The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view (28), in particular for examination of human patients. The apparatus comprises i) selection-and-focus means (120) for generating a magnetic selection-and-focus field (50), wherein said at least one set of selection-and-focus field coils comprises—at least one inner selection-and-focus field coil (113, 115) being formed as a closed loop about an inner coil axis (115a), first inner selection-and-focus field coil (115)—a group of at least two outer selection-and-focus field coils (116-119) arranged at a larger distance from said inner coil axis (115a) than said at least one inner selection-and-focus field coil (113, 115) and at different angular positions, each being formed as a closed loop about an associated outer coil axis (116a-119a), and ii) drive means (120) comprising a drive field signal generator unit (122) and drive field coils (124; 125, 126, 127) for changing the position in space and/or size of the two sub-zones (52, 54) in the field of view (28) by means of a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic material changes locally.