Systems and methods for measuring magnetic fields from solvated target molecules using a magnetoresistive sensor
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Publication Number
US-11633619-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A measurement system includes a container configured to contain a solvated target molecule and at least one magnetoresistive (MR) sensor device including at least one MR sensor disposed near the container and configured to measure a magnetic field generated by the solvated target molecule, each of the at least one MR sensor including a pin layer having a pinned direction of magnetization, a free layer having a direction of magnetization that varies with an applied magnetic field, and a non-conductive layer separating the pin layer and the free layer.
Core Innovation
The invention uses a measurement system for sensing magnetic fields generated by solvated target molecules. The system includes a container configured to contain the solvated target molecules, and a plurality of magnetoresistive (MR) sensor devices disposed near the container.
Each MR sensor includes a pin layer with a pinned direction of magnetization, a free layer whose direction of magnetization varies with an applied magnetic field, and a non-conductive layer separating the pin layer and the free layer. The MR sensor devices are arranged along at least three orthogonal directions with respect to the container, and the measurement system makes measurements of a magnetic field generated by the solvated target molecules along the at least three orthogonal directions.
A method is also described that solvates target molecules and places the solvated target molecules in the container, then provides the container with the solvated target molecules in the measurement system. The method uses at least one MR sensor of at least three of the MR sensor devices to acquire a magnetic field generated by the solvated target molecules, and produces signals by the MR sensors in response to the acquired magnetic field.
The disclosed framework further includes producing and handling signals from the MR sensors for downstream therapeutic magnetic-field use. Signals may be amplified and converted into digital signals, optionally stored as data files, and delivered to a therapy delivery device to generate therapeutic magnetic fields.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two core aspects: a measurement system with a container holding solvated target molecules and multiple MR sensors arranged along at least three orthogonal directions, and a method of acquiring magnetic-field signals from the solvated target molecules using those MR sensors.
Container holding solvated target molecules with orthogonally arranged MR sensor devices
A measurement system comprising a container configured to contain solvated target molecules, and a plurality of magnetoresistive (MR) sensor devices each disposed near the container and configured to measure a magnetic field generated by the solvated target molecules, wherein the MR sensor devices are arranged along at least three orthogonal directions with respect to the container and measurements are made along the at least three orthogonal directions.
Pinned-layer/free-layer MR sensors separated by a non-conductive layer
Each of the MR sensor devices comprises at least one MR sensor including a pin layer having a pinned direction of magnetization, a free layer having a direction of magnetization that varies with an applied magnetic field, and a non-conductive layer separating the pin layer and the free layer.
Method solvating target molecules and acquiring magnetic field signals using orthogonal MR sensors
A method comprising solvating target molecules and placing the solvated target molecules in a container, providing the container with solvated target molecules in a measurement system with a plurality of MR sensor devices arranged along at least three orthogonal directions with respect to the container, using the at least one MR sensor of at least three of the MR sensor devices to acquire a magnetic field generated by the solvated target molecules, and producing signals by the at least one MR sensor of each of the at least three MR sensor devices in response to the acquired magnetic field.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a container-based measurement of magnetic fields generated by solvated target molecules using multiple MR sensors with a pinned-layer/free-layer structure separated by a non-conductive layer, where the sensors are arranged along at least three orthogonal directions to acquire signals in response to the magnetic field.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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