Capsule Endoscope Power Management for Peak Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsule endoscopes face challenges in extending battery life due to high peak currents and limited power capacity, which affects their ability to operate efficiently during prolonged GI tract examinations, where thousands of images need to be captured and processed.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying peak currents contributed by overlapping sub-tasks and reducing them by adjusting the overlap or switching to lower voltage operations, using voltage regulators, and spreading sub-tasks to minimize peak current consumption, allowing the device to continue functioning even when battery internal resistance increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capsule endoscope operates at high frame rate to capture thousands of images during GI tract examination, then the image capture quality and diagnostic value are improved, but the battery depletes prematurely due to high peak current consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on real-time battery voltage levels. When voltage drops below a threshold indicating depleted energy, the system transitions from high frame rate operation to low frame rate operation, allowing the capsule to complete its examination journey despite limited remaining power
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (frame rate) in response to battery state. By monitoring battery voltage and adjusting the frame rate parameter accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between image capture productivity and battery duration, ensuring the capsule can traverse the entire GI tract
2Productivity
If multiple sub-tasks (image capture, processing, wireless transmission) are performed overlapping in time to improve efficiency, then the examination throughput is improved, but the peak current increases causing voltage drop due to battery internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the overlapping sub-tasks into sequential operations. Instead of performing image capture, processing, and wireless transmission simultaneously, the system executes them in sequence, reducing the peak current demand at any given moment while maintaining overall examination throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by alternating between different operational modes. When battery voltage is sufficient, the system performs overlapping sub-tasks at high throughput. When voltage drops, it switches to sequential execution with lower peak current, creating a periodic pattern of high and low power consumption states
3Reliability
If the capsule endoscope uses a higher frame rate to ensure complete coverage of the GI tract, then the diagnostic completeness is improved, but the battery internal resistance increases causing voltage drop and premature depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery voltage levels and using this information to adjust the frame rate. This closed-loop control ensures that the capsule maintains sufficient power throughout the examination while capturing enough images for complete diagnostic coverage of the GI tract
Data Source
AI summary
Method for extending battery life and a capsule endoscope using the method are disclosed. According to this method, a peak current in a current profile consumed by the capsule endoscope is identified, where the peak current is contributed by at least two sub-tasks associated with operations of the capsule endoscope and said at least two sub-tasks are performed overlapping in time. A running voltage indicating a battery output voltage at or near time instances of the peak current is determined. When the running voltage a condition caused by IR (battery internal-resistance) voltage drop, the sub-tasks are adjusted to reduce overlapping so as to reduce the peak current to a second peak current. According to another method, at least one sub-task is switched to another sub-task when the running voltage is below a threshold.