Microcoil magnetic resonance detectors

Abstract

The present invention provides microcoil magnetic resonance based modules, detection devices, and methods for their use.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for detecting a target entity from a sample, the method comprising:
 introducing magnetic beads having a target-specific binding moiety to a sample comprising a target entity to form target/bead complexes, wherein the magnetic beads comprise at least 60% by weight magnetic material and the beads bind the target in an amount sufficient to allow for specific detection of the target over background;   separating the complexes from remaining components of the sample; and   detecting the target entity.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the magnetic material is a type selected from the group consisting of: ferromagnetic material, paramagnetic material, ferri-magnetic material, diamagnetic material, and superparamagnetic material. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the target-specific binding moiety is an antibody. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of: iron, iron oxide, Fe:Pt, gadolinium metal, gadolinium oxide, iron nitride, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the iron oxide is Fe 2 O 3  or Fe 3 O 4 . 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the iron nitride is Fe 2 N. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the target entity is a bacteria. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the sample is a body fluid. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the body fluid is selected from the group consisting of: blood, urine, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, tears, amniotic fluid, and cerebral spinal. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the sample is a swab. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the swab is a skin swab or wound swab. 
     
     
         44 . A method for detecting a bacteria in a body fluid sample, the method comprising:
 introducing magnetic beads having a bacteria-specific binding moiety to a sample comprising a bacteria to form bacteria/bead complexes, wherein the magnetic beads comprise at least 60% by weight magnetic material and the beads bind the bacteria in an amount sufficient to allow for specific detection of the bacteria over background;   separating the complexes from remaining components of the sample; and   detecting the bacteria.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the magnetic material is a type selected from the group consisting of: ferromagnetic material, paramagnetic material, ferri-magnetic material, diamagnetic material, and superparamagnetic material. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the bacteria-specific binding moiety is an antibody. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of: iron, iron oxide, Fe:Pt, gadolinium metal, gadolinium oxide, iron nitride, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the iron oxide is Fe 2 O 3  or Fe 3 O 4 . 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the iron nitride is Fe 2 N. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the body fluid is selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, tears, amniotic fluid, and cerebral spinal. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the body fluid is blood.