Abstract: A method for manipulating a magnetic instrument within a lumen of a body, the method including the steps of: providing a system for manipulating the magnetic instrument, the system including an imaging instrument, a magnetic navigation system, a display device, an interface designed to steer the magnetic instrument, and a controller designed to control the system; providing the magnetic instrument; displaying an image of at least a magnetic distal portion of the magnetic instrument on the display device; sending via the interface an operator input to the system to change the direction of the magnetic field from a first direction to a second direction to steer the magnetic instrument in an advancement direction, wherein the operator input is made in reference to an imaging instrument coordinate system associated in a fixed manner to the imaging instrument; applying the magnetic field corresponding to the second direction.

Abstract: A thread-like variable stiffness device including an elongate shaft, the shaft includes a polymeric material, and a heat conducting device configured to exchange heat with the polymeric material to cause a phase transition of the polymeric material conferring a variable stiffness to the thread-like device, wherein the polymeric material is a thermoset shape memory material.

Abstract: A method and system for propelling and controlling displacement of a microrobot in a space having a wall, includes the steps of: forming the microrobot with a body containing a magnetic field-of-force responsive material, wherein, in response to a magnetic field of force, a force is applied to the material in a direction of the magnetic field of force; positioning the microrobot in the space for displacement in that space; and generating the magnetic field of force with a predetermined gradient and applying the magnetic field of force to the microrobot propelling the microrobot through the space in a direction of a field of force. Then, a sequence of field generating steps are executed, wherein each step includes calculating the direction, amplitude and spatial variation of the net field of force to control displacement of the microrobot in the space and against the wall from one equilibrium point to another.

Abstract: An intubation stylet includes a shaft with a bendable end section having a tip and a camera at the tip for providing an image of a part of the environment of the tip. The stylet includes a control unit for control of the bending motion of the end section. The control unit is adapted to work under at least two operation modes. In a first of the two operation modes the bending motion of the end section is guided automatically by an orientation of the tip. In a second operation mode, the bending motion of the end section is controlled by manual control of a user without an automatically guidance. The control unit is further adapted to operate in the second operation mode when the first operation mode is inactive.

Abstract: A method and system for propelling and controlling displacement of a microrobot in a space having a wall, includes the steps of: forming the microrobot with a body containing a magnetic field-of-force responsive material, wherein, in response to a magnetic field of force, a force is applied to the material in a direction of the magnetic field of force; positioning the microrobot in the space for displacement in that space; and generating the magnetic field of force with a predetermined gradient and applying the magnetic field of force to the microrobot propelling the microrobot through the space in a direction of a field of force. Then, a sequence of field generating steps are executed, wherein each step includes calculating the direction, amplitude and spatial variation of the net field of force to control displacement of the microrobot in the space and against the wall from one equilibrium point to another.