Magnetic sensors using amorphous metal materials: detection of premature ventricular magnetic waves

The detection of magnetic activity enables noncontact and noninvasive evaluation of electrical activity in humans. We review the detection of biomagnetic fields using amorphous metal wire-based magnetic sensors with the sensitivity of a pico-Tesla (pT) level. We measured magnetic fields close to the thoracic wall in a healthy subject sitting on a chair. The magnetic sensor head was mounted perpendicularly against the thoracic wall. Simultaneous measurements with ECG showed that changes in the magnetic field were synchronized with the cardiac electric activity, and that the magnetic wave pattern changed reflecting electrical activity of the atrium and ventricle, despite a large variation. Furthermore, magnetic waves reflecting ventricular arrhythmia were recorded in the same healthy subject. These results suggest that this magnetic sensor technology is applicable to human physiology and pathophysiology research. We also discuss future applications of amorphous wire-based magnetic sensors as well as possible improvements.