Magnetically Controlled Medical Devices for Interventional Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for interventional procedures, such as guidewires, are difficult to navigate in small and tortuous vasculature, leading to long procedure times, increased radiation exposure, and poor clinical outcomes due to inefficient manual control and the lack of effective robotic navigation systems, particularly in remote or rural areas.
Innovation Solution
Development of magnetically controllable medical devices using platinum cobalt (PtCo) alloys that can be magnetically controlled using a compact external magnetic field system, allowing for precise manipulation of the device tip without the need for manual force transmission, enabling smaller and more flexible device designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control is used to navigate guidewires, then device simplicity is maintained, but navigation efficiency and control precision deteriorate in small and tortuous vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with magnetic field control. The guidewire incorporates magnetic materials that respond to externally applied magnetic fields, allowing the operator to manipulate the guidewire tip position and orientation remotely without direct mechanical contact. This substitution enables precise navigation through tortuous vasculature while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the operator and the guidewire. Instead of direct mechanical manipulation, the operator applies magnetic fields that penetrate tissue to control the magnetized guidewire tip. This intermediary enables remote control through the body without requiring complex robotic mechanisms or direct contact.
2Measurement precision
If manual force transmission is used to control device tip, then device structure remains simple, but control precision and force transmission efficiency deteriorate over long device lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical force transmission with magnetic field interaction. The guidewire contains magnetic materials that allow direct magnetic control of the tip from the proximal end, eliminating the need for complex mechanical force transmission mechanisms. Magnetic fields penetrate the entire device length without degradation, providing precise tip control regardless of device length.
3Measurement precision
If robotic navigation systems are implemented, then navigation precision improves, but system cost, size, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex robotic mechanical systems with simple magnetic field generation. Instead of using robotic arms, motors, and mechanical actuators, the system uses external magnetic field sources to control the magnetized guidewire. This substitution dramatically reduces system complexity, size, and cost while maintaining navigation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic fields as an intermediary to achieve remote control without complex robotics. The magnetic field acts as a wireless transmission medium that penetrates tissue to control the guidewire tip, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages, motors, and complex control systems required by robotic approaches.
4Ease of manufacture
If larger diameter guidewires are used for manual control, then manufacturing and handling ease improves, but ability to navigate small and tortuous vessels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical force transmission requirements with magnetic field control. This allows the use of thinner, more flexible guidewires that can navigate small vessels, while the magnetic control mechanism provides sufficient manipulation capability without requiring increased wire diameter for mechanical strength.
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
This solution enables efficient navigation of small interventional devices through tortuous vessels, reduces radiation exposure, and improves access to remote areas by providing precise control over medical devices, potentially increasing the effectiveness and accessibility of procedures like thrombectomy.
Implementation Method 1
a known external magnetic field exerted on the device induces a force or torque on the device; causes a change in shape or orientation of the device
Implementation Method 2
a known external magnetic field exerted on the device induces a force or torque on the device
Implementation Method 3
induces a change or a temporal effect in a property of the medical device (such as heating or causing the device to vibrate)
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making magnetically controllable devices for interventional medical procedures comprises the steps of: manufacturing a medical device for interventional medical procedures having magnetic materials which are without permanent magnetization; and establishing permanent magnetization within the magnetic materials subsequent to manufacturing, wherein the permanent magnetization allows the medical device to be magnetically controllable. The method may further include the step of packaging and sterilizing the medical device, wherein establishing permanent magnetization occurs after packaging and sterilization. The establishing permanent magnetization within the magnetic materials may include providing different magnetic orientations to distinct portions of the magnetic materials. The magnetic material includes one of a platinum alloy or a palladium alloy.