An electrically controlled adhesive capsule system in the digestive tract and its working method

Abstract

This invention discloses a capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract and its operating method, relating to the field of medical devices. The system includes a transparent outer shell forming a sealed cavity within it; multiple electrode adhesion units are axially arranged on the outer wall of the shell; an image acquisition device is fixed inside the shell, with its acquisition end adjacent to the transparent end of the shell; a wireless transmission device is used for bidirectional wireless data transmission with an external workstation; when the drug storage device's release port is open, the drug within the storage device can be released to the outside; a control module can control the opening and closing of the release port, and can control the power supply to the electrode adhesion units, as well as the direction of current flow after power is applied; a power supply is electrically connected to the image acquisition device, the wireless transmission device, the drug storage device, and the control module. The system and its operating method of this invention can save internal capsule space, avoid mechanical damage to intestinal wall tissue, and the anchoring and release process is rapid, controllable, and reversible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] Gastrointestinal diseases, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal malignancies, require early screening and precise diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality and improve patients' quality of life. Traditional diagnostic and treatment methods for the digestive tract mainly rely on invasive endoscopy such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy. While these methods allow for direct observation of lesions and biopsy, they also have inherent limitations such as painful procedures, poor patient compliance, and inability to reach deep areas of the digestive tract, such as the small intestine. As a result, many small intestinal diseases remain a blind spot in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

[0003] Capsule robots, as a miniature, non-invasive, orally administered diagnostic and therapeutic platform, are playing an increasingly important role in the early screening, diagnosis, and targeted treatment of gastrointestinal diseases due to their advantages of being non-invasive, painless, eliminating the risk of cross-infection, and covering the entire digestive tract. A fully functional diagnostic capsule can typically complete lesion localization, image recording, real-time data transmission, and local drug intervention in a single examination. However, the core prerequisite for achieving these precise diagnostic and therapeutic functions is that the capsule robot can achieve stable, controllable, and reversible temporary anchoring at a specific target location in the dynamic digestive tract environment. Whether it's continuously and clearly acquiring images of suspicious lesions to ensure diagnostic accuracy, maintaining a stable data stream for wireless transmission, or activating the drug storage device at a precise location for targeted drug delivery, the capsule needs to effectively resist continuous intestinal peristalsis and fluid flow impact, maintaining a fixed posture for several minutes or even longer. If reliable anchoring cannot be achieved, the capsule will quickly drift away from the target area under intestinal peristalsis, leading to blurred images, missed tissue sampling, or incorrect drug release, thus negating the advantages of integrated diagnosis and treatment by the capsule robot.

[0004] Currently, the mainstream technologies for anchoring capsule robots in this field are mainly divided into two categories: mechanical deployment anchoring and external magnetic control anchoring. Mechanical anchoring involves an internal drive mechanism that deploys rigid components such as claws, supports, and barbs, using physical locking to fix the capsule to the intestinal wall. While this technology can provide a certain anchoring force, it suffers from inherent drawbacks: First, the rigid deployment structure and the soft, fragile intestinal wall tissue exhibit severe mechanical mismatch; point-like or linear contact can easily generate localized high pressure, posing a risk of tissue damage such as compression, shearing, or even puncture of the intestinal mucosa. Second, the complex mechanical drive and deployment mechanism occupy a large amount of valuable axial space within the capsule, severely encroaching on the volume that should be allocated to image sensors, high-capacity batteries, drug storage compartments, and wireless communication modules. This forces the miniaturization of these core functional modules, leading to problems such as decreased imaging quality, shortened battery life, and insufficient drug storage capacity, significantly limiting the functional integration and overall performance of the capsule robot.

