Capsule Medical Device Chemical Sensor Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capsule medical devices with chemical sensors face challenges in maintaining continuous sensing operations due to sensor surface deterioration from exposure to body fluids, leading to reduced sensing performance over time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a recovery device within the capsule medical device that periodically resets and cleans the chemical sensor surface using a heater and/or vibrator to maintain initial sensing characteristics, allowing for continuous and accurate sensing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the chemical sensor is continuously exposed to body fluids for sensing operation, then the sensing duration is extended, but the sensor surface deteriorates and sensing performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing durationVSAvoidsensing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic recovery cycles where the chemical sensor alternates between sensing operation and recovery treatment. A control unit activates the heater and/or vibrator at predetermined intervals to restore the sensor surface, enabling continuous operation while maintaining sensing performance through regular periodic maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of body fluid exposure and sensor deterioration into a beneficial recovery process. By applying heat and vibration, the accumulated body fluids and contaminants on the sensor surface are removed, transforming the degradation problem into a controlled cleaning and restoration process that extends sensor life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the chemical sensor surface is cleaned frequently to maintain performance, then sensing performance is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple recovery functions (heating and vibration) into a single integrated recovery device module. The control unit coordinates both the heater and vibrator through a unified control system, merging the recovery operations into one compact subsystem that maintains sensor performance without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical sensor performs self-recovery through the integrated heater and vibrator system that is part of the sensor assembly. The control unit automatically initiates recovery cycles based on predetermined conditions, enabling the sensor to maintain its own performance without requiring external manual intervention or complex external recovery systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 the chemical sensors to maintain sensing performance over multiple uses, providing accurate and reliable data for extended periods without deterioration, thereby enhancing diagnostic capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a heater arranged to heat the chemical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a vibrator arranged to vibrate the chemical sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS8306592B2Capsule medical device

Publication Date: 2012.11.06 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A capsule casing of a capsule medical device has a chemical sensor inside, used for sensing operation. The chemical sensor has a recovery device which resets the chemical sensor to an initial state thereof so as to use the chemical sensor for the sensing operation a plurality of times or continuously.