Magnetic Trap System for Microscopic Device Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current miniature medical robots face challenges in navigating and stabilizing within biological tissues due to difficulties in incorporating actuators, sensors, and control systems, and strong magnetic forces used for navigation can lead to control instability and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic trap system that magnetically confines a microscopic device within a confinement region, allowing for precise navigation and alignment of the device's principal axis, enabling stable movement within biological tissues without radial escape, using a combination of permanent and electromagnetic magnets and a mechanical stage for relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If strong magnetic forces are used to navigate the microscopic device through biological matter, then the device can penetrate and move through tissue, but the device experiences control instability and may quickly head towards the magnetic source creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field system is segmented into multiple independent magnetic sources arranged in arrays. Instead of using a single strong magnetic source, the system divides the magnetic field generation into multiple zones that can be independently controlled, allowing for stable confinement and navigation without control instability
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field configuration is made dynamic and adjustable. The system can switch between different magnetic field patterns (confinement mode vs. propulsion mode) and adjust field strengths in real-time, enabling both stable confinement during positioning and controlled movement during navigation
2Measurement precision
If the microscopic device is confined using a magnetic trap, then the device can be precisely localized, but the device's radial movement is restricted which limits navigation freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic trap configuration is made dynamically adjustable. The system can switch between a confined trap configuration for precise localization and a more open configuration that allows radial movement when navigation freedom is needed. The trap depth and confinement strength can be modulated in real-time based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic modulation of magnetic field strength to alternately confine and release the device. During confinement phases, precise localization is maintained. During release phases, the device can move radially for navigation purposes, creating a rhythmic pattern of confinement and freedom
3Reliability
If the microscopic device is aligned with the magnetic field axis, then control stability is improved, but the device cannot perform radial movements which are needed for certain medical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field is segmented into axial and radial components that can be independently controlled. The axial component maintains alignment and control stability, while the radial component can be activated separately to enable radial movements when needed for medical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses counteracting magnetic forces to balance the alignment requirement with movement capability. When radial movement is needed, the system applies counteracting forces that temporarily overcome the aligning force, allowing radial movement while maintaining overall control stability
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 stable and controlled navigation in 3D space within biological tissues, minimizing radial movement and ensuring safety by aligning the device's axis with the magnetic field, allowing for precise medical treatments and diagnostics without harming the surrounding tissue.
Implementation Method 1
the trap is configured to provide a magnetic field gradient configured to confine the microscopic device to the confinement region of the trap
Implementation Method 2
the orientation of the magnetic field in the confinement region of the trap is configured to align the principal axis of the microscopic device in the confinement region with the longitudinal axis of the confinement region
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a magnetic trap system (1000) comprising:a microscopic device (300), comprising a principal axis extending in a longitudinal direction;a trap (100) for magnetically confining the microscopic device in a confinement region (CR);a receptable zone (RZ) for receiving biological mattermatter (400, 800), the receptable zone (RZ) comprising the confinement region (CR);a mechanical device (200) for providing a relative movement between the receptable zone (RZ) and the microscopic device (300);wherein the trap (100) is hollow about a longitudinal axis (A), comprises the receptable zone, and provides a magnetic field gradient configured to confine the microscopic device to the confinement region (CR) of the trap (100); wherein the orientation of the magnetic field in the confinement region (CR) is to align the microscopic device in the confinement region (CR) with the longitudinal axis (A) of the confinement region.