Capsule Camera Entry Exit Detection Using Disabled Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current swallowable capsule cameras face challenges in efficiently detecting entry and exit from the GI tract, managing power consumption, and handling large image files, which complicates data transmission, archiving, and patient privacy.

Innovation Solution

A method involving taking test images with the illumination system disabled to detect significant pixel value changes, determining capsule position, and performing appropriate operations, such as stopping image capture and activating an audio signal upon exit, while using a thermometer to measure temperature changes and calibrate operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the capsule camera continuously captures images during the entire procedure, then complete diagnostic data is obtained, but power consumption increases and unnecessary images outside the body are stored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic data completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule camera performs preliminary actions by detecting body entry and exit events, then adjusts its operation accordingly. Before exiting the body, the system detects the exit event and stops image capture, preventing waste of power and storage on unnecessary images while maintaining complete diagnostic data coverage during the actual procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from image analysis (detecting skin texture patterns or background characteristics) to determine whether the capsule is inside or outside the body. This feedback mechanism allows automatic adjustment of image capture operations, stopping capture when outside the body to conserve power while ensuring complete diagnostic coverage when inside

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If all captured images are stored and transmitted, then complete diagnostic information is available, but data transmission burden increases and patient privacy risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information completenessVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and identifies the subset of images that are actually inside the body by analyzing image characteristics (skin texture, background patterns). Only these relevant images are stored and transmitted, separating useful diagnostic data from unnecessary external images, thereby reducing data volume while maintaining complete diagnostic information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards images captured outside the body by detecting exit events or analyzing image content, and recovers only the essential diagnostic images taken during the procedure. This selective retention reduces the quantity of data to be stored and transmitted while preserving all necessary diagnostic information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the capsule camera operates continuously, then no diagnostic events are missed, but power is wasted after exiting the body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic event detectionVSAvoidenergy waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule camera performs preliminary detection of body exit events by analyzing image characteristics or using sensors. Upon detecting the exit event before actually leaving the body, the system stops image capture in advance, preventing energy waste on post-exit images while ensuring no diagnostic events are missed during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors image content for feedback signals indicating body exit (such as detection of skin patterns or external environment). When exit is detected, the system adjusts its operation to stop capture, thereby eliminating energy waste after exiting while maintaining complete diagnostic coverage during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate detection of capsule entry and exit, optimizes power usage, reduces data storage and transmission burdens, and ensures patient privacy by managing image capture and storage effectively.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor for detecting light intensity in a field of view of the capsule camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a thermometer mounted in the capsule camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9025017B2Detection of when a capsule camera enters into or goes out of a human body and associated operations

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 CAPSOVISION INC

AI summary

A method for detecting a capsule camera entering into or exiting the GI tract, includes (a) taking a first test image under the condition that an illumination system of the capsule camera is disabled; (b) taking a second test image under the same condition as the first test image; (c) comparing selected corresponding pixel values of the first test image and the second test image to determine if a significant change in pixel values has occurred; and (d) upon detecting the significant change in pixel values, determining if the capsule camera has entered or exited the GI tract, and performing operations appropriate to follow such determination.