Magnetically Guided Ingestible Capsule for Camera and Tool Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopy procedures are invasive, time-consuming, and costly, with limitations in controlling the camera's orientation and speed within the body, leading to missed areas of interest and prolonged recovery times.
Innovation Solution
A propulsive ingestible device equipped with a camera, propulsion components, and intervention tools that can navigate and manipulate structures within the body, allowing for real-time image transmission and remote medical professional control, enabling advanced diagnostics and treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional endoscopy with flexible tube is used, then medical professional can examine internal structures, but procedure is invasive and causes patient complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the camera and examination functions from the invasive flexible tube, placing them in a swallowable capsule that travels through the digestive tract without requiring tube insertion. This separates the diagnostic function from the invasive delivery mechanism, eliminating complications while maintaining examination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary between the capsule and external devices, allowing real-time image transmission and control without physical connection. This intermediary enables non-invasive operation while maintaining full diagnostic functionality
2Reliability
If conventional endoscopy with sedation is used, then examination can be performed, but recovery time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule performs self-propulsion through the digestive tract using peristalsis and magnetic actuation, eliminating the need for sedation to facilitate the procedure. Patients can undergo examination without losing consciousness or requiring extended medical supervision for recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sedation-based system with a magnetically actuated propulsion system. External magnets guide the capsule through the digestive tract without requiring the patient to be sedated, dramatically reducing recovery time and associated costs
3Measurement precision
If camera is affixed to flexible tube, then images can be captured, but camera orientation and speed cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the capsule's orientation and speed through external magnetic actuation. The capsule can be steered, rotated, and positioned precisely at target locations, allowing the camera to capture images from optimal angles and maintain steady focus on areas of interest
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates real-time feedback through wireless transmission of images and sensor data to external devices. Medical professionals can monitor capsule position and image quality continuously, adjusting magnetic fields and camera parameters in real-time to optimize examination quality
4Reliability
If flexible tube is advanced through tortuosity, then internal structures can be reached, but tissue tearing occurs due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the camera from the flexible tube and places it in a small swallowable capsule. This eliminates the need for tube advancement through tortuous passages, removing the source of friction and tissue damage while maintaining access to internal structures through oral ingestion and magnetic guidance
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 device enables efficient, minimally invasive examination and treatment of internal structures, reducing recovery time and costs by allowing the medical professional to control the device remotely and perform interventions without the need for proximity to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element is disposed inside the capsule. A medical professional can control an orientation of the camera by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic element
Data Source
AI summary
Introduced here is an ingestible device that can comprise a capsule, an intervention tool, and a processor configured to controllably employ the intervention tool to manipulate structures in a living body. The ingestible device may further comprise a camera that is configured to generate images of various in vivo environments as the ingestible device traverses the living body. These images may be wirelessly transmitted to an electronic device located outside of the living body to enable greater control over the intervention tool.