Abstract: Methods of designing an x-ray tube shielded for operation in static and dynamic externally applied magnetic fields are described. The methods include passive shielding of the insert frame, housing, design of an external shield envelope, tube port, tube collimator, and combinations thereof. The resulting x-ray tube devices are appropriate for use in a variety of applications ranging from magnetic navigation with x-ray monitoring and guidance for interventional procedures to multi-modality imaging and interventional procedures using an x-ray system in the vicinity of an MRI system.

Abstract: A guide for controlling the orientation of a medical device includes a cannula having a lumen therein for the medical device, and a guide member having a passage therein for receiving and directing the medical device, the guide member being movably mounted in the cannula for movement. The guide member can be magnetically responsive to an externally applied magnetic field, or can be magnetically responsive to an externally applied magnetic field when a magnetic medical device is in the passage, and/or it can be mechanically responsive.

Abstract: A method of applying a magnetic medical device to the surface of an internal body structure, the medical device having a magnetically responsive element associated with its distal end, the method comprising applying a magnetic field to the distal end of the magnetic medical device to apply a measured and controlled force between the medical device and tissue to facilitate cardiac sensing, mapping, pacing, ablation, biopsying and other procedures. Contact is confirmed by the angle between the direction of the magnetic medical device and the applied magnetic field, and the contact force is controlled by controlling at least one of the magnetic field direction and the magnetic field strength.