Soft robot to navigate the natural lumens of a living organism using undulatory locomotion generated by a rotating magnetic dipole field
US11464397B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2034/301
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for propelling a magnetic robotic device through a human comprises a magnetic actuator device operable to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic robotic device comprising a compliant body and at least two permanent magnets supported by and spatially separated about the compliant body. A non-magnetic region can also be oriented between the at least two permanent magnets. The at least two permanent magnets can be alternating or non-alternating in polarity with each other. In response to application of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic actuator device and that is situated proximate the magnetic robotic device, the rotating magnetic field effectuates undulatory locomotion of the magnetic robotic device to propel the magnetic robotic device through a human, such as through a natural lumen. Further, the magnetic robotic device can optionally be supported by a catheter or endoscope to assist with propelling a distal end through a human.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.