Signals produced by skeletal muscle can be utilised for monitoring and treatment of different movement and neurological disorders. The study of muscle function through measurement of biomagnetic signals is called magnetomyography (MMG). However, the level of biomagnetic signals is extremely small and developing highly sensitive sensors to detect them is outstandingly challenging. Current technologies for detection of such weak biomagnetic signals are bulky, costly and hospital-based. The research findings are yet to develop miniaturised, sensitive and low-cost MMG sensors. This chapter describes the state-of-the-art magnetic sensing technologies that have the potential to realise a low profile and possibly implantable MMG sensor.

Chapter Contents:

• 4.1 MMG signal modelling
• 4.2 MMG sensing technologies
• 4.2.1 Magnetoresistive (MR) sensors
• 4.2.2 Magnetoelectric sensors
• 4.2.3 Device modelling and implementation
• 4.2.3.1 Tunnelling magnetoresistive sensors
• 4.3 MMG signal measurement
• 4.4 Concluding remarks
• Acknowledgements
• References

Inspec keywords: biomagnetism; muscle; medical disorders; magnetic sensors

Other keywords: skeletal muscle; implantable MMG sensor; muscle function; biomagnetic signals; movement disorders; magnetic sensing technology; neurological disorders; magnetomyography

Subjects: Electric and magnetic fields (medical uses); Patient diagnostic methods and instrumentation; Biomagnetic signals; Biomagnetism; Sensing devices and transducers; Magnetic instruments and techniques