In Vivo Capsule With Electrodes for GI Transit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capsule devices for imaging the gastrointestinal tract face challenges in traversing the small intestine efficiently and controlling movement within the GI tract, leading to prolonged procedure times and incomplete data collection due to slow transit speeds and unpredictable capsule movement.
Innovation Solution
A capsule endoscopic device equipped with electrodes that apply electrical stimuli to influence capsule movement, utilizing a signal generation unit, interface circuit, and switch module to control the electrodes' operation modes for capturing images, collecting data, and adjusting movement within the GI tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If electrical stimulus is applied to the capsule to increase transit speed, then procedure time is reduced, but capsule movement control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule device incorporates a movement control unit that dynamically adjusts electrical stimulus parameters based on real-time capsule position and movement detection. The system can switch between different operation modes (image capture, data collection, movement adjustment) and automatically modulate stimulus intensity and duration to achieve desired transit speed while maintaining controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses movement detection units to continuously monitor capsule position and velocity, feeding this information back to the movement control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust electrical stimulus parameters adaptively, ensuring the capsule moves at optimal speed while remaining controllable and responsive to positional changes.
2Speed
If electrical stimulus intensity is increased to stimulate intestinal muscle contraction, then transit speed increases, but risk of harmful effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement control unit precisely regulates electrical stimulus parameters including intensity, duration, and frequency. The system can modulate these parameters dynamically based on capsule position and detected movement, applying minimal effective stimulus to achieve desired transit speed while staying within safe thresholds to avoid harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous high-intensity stimulation, the system employs periodic or pulsed electrical stimuli with controlled duration and frequency. This periodic action allows the intestinal muscle to contract and relax in controlled cycles, achieving progressive movement acceleration while distributing the total energy input to prevent localized tissue damage.
3Measurement precision
If the capsule remains stationary to capture more images, then data collection quality improves, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule device dynamically adjusts its operational state between image capture mode and movement mode. The movement control unit can apply targeted electrical stimuli to propel the capsule forward after completing image capture sequences, optimizing the balance between data collection quality and overall procedure time by preventing excessive stationary periods.
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
The device enables faster and more controlled movement of the capsule through the GI tract, reducing procedure time and improving data collection efficiency by applying targeted electrical stimuli to stimulate intestinal muscle contraction and adjust transit speed and direction.
Implementation Method 1
The electrodes apply electrical stimulus to living body tissue in a patient's gastrointestinal tract
Implementation Method 2
applying targeted electrical stimuli to stimulate intestinal muscle contraction and adjust transit speed and direction
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule endoscopic device with movement control is disclosed. The capsule endoscopic device comprises a capsule housing, one or more electrodes disposed fixedly through the capsule housing, a signal generation/signal driver unit, an interface circuit and a switch module. The electrodes apply electrical stimulus to living body tissue in a patient's gastrointestinal track. The signal generation/signal driver unit generates the electrical stimulus for the electrodes. The switch module is coupled to the electrodes, the signal generation/signal driver unit and the interface circuit. Furthermore, the switch module is configured to connect the electrodes to the signal generation/signal driver unit or the interface circuit depending on an operation mode. The switch module, the signal generation/signal driver unit and the interface circuit are inside the capsule housing.