Hybrid Electromagnetic Control for Micro-Nano Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electromagnetic control systems for medical devices within the human body are cumbersome, power-intensive, and lack versatility in generating diverse magnetic field configurations, making them unsuitable for lightweight, low-power applications that require therapeutic and diagnostic functionalities while adhering to medical safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight electromagnetic control system using a combination of magnetic field generating devices, such as coils and permanent magnets, to create customizable rotating and gradient magnetic fields for remote control of micro-scale devices, enabling navigation, energy transfer, and therapeutic agent release, while integrating with imaging and therapeutic modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electromagnetic control systems are used for remote control of internal devices, then functional capability is achieved, but device weight and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: an external electromagnetic control system that generates magnetic fields, and an internal device containing passive magnetic nanoparticles. This segmentation allows the heavy power-consuming components to remain outside the body while only lightweight magnetic particles are introduced internally, resolving the contradiction between remote control capability and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic nanoparticles serve as an intermediary between the external electromagnetic field and the internal device. These nanoparticles are introduced into the internal device and respond to external magnetic fields, enabling remote control without requiring heavy electromagnetic generators inside the device itself, thus reducing weight while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional electromagnetic control systems are used, then remote control functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the power-intensive electromagnetic field generation function (placed in an external device) from the internal device. The internal device only contains passive magnetic nanoparticles that respond to external fields without requiring their own power source, thereby achieving remote control capability while minimizing power consumption of the internal device.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic nanoparticles in the internal device passively respond to external magnetic fields without requiring active power consumption. The nanoparticles themselves serve the function of enabling control, navigation, and therapeutic actions through their inherent magnetic properties, eliminating the need for power-consuming onboard electromagnetic generators.
3Device complexity
If simple magnetic field generation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but versatility in generating diverse magnetic field configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The external electromagnetic control system is designed to generate multiple types of magnetic field configurations (rotating fields for navigation, gradient fields for positioning, oscillating fields for therapeutic heating) using a unified platform. This multi-functional capability allows a single device to perform diverse functions including navigation, positioning, and therapeutic actions without requiring separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic control system dynamically adjusts magnetic field parameters including strength, frequency, orientation, and spatial distribution in real-time. This dynamic control enables the system to generate diverse magnetic field configurations on demand, transitioning between different field types as needed for navigation, positioning, and therapeutic functions, thereby achieving versatility without permanent structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides efficient remote control and navigation of micro-scale devices, energy transfer, and therapeutic agent delivery with reduced weight, power consumption, and improved safety, ensuring compatibility with medical procedures and imaging technologies.
Implementation Method 1
two or more magnetic field generating devices proximate but not entirely enclosing the operational region; the magnetic field generating devices generating overlapping flux lines generating a combined field vector in three dimensions
Implementation Method 2
an interface adapted to receive input from the imaging system and to transfer energy to the coils to direct movement of the micro-scale device in the magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
transfer energy to the coils to direct movement of the micro-scale device in the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and systems for providing magnetic fields for controlling micro-devices implanted in a patient body, organ, or tissue. Novel coil configurations are disclosed which provide magnetic fields of adequate strength and directional characteristics over a large operational region with minimal weight and power dissipation, while providing ease of access to the focus regions. Also provided are micro-devices in various size regimes which can be controlled both in position as well as in function (such as release of therapeutic materials), and which are capable of both energy and data transfer with the magnetic field control system.