Capsule Endoscope Resistance Generator for Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional capsule endoscopes face challenges in acquiring sufficient in-vivo information due to their high speed of passage through regions like the esophagus, making it difficult to obtain reliable images without increasing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A body-insertable apparatus with a resistance generator on its external surface, such as a corrugated member or viscous material, that interacts with the inner wall of the passage route to slow down the capsule endoscope, allowing for sufficient image acquisition without increasing imaging rate or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the capsule endoscope moves at normal speed through the esophagus, then the passage time is short (about one second), but the imaging rate is insufficient to acquire adequate in-vivo information
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance generator is pre-configured on the external surface of the capsule endoscope to automatically generate resistance when contacting the esophageal wall, slowing the capsule before imaging begins. This preliminary speed suppression ensures adequate passage time for image acquisition without requiring post-insertion speed control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance generator acts as an intermediary element between the capsule endoscope and the esophageal wall. It mediates the interaction by converting the capsule's kinetic energy into resistive force through contact with the esophageal surface, thereby controlling speed without direct mechanical engagement of the capsule body.
2Loss of information
If the imaging rate is increased to acquire sufficient in-vivo information, then the information acquisition improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Speed control is performed in advance by the resistance generator before the imaging process begins. This preliminary action maintains a constant, adequate passage speed throughout the esophagus, allowing the imaging unit to operate at standard imaging rates without increasing power consumption while still capturing sufficient in-vivo information.
3Loss of information
If a resistance generator is added to the capsule endoscope to suppress moving speed, then the in-vivo information acquisition improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance generation function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component on the external surface of the capsule endoscope. This resistance generator is a simple, specialized element that performs only speed suppression, leaving the internal imaging and control systems unchanged and simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance generator is positioned only at specific locations on the external surface where it contacts the esophageal wall. This localized placement provides speed control exactly where needed in the esophagus without adding complexity to the entire capsule structure or affecting other regions of the device.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the moving speed of the capsule endoscope, enabling sufficient in-vivo information acquisition in high-speed passage areas like the esophagus, while maintaining low power consumption and minimizing the influence on the inner wall of digestive organs.
Implementation Method 1
a resistance generator formed on an external surface of the external case member to generate a resistance for blocking movement of the body-insertable apparatus by an interaction generated between a portion of the inner wall of a passage route brought into contact with the body-insertable apparatus and the external case member
Data Source
AI summary
To achieve a body-insertable apparatus such as a capsule endoscope that moves in a subject at a low speed at which acquisition of in-vivo information is sufficiently possible, the body-insertable apparatus is inserted into the subject and moves in the subject. The body-insertable apparatus includes an in-vivo information acquiring unit that acquires the in-vivo information, an external case member accommodating the in-vivo information acquiring unit, and a moving-speed suppressing unit positioned inside or outside of the external case member to generate a predetermined suppressing force for suppressing the moving speed between an inner wall of a passage route in the subject and the external case member.