Magnetically controlled stiffness of materials

Abstract

A system and method for the use of magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) and magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) for use in fluid control and distribution apparatus which are responsive to control by a magnetic field are disclosed.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for improving fluid communication between a handpiece tip and an aspiration pump, comprising:
 aspirating a fluid from a surgical site with the handpiece tip through aspiration tubing with the aspiration pump;   activating a magnetic field source communicatively coupled to a magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) seeded portion of the aspiration tubing,   wherein the aspiration tubing exhibits increased rigidity in response to the activated magnetic field source.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the aspiration pump is a vacuum based pump. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the MCE seeded portion is located near the aspiration pump. 
     
     
         13 . A catheter, comprising:
 a hollow tube, wherein the hollow tube comprises a magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) seeded portion, wherein the catheter is configured to exhibit increased rigidity in response to exposure to a magnetic field.   
     
     
         14 . A catheter system, comprising:
 a hollow tube having a lumen and distal end, wherein the hollow tube is configured an dimensioned to receive a guidewire within the lumen;   a balloon having a proximal end and distal end, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is configured and dimensioned to couple with distal end of the hollow tube; and   a tip have a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the tip is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the balloon, wherein the tip comprises a magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) seeded portion, and wherein the tip is configured to exhibit increased rigidity in response to exposure to a magnetic field.   
     
     
         15 . A method for modifying the flexibility of a catheter, comprising:
 providing a catheter comprising a magnetically controlled elastomers (MCE) seeded portion; and
 exposing the magnetically controlled MCE seeded portion to a magnetic field source.