Origami robots, and associated systems, methods of treatment, and methods of manufacture are provided. A system includes an origami robot encapsulated for ingestion by a patient, such as in a biocompatible material that is dissolvable or meltable within the gastrointestinal tract. A method of treatment includes delivering an origami robot in a folded position into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, causing the origami robot to unfold within the gastrointestinal tract, and directing the origami robot to a site requiring treatment in the gastrointestinal tract.

A medical instrument and procedure for removing a food mass lodged in the esophagus of a patient. First, the food mass is magnetized. Thereafter, a medical instrument that includes a magnetic retriever is inserted into an endoscope, for example, into the esophagus. The magnetic retriever includes a magnet that applies a drawing force to the lodged magnetized food mass, causing the magnetized food mass to become dislodged. Once dislodged, the food mass is retrieved and removed from the esophagus.

A medical instrument and procedure for removing a food mass lodged in the esophagus of a patient. First, the food mass is magnetized. Thereafter, a medical instrument that includes a magnetic retriever is inserted into an endoscope, for example, into the esophagus. The magnetic retriever includes a magnet that applies a drawing force to the lodged magnetized food mass, causing the magnetized food mass to become dislodged. Once dislodged, the food mass is retrieved and removed from the esophagus.

A medical instrument and procedure for removing a food mass lodged in the esophagus of a patient. First, the food mass is magnetized. Thereafter, a medical instrument that includes a magnetic retriever is inserted into an endoscope, for example, into the esophagus. The magnetic retriever includes a magnet that applies a drawing force to the lodged magnetized food mass, causing the magnetized food mass to become dislodged. Once dislodged, the food mass is retrieved and removed from the esophagus.

A medical instrument and procedure for removing a food mass lodged in the esophagus of a patient. First, the food mass is magnetized. Thereafter, a medical instrument that includes a magnetic retriever is inserted into an endoscope, for example, into the esophagus. The magnetic retriever includes a magnet that applies a drawing force to the lodged magnetized food mass, causing the magnetized food mass to become dislodged. Once dislodged, the food mass is retrieved and removed from the esophagus.

A multi-layer magnetic device comprising two or more layers containing magnets or ferromagnetic material to be applied to areas of the body of a mammal in which the first layer has one or more protrusions and the second layer has one or more receiving zones that are positioned to align with the protrusions of the first layer. At least a portion of the first layer has a first magnetic pattern, and at least a portion of the second layer has a second magnetic pattern such that, when the protrusions are aligned with the receiving zones, at least one region of the first magnetic pattern faces at least one region of the second magnetic pattern of like polarity thereby repulsing one another.

Methods, devices and systems are provided for determining a connection state of an all wheel drive (AWD) assembly in a vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a vehicle, a message indicative of a hazard and a hazard location on the road and determining a distance to the hazard location from the vehicle. In response to the distance to the hazard location being below a first threshold distance, a state for an AWD assembly in the vehicle is set to a connect state. In response to the distance to the hazard location being above the first threshold, the time for the vehicle to reach the hazard location is determined. If the time to the hazard location is below a threshold AWD connection time, the state for the AWD assembly is set to the connect state.

Systems and methods are described that may provide an efficient way to retrieve microneedles from tissue. For example, magnetic material may be incorporated into one or more microneedles. The microneedles may be delivered to a region of tissue via a backing material, such as a transdermal patch. The microneedles may provide therapeutic drug delivery and/or diagnostic information about the tissue or, more generally, the body containing the tissue. To retrieve the microneedles, a retrieval magnet may apply a magnetic field to the region of tissue where the microneedles were delivered. The magnetic field may attract the microneedles to aid in extraction of the microneedles from the tissue. In some embodiments, an excitation light source and light sensor may be included in the system and method to determine whether the microneedles were retrieved from the tissue.

Systems and methods are described that may provide an efficient way to retrieve microneedles from tissue. For example, magnetic material may be incorporated into one or more microneedles. The microneedles may be delivered to a region of tissue via a backing material, such as a transdermal patch. The microneedles may provide therapeutic drug delivery and/or diagnostic information about the tissue or, more generally, the body containing the tissue. To retrieve the microneedles, a retrieval magnet may apply a magnetic field to the region of tissue where the microneedles were delivered. The magnetic field may attract the microneedles to aid in extraction of the microneedles from the tissue. In some embodiments, an excitation light source and light sensor may be included in the system and method to determine whether the microneedles were retrieved from the tissue.

Systems and methods for fixing a stent in position in an anatomical lumen. Such systems and methods include an intra-luminal stent and a magnet, implanted, for example, in the subcutaneous layer of the subject. The stent and the magnet are magnetically coupled such that the magnetic forces fix the stent in position. Use of the invention permits fixation of an intra-luminal stent to avoid stent migration while minimizing tissue damage.