Capsule Endoscope Thermal Insulation for Longer Battery Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The battery life of capsule endoscopes is limited, preventing them from performing complete gastrointestinal tract examinations, as the physical size constraints hinder the use of sufficient batteries to power higher resolution image capture and transmission.
Innovation Solution
The capsule endoscope incorporates a thermal insulation material layer between the enclosure and the battery component, along with a sealing layer, to reduce heat convection and radiation, allowing the battery to reach a higher thermal equilibrium temperature and extend its working time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the battery size is increased to extend working time, then the battery life is improved, but the capsule size exceeds physical size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the capsule environment by introducing thermal insulation layers and vacuum spaces, thereby altering the heat dissipation characteristics. This allows the battery to operate at higher temperatures without excessive heat loss, effectively extending battery life without increasing battery size or capsule volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat generation into a beneficial effect by using thermal insulation to retain heat around the battery. The heat that would normally be wasted is now utilized to maintain optimal battery operating temperature, thereby extending working time without requiring a larger battery.
2Duration of action of moving object
If thermal insulation is added to retain heat, then battery working time is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film thermal insulation layers that can be applied directly to the capsule walls and internal components. These thin films provide effective thermal insulation without adding significant bulk or structural complexity, maintaining the compact design while extending battery working time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal insulation materials as intermediary layers between the battery and the capsule environment. These intermediary layers effectively manage heat transfer without requiring direct modification of the battery or capsule structure, thereby extending working time with minimal increase in device complexity.
3Temperature
If vacuum space is created to reduce heat convection, then heat retention is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a vacuum environment within the capsule to eliminate heat convection through air or gas molecules. This vacuum insulation layer significantly improves heat retention around the battery. The manufacturing process involves vacuum sealing techniques that, while requiring specialized equipment, are well-established in the medical device industry and can be integrated into existing production lines.
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
This solution effectively increases the battery life of the capsule endoscope, enabling it to capture more images and perform longer examinations while maintaining image quality and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal insulation material layer, arranged between the enclosure and the battery component
Implementation Method 2
the capsule endoscope can effectively reduce the thermal convection between the battery and the enclosure
Implementation Method 3
The accommodating space enclosed by the enclosure is a vacuum space
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a capsule endoscope, including: an enclosure, including a main body portion and end portions located at both ends of the main body portion; a hardware component, arranged in an accommodating space enclosed by the enclosure, the hardware component including a battery component, the battery component being arranged in a space corresponding to the main body portion; a first thermal insulation material layer, arranged between the enclosure and the battery component; and a sealing layer, arranged between the hardware component and the thermal insulation material layer. The capsule endoscope can effectively reduce the thermal convection between the battery component and the enclosure, better concentrate the heat inside the enclosure, so that the battery component may reach a higher thermal equilibrium temperature, extend the working time of the battery component, and improve the stability of the capsule endoscope.