Electromagnetic Tracking of Intragastric Devices During Inflation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for verifying the location of intragastric balloons using radiography are inaccurate and potentially harmful, risking patient injury from incorrect inflation in the esophagus or intestine.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing electromagnetic tracking with a swallowable target sensor and a removably attachable reference sensor to determine the location and orientation of an intragastric device in real-time, avoiding radiation exposure and improving safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radiography is used to verify intragastric device location, then location verification capability is provided, but patient safety deteriorates due to radiation exposure and potential misinterpretation leading to incorrect inflation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation verification capabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure and patient injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the radiography-based verification system with an electromagnetic tracking system. The intragastric device incorporates electromagnetic sensors that continuously track its location in real-time without exposing the patient to radiation. This substitution eliminates the harmful radiation effect while maintaining accurate location verification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the intragastric device and the verification system. Instead of using ionizing radiation (x-rays), the system employs non-ionizing electromagnetic fields to detect and track the device's position, providing accurate location information without the harmful effects of radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If timing-based verification is used for intragastric device location, then the process is simple and quick, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to potential esophageal or intestinal obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidlocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the timing-based verification method with an electromagnetic tracking system that provides real-time location data. This substitution maintains the speed and simplicity of the deployment process while dramatically improving location accuracy, allowing clinicians to verify device position in the stomach before inflation without relying on estimated timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous feedback through real-time electromagnetic tracking of the intragastric device position. The system provides ongoing location information during the deployment process, allowing immediate verification of correct positioning in the stomach before inflation occurs, thereby preventing esophageal or intestinal obstruction while maintaining efficient deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 accurate, real-time tracking and inflation of intragastric devices, reducing the risk of patient injury and improving accessibility to obesity treatment by eliminating the need for radiation-based verification methods.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic field generator to generate an electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a removably attachable inductive reference sensor adapted to be positioned within the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20260047773A1Systems and methods for locating and/or characterizing intragastric devices

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 RESHAPE LIFESCIENCES INC

AI summary

Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of tracking and locating the same are provided.