SentiMag — How it Works

The Endomagnetics solution is to use a magnetic dye — such as the commercially available and FDA approved MRI contrast agent, Feridex® — rather than the radioactive tracer and blue dye; and to use an ultrasensitive hand-held magnetic probe — the SentiMag — rather than the gamma probe.

By sensing even tiny amounts (typically < 100 µ) of the clinically introduced magnetic nanoparticles, SentiMag is easily able to locate the sentinel nodes. The magnetic signal is practically time-invariant, as it only decays through the natural process of metabolisation, which takes days. By contrast, uptake is rapid, with good signals being measured 5-10 minutes after injection. The magnetic dye may be administered by the surgeon, which, coupled with the rapid uptake into the nodes, means that full control of the procedure is delivered directly to the surgeon.