Capsule Camera Gastric Imaging Using Programmable Bed Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule endoscopes struggle to adequately image the upper parts of the stomach, particularly the fundus and cardia, due to limited field of view, rapid movement causing motion blur, and inability to maintain optimal orientation for clear imaging, leading to low detection rates of gastric anomalies.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning system that manipulates the orientation of a patient's body using a bed with adjustable tilt and rotation mechanisms, allowing a capsule camera to capture comprehensive images of the gastrointestinal tract, including the proximal stomach regions, by controlling the patient's position through a programmed sequence of angles and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capsule camera is used for gastric imaging, then patient comfort and ease of operation are improved, but the ability to adequately image upper stomach regions deteriorates due to limited field of view and inability to control orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts patient positioning through a programmable sequence of bed tilt and rotation angles, transforming the static capsule camera into a dynamically positioned imaging system that can capture all stomach regions including the fundus and cardia
Solution Approach 2:
The patient positioning system acts as an intermediary between the capsule camera and the stomach regions, using controlled body orientation changes to bring different gastric areas into the camera's limited field of view
2Productivity
If the capsule camera moves rapidly through the stomach, then examination time is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pauses in the programmed positioning sequence, allowing the capsule camera to capture stable images at predetermined angles while maintaining overall rapid examination throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable positioning sequence ensures continuous useful action by systematically moving the patient through all necessary angles to capture complete gastric imaging without unnecessary delays
3Device complexity
If the capsule camera uses a fixed field of view, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to visualize all stomach regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the capsule camera's limited two-dimensional field of view by adding a temporal dimension through programmed patient positioning sequences, enabling comprehensive three-dimensional coverage of the stomach
Data Source
AI summary
A method for imaging a patient's gastrointestinal tract using a capsule camera and a patient positioning system are disclosed. According to the method, the capsule camera is administered to a patient by swallowing the capsule camera through patient's mouth. For each target examination position selected from a set of examination positions: the patient positioning system is adjusted to a target positioner bed position associated with the target examination position with the patient on the positioner be. Adjusting patient positioning system comprises adjusting the positioner bed to tilt at a tilt angle, and wherein the set of examination positions comprises at least two different tilt angles; and the patient positioning system still is held at the target examination position for a pre-defined period of dwelling time to allow the capsule camera to capture stable pictures. Image data captured by the capsule camera are then collected.