MRI actuated instruments

Instruments powered and guided directly by the magnetic field of an MRI scanner

OverviewApplications
Image-guided interventionCardiovascular proceduresNeurosurgical access

MRI scanners produce powerful, precisely controlled magnetic fields. We are developing instruments that harness this field not only for imaging but for actuation — so that diagnosis and intervention can happen in the same place, at the same time.

Steering and imaging a device with the same scanner removes the need for separate guidance hardware and ionising radiation, opening new routes to safe, image-guided treatment deep within the body.

MRI-driven robotic catheter — principle of operation
Relevant publications [5]
  1. 01
    A magneto-elastic model for soft magnetic concentric tube robots
    P. Lloyd, J. Davy, Y. L. May, et al.
    Nonlinear Dynamics Jul 2026 doi:10.1007/s11071-026-12856-3
  2. 02
    Towards an MRI-Driven Robotic Cold-Snare System for Gastrointestinal Polyp Resection
    V. Francescon, N. Murasovs, P. Lloyd, et al.
    Magnetic Medicine Jul 2026 doi:10.1016/j.magmed.2026.100075
  3. 03
    A concentric tube catheter for endoluminal interventions, steered and imaged via magnetic resonance imaging
    P. Lloyd, N. Murasovs, Y. L. May, et al.
    Communications Engineering Mar 2026 doi:10.1038/s44172-026-00636-1
  4. 04
    Gradient pulling of a tethered robot via a magnetic resonance imaging system
    N. Murasovs, P. Lloyd, A. Bacchetti, et al.
  5. 05
    Future cardiovascular healthcare via magnetic resonance imaging-driven robotics
    P. Lloyd, E. Dall'Armellina, J. E. Schneider, et al.
    European Heart Journal 2024-07 doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae095