Ingestible Capsule Flex Foil Circuit Board Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ingestible electronic capsules for drug delivery and diagnostics in the GI tract have robustness and reliability issues due to the presence of multiple components, which can lead to mechanical and electrical failures.

Innovation Solution

The use of a single continuous flex foil circuit board integrated with electronic components, including a power supply unit, sensors, and antennas, reduces the number of components and enhances robustness and reliability by providing a robust electrical and mechanical attachment through solder bumps and moldable resin fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate components are used in the ingestible electronic capsule, then functional capabilities can be achieved, but the robustness and reliability of the capsule deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness and reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (circuit board, antenna, electronic components, housing sections) into a single integrated flex foil structure. The flex foil serves as both the circuit board and housing, with electronic components mounted directly on it, eliminating the need for separate rigid circuit boards and multiple housing pieces. This consolidation directly reduces component count while maintaining all necessary functions, thereby improving reliability and robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If a rigid circuit board with multiple sections is used, then electronic components can be mounted, but the mechanical stability and robustness of the capsule deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidcircuit board structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional rigid circuit boards with a flexible foil that serves as both the circuit board and structural housing. This flex foil is a thin, flexible structure that can be bent and folded to form the capsule housing, eliminating the need for rigid multi-section circuit boards and reducing mechanical failure points while maintaining electronic component mounting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If separate rigid and flexible wiring board sections are used, then functional circuits can be mounted, but the device complexity and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcircuit board assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines rigid and flexible wiring board functions into a single flex foil structure. The flex foil inherently provides both structural support and electrical connectivity, with conductive traces printed or etched directly on the flexible substrate. This eliminates the need for separate rigid and flexible wiring board sections and their complex assembly, simplifying manufacturing while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2094158B1Ingestible electronic capsule and in vivo drug delivery or diagnostic system

Publication Date: 2018.05.02 PROGENITY INC

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AI summary

An ingestible electronic capsule (100) for introduction into the bodily lumen comprises a circuit board with at least one electronic component (4,5,7,8,9,11, 12, 13, 14). The circuit board is formed from a flex foil (10), thereby reducing the number of components and improving the robustness and reliability of the ingestible electronic capsule (100).