# US 5,707,335 A · Magnetic stereotactic system and treatment delivery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,335 A - Document ID: US5707335A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/464,279 - Filed: 1995-06-05 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1990-01-10 - Assignees: The University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation - Inventors: Matthew A. Howard; Marc Mayberg; M. Sean Grady; Rogers C. Ritter; George T. Gillies - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707335A ## CPC - A61M 25/0105: {Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning (systems for detection of markers A61B)} - A61B 34/73: {Manipulators for magnetic surgery} - A61M 25/0127: {Magnetic means; Magnetic markers} - A61B 34/10: Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations - A61B 34/70: {Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery} - A61B 90/10: for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis - A61B 2034/733: {arranged only on one side of the patient, e.g. under a table} - A61B 2090/363: {Use of fiducial points} - A61M 25/0158: {with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials} - A61M 2025/1052: {for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A treatment delivery apparatus comprises a metallic object and a treatment carrier device which is connected by a heat-sensitive biodegradable connector link to the magnetic object. This carrier device contains the treatment, i.e. the drug, to be transported. An electromagnet is positioned outside of the body part for producing a magnetic field which captures the magnetic object. This electromagnet may be either a simple coil system attached to a robotic arm which moves the electromagnet adjacent the body part, or a multicoil electromagnet system surrounding the body part. In either case, the robotically moved electromagnet or multicoil electromagnet system moves the magnetic object within the body part to a desired location. A computer controls either the robotic arm or multicoil current magnitudes and directions. This computer also provides visualization for observing the location and movement of the magnetic object and carrier device. Upon reaching the desired location, the magnetic object is heated, which causes the heat-sensitive biodegradable connector link to melt, which separates the drug-containing carrier device from the magnetic object. The electromagnet means then moves the magnetic object back out of the body part. The treatment-containing carrier device remains in the desired location and the drug is delivered to the specific location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A treatment delivery apparatus, comprising: a) a string having a thin body and first and second longitudinal ends; b) treatment associated with the body of the string; c) a magnetic delivery lead; and d) means for attaching the magnetic delivery lead to the first longitudinal end of the string. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retrieval tail having distal and proximal ends, wherein the distal end of the retrieval tail is attached to the second longitudinal end of the string. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a flange device attached to the distal end of the retrieval tail. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the treatment comprises drugs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the string is a fiber string. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the treatment is embedded in the fiber of the string. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the treatment is embedded in the fiber of the string when the string is manufactured. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the string is coated with the treatment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the treatment is absorbed into the fibers of the string. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the string is biodegradable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the string is a flexible gelatinous mass. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the treatment is encased in the gelatinous mass. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the treatment is a slurry of cells. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cells are fetal neurons. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cells are genetically engineered cells. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a heat-sensitive biodegradable connector link. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a spring-mechanical mechanism. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the treatment comprises proteins and neurotrophic compounds.