Patent ID: 7887549

Claim:
A robotic catheter system, the system comprising: a housing; a drive assembly supported by the housing and configured to impart movement to a catheter device, the drive assembly including: an engagement structure having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces configured to engage opposing surfaces of the catheter device; a top deck coupled to the housing and positioned above the engagement structure; a first channel formed in the top deck configured to receive the catheter device, wherein the first channel comprises a bottom wall and a channel opening opposite the bottom wall, wherein the engagement structure engages the catheter device within the first channel; and at least one magnet positioned proximate the bottom wall of the first channel, wherein the magnet interacts with the catheter device to assist in loading the catheter device into the channel through the channel opening by attracting the catheter device in a direction from the channel opening toward the bottom wall and to assist in the retention of the catheter device within the first channel.