Capsule Endoscope Position Tracking via Temporal Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule-type medical devices face challenges in accurately determining the movement track of a capsule within a body cavity due to noise-induced multiple position estimates, which hinders the utility of the information obtained during endoscopic examinations.
Innovation Solution
A capsule-type medical device equipped with a wireless transmission section, extracorporeal antennae, an estimation section, and a track calculating section that uses electromagnetic wave signals to accurately estimate the position and track the movement of the capsule by setting conditions for mutually different time positions, employing methods like the Gauss-Newton method for precise position and direction calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple positions are estimated from electromagnetic wave signals received by extracorporeal antennae, then position information can be obtained, but noise causes multiple incorrect positions to be estimated, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing track calculation based on temporal continuity before final position determination. The system calculates a track connecting positions at different times, and only determines final positions where the track continuously connects. This preliminary track calculation filters out noise-induced incorrect positions that cannot be connected into a continuous trajectory, thereby improving both measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the calculated track to verify and correct position estimates. The system continuously monitors whether estimated positions can be connected into a continuous track, and uses this feedback to reject incorrect positions caused by noise. This feedback mechanism ensures that only positions consistent with the continuous movement pattern are accepted, resolving the contradiction between obtaining position information and maintaining accuracy.
2Loss of information
If multiple positions at different times are estimated, then movement tracking becomes possible, but without determining antenna positions in the capsule, the track cannot be determined, lowering utility value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the capsule's antenna automatically transmit electromagnetic wave signals that enable extracorporeal devices to calculate positions and tracks. The antenna serves both as a passive marker and an active signal source, eliminating the need for additional complex positioning hardware in the capsule. This self-service approach maintains simplicity while enabling complete movement tracking functionality.
3Ease of operation
If electromagnetic wave signals are transmitted wirelessly from the capsule antenna, then position can be estimated using extracorporeal antennae, but noise in the signals causes multiple positions to be estimated, making it difficult to determine the true track
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating a track based on temporal continuity before final position determination. The system uses the wireless signals to estimate multiple positions, then performs preliminary track calculation to identify which positions form a continuous, physically plausible trajectory. This preliminary filtering removes noise-induced incorrect positions while preserving the ease of wireless operation.
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 solution enables highly accurate and reliable tracking of the capsule's movement, improving the diagnostic efficiency by accurately determining the capsule's position and movement within the body cavity, even in the presence of noise, and enhancing the utility of the information obtained during examinations.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless transmission section for transmitting wirelessly an electromagnetic wave signal from the antenna in the capsule-type in-vivo device
Data Source
AI summary
The position of an antenna incorporated in a capsule-type endoscope 3 that moves in a body is estimated using a plurality of antennae, and where the distance dij between two positions Pti and P(t−1)j estimated at adjacent times falls within a predetermined value, pieces of information for these positions are related to each other and stored in a memory as connection information. Subsequently, processing for searching for a route from the connection information stored in the memory and calculating a track is performed.