System and method for guiding a medical instrument with magnetic force control
US8316861B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0127
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A magnetic force control system for guiding a medical instrument within a body includes: a controlled magnet coupled to the medical instrument; a controller magnet that exerts a magnetic force on the controlled magnet; a magnetically permeable shield, placed between the controlled magnet and the controller magnet, that selectively modulates the magnetic force by rerouting magnetic field lines; and a control system. A method for guiding a medical instrument within a body with magnetic force control includes: providing a controlled magnet coupled to the medical instrument, inserting the controlled magnet and medical instrument into the body, providing a controller magnet outside the body, placing a magnetically permeable shield between the controlled magnet and the controller magnet, applying magnetic force, and selectively modulating the magnetic force with the shield to vary at least one of amplitude and orientation of the magnetic force, thereby guiding the controlled magnet within the body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.