Aggregation and control of magneto-responsive entities
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling aggregation of magneto-responsive self-propelled entities in a body comprising:
- at least three sets of magnetic field sources arranged in three axes for generating a magnetic field; and
a controller connected to at least one of said magnetic field sources configured to create a three dimensional convergence point to which following the direction of said magnetic field said self-propelled entities will move to and aggregate, wherein surrounding said convergence point the effective field points from all directions to said convergence point, and at least one of said magnetic field sources is time varied to cause said self-propelled entities to move toward said convergence point and stay close to said convergence point, wherein said controller causes one of;
any two axes of said three axes to maintain a constant magnetic field while changing the direction of the other axis of said three axes depending upon said two axes of said three axes being maintained constant; and
one axis of said three axes to maintain constant while changing the direction of the other two axes of said three axes in a time multiplexing fashion at the same time or with a phase delay; and
to change the direction of all of said three axes in a time multiplexing fashion simultaneously or with a delay between each axis of said three axes,wherein the direction of the magnetic field gradient of at least one axis of said three axes is changed in a time multiplexed fashion with a switching speed appropriate with the reaction time of said self-propelled entities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Applicants have discovered a novel apparatus and method to aggregate and displace a plurality of magneto-responsive entities (steerable self-propelled entities or SSPEs) in three dimensions using time-multiplexing. The apparatus for controlling aggregation of SSPEs in a body comprises at least three sets of magnetic field sources arranged in three axes for generating a controlled magnetic field and a controller connected to at least one of said magnetic field sources to create a three dimensional convergence point. The method for aggregating the entities can comprise using a first set and a second set of said magnetic field sources to generate opposed magnetic field gradients in each said set to cause aggregation of said magneto-responsive entities in two axes and wherein the controller is configured to reverse a direction of said magnetic field gradient in a third set of magnetic field sources in a third axis according to a first predetermined program.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling aggregation of magneto-responsive self-propelled entities in a body comprising:
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at least three sets of magnetic field sources arranged in three axes for generating a magnetic field; and a controller connected to at least one of said magnetic field sources configured to create a three dimensional convergence point to which following the direction of said magnetic field said self-propelled entities will move to and aggregate, wherein surrounding said convergence point the effective field points from all directions to said convergence point, and at least one of said magnetic field sources is time varied to cause said self-propelled entities to move toward said convergence point and stay close to said convergence point, wherein said controller causes one of; any two axes of said three axes to maintain a constant magnetic field while changing the direction of the other axis of said three axes depending upon said two axes of said three axes being maintained constant; and one axis of said three axes to maintain constant while changing the direction of the other two axes of said three axes in a time multiplexing fashion at the same time or with a phase delay; and to change the direction of all of said three axes in a time multiplexing fashion simultaneously or with a delay between each axis of said three axes, wherein the direction of the magnetic field gradient of at least one axis of said three axes is changed in a time multiplexed fashion with a switching speed appropriate with the reaction time of said self-propelled entities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20)
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12. A method of aggregating therapeutic carrying magneto-responsive self-propelled entities at a target location in a body, wherein said self-propelled entities comprise a steering system and a propulsion system, comprising:
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introducing said therapeutic carrying magneto-responsive self-propelled entities in said body at an injection site; generating in said body a magnetic field having a three dimensional convergence point at said target location or near said target location to which, following the direction of said magnetic field, said self-propelled entities will move to and aggregate, wherein said magnetic field is sufficient to induce a directional torque that influences said steering system; maintaining said generating to allow said entities in said body to move toward and aggregate at or near said convergence point by using said propulsion system of said entities for their self-propulsion and said steering system of said entities, said steering system influenced by said directional torque, for guiding said self-propelled entities; and delivering said therapeutic-carrying self-propelled entities to said target location in said body. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22)
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Specification