Flexible Circuit for Ingestible Pill with Orthogonal Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack efficient, non-invasive, and cost-effective methods for diagnosing and monitoring gastrointestinal (GI) motility abnormalities and intestinal blockages, which can be life-threatening if not promptly identified.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an ingestible pill with integrated electronics, including antennas and a modular electronics unit, that uses body antennas to track the pill's location and motion through the GI tract, enabling real-time monitoring of GI motility and potential obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional diagnostic methods are used for GI motility abnormalities, then the diagnosis can be made, but the method is invasive, time-consuming, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical diagnostic systems with a simplified electromagnetic tracking system. The ingestible pill contains a magnet that interacts with external sensors to track pill location and GI motility, eliminating the need for complex mechanical imaging or invasive procedures while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified model of the diagnostic process by using a tracked pill as a surrogate marker for GI motility assessment. Instead of directly imaging or measuring complex GI functions, the system tracks the motion of a simple pill object to infer motility patterns and detect abnormalities
2Loss of time
If conventional monitoring methods are used for intestinal blockages, then detection is possible, but early detection is delayed and intervention is not timely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously tracking the pill's location and motion from the moment of ingestion. This allows real-time monitoring of GI transit, enabling early detection of blockages or motility abnormalities before they become critical, thus reducing detection time without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback on pill location and GI motility patterns through external sensors that track the magnetic field position. This real-time feedback enables immediate detection of abnormal transit patterns or blockages, allowing timely clinical intervention while maintaining high detection reliability
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
Facilitates early detection and monitoring of GI conditions such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, and intestinal blockages in a non-invasive, low-cost, and real-time manner, improving patient outcomes by enabling timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna can include three antennas orthogonal to each other. The first antenna can transmit a first transmit signal in a first direction. The second antenna can transmit a second transmit signal in a second direction. The third antenna can transmit a third transmit signal in a third direction.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a flexible circuit for insertion into a pill capsule. The flexible circuit has a first portion having an electrical contact to electrically connect with a battery, a second portion having an electrical contact to electrically connect with the battery, a first arm separating the first portion and second portion, a third portion comprising a first antenna, a second arm separating the first portion and third portion, a fourth portion comprising a second antenna, a third arm separating the first portion and fourth portion, a third arm separating the first portion and fourth portion, and a fifth portion comprising a third antenna. The first portion, second portion, and first arm form a first receptacle to receive a battery. The third portion, fourth portion, and fifth portion form a second receptacle to receive a cube ferrite core.