Magnetic particles for biomedical applications

This chapter discusses applications of magnetic materials in bioengineering and medicine [1-8]. Magnetism and magnetic materials have been used for many decades in many modern medical applications, and several new applications are being developed in part because of the availability of superior electromagnets, superconducting magnets and permanent magnets [9-12]. Advances in the synthesis and characterization of magnetic particles, especially nanomagnetic particles, have also aided in the use of magnetic biomaterials [6-12]. We begin with an introduction to magnetism and magnetic materials, followed by a discussion of the characterization, synthesis techniques and applications of magnetic biomaterials [8, 9]. Magnetic materials can be applied to cell separation, immunoassay, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug and gene delivery, minimally invasive surgery, radionuclide therapy, hyperthermia and artificial muscle applications [1-5, 7].