Magnetic needle steering systems and methods
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorsHamidreza Marvi, Mahdi Ilami, Reza Ahmed
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steerable assembly comprises an elongated body structure with an implement arranged at a distal end thereof, wherein a premagnetized material is arranged closer to the distal end than a proximal end, and is configured to enable steering of the implement through tissue of an animal body responsive to application of a magnetic field eternal to the body. A method for guiding passage of an implement through tissue includes altering strength and/or position of at least one magnetic field source external to an animal body to interact with and effectuate movement of a premagnetized material inserted into the animal body.
Claims34
A steerable assembly comprising:
- an elongated body structure having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an implement arranged at a distal end of the elongated body structure;
- wherein a premagnetized material is arranged closer to the distal end than the proximal end, and the premagnetized material is configured to enable steering of the implement through or within tissue of an animal body responsive to application of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source that is external to the animal body.
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A system comprising:
- at least one magnetic field source;
- and
- a steerable assembly that comprises an elongated body structure, an implement arranged at a distal end of the elongated body structure, and a premagnetized material arranged closer to the distal end than to a proximal end of the elongated body structure;
- wherein the at least one magnetic field source is configured to interact with the premagnetized material to effect movement of the implement within an animal body when the implement is arranged within the animal body.
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A method for guiding passage of an implement through or within tissue of an animal body, the method comprising:
- inserting at least a portion of a steerable assembly into the animal body, the steerable assembly comprising an elongated body structure, an implement arranged at a distal end of the elongated body structure, and a premagnetized material or an electromagnet arranged closer to the distal end than to a proximal end of the elongated body structure;
- providing at least one magnetic field source external to an animal body;
- and
- altering at least one of strength or position of the at least one magnetic field source to interact with the premagnetized material or the electromagnet to effectuate movement of the implement within the animal body.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.