How do medical magnets save lives?

Healing magnets are no longer new. Quite simply because magnets today perform functions in most technical devices that we do not consciously perceive at first, and often not at second glance either. Quite simply because they are auxiliary functions, so to speak, so that the device concerned works and can fulfill its main function. These can be common things, like the disinfectant dispenser or a wide variety of measuring devices. But there are also medical applications in which magnets are kings.

The best example is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

One of the best known examples of the use of magnets in medicine is magnetic resonance tomography. This innovative development was created in the 1970s by the American Paul Lauterbur from the University of Illinois and the British Sir Peter Mansfield from the University of Nottingham. In short, practically a magnetic field is generated around us and an image is assembled from the reaction of the body, which can then be evaluated accordingly.

Everything works in three stages:

• The disordered mini-magnets present in our body are arranged in the opposite direction by an external magnetic field.

• A second magnetic field creates an interaction which allows the atomic magnets in our body to absorb energy.

• As soon as the second magnetic field is deactivated again, this energy is released again, that is to say the moment when the measurement is taken and the recording is assembled.

In this way, people can be examined in detail without any exposure to radiation. However, this is not the only important example of the usefulness of magnets for medicine.

How do medical magnets save lives?

Magnetic filtering for diseases such as malaria and leukemia.

George Fordsham, doctor of biochemical engineering, has been an innovator under the age of 35 since 2019 because he has developed a technique he calls magnetic filtration of the blood. Here too, the use of magnets is essential. Blood is drawn from the body to cleanse it of toxins and pathogens.

This is a big step forward in the fight against diseases such as malaria and leukemia, since the patient is not affected by harmful radiation. His technique, which he calls MediSieve, is still under development. It consists of a disposable filter and magnetic nanoparticles that attach to contaminants in the blood to remove them from the bloodstream. This does not limit the positive substances in the blood.

Developments like this show the potential of using medical magnets.

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