Capsule Endoscope Activation Control via Magnetic Field and Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Capsule endoscopes often activate before being introduced into the body, leading to unnecessary image data acquisition and power consumption, as existing mechanisms fail to prevent actuation outside the body, resulting in inefficient data collection and potential battery exhaustion.

Innovation Solution

A body-insertable apparatus with a temperature sensor unit and driving controller that controls the activation of the capsule endoscope based on temperature changes, ensuring it only activates after being introduced into the body, using a shape-memory member or bimetal member to manage power supply and prevent actuation outside the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the capsule endoscope is unpacked and activated outside the body, then the imaging function and radio communication function can be tested, but unnecessary image data is acquired and battery power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation control reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of magnetic field intensity to control the activation state. A lead switch responds to magnetic field intensity changes: when the permanent magnet is present (high magnetic field), the switch remains off; when the magnet is removed (low magnetic field), the switch turns on. This parameter-based control ensures the capsule activates only when unpacked and prevents unnecessary activation during packaging, thereby conserving battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a lead switch as an intermediary component between the permanent magnet and the power source. This intermediary element translates magnetic field presence into electrical connection state, providing reliable control over power supply to imaging and communication functions. The lead switch acts as a mediator that ensures activation occurs only under appropriate conditions (after unpacking), preventing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the capsule endoscope is activated before introduction into the body, then the device can be tested for functionality, but great amount of unnecessary image data is acquired requiring deletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice activationVSAvoiduseful image data ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses magnetic field intensity parameter changes to control activation timing. The lead switch responds to the magnetic field presence/absence to determine when activation should occur. This ensures the capsule remains inactive during packaging and testing phases, and only activates when introduced into the body (where the magnetic field is absent), thereby ensuring all acquired image data is useful for diagnosis without requiring deletion of unnecessary data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the lead switch maintains off state under high magnetic field intensity, then power supply is cut and capsule is not activated during packaging, but the capsule may still activate prematurely outside the body before introduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power conservationVSAvoidactivation timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs magnetic field intensity as a reliable parameter for controlling activation timing. The lead switch is designed to respond specifically to the presence or absence of the permanent magnet's magnetic field, providing clear on/off states based on packaging status. This parameter-based control mechanism ensures both energy conservation during packaging and accurate activation timing when introduced into the body, resolving the reliability concern about premature activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 prevents unnecessary image data acquisition and power consumption by ensuring the capsule endoscope only activates inside the body, reducing waste and ensuring accurate data collection while prolonging battery life.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor unit for detecting a temperature in the body cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

using a shape-memory member or bimetal member to manage power supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

using a shape-memory member or bimetal member to manage power supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBimetallic strip effect: Bi-Metallic Strip

Data Source

PatentUS8449458B2Body-insertable apparatus and radio in-vivo information acquiring system

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A body-insertable apparatus that is used in a state of being introduced inside the body of a subject and that executes a predetermined function inside the body of the subject, comprises a driving controller that controls the driving condition of the predetermined function.