DEVICE WITH 3D ARRAY OF STEERING COILS
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- determining one or more of, a current amount, and a current polarity, for a current to be provided to at least one member of a three dimensional (3D) array of steering coils coupled to a catheter positioned in a magnetic field produced by an MRI apparatus,where the current amount and the current polarity are configured to produce a magnetic torque sufficient to bend the catheter in a desired direction and in a desired amount, where the magnetic torque is a result of a magnetic moment induced in the at least one member of the 3D array of steering coils as a function of an interaction between the magnetic field produced by the MRI apparatus and the total magnetic moment; and
controlling a current provider to provide the current having the current amount and current polarity to the at least one member of the 3D array of steering coils.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with remotely controlling a catheter configured with a 3D array of steering coils are described. One example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus may include logic to remotely control a catheter. The 3D array of coils may include, for example, one axial coil and two side coils. The MRI apparatus may independently control current provided to members of the 3D array of coils. The MRI apparatus may also selectively produce different pulse sequences to mitigate and/or take advantage of signal voids present in an acquired image due to susceptibility effects from a field(s) generated by a member(s) of the 3D array of coils. Independently controlling the current provided to the 3D array of coils facilitates bending the catheter in a desired position as a result of a magnetic torque associated with a magnetic moment induced in a member of the 3D array of coils.
18 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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determining one or more of, a current amount, and a current polarity, for a current to be provided to at least one member of a three dimensional (3D) array of steering coils coupled to a catheter positioned in a magnetic field produced by an MRI apparatus, where the current amount and the current polarity are configured to produce a magnetic torque sufficient to bend the catheter in a desired direction and in a desired amount, where the magnetic torque is a result of a magnetic moment induced in the at least one member of the 3D array of steering coils as a function of an interaction between the magnetic field produced by the MRI apparatus and the total magnetic moment; and controlling a current provider to provide the current having the current amount and current polarity to the at least one member of the 3D array of steering coils. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus, comprising:
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a flexible housing configured to be bendable in three or more directions when located in a magnetic field; a three dimensional array of elements coupled to the flexible housing, where members of the three dimensional array of elements are configured to be controlled individually with respect to current applied to the members, and where members of the three dimensional array of elements are configured to produce a magnetic torque sufficient to bend the flexible housing when supplied with a current while the apparatus is positioned in the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, comprising:
means for reshaping a catheter configured with a 3D array of steering coils by selectively providing current to at least one member of the 3D array of steering coils. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A catheter, comprising:
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an elongated body; and a set of coils coupled to the elongated body on one side of a joint, the set of coils being configured to respond to a magnetic field by producing a relative motion of the elongated body about the joint.
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Specification