Development of a rat biomagnetic measurement system using a high-TC SQUID magnetometer

We have developed a rat magnetocardiograph (MCG) system employing a high-T-C SQUID magnetometer and a tabletop magnetic shield. We obtained clear MCG signals from a healthy Wistar Kyoto rat with a relatively high peak amplitude of 50 pT by virtue of the small gap cryostat developed in this study. Well defined P-, QRS- and T-waves were observed on the MCG of the healthy rat. In the case of a spontaneously hypertensive rat measurement, the MCG showed quite a disturbed wave pattern thought to be caused by the hypertensive heart abnormality. The results suggest that the rat biomagnetic measurement system has a strong potential for monitoring the progress of the heart disease model.