosomotic solution. Methods for detecting lymph nodes also are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing tissue of interest in a patient for possible excision by surgery. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: removing a biopsy sample from the tissue of interest; placing a magnetic marker at the biopsy site; performing a pathology analysis of the biopsy sample; and if the pathology analysis indicates that the tissue of interest should be removed, locating the tissue for surgery using a magnetic detection probe. In one embodiment, the marker comprises magnetic nanoparticles in a bioabsorbable matrix. A system for preparing tissue of interest in a patient for possible excision by surgery. In one embodiment, the system includes a magnetic marker and magnetic detection probe system.