[0005] External magnetic anchoring uses a strong magnetic field generated by a large external magnetic field generator to apply magnetic force to the magnetic components inside the capsule, thereby achieving capsule positioning and anchoring. This method avoids the space occupied by internal mechanical mechanisms, but it also has significant limitations: First, it relies on a bulky and expensive external magnetic field generation system, making clinical deployment extremely difficult, and the equipment lacks flexibility, making it hard to achieve widespread application in bedside or primary healthcare institutions; second, the strong magnetic field environment can cause unpredictable electromagnetic interference to the delicate imaging chip, sensors, and wireless transmission circuits inside the capsule, seriously affecting image acquisition quality and data transmission stability; in addition, the strong magnetic field may also interfere with implanted electronic medical devices such as pacemakers and cochlear implants, limiting its applicable population.

[0006] In summary, there is an urgent need to design a technical solution that can maximize the saving of internal capsule space to support multifunctional integration, avoid mechanical damage to intestinal wall tissue, and enable rapid, controllable, and reversible anchoring and release processes. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract and its working method, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can save the internal space of the capsule to the maximum extent to support multifunctional integration, avoid mechanical damage to the intestinal wall tissue, and the anchoring and release process is fast, controllable and reversible.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: This invention provides a capsule system for electro-adhesive bonding within the digestive tract, comprising an outer shell, the interior of which forms a sealed cavity, and one end of the outer shell being transparent; multiple electrode adhesion units are axially arranged on the outer side wall of the outer shell; an image acquisition device is fixedly disposed within the sealed cavity, with its acquisition end adjacent to the transparent end of the outer shell, for lesion search, localization, and image recording; a wireless transmission device is disposed within the sealed cavity for bidirectional wireless data transmission with an external workstation; a drug storage device is disposed within the sealed cavity and has an openable and closable release port, allowing drug within the drug storage device to be released to the outside when the release port is open; a control module is disposed within the sealed cavity, capable of controlling the opening and closing of the release port, and controlling the power supply to the electrode adhesion units, as well as the direction of current flow after power supply, so that the electrode adhesion units generate adhesive force to fix to human tissue, or release the adhesive force between them and human tissue; a power supply is disposed within the sealed cavity and electrically connected to the image acquisition device, the wireless transmission device, the drug storage device, and the control module.

[0009] In one embodiment, the electrode adhesion unit includes a positive electrode adhesion unit and a negative electrode adhesion unit. A plurality of positive electrode adhesion units and a plurality of negative electrode adhesion units are alternately arranged along the axial direction on the outer side wall of the housing. The positive electrode adhesion units and the negative electrode adhesion units are insulated from each other.

[0010] In one embodiment, the positive electrode adhesion unit includes an anode sheet and a positive gel, the anode sheet being fixedly wound around the outer wall of the housing, and the outer surface of the anode sheet being covered with the positive gel; the negative electrode adhesion unit includes a cathode sheet and a negative gel, the cathode sheet being fixedly wound around the outer wall of the housing, and the outer surface of the cathode sheet being covered with the negative gel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the raw materials for preparing the positive gel include polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, chitosan and its derivatives, and conductive metal ion salts; the polyvinyl alcohol and / or chitosan and its derivatives include quaternary ammonium groups; the raw materials for preparing the negative gel include sodium alginate and calcium chloride.

[0012] In one embodiment, the outer shell includes: a shell body, which is a cylindrical structure open at both ends, with a plurality of electrode adhesion units arranged axially on the outer side wall of the shell body; a front end cap fixedly and sealed to the opening position at one end of the shell body, the outer side of the connection position between the front end cap and the shell body having a smooth curved surface structure, and the front end cap having a transparent structure; a rear end cap fixedly and sealed to the opening position at the end of the shell body away from the front end cap, the outer side of the connection position between the rear end cap and the shell body having a smooth curved surface structure; the front end cap, the shell body, and the rear end cap together form the sealed cavity.

[0013] In one embodiment, the acquisition end of the image acquisition device is a vision sensor, which is attached to the inner wall of the front cover and is used to acquire video or image data of the digestive tract wall in real time.

