Patent ID: 7747304
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: A61B,A61K

Abstract:
1. A method for examining an object, the method comprising acts of: introducing magnetic particles into at least part of a target area of an object under examination; generating a spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field in the target area, wherein the magnetic field in a first part-area in the target area has a first magnetic field strength that keeps the magnetic particles in the first part-area in a non-saturated state, and wherein the magnetic field in a second part-area in the target area has a second magnetic field strength that keeps the magnetic particles in the second part-area in a saturated state; generating a superposed oscillating or rotating magnetic field at least partially in the first part-area having a low magnetic field strength to cause at least some magnetic particles to oscillate or rotate; irradiating the target area with electromagnetic radiation; detecting electromagnetic radiation from the irradiated target area, wherein detected electromagnetic radiation includes at least one of reflected electromagnetic radiation and scattered electromagnetic radiation, which is modulated by interaction with rotating or oscillating magnetic particles in the target area; and determining at least one of an intensity, absorption and polarization of the detected electromagnetic radiation as a function of a change in rotation or oscillation of the magnetic particles due to the modulation of the detected electromagnetic radiation.