Method of navigating a magnetic object, and MR device

• US 6,216,026 B1
• Filed: 08/19/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kuhn, Michael, Aldefeld, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lin, Jeoyuh
• Application Number:
  US09/136,649
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/409, 600/422, 600/431, 600/433, 600/423, 600/424, 600/417, 600/100, 600/101, 128/653.5, 128/899, 606/130, 324/260, 361/141
• US Class Current: 600/409
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0166 Sensors, electrodes or the like for guiding the catheter to a target zone, e.g. image guided or magnetically guided
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0127 Magnetic means; Magnetic markers
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 15/00 Holding or levitation devices using magnetic attraction or repulsion, not otherwise provided for electric or magnetic devices for holding work on machine tools B23Q3/15 ; monorail vehicle propulsion or suspension B60L13/00; sliding or levitation devices for railway systems B61B13/08; material handling devices associated with conveyors incorporating devices with electrostatic or magnetic grippers B65G47/92; separating thin or filamentary articles from piles using magnetic force B65H3/16; delivering thin or filamentary articles from magnetic holders by air blast or suction B65H29/24; bearings using magnetic or electric supporting means F16C32/04; relieving bearing loads using magnetic means F16C39/06; magnets H01F7/00; dynamo-electric clutches or brakes H02K49/00 ; electric furnaces with simultaneous levitation and heating H05B6/32

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of navigating a magnetic object (11) within an object (1) which is exposed to a magnetic field, as well as to a magnetic resonance device in which this method can be carried out. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for navigating a catheter or a flexible endoscope within the body of a patient. The magnetic object (11), preferably being provided in or on such a medical instrument (10), has a controllable magnetic moment for this purpose and the direction of movement of the object is determined by control of the magnetic moment. In the case of a magnetic resonance device whose static magnetic field is used, the object (11) is preferably includes as a coil system.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a direction of movement of a magnetic object in a field by altering a controlled magnetic moment of the magnetic object.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alteration of the controlled magnetic moment of the magnetic object is performed using a coil system which includes three mutually orthogonal coils.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alteration of the controlled magnetic moment of the magnetic object is performed using a coil system which includes one of two mutually orthogonal coils so that a position of the coil system is changed relative to the magnetic field.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein control of the direction of movement of the magnetic object further comprises applying a current to the coil system.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controlling the direction of movement of the magnetic object in the field further comprises controlling a direction of movement of the magnetic object in a magnetic field of a magnetic resonance device.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic object is arranged in or on a medical instrument.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic object is arranged to generate and/or detect a magnetic field and wherein the position of the magnetic object is determined by utilizing the magnetic field generated or detected by the magnetic object.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein control of the direction of movement of the magnetic object further comprises applying a current to the coil system.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the magnetic object is arranged in or on a catheter.

8. A magnetic resonance device comprising a main field magnetic system for generating a magnetic field, a medical instrument introduced into an object to be examined by the magnetic resonance device, and a magnetic object disposed in or on the medical instrument, wherein the magnetic object has a controllable magnetic moment and wherein there are provided means for controlling the magnetic moment and for navigating the magnetic object within the object to be examined.

11. The magnetic resonance device of claim 8 wherein the medical instrument is a catheter or a flexible endoscope.