[0014] In one embodiment, the power source is a cylindrical battery, and the wireless transmission device is wound in the form of a coil around the outer surface of the power source.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control module includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a boost control module; the boost control module is integrated on the first and second circuit boards; the boost control module passes through the sidewall of the housing via microwires and is electrically connected to the electrode adhesion unit; the first and second circuit boards are connected by a flexible circuit.

[0016] In one embodiment, the boost control module includes a control circuit, a PWM signal generation circuit, and a boost circuit. The control circuit can activate the PWM signal generation circuit to generate a set waveform signal, which is boosted by the boost circuit and applied to the electrode adhesion unit outside the shell body to form a directional current, so that the electrode adhesion unit generates an adhesive force to fix it to the human tissue; or control the boost control module to generate a reverse current and apply it to the electrode sheet, so that the electrode adhesion unit releases the adhesive force between itself and the human tissue.

[0017] The present invention also provides a method for operating a capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract, comprising the following steps: After being swallowed, the electrically attached capsule system moves forward through the digestive tract; the image acquisition device works continuously, and the images are transmitted to the outside of the body via a wireless transmission device; The operator issues a wireless anchoring command, the wireless transmission device receives the command, and after the control module parses it, it triggers the control circuit to start the boost control module. The PWM signal generation circuit generates a set waveform signal, which is boosted by the boost circuit and applied to the alternating anode and cathode plates on the outside of the shell body to form a directional current from the anode to the cathode, driving the positive gel to generate adhesive force, thereby realizing the anchoring of the capsule system with electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract. After anchoring, the control circuit controls the boost control module to stop outputting current. At this time, the adhesion force is maintained by the inherent properties of the positive gel material. The control module controls the release port of the drug storage device to open and release the drug. The control circuit controls the boost control module to generate a reverse current and apply it to the anode and cathode plates, thereby releasing the adhesion between the positive gel and the tissue.

[0018] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: This invention moves the anchoring unit, i.e., the electrode adhesion unit, from inside the capsule to the outer surface of the shell, completely avoiding the huge space occupied by traditional internal mechanical deployment mechanisms. This frees up core axial space for integrating a high-capacity power supply, image acquisition device, and drug storage device, making it possible to integrate an image acquisition device, power supply, drug storage device, and control module simultaneously within a standard-sized capsule, achieving true all-around integrated diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. The electrode adhesion unit uses electrically controlled adhesion, which is fast-responding, has strong adhesion, and rapidly fails after the current reverses, ensuring safety and reversibility. Stable anchoring ensures the clarity of image acquisition and the accuracy of drug release. All functional modules are highly integrated, with no complex moving mechanical parts, resulting in a low failure rate. The dual-circuit board design separates signal processing from power drive, reducing interference. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal circuit principle of the capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of the boost circuit for an electrically controlled adhesion capsule system in the digestive tract, as shown in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 11-Shell body, 12-Front end cover, 13-Rear end cover, 2-Image acquisition device, 3-Drug storage device, 41-Positive gel, 42-Negative gel, 51-Boost control module, 511-Control circuit, 512-PWM signal generation circuit, 513-Boost circuit, 52-Anode plate, 53-Cathode plate, 54-First circuit board, 55-Second circuit board, 56-Wireless transmission device, 57-Power supply. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] The purpose of this invention is to provide a capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract and its working method, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can save the internal space of the capsule to the maximum extent to support multifunctional integration, avoid mechanical damage to the intestinal wall tissue, and the anchoring and release process is fast, controllable and reversible.

