Magneto-motive ultrasound detection of magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

Provided herein are systems, methods and compositions for the use of ultrasound for detection of cells and nanoparticles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for imaging and detection, comprising:
 a. a magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to a cell with a plurality of metallic nanoparticles, wherein the magnetic field includes a frequency between about 1 to 10 Hz, and the magnetic field displaces the metallic nanoparticles positioned in the cell and displaces the cell; and   b. an ultrasound detection system configured to detect the displacement of the cell with the metallic nanoparticles displaced with the magnetic field.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound detection system is selected from the group consisting of color power Doppler, power Doppler, M-mode and B-scan modes. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound detection system further comprises an aperture and a broadband linear array transducer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an energy source with an energy capable of heating the detected cell through the metallic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator is further configured to apply a first magnetic field strength to the cell and apply a second magnetic field strength to the cell, wherein the second magnetic field strength is different from the first magnetic field strength and interacts with the metallic nanoparticles to cause a change in the cell relative to interaction of the cell with the first magnetic field strength. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet field generator comprises an iron-ferrite core and a solenoid coil. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a frequency of displacement of the cell is the same as the frequency of the applied magnetic field. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a frequency of displacement of the cell is twice the frequency of the applied magnetic field. 
     
     
         9 . A method for imaging, comprising the steps of:
 a. applying a magnetic field to a cell, wherein the cell comprises a metallic composition and the magnetic field displaces the metallic composition and the cell, wherein the magnetic field includes a frequency between about 1 to 10 Hz; and   b. detecting the cell by an ultrasound detection system by detecting the displacement of the cell caused by the magnetic field with the metallic composition.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of applying the magnetic field to the cell further comprises using a magnetic field generator to apply the magnetic field. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic field generator further comprises a solenoid, a function generator, a current amplifier and a regulated DC power supply. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the metallic composition is configured to localize in the cell membrane, in the cell cytoplasm, or on the cell surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of detecting the cell further comprises using an ultrasound detection system selected from the group consisting of color power Doppler, power Doppler, M-mode and B-scan modes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cell comprises at least a macrophage, a cancer cell, or a component of iron-laden tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of pulsing the magnetic field. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a frequency of displacement of the cell is the same as the frequency of the applied magnetic field. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a frequency of displacement of the cell is twice the frequency of the applied magnetic field. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for imaging and detection, comprising:
 a. a magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to a cell with a plurality of metallic nanoparticles, wherein the magnetic field is at least about 2 T, and the magnetic field displaces the metallic nanoparticles positioned in the cell and displaces the cell; and   b. an ultrasound detection system configured to detect the displacement of the cell with the metallic nanoparticles displaced with the magnetic field.