Apparatus and method for moving and activating an active agent

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving a target element which comprises a magnetic material and an active agent, through an object, placing the target element at a predetermined position within the object and activating the active agent. The apparatus comprises: a selection unit comprising a selection field signal generator unit and selection field elements, such as selection field magnets or coils, for generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in a field of view, a drive unit comprising a drive field signal generator unit and drive field coils for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones in the field of view (28) by a magnetic drive field unit so that the magnetization of the magnetic material changes locally, and a control unit for controlling the signal generator units to generate and provide control currents to the respective field coils to generate appropriate magnetic fields for moving the target element through the object in a direction instructed by movement commands, for placing the target element at the desired position within the object and for activating the active agent when the target element has reached the desired position.

主权项

1. An apparatus for moving a target element, comprising:
selection means comprising a selection field signal generator unit and selection field elements including selection field magnets or coils, for generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in a field of view, drive means comprising a drive field signal generator unit and drive field coils for changing a position in space of the two sub-zones in the field of view by means of a magnetic drive field so that magnetization of magnetic material changes locally, said selection field elements and drive field coils are configured to generate magnetic fields which move a target element through an object in a direction that places the target element at a desired position within the object and activates an active agent when the target element has reached the desired position; said target element comprising a magnetic material and an active agent, and control means for controlling said selection field signal generator unit and said drive field signal generator unit, said control means comprising:
an interface for inputting commands to provide a desired movement and/or a desired placement of the target element; andan electrical or mechanical control unit configured to receive commands from the interface, said control unit generates and provides control currents to the selection means and drive means which cause the selection field elements and drive field coils to generate appropriate magnetic fields which move the target element through the object in a direction instructed by the commands, wherein said magnetic fields place the target element at a desired position within the object and activate the active agent when the target element has reached said desired position.