[0024] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] This invention provides a capsule system for electro-adhesive bonding within the digestive tract, referenced. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the device includes a sealed outer shell made of corrosion-resistant and biocompatible materials, with the interior forming a waterproof and corrosion-resistant sealed cavity, and one end of the outer shell being transparent. Multiple electrode attachment units are axially arranged on the outer side wall of the outer shell. An image acquisition device 2 is fixedly installed within the sealed cavity, with its acquisition end adjacent to the transparent end of the outer shell, to achieve lesion search, localization, and image recording. A wireless transmission device 56 is installed within the sealed cavity for bidirectional data (images, control commands) wireless transmission with an external workstation. A drug storage device 3 is installed within the sealed cavity and has an openable and closable release port. When the release port is open, the drug in the drug storage device 3 can be released to the outside. The release port of the drug storage device 3 is connected to the release opening on the side wall of the outer shell through a sealed channel. Alternatively, an opening penetrating the interior of the drug storage device 3 can be directly opened on the side wall of the outer shell at the location of the drug storage device 3 as the release port. This opening only connects the interior of the drug storage device 3 to the outside of the outer shell. The device is open to the outside of the outer shell, preventing the drug from entering the sealed cavity during drug release. A release mechanism is located at the release port. This mechanism is based on existing technology, and its structure and principle are not limited. A miniature solenoid valve, shape memory alloy valve, or magnetic response valve can be used as the release mechanism at the release port. After the release mechanism opens the release port, the inside of the drug storage device 3 is connected to the outside of the outer shell. At this time, the flow of fluid in the human intestines or stomach can assist the drug in the drug storage device 3 in entering the human body. The control module is located in the sealed cavity and can control the opening and closing of the release port, as well as the power supply to the electrode adhesion unit and the direction of current flow after power is applied. This allows the electrode adhesion unit to generate adhesive force to fix itself to human tissue or release the adhesive force between itself and human tissue. The power supply 57 is located in the sealed cavity and is electrically connected to the image acquisition device 2, the wireless transmission device 56, the drug storage device 3, and the control module. This invention moves the anchoring execution unit, i.e., the electrode adhesion unit, from inside the capsule to the outer surface of the shell, completely avoiding the huge space occupation of the capsule's internal space by traditional internal mechanical deployment mechanisms. This frees up core axial space for integrating a high-capacity power supply 57, an image acquisition device 2, and a drug storage device 3, making it possible to simultaneously integrate the image acquisition device 2, power supply 57, drug storage device 3, and control module within a standard-sized capsule. This achieves true all-around integrated diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, integrating five core functions within a standard swallowing size: high-definition real-time imaging, high-capacity energy storage, bidirectional wireless communication, controllable drug release, and active anchoring. All functions operate at high performance without performance compromises due to space constraints. The electrode adhesion unit uses electrically controlled adhesion, offering fast response, strong adhesion, and rapid failure upon current reversal, ensuring safety and reversibility. Stable anchoring ensures clear image acquisition and accurate drug release. All functional modules are highly integrated, with no complex moving mechanical parts, resulting in a low failure rate. The dual-circuit board design separates signal processing from power drive, reducing interference.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electrode adhesion unit includes a positive electrode adhesion unit and a negative electrode adhesion unit. Multiple positive electrode adhesion units and multiple negative electrode adhesion units are alternately arranged axially on the outer side wall of the housing, and the positive electrode adhesion units and negative electrode adhesion units are insulated from each other. In this embodiment, the positive electrode adhesion unit includes an anode sheet 52 and a positive gel 41. The anode sheet 52 is fixedly wound around the outer side wall of the housing, and the outer surface of the anode sheet 52 is covered with the positive gel 41. The negative electrode adhesion unit includes a cathode sheet 53 and a negative gel 42. The cathode sheet 53 is fixedly wound around the outer side wall of the housing. On the outer wall, the outer surface of the cathode plate 53 is covered with negative gel 42, ensuring that the positive gel 41 can form an effective current loop with the adjacent cathode plate 53 in any orientation, thereby achieving reliable anchoring. When a directional current is applied from the anode plate 52 to the cathode plate 53, i.e., the current flows through the power source 57, anode plate 52, positive gel 41, human tissue, negative gel 42, cathode plate 53, and power source 57, the positive gel 41 generates a strong adhesive force with the tissue interface, achieving anchoring, and the adhesive force can be maintained after the power is cut off. When a reverse current is applied, the adhesive force is released. The negative gel 42 mainly serves as an essential electrode for the current loop in this process. The positive gel 41 and the negative gel 42 are collectively referred to as an electrically controlled adhesive gel pair. Among them, the positive gel 41 is an electrostimulation-responsive gel, and its surface physicochemical properties undergo rapid, significant, and reversible changes under directional current stimulation from the anode to the cathode. In this invention, when energized, positive gel 41 acts as an active adhesive material responding to directional current, while negative gel 42 serves as an essential electrode forming the current loop. The two work synergistically to achieve high-strength adhesion and controlled release to moist biological tissues. The raw materials and components for preparing positive gel 41 are prior art, including polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, chitosan and its derivatives, and conductive metal ion salts; polyvinyl alcohol and / or chitosan and its derivatives include quaternary ammonium groups. The raw materials and components for preparing negative gel 42 are prior art, including sodium alginate and calcium chloride.The adhesion principle of positive gel 41 is a mature existing technology. The directional migration characteristics of the quaternary ammonium groups in positive gel 41 under a low-voltage electric field enable it to form an electrostatic adsorption and hydrogen bond network with polyanionic components such as glycosaminoglycans and collagen abundant on the tissue surface, constructing a molecular-level adhesion interface. The polyvinyl alcohol framework, with its excellent acid resistance, ensures the material's stability in acidic environments such as the gastrointestinal tract, overcoming the degradation and failure problems of traditional adhesion materials in complex biological environments. Gelatin, as a natural polymer matrix, provides an efficient channel for the ion conduction of conductive metal ions, synergistically enhancing... The material's ionic conductivity is increased, enabling adhesion in a short time. Its flexible mechanical properties, with an elongation at break >300%, allow for dynamic adaptation to organ peristalsis and skin stretching deformations, avoiding tissue stress concentration caused by rigid fixation. The conductive metal ion salt acts as an ion-conducting medium, lowering the material's driving voltage threshold. At 3V, the adhesion force can reach approximately 6kPa, and for structured gels, it can even reach 44kPa. Reverse current application reduces the adhesion force to 0.1kPa, significantly lowering energy consumption and reducing the risk of electrophysiological interference and thermal damage to tissues compared to traditional electro-controlled materials.

