The design of a 2T superconducting solenoid for magnetic catheter guidance

For several years, members of this Laboratory, in cooperation with the Neurosurgical Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, have been engaged in a research program directed toward the perfection and use of a magnetically guided catheter system for use in the cerebrovascular system. Until recently, this work was carried out using a conventional iron-core, water-cooled electromagnet. This paper describes the design, construction, and operating parameters of a superconducting magnet system for medical use. This design was carried out with the idea foremost in mind of producing a neurosurgical tool that was easy to use in a hospital environment. This required the use of a vacuum insulated liquid helium dewar that could operate in any orientation while helium transfer was taking place, and a flexible, vacuum insulated helium transfer line. The system is completely self-contained, the only external connections being to the dc power source for magnet excitation, and 110 vac for housekeeping functions.