Magnetic Plunger Power Control for Sealed Medical Capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical capsules require a power-efficient and reliable power source control mechanism that can be enabled or disabled externally without accessing the sealed housing, as they need to be operational for extended periods within the human body and must be activated just before administration.
Innovation Solution
A power source apparatus using a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, coupled with a spring and circuit piece, enables or disables power output contacts, allowing external control of the power source within a sealed housing, utilizing a spring mechanism to move the plunger between positions that connect or disconnect the battery terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is fully sealed to protect internal components, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because power cannot be controlled without opening the housing
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field acts as an intermediary to transmit control signals from outside the sealed housing to the internal plunger mechanism. The magnetic field penetrates the housing wall without requiring physical opening, enabling remote activation of the power source while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system for opening the housing to access power controls is replaced with a magnetic field-actuated plunger mechanism. The plunger moves in response to magnetic fields to make or break electrical contacts, substituting manual mechanical access with remote magnetic actuation.
2Ease of operation
If the power source is enabled continuously to ensure readiness, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases unnecessarily during storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is pre-configured and ready to activate immediately when a magnetic field is applied. The plunger mechanism is pre-positioned to make contact when magnetically actuated, enabling instantaneous power activation without continuous power consumption during storage or transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It remains dormant during storage and transport, then activates periodically when needed through magnetic field triggering. This periodic operation significantly reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining operational readiness.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger is made magnetic to respond to external fields, then ease of operation is improved for remote control, but weight increases due to magnetic material
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic properties of the plunger are optimized by selecting materials and geometries that achieve the required magnetic responsiveness with minimal mass. Parameters such as magnetic permeability, coercivity, and plunger dimensions are adjusted to find the optimal balance between magnetic actuation efficiency and weight reduction.
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
This solution provides a compact, reliable, and power-efficient means to enable or disable the power source of medical capsules externally, ensuring they remain dormant until ready for use, optimizing battery life and operational duration within the body.
Implementation Method 1
The plunger is responsive to a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The plunger is pushed by the spring to a first position when the magnetic field is removed, and the plunger compresses the spring to a second position when the magnetic field is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A power source apparatus and a system incorporating said power source for medical capsules are disclosed. A medical capsule often includes a power source sealed in a housing. Embodiments of the present invention allow the medical capsule to enable/disable electrical power supplied to a sub-system in the capsule device without special tools and/or skills after the medical capsule is manufactured. In one embodiment, the power source apparatus comprises a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring to interact with the plunger, a battery and a control piece. The plunger is moved between first and second positions according to a magnetic field applied externally. Accordingly, the control piece enables or disables the power depending on the plunger positions. In another embodiment, a capsule system uses an electrical interconnect with pressure contacts between the power source and the capsule sub-system connecting the second circuit board to the power-output nodes.