Simulation and improvements of a magnetic flux sensor for application in
immunomagnetic biosensing platforms
Abstract
In recent years, point-of-care testing (POCT) has become a topical
issue. Lateral flow immunoassay strategies based on magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs) are important POCT elements due to their sensitive
quantification of biological materials via MNP magnetic field
measurement. In this study, we designed a magnetic flux sensor for use
in immunomagnetic biosensing platforms, incorporating a mathematical
model and computer simulation strategy. The system used field
programmable gate array (FPGA) as the control chip, synthesized
excitation signals and excited coils to generate excitation magnetic
fields. Also, the stepping motor was controlled to drive the test strip
at a uniform speed through the sensor detection area. A differential
configuration strategy was used for sensor pick-up coils to assess MNP
influence on the magnetic flux, which was insensitive to background
magnetic interference and common-mode noise. These factors significantly
enhanced the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensor. The magnetic flux
sensor structure was optimized, and response magnetic field
characteristics of MNP on test strips analyzed using finite element
analysis (FEA) simulations. System performance was evaluated by testing
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which demonstrated a linear
performance, with a limit of detection of 0.0098 mIU/mL. This system may
be used to identify other target analytes in different application
settings.