Variable magnetic moment MR navigation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical device navigable in an operating region in a subject using an externally applied magnetic field, the device including at least one element of a material whose magnetization can be altered by changing a physical condition of the material.
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Abstract
A method of navigating a medical device in an operating region in a subject. The method includes applying a magnetic field to the operating region and changing the magnetic moment of the medical device by selectively changing a physical condition of at least one magnet element in the medical device to change the orientation of the device with respect to the applied magnetic field.
198 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A medical device navigable in an operating region in a subject using an externally applied magnetic field, the device including at least one element of a material whose magnetization can be altered by changing a physical condition of the material.
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3. A medical device navigable in an operating region in a subject using an externally applied magnetic field, the device including at least one element of a thermomagnetic material whose magnetization can be altered by a temperature change that is between 0°
- C. and 200°
C. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- C. and 200°
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12. A medical device for navigation in an operating region in a subject to which a magnetic field is applied, the device comprising means for changing the magnetic moment at the distal end of the device.
- 13. A medical device for navigating in an operating region in a subject to which a magnetic field is applied, the device comprising at least one magnet element, and means for selectively changing a physical property of the at least one magnet element to change the magnetic moment of the device.
Specification