Study on the Feasibility to Detect Cancer Tumors by Combining Nanotechnology With SQUID

Magnetic nanoparticles are very useful in medical diagnosis and treatment. Among a number of attractive properties, nanoparticles can be used as biomarkers to label basic biological structures, such cells, viruses and proteins. This paper studies the feasibility of detecting tumors by combing nanotechnology with Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). By coating nanoparticles with a film of specially made proteins that bind only to cancerous cells, these particles become magnetic signal sources for sensitive diagnosis. Using this approach, we simulate a future cancer scanner consisting of gradient coils of SQUIDs which record signals produced by the magnetic nanoparticles bound to cancer cells. We investigate the sensitivity of SQUID detection and localization of superparamagnetic nanoparticles at different concentrations and distances. Computer simulations are also performed to determine the physical parameters under which the SQUID coupled sensing device can successfully detect signals of superparamagnetic particles within a phantom torso. Our results show that it is feasible to design a SQUID system to rapidly scan the human body for early stage cancers.