Patent Abstract:
A system and method for the use of magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) and magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) for use in fluid control and distribution apparatus which are responsive to control by a magnetic field are disclosed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/841,471, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The instant disclosure relates to the use of magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) and magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) for use in fluid control and distribution apparatus which are responsive to control by a magnetic field. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Materials whose rheological properties may be varied by application of magnetic fields belong to a specific class of so-called smart materials because they can respond, via solid-state electronics and modern control algorithms, to changes in their environment. Such electroactive elastomers are composites made of solid particles embedded in an elastomeric network whose mechanical or optical properties can be changed by the application of an electric or a magnetic field. 
         [0004]    An applied current or field aligns the particles and provides a structure to the doped materials. More specifically, magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) and magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) are compounds that respond to a magnetic field. The response exhibited is immediate and reversible with a change in rheological behavior, for (MRFs) or elastic behavior, for MCEs. In both cases, ferromagnetic particles, such as iron, are suspended in a carrier liquid. The carrier liquid in MRFs may be mineral oil and may be a rubber matrix in an MCE. In each, the iron particles may be present in sizes ranging from 3-10 micron in diameter. Additional types of filled elastomers include those based on carbonyl iron particles and silica particles, for example. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a phacoemulsification flow rate control system, comprising at least one tube comprising an MCE seeded portion, and at least one magnetic field source communicatively coupled to the MCE seeded portion wherein the at least one tube exhibits increased rigidity in response to the activation of the at least one magnetic field. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate disclosed embodiments and/or aspects and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention, the scope of which is determined by the claims. 
           [0008]    In the drawings: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2 a -2 c    illustrate embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The figures and descriptions provided herein may be simplified to illustrate aspects of the described embodiments that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein disclosed processes, machines, manufactures, and/or compositions of matter, while eliminating for the purpose of clarity other aspects that may be found in typical optical and surgical devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or steps may be desirable or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the disclosed embodiments, a discussion of such elements and steps may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 
         [0012]    Fluid sensing, control in feedback is hindered by low durometer (low modulus, low hardness) tubing which carriers aspiration and irrigation fluid between phaco console and handpiece tip. In an embodiment of the present invention, a tubing pack my utilize nylon and silicon tubing, for example, constructed with at least one MCE. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a tubing subcomponent  110  of a cassette  100  may be seeded with a suspension of ferromagnetic iron or ferrite particles during the extrusion process. When in use, the subcomponent  110  may be controlled using a magnetic field to control and/or expand the particle lattice of the subcomponent  110 . 
         [0013]    For example, an irrigation line  120 , which may or may not form an aspect of the cassette  100 , may have at least one line portion seeded for use as an MCE. By way of example, portion A of irrigation line  120  may be seeded and may be effected by a magnetic field produced from a source located on the console (not shown) in which the cassette may be placed. The activation of the MCE properties of portion A may be used to restrict flow within the irrigation line. 
         [0014]    The present invention may also be used with fluid packs and other fluid sources for which delivery and/or receive product material through a tube. For example, an MCE seeded silicon section of tubing may be between a pressure sensor and a vacuum pump in a phacoemulsification assembly. When phacoemulsification is activated, an electromagnetic field may be simultaneously activated in proximity to the MCE seeded section of tubing which may allow the tubing to become rigid and maintain a constant volume within its passageway. Thus, flow rate and pressure changes imparted one side of the MCE seeded portion may be instantaneously and substantially reflected on the other side of the MCE seeded portion. 
         [0015]    For example, an MCE seeded section of tubing may be between a phaco handpiece and fluid reservoir, e.g. of a vacuum based pump (e.g. Venturi pump)) in a phacoemulsification system. When aspiration vacuum or pumping is activated at the console, an electromagnetic field may be activated (simultaneously or soon after activation) in proximity to the MCE seeded section of tubing which may allow the tubing to become rigid and maintain a constant volume within the passageway. Thus, flow rate and pressure changes imparted at the handpiece tip may be instantaneously or simultaneously, and substantially reflected at the vacuum pump. Similarly, flow rate and/or pressure changes imparted at the vacuum pump may be instantaneously or simultaneously, and substantially reflected at the handpiece tip. Thus, fluid communication between the handpiece tip and pump is improved. In addition, this also improved followability at the handpiece tip and/or reduces any lag time between activation of the pump and actual removal of fluid/debris from the surgical site. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a tubing section may also use MCE seeding to control a pumping action without physical contact with a mechanical force as would be imparted by, for example, a roller pump, by exposing the seeded portion to a pulsing and/or cycling electromagnetic field. The use of such a dynamic magnetic field may cause the seeded portion to expand and contract and create a positive displacement pumping motion. Similarly, MCE doped silicon material may be used as a pump bladder or reservoir, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and may provide both a pumping and storage source/mechanism in one combined structure of various shapes. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a catheter may be constructed with at least one MCE and may be placed in-vitro and have its stiffness characteristics changed when exposed to a magnetic flux. The MCE may include ferromagnetic iron particles in the about 3 to about 10 micron range and may be suspended in an elastic matrix carrier such as, for example, PBX, pellethane, nylon, polyethylene and/or polyurethane. By way of further example, nano-sized ferrite may be suitable for use with the present invention and may be preferably used with in a range of about 100 to about 300 nm. Such a material is also known as an Elastomer-Ferromagnet Composite (EFC). The addition of a magnetic field to the materials described above will increase the material sheer stress, resulting in increased stiffness. 
         [0018]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a catheter subcomponent such as inner, outer lumens and balloon may be seeded with a suspension of ferromagnetic iron or ferrile particles. During the extrusion process following extrusion, the composite may be placed in a controlled magnetic field so that ferromagnetic particles lattice may be held in place. Upon completion of the catheter process, the magnetic field is removed and the lattice relaxed. 
         [0019]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 a   , a catheter  205  may comprise a balloon  240  and a ferromagnetic seeded composite tip  250 , may be placed within a vein  210 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 b   , the push of the catheter  205  through vein  210  may be impeded by at least one object or restriction  230  which may comprise, for example, plaque deposits. More particularly, a guide wire  220  may become “stuck” or may not allow the catheter  205  to be advanced a smoothly as desired where forcing the catheter  205  and/or guide wire  220  might cause a rupture in the vein  210 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 c   , to overcome any foreign objects  230 , for example, an electromagnetic field may be placed over the subject with implant in proximity to the catheter  205  to sufficiently align the particles in the seeded composite tip  250  so as to allow the seeded composite tip  250  to become substantially rigid. In this way, the guide wire  220  and/or the catheter  205  may have improved maneuverability around objects or restrictions  230 . During the removal process, seeded composite tip  250  may be relaxed with the removal of the electromagnetic field. 
         [0021]    In addition to the use with a catheter, the present invention may be used with any dilatation catheter, stent delivery catheter, or guidewire product where variable rheological material characteristics are needed. 
         [0022]    Although the disclosure has described and illustrated exemplary embodiments with a certain degree of particularity, it is noted that the description and illustrations have been made by way of example only. Numerous changes in the details of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and steps may be made. Accordingly, such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure, the protected scope of which is defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5