Navigating and maneuvering of an in vivo vehicle by extracorporeal devices
AssigneeBBMS Ltd.
InventorsAlex Harel, Uzi Dan, Ehud Katzenelson, Zvi Raviv
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for mobilizing, rotating and maneuvering an in vivo vehicle introduced into a subject by extracorporeal devices which control the position and motion of such a vehicle by detection and modulation of the strength and direction of the electromagnetic field vector of the vehicle. This invention employs a series of pulses, with specific characteristics over time, to induce magnetic field changes. The changes that result from the vehicle movement are measured and used to calculate the location and movement of the vehicle. A system and method for controlling the movement of the vehicle are also provided.
Claims72
A system for managing an in vivo vehicle in a subject, comprising:
- a. a magnet being physically associated with the vehicle;
- b. an extracorporeal magnetic source for producing a magnetic field for being applied to said magnet, said extracorporeal magnetic source being located outside of the subject;
- c. a detector for detecting a magnetic field from said magnet, said detector being located outside of the subject;
- and
- d. a control module for receiving a magnetic field measurement from said detector and for managing the vehicle according to said magnetic field measurement;
- wherein said detector and said extracorporeal magnetic source are assembled on a flexible sheet that is adapted to be attached to the subject.
A system for managing an in vivo vehicle in a subject, wherein managing includes at least determining a location of the vehicle in the subject, the system comprising:
- a. a magnet being physically associated with the vehicle;
- b. an extracorporeal magnetic source for producing a magnetic field for being applied to said magnet, said extracorporeal magnetic source being located outside of the subject;
- and
- c. a detector for detecting a magnetic field from said magnet, said detector being located outside of the subject, such that a location of the vehicle is determined according to said magnetic field measurement;
- wherein said detector indicates when the vehicle passes a predetermined location and comprises an array of reed switches for determining when the vehicle has passed said predetermined location.
A system for managing an in vivo vehicle in a subject, comprising:
- a. a magnet being physically associated with the vehicle;
- b. an extracorporeal magnetic source for producing a magnetic field for being applied to said magnet, said extracorporeal magnetic source being located outside of the subject;
- c. a detector for detecting a magnetic field from said magnet, said detector being located outside of the subject;
- and
- d. a control module for receiving a magnetic field measurement from said detector and for managing the vehicle according to said magnetic field measurement, wherein said managing is performed by modulating at least one of a strength and a direction of said magnetic field from said magnet;
- wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet made from at least one material being magnetized in a magnetic field, and said system further comprises a connecting element in the form of an antenna to send out and receive signals from the vehicle.
A system for amplifying the force in an electromagnetic field used for controlling and managing an in vivo vehicle in a subject, comprising:
- a. A permanent magnet being physically associated with the vehicle;
- b. An extracorporeal magnetic source for producing a magnetic field for being applied to said magnet, said extracorporeal magnetic source being located outside of the subject, being comprised of a matrix of coils;
- c. A detector for detecting a magnetic field from said magnet, said detector being located outside of the subject;
- and
- d. A control module for receiving a magnetic field measurement from said detector and for managing the vehicle according to said magnetic field measurement;
- wherein a pressure applied by or on the vehicle is measured by a pressure-measuring element, and a change in said magnetic force caused by said pressure is sensed by said detector.
A system for amplifying the force in an alectromagnetic fiels used for controlling and managing an in vivo vehicle in a subject, comprising:
- a. A magnetic being physically associated with the vehicle;
- b. An extracorporeal magnetic source for producing a magnetic field for being applied to said magnetic, said extracorporeal magnetic source being located outside of the subjects, being comprised of a matrix of annular permanent magnets arranged on a grid;
- c. A detector for detecting for detecting a magnetic field from said magnet, said detector being located outside of the subject;
- and
- d. A control module for receiving a magnetic field measurement from said detector and for managing the vehicle according to said magnetic field measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.