METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INTRAPARENCHYMAL POSITIONING OF MEDICAL DEVICES

摘要

A catheter and magnet combination (20) adapted for intra-parenchymal positioning of the catheter (22) in the body with a magnetic field. The catheter (22) has proximal and distal ends ((26, 28), respectively) and a lumen (30) therebetween. A magnet (24) is disposed in the distal end of the lumen (30) so that the distal end of the catheter (22) can be positioned within the body with the aid of an externally applied magnetic field. A tether (32) is attached to the magnet (24) and extends through the lumen (30) and out the proximal end (26) so that the magnet (24) can be removed from the catheter (22) through the lumen (30) once the distal end of the catheter (22) is properly positioned. In one embodiment of the invention, the tether (32) is sufficiently stiff to be able to push the catheter (22) through the tissue. With this embodiment, the magnetic field orients the magnet (24), and thus the tip (36) of the catheter (22), and some or all of the force for moving the catheter (22) is applied via the tether (32).