1. What does AtB do?
  2. What is biomagnetics?
  3. Is biomagnetics the medical name of this technology?
  4. What diagnostic tests etc can be undertaken by a MCG system?
  5. How long does an examination take and how long before the results are available?
  6. Are MEG examinations as quick as those of MCG?
  7. What are the side effects of this diagnostic technique?
  8. Can I have the examination even if I am pregnant?
  9. How about patients with a stent or a pacemaker?
  10. How about an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?
  11. Where has AtB installed systems?
  12. Has AtB received any regulatory approval for its systems?
  13. Any other questions?


  1. What does AtB do?
    Advanced Technologies Biomagnetics srl was founded in 1995 and produces a full range of biomagnetic systems.
  2. What is biomagnetics?
    Biomagnetics is the detection of minute magnetic fields related to the electrical activity of any living cell. AtB’s extremely sensitive biomagnetic systems are designed to measure the magnetic fields generated inside the human body and, in particular, those relating to the heart, brain and peripheral nervous system.
  3. Is biomagnetics the medical name of this technology?
    Biomagnetics is the term which covers the whole field. The medical terms have rather long-winded names – magnetocardiography (MCG) for the heart, magnetoencephalography (MEG) for the brain and magnetoneurology (MNG) for the peripheral nervous system. We expect the monikors – especially MCG and MEG – will gradually become as well known as MRI, PET, TAC etc are today.
  4. What diagnostic tests etc can be undertaken by a MCG system?
    The principal clinical applications are:
    The detection of early cardiac ischemia;
    The detection of arrhythmia foci;
    The prediction of Coronary Arterial Disease (CAD) in patients with chest pain;
    Stress test to determine cardiac functionality;
    Considerable research is being undertaken in many fields including the early stratification of patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT), the monitoring of the functioning of the heart after a myocardial infarction (MI) or transplantation etc. In due course we expect many of these research applications to be adopted in the clinical environment.
  5. How long does an examination take and how long before the results are available?
    A MCG examination is very quick. For a resting heart it will only take 2 to 3 minutes. A stress test undertaken with a special bicycle will last between 10 to 15 minutes. For those unable to use the bicycle due to age, knee or pelvic problems, or some other condition, the stress test can still be performed with medical inducement.
    Results are available in less than a minute. In fact the operator sees real time information on the monitor during the course of the measurement.
    The speed of the information flow means that AtB’s systems are perfectly suited to be used in primary response units for individuals arriving suffering from severe chest pains.
  6. Are MEG examinations as quick as those of MCG?
    No. MEG examinations for pre-surgical mapping relating to the removal of brain tumours or areas relating to epileptic foci can take a considerable amount of time since it is necessary to evaluate the complete range of sensorial responses. Although a full test may take half a day or more it is without risk to the patient.
  7. What are the side effects of this diagnostic technique?
    None whatsoever. The measurement is non invasive, contact free and totally passive. Examinations can be repeated without limitation.
  8. Can I have the examination even if I am pregnant?
    Absolutely. There is no risk for either mother or foetus. We believe that this technology will become the gold standard for evaluating the development of the foetus’ heart and brain.
  9. How about patients with a stent or a pacemaker?
    A stent does not create any particular problem but this may not be the case with a pacemaker. It depends upon the type of the pacemaker. If you require a more specific answer please contact us info@atb-it.com.
  10. How about an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?
    Also here it depends upon the type of the ICD. If you require a more specific answer please contact us on info@atb-it.com.
  11. Where has AtB installed systems?
    A number of systems have been installed in hospitals, clinics and research centres in Italy and Germany.
  12. Has AtB received any regulatory approval for its systems?
    AtB’s ARGOS 50, its principal system for MCG, has received the CE mark which means that it can be freely sold across the European Union.
  13. Any other questions?
    Please feel free to contact us on info@atb-it.com.