A method of navigating a medical device having a changeable magnetic moment within an operating region within a patient, the method includes applying a navigating magnetic field to the operating region with an external source magnet, and changing the direction of the magnetic moment in the medical device to change the orientation of the medical device in a selected direction within the operating region. The magnet moment of the medical device can be created by one or more electromagnet coils, in which case the magnetic moment can be changed by changing the current to the coil. Alternatively, the magnetic moment of the medical device can be created by one or more permanent magnets, in which case the magnetic moment can be changed by mechanically or magnetically manipulating the permanent magnet.