Patent ID: 8308628
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: A61B,A61K,A61N,A61P,B82Y,C12Y,H01F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for treating a fluid obstruction through external magnetomotive manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles introduced within vasculature of a subject, the system comprising: a plurality of coated magnetic nanoparticles configured to be introduced within vasculature of a subject, wherein the magnetic nanoparticles have a diameter of between 15 nm and 150 nm; and a magnetomotive device configured to provide external manipulation of the magnetic nanoparticles within the vasculature, the device comprising: a platform; a drive motor coupled to the platform by a motor support structure; a rotatable flange coupled to the drive motor; wherein the rotatable flange is coupled to the drive motor in a manner such that the drive motor is configured to rotates the rotatable flange about a drive axis of the magnetomotive device; a permanent magnet coupled to the rotatable flange such that the magnet is configured to rotates about the drive axis of the magnetomotive device to provide a rotating, time-varying magnetic field and a directed magnetic gradient that controls movement of the magnetic nanoparticles introduced within vasculature of a subject; and a controller means for (i) causing the magnetic nanoparticles to agglomerate into a plurality of magnetic nanoparticle rods and (ii) causing the magnetic nanoparticle rods to individually walk in an end-over-end motion toward a fluid obstruction, by (a) controlling the position, rotation plane and rotation frequency of the magnetic field of the magnet and (b) controlling the direction of the magnetic gradient of the magnet, thereby generating a circulating fluid motion within a blood vessel proximal to a fluid obstruction, wherein the circulating fluid motion facilitates contact of a therapeutic agent introduced within the blood vessel with the fluid obstruction.