Endoscopic Capsule Localization Using Receiver Subset Trilateration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for locating miniaturized medical devices like endoscopic capsules are prone to human error, interference from external devices, and are inaccurate due to anatomical and physiological variations, making them unreliable in less controlled settings and costly in controlled environments.
Innovation Solution
A method using trilateration of signals from a subset of receivers, with iterative calculations and verification of location convergence, to accurately determine the device's position within the body, accounting for patient characteristics and signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image analysis with feature extraction is used to locate the endoscopic capsule, then the location can be determined using existing camera data, but the method is heavily reliant on physician expertise and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual image analysis method (mechanical/physical process of physician examination) with an automated magnetic field-based trilateration system. The system uses magnetic field intensity measurements from multiple receivers to calculate capsule position automatically, eliminating dependence on physician expertise and subjective interpretation of images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables autonomous self-localisation of the endoscopic capsule without requiring external manual intervention. The capsule's magnet interacts with the magnetic field generated by receivers, and the system automatically processes signals to determine position, allowing the device to locate itself independently.
2Extent of automation
If magnetic-based localisation is used to achieve autonomous localisation of the endoscopic capsule, then automation is improved, but the system is susceptible to interference from nearby devices and prosthetic implants
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors magnetic field intensity from multiple receivers and uses this feedback to calculate and verify capsule position. By comparing measurements from multiple receivers and performing iterative calculations, the system can distinguish between genuine capsule signals and interference from external sources, improving robustness against signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the localisation task into multiple independent measurements from separate receivers rather than relying on a single measurement system. By using multiple receivers distributed around the patient's body, the system can identify and exclude interfered signals, reducing the impact of external interference and prosthetic implants on overall localisation accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic-based localisation is performed in a highly controlled laboratory setting to offset signal variability, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to varying environmental conditions by continuously monitoring magnetic field intensity from multiple receivers and adjusting calculations in real-time. Rather than requiring a static controlled environment, the system handles variability through dynamic signal processing and iterative position calculation, enabling accurate localisation in diverse clinical settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field-based localisation system is designed to function universally across different clinical environments without requiring highly controlled laboratory settings. The system's ability to process signals from multiple receivers and perform iterative calculations makes it adaptable to various anatomical positions, patient movements, and environmental conditions, reducing the need for specialised controlled environments.
4Measurement precision
If a large number of receivers are used to improve localisation accuracy through trilateration, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimises the number of receivers by changing the parameter of receiver quantity to the minimum necessary for trilateration (three receivers). By using iterative calculations and convergence verification, the system achieves accurate localisation with fewer receivers, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical optimisation rather than simply increasing hardware quantity.
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
Enables precise and reliable localization of medical devices without reliance on physician expertise, adaptable to different patients and environments, and reduces complexity and cost by using existing image and video feeds.
Implementation Method 1
determining, based on trilateration of respective signals of the first set of signals received by the first subset of receivers, a first estimated location of the medical device
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for locating a medical device includes analysing a first set of signals received from a medical device at a plurality of receivers and, based at least in part on the analysing, selecting a first subset of receivers from the plurality of receivers, the first subset of receivers comprising at least three receivers, and estimating the location of the medical device.