Optimal Distribution of Magnetic Material for Catheter and Guidewire Cardiology Therapies

Stereotaxis Inc. is a company dedicated to the magnetically-guided delivery of catheter-and guidewire-based therapies to the heart and surrounding vasculature. The potential benefits of the technology over conventional techniques include less ionizing radiation exposure for the physician, therapy application in otherwise complex procedures, and the introduction of sophisticated virtual control navigation tools for precision therapies in the fields of electrophysiology and interventional cardiology. This paper discusses the optimal design of magnetic material for catheter and guidewire cardiology therapies. The magnetic field-generating sources integral to the Niobereg magnet system consist of two 750 lb articulated permanent magnet arrays which focus the field so that a minimum of 0.08 T is generated throughout the navigation volumes in any direction. The placement of the magnets to the sides of the patient permits access to a wide range of imaging angles. Catheters and guidewires navigated in these procedures are modified by attachment of one or more magnets near the distal end. This allows the device to be oriented by the external magnet field via magnetic torque while being navigated to the target.