Magnetic marker monitoring is a newly developed system to analyze motion sequences in closed systems. What happens in the organism after taking a tablet? Many patients and doctors ask themselves this question and there is an answer to it: Magnetic Marker Monitoring.
What is Magnetic Marker Monitoring?
Magnetic marker monitoring is a method that is used to track the path of tablets, coated tablets, capsules etc. in hard-to-reach places. Magnetic marker monitoring is mainly used in gastroenterology (sub-area of internal medicine, mainly the gastrointestinal tract). Since the rapid development of chemical-pharmaceutical research since the 20th century, the active ingredients in drugs have become stronger and stronger.
This method is mainly used to control the effect of a drug. How quickly does the drug work, when does it work and where exactly does it work?
Function, effect & goals
Prof. Werner Weitschies developed and specified this process in cooperation with the Berlin Charité and scientists from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). In combination with 100 ml of water, the patient swallows a bionized (compatible with the organism) capsule with a magnetic core. Magnetic microparticles are used, which consist of black iron oxide. Iron oxide is not toxic and is also used as a coloring in food. It is excreted from the organism unchanged.
After incorporation (absorption of substances and objects) the capsule can be placed under a magnetic field-sensitive sensor field and observed on its way through the gastrointestinal tract. This is possible with highly sensitive, superconducting sensors (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices = SQUIDs). A superconductor is understood to be materials whose electrical resistance drops (abruptly) to zero when the temperature falls below the so-called transition temperature.
Due to the small amount of iron oxide in the capsule, measurement in a magnetic field is possible. The generated magnetic induction is very low. However, in order not to disturb the measurement, such as from another magnetic field or the earth's magnetic field, attention is paid to a magnetically secured area. It is approximately three by four meters and is surrounded by several layers of a special metal alloy. This massive shield fills the rest of the 15 meter high cube-shaped building. One possibility to carry out this procedure is available in Berlin - Charlottenburg.
Since the experiment can take up to 24 hours, depending on the duration of the decomposition of the capsule, it is a test of patience for the participant. During this time it is not necessary for the participant to spend the entire time under the sensor field. Intermittent movement promotes digestion, which makes the measurement more realistic.
When the capsule has reached the specific area of the body for which it is intended, the magnetic field is destroyed by pressing a button and the test material is supplied for absorption (substance uptake in biological systems). An average of up to 250 images are recorded in one second in as many different positions as possible, which allow the process to be followed with high precision. It is also advantageous to convert the images into a three-dimensional display on the monitor. Are studied:
- the behavior of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract:
Each drug works differently and breaks down at different rates. If you take several pills at the same time, they can sometimes lose their effectiveness or cause dangerous side effects.
- the influence of the dosage form (amount and form of the drug):
There are different types of administration and which is the best depends, for example, on where and how quickly the tablet is supposed to work. Whether it is a pill, capsule, suppository or juice - in each case you have to pay attention to special features.
- the interaction of drug with meals:
Not only food ingredients or drugs can influence each other in the human organism - but also mutually. These interactions that can occur are many. Depending on the underlying mechanism, this can result in changes in the effect of the drug or in the supply of nutrients.
- drug delivery from gastrointestinal areas is localized:
This determines in which area drugs dissolve and where they show their effect.
The aim after such an investigation is to optimize the dosage forms of the medication, for example for the targeted effect of the medication in a specific section of the intestine.
Risks, side effects & dangers
Due to the low magnetic radiation, this examination with the magnetic flux density is lower than that with an MRT examination (magnetic resonance tomography). If you are overweight or have implants, the use of magnetic marker monitoring is excluded. There is also a risk that certain drugs could cause diseases in the esophagus.
In addition, care should be taken to ensure that people who suffer from swallowing disorders take the medication in crushed form. This can best be done with a small addition of pureed food. In general, it should also be ensured that the tablet is not taken lying down, as it could get stuck in the esophagus or disintegrate.
It is currently only possible to observe one dosage form on its way. However, research is working under great pressure to further develop and expand magnetic monitoring. It should be possible to track and document the path of up to five tablets at the same time.
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