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US 2011/0215888 A1Published application
Wireless control of microrobots
AssigneeUniversity of Utah
InventorsJacob J. Abbott, Arthur W. Mahoney, Thomas W. R. Fountain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wireless control of a microrobot can be performed using a magnetic field originating from a localized control magnet source relative to a body into which the microrobot is placed. Torque forces which contribute to rotation (and propulsion) of the microrobot can overcome magnetic forces which produce attraction or repulsion between the microrobot and the control magnet.
Claims20
A method of controlling a microrobot, comprising:
- inserting the microrobot into a body, wherein the microrobot comprises a magnetic element;
- disposing a control magnet adjacent to the body so that a magnetic field produced by the control magnet impinges upon the body;
- rotating the magnetic field of control magnet so that magnetic torque produced by interaction between the magnetic element and the control magnet causes rotation of the microrobot about an axis of the microrobot to propel the microrobot through the body;
- and
- adjusting a position of the control magnet relative to the microrobot so that magnetic torque produced by interaction between the magnetic element and the control magnet causes a redirection of the axis of the microrobot.
2 more elements
A system for control of a microrobot within a body comprising:
- a microrobot comprising a magnetic element;
- and
- a control unit comprising a positioner and a control magnet coupled to the positioner, the positioner being capable of moving in at least two degrees of freedom, and the control magnet being capable of generating a rotating magnetic field.
A system for control of a micro robot within a body comprising:
- a source means for generating a rotating magnetic field originated from a localized source relative to the body, wherein the rotation is at a controlled rate;
- a positioning means for controlling a position of the source means, wherein the positioning means is translatable in at least two degrees of freedom, and the source means is coupled to the positioning means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.