Magnetic Robot with Dynamic Cover for Safe Biopsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic robots for biopsy in hard-to-reach body parts, like digestive organs, face limitations in operating time and movement due to battery-powered motors and are not actively movable, posing risks of bacterial infection and tissue damage during tissue collection.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic robot designed with a moving part controlled by an external magnetic field, featuring a rotating magnet system that accommodates and exposes a tissue sampling needle within a cover, allowing precise movement and tissue collection while preventing tissue damage by controlling the needle's exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a battery-powered motor is used to drive the magnetic robot, then the robot can perform active movement, but the operating time is limited and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the battery-powered motor system with a magnetically-driven system. The magnetic robot uses magnetic fields to achieve active movement, eliminating the need for onboard power sources and mechanical drive components. This substitution enables continuous operation without battery limitations while maintaining movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the battery and motor components from the robot structure. By extracting these power-intensive components, the robot achieves extended operating time and reduced structural complexity while still maintaining active movement capability through magnetic field actuation.
2Ease of operation
If the tissue sampling needle is exposed during movement, then tissue collection is enabled, but the risk of tissue damage and bacterial infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic cover mechanism that can transition between closed and open states. The cover moves from a first position (covering the needle) to a second position (exposing the needle) under magnetic field control, enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements - protected during movement, exposed during sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is positioned to protect the tissue sampling needle before the sampling operation begins. The system preliminarily prepares the needle in a protected state during navigation, then transitions to the exposed state only when ready for tissue collection, preventing damage and infection risks during the vulnerable movement phase.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is moved mechanically, then the needle can be exposed or covered, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical drive mechanisms with a magnetically-driven system. The cover moves between positions in response to magnetic field actuation, eliminating the need for motors, gears, or other mechanical transmission components. This magnetic actuation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining precise control capability.
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 selective movement and precise tissue collection within the body under external magnetic field control, reducing the risk of bacterial infection and tissue damage during biopsy procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating magnet located in the second accommodation part and freely rotatable about a coupling shaft of the cover under the control of an external magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
the attractive force between the fixed magnet and the rotating magnet
Implementation Method 3
the repulsive force between the fixed magnet and the rotating magnet
Implementation Method 4
a fixed magnet inserted into the first accommodation part such that rotation of the fixed magnet is restricted; and a rotating magnet located in the second accommodation part
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A magnetic robot is provided. The magnetic robot comprises: a moving part which could be moved by means of a control of an external magnetic field; and an inspection part which is coupled to a frontal end of the moving part, wherein the inspection part comprises: a body provided with a tissue sampling needle at the frontal end thereof; a cover for covering the body; and a cover-moving part for moving the cover between a first position and a second position, wherein in the case where the cover is positioned in the first position, the tissue sampling needle is housed within the cover, and in the case where the cover is positioned in the second position, the tissue sampling needle is exposed to the outside of the cover.