[0027] In one embodiment, the outer shell includes a shell body 11, a front cover 12, and a rear cover 13. The shell body 11 is the core component that houses the internal functional modules and constitutes the outer body. It is a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends. Multiple electrode attachment units are provided axially on the outer side wall of the shell body 11. The front cover 12 is fixedly and sealed to the opening at one end of the shell body 11. The outer side of the connection between the front cover 12 and the shell body 11 is a smooth curved surface structure, and the front cover 12 is a transparent structure. The acquisition end of the image acquisition device 2 is a vision sensor. The vision sensor is attached to the inner side wall of the front cover 12 and is used to acquire video or image data of the digestive tract wall in real time. The rear cover 13 is fixedly and sealed to the opening at the end of the shell body 11 away from the front cover 12. The outer side of the connection between the rear cover 13 and the shell body 11 is a smooth curved surface structure. The front cover 12, the shell body 11, and the rear cover 13 together form a sealed cavity. The outer wall of the capsule body 11 features an alternating arrangement of anode plates 52 and cathode plates 53. This design ensures that regardless of the capsule system's position within the intestinal lumen, the positive gel 41 on its outer wall can always find a matching cathode plate 53 in a nearby location, reliably forming an effective electrical stimulation circuit. This design significantly improves the reliability and success rate of the anchoring action, avoiding anchoring failure due to poor contact in a single circuit, and better adapting to intestinal lumens of different diameters. Furthermore, the use of gel-covered electrode plates as the contact interface ensures a large-area, flexible surface contact between the gel and the intestinal mucosa, resulting in uniform force distribution. This completely avoids the risks of compression, shearing, or even punctures that may arise from point or line contact with rigid structures such as traditional mechanical grippers or supports, exhibiting extremely high biocompatibility.

