MRI-ASSISTED TISSUE-MODIFYING CATHETER

A tissue-modifying catheter adapted for use with an MRI machine includes an elongated hollow sheath configured for intraluminal introduction with proximal and distal open ends. A coil of electrically conductive, non-magnetic wire, disposed at the proximal open end of the sheath is in electrical communication with an electrical waveform generator through a set of electrical conductors entering into the open proximal end of the sheath. A non-magnetic end effector is physically or mechanically coupled to the coil of wire, such that when a voltage is imposed upon the coil of wire through the waveform generator, the coil experiences a directional torque due to the presence of the MRI-oriented magnetic field, causing the end effector to interact with surrounding tissue. The waveform generator preferably delivers a time-varying waveform such as sinusoid that may be synchronized with the MRI-oriented magnetic field. The catheter may include a plurality of different end effectors for different application.