title: A coil system for real-time magnetic fluid hyperthermia microscopy studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe the design and application of a new apparatus for applying Radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields to cells in culture on a microscope stage. This new design enables real-time studies of the actuation of magnetic nanoparticles bound to membrane receptors or internalised within cells together with the study of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH)-associated effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  RF coils were fabricated and electromagnetic simulations were performed along with compatibility evaluations and calorimetric experiments using this apparatus at discreet frequencies between 100 kHz and 1 MHz. Cell killing via MFH was investigated in a neuroblastoma tumour cell line.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simulations and evaluations showed that the field intensity and homogeneity experienced by the cells within the chamber is best with a planar coil configuration. The incubation chamber was suitable for cell culture and the design was compatible with mountings on different makes of microscopes as it mimics a standard 96/24/6 tissue-culture well plate. Successful calorimetric and MFH cytotoxicity proof-of-principle experiments were performed and are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude from these experiments that alternating magnetic field (AMF)-mediated activation and magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) research will benefit from this RF coil that fits inside an incubation chamber, mounted onto a microscope. This new design could be used to assist real-time MFH studies in vitro.
authors.affiliation: a Biomedical Engineering Research and Development, nanoTherics Ltd, Keele University Science Park , Keele , UK .
authors.forename: Mahendran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.affiliation: b Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science , University of Life Sciences , Lublin , Poland .
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miaskowski
authors.affiliation: c Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University , Keele , UK , and.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: d J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Material Science and Engineering , University of Florida , Gainesville , Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dobson
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation*; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011846:Radio Waves
keywords: Alternating magnetic field; magnetic fluid hyperthermia; magnetic nanoparticles; nanoactuation; radio frequency; time lapse imaging