[0028] In one embodiment, the power supply 57 is a cylindrical battery with an external shielding layer to reduce electromagnetic interference to the wireless transmission device 56. The wireless transmission device 56 is wound in the form of a coil around the outer surface of the power supply 57. Wrapping the coil of the wireless transmission device 56 around the outside of the power supply 57 is a space-reuse design. This achieves optimal antenna size layout without additional axial length requirements. The power supply 57 employs a special shielding layer to ensure communication distance and quality, while spatially integrating and isolating the power supply 57 and antenna, which may interfere with signals.

[0029] In one embodiment, the control module includes a first circuit board 54, a second circuit board 55, and a boost control module 51. The boost control module 51 is integrated on the first circuit board 54 and the second circuit board 55. The first circuit board 54 and the second circuit board 55 are responsible for the overall system control, including image processing, instruction parsing, driving the boost control module 51, and controlling the opening and closing of the drug storage device 3. Integrating the circuit of the boost control module 51 on the first circuit board 54 and the second circuit board 55 separates logic control from power drive. This design reduces internal flying wires, lowers interference, and improves integration and reliability. Meanwhile, the high-voltage driving circuit and sensitive components such as the image acquisition device 2 are physically isolated (through the circuit board position), effectively avoiding interference of high-voltage noise on the imaging signal; the boost control module 51 passes through the side wall of the shell through micro wires and is electrically connected to the electrode adhesion unit; the first circuit board 54 and the second circuit board 55 are connected by a flexible circuit, and the sealed cavity inside the shell is equipped with the image acquisition device 2, power supply 57, first circuit board 54, drug storage device 3 and second circuit board 55 arranged in an axially stacked manner, which are arranged sequentially from the front end to the rear end in the swallowing direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, the boost control module 51 converts the low voltage of the battery into a high-voltage pulse signal required for gel operation, precisely controlling the anchoring and release actions. It includes a control circuit 511, a PWM signal generation circuit 512, and a boost circuit 513. The control circuit 511 can activate the PWM signal generation circuit 512 to generate a set waveform signal, which, after being boosted by the boost circuit 513, is applied to the electrode adhesion unit outside the shell 11, forming a directional current so that the electrode adhesion unit generates adhesive force to fix itself to the human tissue; or it can control the boost control module 51 to generate a reverse current and apply it to the electrode sheet, so that the electrode adhesion unit releases the adhesive force between itself and the human tissue. The change in the gel's adhesion state is directly triggered by the electric field. The boost control module 51 only needs to provide pulse energy at the moment of state switching, and maintaining the anchoring state consumes almost no energy. Since the anchoring state relies solely on the physicochemical properties of the gel material itself and does not require continuous electrical or mechanical force input, the maintenance phase of the anchoring function itself does not consume additional energy, achieving extremely high energy efficiency. Compared to mechanical anchoring, which requires a continuously powered motor to maintain tension, or magnetic anchoring, which requires a large amount of electrical energy to maintain a strong magnetic field, this invention reduces energy consumption by several orders of magnitude, greatly extending the capsule's single-use endurance. This invention enables rapid and secure anchoring in a dynamic intestinal environment, without causing invasiveness or damage to tissues; the anchoring state is stable and effectively resists peristalsis and fluid flow impacts; the switching response between anchoring and release is rapid and precise, with extremely low overall energy consumption.

