US2013267788A1PendingUtilityA1

System and Method for Orientation and Movement of Remote Objects

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Assignee: DUAN XIAODONGPriority: Apr 4, 2012Filed: Apr 4, 2012Published: Oct 10, 2013
Est. expiryApr 4, 2032(~5.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Xiaodong DuanGuohua XiaoXinhong Wang
A61B 1/00158A61B 2034/2051A61B 1/041A61B 2562/162G06T 2207/10004G06T 7/62B25J 11/00A61B 5/062G01B 7/003
48
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Claims

Abstract

The disclosed invention provides apparatus, systems, and methods for moving an object in an enclosed area using a magnetic dipole deployed in the enclosed area and thereafter applying an external rotating magnetic field for applying a rotational force to the dipole along one or more selected axis. The external magnetic field is moved to manipulate object in the desired direction(s) of movement.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for moving an object in an enclosed area comprising the steps of:
 placing an object comprising a magnetic dipole in an enclosed area;   applying an external rotating magnetic field for applying rotational force to the object from pole to pole along a variable axis; and   moving the external magnetic field to manipulate object along the variable axis in the desired direction of movement.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises placing the object in vivo. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising the further step of using frictional force to stabilize the movement of the object. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the step of using frictional force further comprises the step of increasing the frictional force by placing a high-friction substance on a surface of the object. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a medical diagnostic tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a medical therapy tool. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a surgical tool. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a three-dimension magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a three-dimension gravity sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a one direction magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of determining the angle of the object relative to the horizontal plane using data from a gravity sensor in the object. 
     
     
         12 . A system for moving an object in an enclosed area comprising:
 an object comprising a magnetic dipole for placement in an enclosed area;   an external magnet configured for generating a rotating magnetic field for applying rotational force to the object from pole to pole along a variable axis; and   a control mechanism for moving the external magnet to manipulate the object along the variable axis in the desired direction of movement.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object is configured for placement in vivo. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a high-friction substance positioned on a surface of the object for increasing the frictional force generated by the object. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a medical diagnostic tool. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a medical therapy tool. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a surgical tool. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a three-dimension magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a three-dimension gravity sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the object further comprises a one direction magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         21 . A method for orienting an object in an enclosed area comprising the steps of:
 placing an object comprising a magnetic dipole in an enclosed area, wherein the object has a starting orientation;   applying an external magnetic field in proximity to the magnetic dipole; and   manipulating the external magnetic field to interact with the magnetic dipole, thereby causing the object to adopt a second orientation relative to the starting orientation.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises placing the object in vivo. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  comprising the further step of using frictional force to stabilize the object in the enclosed area. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21  comprising the further steps of:
 capturing an image at the starting orientation; 
 capturing a separate image at the second orientation; and 
 using the captured images to calculate the spatial dimensions of the area. 
 
     
     
         25 . A method for moving an object in an enclosed area comprising the steps of:
 placing an object comprising a magnetic dipole in an enclosed area, wherein a support point of the object is in contact with a surface of the enclosed area;   applying an external rotating magnetic field on the dipole, exerting a rotational force on the object, thereby changing the support point of the object in contact with the surface of the enclosed area; and   moving the external magnetic field to manipulate object in a desired direction of movement.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises placing the object in vivo. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25  comprising the further step of using frictional force to stabilize the movement of the object. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25  comprising the further step of using frictional force to stabilize the movement of the object by placing a high-friction substance at one or more points on the surface of the object. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a medical diagnostic tool. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a medical therapy tool. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a surgical tool. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a three-dimension magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a three-dimension gravity sensor. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of placing an object in an enclosed area further comprises providing an object comprising a one direction magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         35 . A method for observing an enclosed area comprising the steps of:
 placing an object comprising a magnetic dipole and an image sensor in an enclosed area;   applying an external rotating magnetic field; and   using the external magnetic field to move the object for observing the area.   
     
     
         36 . A system for observing an enclosed area comprising:
 an object comprising a magnetic dipole and an image sensor for placement in an enclosed area; and   an external magnet configured for generating a rotating magnetic field for moving the object.   
     
     
         37 . A system for orienting an internal object comprising:
 an internal object comprising a magnetic dipole wherein the object has a starting orientation;   an external magnet configured to generate a magnetic field to be applied in proximity to the magnetic dipole;   a control mechanism for manipulating the external magnetic field to interact with the magnetic dipole causing the internal object to adopt a second orientation relative to the starting orientation.   
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 37  wherein the control mechanism further comprises a plurality of servo motors for moving the external magnet along a plurality of axes. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 37  wherein the internal object further comprises a three-dimension magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 37  wherein the internal object further comprises a three-dimension gravity sensor.

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