Magnetic navigation and imaging system

A system for imaging and magnetically navigating a magnetically responsive medical device within an operating region in a subject's body, the system comprising:

• a first C-arm;
• a first imaging beam source and a first imaging beam receiver mounted on the first C-arm so that the first imaging beam source and first imaging beam receiver can be disposed on opposite sides of the operating region in the subject;
• a second C-arm, movable relative to the first C-arm between a stowed position and an imaging position;
• a second imaging beam source and a second imaging beam receiver mounted on the second C-arm so that when the second C-arm is in its imaging position, the second imaging beam source and second imaging beam receiver can be disposed on opposite sides of the operating region, in substantially the same plane as the first imaging beam source and first imaging beam receiver on the first C-arm;
• a pair of magnetic pods movably mounted on the first C-arm, the magnetic pods being movable between a navigating position in which the pods are disposed on opposite sides of the operating region in the same plane as the second imaging beam source and the second imaging beam receiver, for applying a navigating magnetic field of at least 0.08 T in any direction to the operating region, and a stowed position in which the magnets are not on opposite sides of the operating region to accommodate the second imaging beam source and second imaging beam receiver on the second C-arm in its imaging position.

A system for imaging, and magnetically navigating a magnetically responsive medical device within an operating region in a subject's body, the system comprising:

• a first C-arm;
• a first imaging beam source and a first imaging beam receiver mounted on the first C-arm so that the first imaging beam source and first imaging beam receiver can be disposed on opposite sides of the operating region in the subject;
• a second C-arm, movable relative to the first C-arm between an imaging position and a navigating position;
• a second imaging beam source and a second imaging beam receiver mounted on the second C-arm so that when the second C-arm is in its imaging position, the second imaging beam source and second imaging beam receiver can be disposed on opposite sides of the operating region, in substantially the same plane as the first imaging beam source and first imaging beam receiver on the first C-arm;
• a pair of magnetic pods mounted on the second C-arm, the magnetic pods being positioned on the C-arm so that when the second C-arm is in its navigation position, the magnetic pods are disposed on opposite sides of the operating region in the same plane as the second imaging beam source and the second imaging beam receiver on the first C-arm, for applying a navigating magnetic field of at least 0.08 T in any direction to the operating region.