Magnetohydrodynamic-Driven Design of Microscopic Endocapsules in MRI

Microscopic medical robots capable of translating in a bloodstream or similar liquid represent a new type of therapeutic technology for surgical interventions. This study aims to characterize a new MRI compliant method of propulsion for swimming robots using the magnetohydrodynamic effect (MHD). An...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE/ASME transactions on mechatronics 2015-12, Vol.20 (6), p.2691-2698
Main Authors: Gregory, T. Stan, Wu, Kevin James, Yu, Jasper, Box, James Brent, Rui Cheng, Leidong Mao, Guoyi Tang, Zion Tsz Ho Tse
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood
Devices
Electric potential
Endocapsule
Force
Magnetic fields
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetohydrodynamics
Mechatronics
MHD
MRI-compliant
Propulsion
Resonant frequency
robotic
Robots
Wireless communication
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Summary:Microscopic medical robots capable of translating in a bloodstream or similar liquid represent a new type of therapeutic technology for surgical interventions. This study aims to characterize a new MRI compliant method of propulsion for swimming robots using the magnetohydrodynamic effect (MHD). An MHD drive is a method of propulsion employing only electromagnetic elements, without the need for moving mechanical parts. By utilizing MHD voltages induced within the MRI magnetic field, the opportunity to propel a device and provide imaging simultaneously is presented. We hypothesized that a wireless MHD-driven thruster could be developed to control endocapsules within the MRI magnetic field. A model capsule was constructed and evaluated in a scaled MRI-environment, and subsequently, tested for MRI-compatibility at 3 T. Dynamic performance of the endocapsule was characterized as input power was varied. In the scaled MRI environment, a peak force of 0.31 mN was observed, providing evidence that an MHD-driven endocapsule is possible in an MRI environment. Increased forces will be obtainable with increases in magnetic field strength and applied power.
ISSN:1083-4435
1941-014X
DOI:10.1109/TMECH.2015.2412517