Magnetomotive Probe System And Method Of Use Thereof

Abstract

A magnetomotive imaging probe system is disclosed comprising a movable probe, a magnet arranged on the probe, and an ultra sound transducer, wherein the magnet is arranged to generate a time-varying magnetic field (T) at an imaging plane ( 304 ) of the ultrasound transducer, distally of the ultra sound transducer and the probe, when the probe has proximal first position adjacent the ultra sound transducer.

1 . A magnetomotive imaging probe system comprising:
 a movable probe,   a magnet arranged on said probe,   an ultra sound transducer,   wherein said magnet is arranged to generate a time-varying magnetic field at an imaging plane of said ultrasound transducer, distally of said ultra sound transducer and said probe, when said probe has a proximal first position adjacent said ultra sound transducer.   
     
     
         2 . Magnetomotive imaging probe system according to  claim 1 , wherein said probe is movable in relation to said ultra sound transducer, such as a handheld probe. 
     
     
         3 . Magnetomotive imaging probe system according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnet is movably arranged on said probe and, whereby in use, said magnet is arranged to generate said time-varying magnetic field in response to a motion of said magnet relative said ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         4 . Magnetomotive imaging probe system according to  claim 3 , wherein said magnet is displaceable from a target location in said imaging plane with an oscillating motion. 
     
     
         5 . Magnetomotive imaging probe system according to  claim 3 , comprising a control unit and a motor, said motor being coupled to the control unit and to the magnet to power said motion of said magnet, wherein said control unit is adapted to vary the speed of motion of said magnet according to a predetermined pattern to thereby vary the frequency of said time-varying magnetic field as a predetermined frequency impulse to generate a frequency impulse response of magnetic nanoparticles at said target location, and/or
 wherein said control unit is adapted to set a constant speed of motion of said magnet.   
     
     
         6 . Method of magnetomotive imaging with a probe system comprising a movable probe and an ultra sound transducer, and a magnet arranged on said probe, said method comprising;
 positioning said probe at a proximal first position adjacent said ultra sound transducer,   generating, with said magnet, a time-varying magnetic field at an imaging plane of said ultrasound transducer, distally of said ultra sound transducer and said probe,   detecting motion of magnetic nanoparticles in response to said time-varying magnetic field with said ultrasound transducer in said imaging plane.   
     
     
         7 . Method of magnetomotive imaging with a probe system according to  claim 6 , wherein generating said time-varying magnetic field comprises
 moving said magnet relative said ultrasound transducer.   
     
     
         8 . Method of magnetomotive imaging with a probe system according to  claim 7 , wherein moving said magnet comprises
 displacing said magnet from a target location in said imaging plane with an oscillating motion.   
     
     
         9 . A magnetomotive imaging probe assembly comprising:
 a probe support, and   a magnet arranged on said probe support,   wherein said probe support is adapted to connect to an ultrasound transducer and fixate the position of said ultrasound transducer in relation to, and adjacent, said magnet, whereby in use, said magnet is arranged to generate a time-varying magnetic field at an imaging plane of said ultrasound transducer.   
     
     
         10 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said magnet is movably arranged on said probe support, and, whereby in use, said magnet is arranged to generate said time-varying magnetic field in response to a motion of said magnet relative said probe support and said ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         11 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said magnet is arranged on said support to extend parallel to a lateral direction, and wherein said probe support is adapted to connect to, and fixate the position of, an ultrasonic transducer such that the width of said imaging plane extend in said lateral direction, whereby said magnet is arranged to extend along the width of said imaging plane. 
     
     
         12 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said imaging probe assembly comprises said ultrasound transducer, being arranged adjacent said magnet. 
     
     
         13 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         14 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said magnet is rotationally arranged on said probe support and adjacent said ultrasound transducer, when connected to said probe support, and said motion is a rotating motion. 
     
     
         15 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said magnet comprises a first and a second magnet, each being rotationally arranged on said probe support and adjacent said ultrasound transducer, when connected to said probe support. 
     
     
         16 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein first and second magnets are rotatable in opposite directions. 
     
     
         17 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said probe support is adapted to connect to, and fixate the position of, an ultrasonic transducer such that said imaging plane of the ultrasonic transducer extends along an axial direction between said first and second magnets. 
     
     
         18 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein said first and second magnets have respective first and second rotational axes spanning, and being separated along, a plane, and wherein said axial direction is substantially normal to said plane. 
     
     
         19 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 15 , said probe support is adapted to connect to, and fixate the position of, an ultrasonic transducer such that a distal portion of said ultrasonic transducer is arranged between said first and second magnets when connected to said probe support. 
     
     
         20 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the magnetic poles of said permanent magnet, upon said motion, are displaceable from a target location in said imaging plane with an oscillating motion. 
     
     
         21 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein said each of said first and second magnets comprises cylindrically shaped magnets having respective first and second rotational axes extending in a lateral direction and each having opposite magnetic poles separated along a diameter of each of said magnets in the radial direction (r), whereby rotation of said magnets create said time-varying magnetic field from each of said magnets at said target location. 
     
     
         22 . Magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9 , comprising a control unit and a motor, said motor being coupled to the control unit and to the magnet to power said motion of said magnet, wherein said control unit is adapted to vary the speed of motion of said magnet according to a predetermined pattern to thereby vary the frequency of said time-varying magnetic field as a predetermined frequency impulse to generate a frequency impulse response of magnetic nanoparticles at said target location, and/or
 wherein said control unit is adapted to set a constant speed of motion of said magnet.   
     
     
         23 . Method of magnetomotive imaging with a probe assembly comprising a probe support adapted to connect to an ultra sound transducer, and a magnet movably arranged on said probe support, said method comprising
 rotating said magnet to generate a time-varying magnetic field at an imaging plane of said ultrasound transducer when connected to said probe support,   detecting motion of magnetic nanoparticles in response to said time-varying magnetic field with said ultrasound transducer in said imaging plane.   
     
     
         24 . Method according to  claim 23 , comprising
 rotating first and second cylindrical permanent magnets, each having opposite magnetic poles separated along a diameter of each of said magnets in the radial direction, in opposite rotational directions on either side of said imaging plane.   
     
     
         25 . Method according to  claim 23 , comprising
 rotating first and second cylindrical permanent magnets according to a predetermined pattern to thereby vary the frequency of said time-varying magnetic field as a predetermined frequency impulse to generate a frequency impulse response of said magnetic nanoparticles, and/or comprising   rotating first and second cylindrical permanent magnets with a constant rotational speed.   
     
     
         26 . Use of a magnetomotive imaging probe assembly according to  claim 9  for magnetomotive ultrasound imaging of magnetic nanoparticles.