[0031] The present invention also provides a method for operating a capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract, comprising the following steps: After being swallowed, the electrically attached capsule system moves forward through the digestive tract via peristalsis. The image acquisition device 2 operates continuously, and the image is processed by the first circuit board 54 and then transmitted to the outside via the wireless transmission device 56 in coordination with the second circuit board 55. The doctor then locates the target lesion on an external monitor. The operator issues a wireless anchoring command, which is received by the wireless transmission device 56. After being parsed by the control module, the command triggers the control circuit 511 to start the boost control module 51. The PWM signal generation circuit 512 generates a set waveform signal. The PWM signal, or pulse width modulation signal, is a digital signal that controls the average output power or voltage by adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse. In this invention, the PWM signal is generated by the PWM signal generation circuit 512 to precisely control the output of the boost circuit 513, thereby finely adjusting the intensity and pattern of the electrical stimulation applied to the gel. After being boosted by the boost circuit 513, the voltage is applied to the alternating anode plates 52 and cathode plates 53 on the outer shell 11, forming a directional current from the anode to the cathode. This current drives the positive gel 41 to generate adhesive force, achieving the anchoring of the electro-adhesive capsule system in the digestive tract. Stable anchoring ensures the clarity of image acquisition and the accuracy of drug release. The alternating arrangement and optimized layout of the external electrodes ensure the reliability of the electrical circuit, thus providing an anchoring force far exceeding that of the micro internal mechanism and strong resistance to peristalsis interference. After anchoring, the control circuit 511 controls the boost control module 51 to stop outputting current. At this time, the adhesion force is maintained by the inherent properties of the gel material, and the system enters a low-power maintenance state, allowing the doctor to trigger the drug delivery command. The second circuit board 55 controls the drug storage device 3 to open, precisely releasing the drug at the lesion. Simultaneously, the stable position allows the image acquisition device 2 to perform high-quality, blur-free close-up imaging. After the treatment is completed, the doctor sends a release command. The control circuit 511 controls the boost control module 51 to generate a reverse current and apply it to the anode plate 52 and the cathode plate 53. The adhesion between the positive gel 41 and the tissue is released, and the capsule system of this invention is released and naturally excreted from the body with intestinal peristalsis. The contact between the gel and the tissue is surface contact, and the force is gentle, avoiding the risk of mechanical claws puncturing or compressing the tissue. The electrically controlled adhesion has a fast response, strong adhesion, and rapid failure after the current reverses, making it safe and reversible.

[0032] This invention places the electrode adhesion unit for anchoring on the outside of the outer shell, externalizing the anchoring function. Through the combined innovations of the external electrode-gel interaction design and the high-density axial stacking layout of various components inside the shell, it not only overcomes the long-standing challenge of balancing multifunctionality and high performance under extremely limited space conditions in capsule systems, but also simultaneously achieves breakthroughs in making the anchoring process safer, more energy-efficient, and more reliable. The high-density axial stacking layout refers to the spatial arrangement of the functional modules inside the shell, specifically the main modules such as the image acquisition device 2, power supply 57, first circuit board 54, drug storage device 3, and second circuit board 55 arranged sequentially along the central axis of the swallowing direction, placed one after another to maximize the utilization of the axial space inside the cylindrical shell—a high-density integrated layout. This layout is made possible by the externalization of the anchoring function, freeing up internal axial space.

[0033] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. An electrically controlled adhesive capsule system for use in the digestive tract, characterized in that: include: The outer shell has an interior that forms a sealed cavity, and one end of the outer shell is transparent; multiple electrode attachment units are provided along the axial direction on the outer side wall of the outer shell; An image acquisition device is fixedly installed inside the sealed cavity, with its acquisition end close to the transparent end of the outer shell, so as to realize lesion search, location and image recording; A wireless transmission device is installed inside the sealed cavity for bidirectional wireless data transmission with an external workstation. A drug storage device is disposed in the sealed cavity and has an openable and closable release port. When the release port is open, the drug in the drug storage device can be released to the outside. The control module, located within the sealed cavity, is capable of controlling the opening or closing of the release port, and of controlling the power supply to and off of the electrode adhesion unit, as well as the direction of current flow after power supply, so that the electrode adhesion unit generates adhesive force to fix itself to human tissue, or releases the adhesive force between itself and human tissue. as well as The power supply is located inside the sealed cavity and is electrically connected to the image acquisition device, the wireless transmission device, the drug storage device, and the control module, respectively.

