Configurable Magnetic Field for Multi-Directional Therapeutic Agent Conveyance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic field technologies for therapeutic delivery, such as those developed by Pulse Therapeutics, are limited by the need to specify the direction of nanoparticle conveyance in advance, restrict movement to one direction, and are primarily suited for nanoparticles, making them inefficient for conveying therapeutic agents in multiple directions or larger sizes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a configurable magnetic field with rotating magnet subassemblies and a yoke to create a variable magnetic field, allowing for simultaneous conveyance of therapeutic agents towards or away from a user-selected region from multiple directions, using magnetic materials with nonmagnetic coatings to enhance biological compatibility and control particle motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single magnet is used to convey nanoparticle agglomerates in one direction, then the technology is simpler and more focused, but the system cannot simultaneously convey magnetic materials in multiple directions or from multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the magnetic field generation into multiple independent magnet assemblies, each capable of being positioned and oriented separately. This segmentation allows each magnet to convey particles in specific directions while the collective system achieves multi-directional conveyance capability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet assemblies are made dynamically positionable and orientable within the treatment volume. By allowing the magnets to move and rotate to different configurations, the system can adapt to convey particles in various directions as needed, transforming a static single-direction system into a dynamic multi-directional system without permanently increasing structural complexity.
2Length of stationary object
If magnetic force is increased to pull iron particles from greater distances, then the therapeutic reach is extended, but the magnet strength needed increases dramatically (600-fold increase from 1 cm to 5 cm distance)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one extremely strong magnet at a distance, the system employs multiple magnets positioned closer to the target region. The combined effect of multiple magnets at optimized distances achieves the necessary particle conveyance force without requiring any single magnet to be excessively strong, thus avoiding the 600-fold strength increase penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the effects of multiple magnets working in coordination to achieve the therapeutic outcome. By combining the magnetic forces of multiple magnets positioned strategically throughout the treatment volume, the system achieves effective particle conveyance at clinically relevant distances without requiring any single magnet to generate extreme field strengths.
3Ease of operation
If nanoparticle agglomerates are created for conveyance, then the magnetic materials can be controlled, but the particle motion becomes unduly restrictive and the technology is limited to nanoparticles
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates dynamic magnetic field configurations that can adapt to different particle sizes and motion requirements. Rather than forcing all particles into fixed agglomerates, the dynamically adjustable multi-magnet system can accommodate free-moving nanoparticles, larger particles, and various intermediate forms, maintaining control while allowing natural particle motion and size variation.
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
Enables more efficient and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents by creating new fluidic currents, increasing diffusion rates and achieving higher concentrations at targeted regions without predefining conveyance directions, and reducing the strength and size of the external magnetic field required.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method for conveyance of therapeutic and related agents using configurable magnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
the direction of nanoparticle conveyance must be specified in advance, a single magnet must be used, and nanoparticle conveyance occurs only in one direction along a 'directed gradient'
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for therapeutic agent conveyance using configurable magnetic field includes a field generating workstation. The workstation includes at least one, generally a pair of, magnet subassemblies. Each subassembly is rotationally mounted on a rotation axis to orientate the subassembly poles. A rotatable yoke supports each subassembly and the yoke axis is offset from each subassembly rotation axis. Yoke rotation configures a collective system magnetic field. The method aligns the yoke axis with a user selected region within a subject, introduces a plurality of magnetic materials and associated therapeutic agents into the subject; orientates each magnet subassembly at a specific angular location and configures the workstations magnetic field whereby the plurality of magnetic materials and associated therapeutic agents are influenced by the magnetic field to either be simultaneously conveyed towards the user-selected region from multiple directions or simultaneously conveyed away from a user-selected region in multiple directions.