Methods and systems for magnetic focusing of therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic agents to deep targets

摘要

Systems and methods are disclosed for trapping or focusing magnetizable particles comprising therapeutic agents at a distance using a dynamic magnetic field and feedback control, to enable the treatment of diseased areas deep inside a patient's body. The methods may be used to diagnose or treat diseased areas deep within a patient, for example tumors of the lungs, intestines, and liver, and is also useful in enhancing the permeability of solid tumors to chemotherapeutic agents.

主权项

1. A method for treating a patient comprising the steps of:
(A) administering a ferrofluid comprising a plurality of magnetizable objects to a patient; (B) applying a dynamic magnetic field to the patient using external magnets; (C) sensing and monitoring over time locations of the plurality of magnetizable objects within the patient; (D) shaping the applied dynamic magnetic field in three spatial dimensions over a period of time space and time using a feedback control algorithm that dictates actuation and strength of the external magnets in response to said sensing and monitoring; and (E) directing and focusing a selected concentration of the plurality of magnetizable objects within the ferrofluid to a deep target area within the patient in response to said shaping the applied dynamic magnetic field.