2. The electrically controlled adhesive capsule system in the digestive tract according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode adhesion unit includes a positive electrode adhesion unit and a negative electrode adhesion unit. Multiple positive electrode adhesion units and multiple negative electrode adhesion units are alternately arranged along the axial direction on the outer side wall of the housing. The positive electrode adhesion units and the negative electrode adhesion units are insulated from each other.

3. The capsule system for electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 2, characterized in that: The positive electrode adhesion unit includes an anode sheet and a positive gel. The anode sheet is fixedly wound around the outer wall of the housing, and the outer surface of the anode sheet is covered with the positive gel. The negative electrode adhesion unit includes a cathode sheet and a negative gel. The cathode sheet is fixedly wound around the outer wall of the housing, and the outer surface of the cathode sheet is covered with the negative gel.

4. The capsule system for electro-adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 3, characterized in that: The raw materials for preparing the positive gel include polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, chitosan and its derivatives, and conductive metal ion salts; the polyvinyl alcohol and / or chitosan and its derivatives include quaternary ammonium groups; the raw materials for preparing the negative gel include sodium alginate and calcium chloride.

5. The capsule system for electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer casing includes: The shell body is a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and multiple electrode adhesion units are provided on the outer side wall of the shell body along the axial direction; A front cover is fixedly and sealed to the opening at one end of the shell body. The outer side of the connection point between the front cover and the shell body has a smooth curved surface, and the front cover is transparent. The rear cover is fixedly and sealed to the opening position of the shell body away from the front cover. The outer side of the connection position between the rear cover and the shell body is a smooth curved surface structure. The front cover, the shell body and the rear cover together form the sealed cavity.

6. The capsule system for electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 5, characterized in that: The image acquisition device has a visual sensor at its acquisition end, which is attached to the inner wall of the front cover and is used to acquire video or image data of the digestive tract wall in real time.

7. The capsule system for electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power source is a cylindrical battery, and the wireless transmission device is wound around the outer surface of the power source in the form of a coil.

8. The capsule system for electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a boost control module; the boost control module is integrated on the first and second circuit boards; the boost control module passes through the side wall of the housing via microwires and is electrically connected to the electrode adhesion unit; the first and second circuit boards are connected by a flexible circuit.

9. The capsule system for electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract according to claim 8, characterized in that: The boost control module includes a control circuit, a PWM signal generation circuit, and a boost circuit. The control circuit can activate the PWM signal generation circuit to generate a set waveform signal, which is boosted by the boost circuit and applied to the electrode adhesion unit outside the shell body to form a directional current, so that the electrode adhesion unit generates adhesive force to fix it to human tissue; or control the boost control module to generate a reverse current and apply it to the electrode sheet, so that the electrode adhesion unit releases the adhesive force between itself and human tissue.

10. A method for operating a capsule system for electro-adhesive bonding in the digestive tract, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: After being swallowed, the electrically attached capsule system moves forward through the digestive tract; the image acquisition device works continuously, and the images are transmitted to the outside of the body via a wireless transmission device; The operator issues a wireless anchoring command, the wireless transmission device receives the command, and after the control module parses it, it triggers the control circuit to start the boost control module. The PWM signal generation circuit generates a set waveform signal, which is boosted by the boost circuit and applied to the alternating anode and cathode plates on the outside of the shell body to form a directional current from the anode to the cathode, driving the positive gel to generate adhesive force, thereby realizing the anchoring of the capsule system with electro-adhesive adhesion in the digestive tract. After anchoring, the control circuit controls the boost control module to stop outputting current. At this time, the adhesion force is maintained by the inherent properties of the positive gel material. The control module controls the release port of the drug storage device to open and release the drug. The control circuit controls the boost control module to generate a reverse current and apply it to the anode and cathode plates, thereby releasing the adhesion between the positive gel and the tissue.

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