Disposable Optical Imaging Probe with Active Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tethered optical imaging devices for medical diagnosis are costly due to complex components, particularly the rotary junction, which includes a motor and rotating optics, requiring additional components and materials for low friction and optical efficiency, and are not easily integrated with low-cost disposable systems.
Innovation Solution
A tethered optical imaging probe with a motor and reflective surface enclosed in a swallowable capsule, featuring a low-cost, disposable design, where the motor's rotational speed is actively controlled by feedback signals to direct light efficiently and accurately, eliminating the need for complex rotating optics and high-cost components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary junction with motor and rotating optics is used, then the imaging device can achieve proper light transmission and rotation, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotating optical components from the rotary junction and places them directly inside the swallowable capsule. This eliminates the complex rotary junction structure while maintaining the essential function of rotating optics for light transmission and imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple optical fiber to transmit light instead of complex rotating optical components in a rotary junction. The optical fiber serves as a simplified copy or alternative that achieves the same light transmission function without the mechanical complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If rotating optical components are used in the rotary junction, then light can be transmitted through rotation, but additional components for low friction and optical efficiency are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotary junction and its associated rotating optical components entirely. Instead, it uses a stationary optical fiber that extends into the capsule, eliminating the need for low-friction bearings and complex mechanical assemblies while maintaining optical transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating optical system with an optical solution using an optical fiber. This substitution eliminates mechanical friction and the need for mechanical components while achieving the same light transmission function through optical means.
3Ease of operation
If the sheath diameter is increased to accommodate rotating optical fiber, then proper rotation is enabled, but the mechanical properties and friction characteristics become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotating optical fiber from the sheath and places it directly inside the capsule. This eliminates the need for the sheath to accommodate rotating components, simplifying the mechanical design and eliminating friction-related complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the optical fiber rotate within the sheath, the patent inverts the approach by having the entire capsule with its optical components rotate as a unified structure. This eliminates the need for internal rotation mechanisms and simplifies the mechanical design.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed rotary junction is used, then the imaging device structure is stable, but the cost increases due to the non-disposable nature of the component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the entire imaging capsule disposable rather than using expensive non-disposable components like the rotary junction. The capsule with integrated optical components can be manufactured at low cost and disposed of after single use, eliminating the need for expensive reusable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical components, motor, and capsule into a single integrated unit. This consolidation allows the entire assembly to be manufactured as one disposable component, simplifying production and reducing costs compared to assembling multiple expensive reusable components.
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 solution reduces the cost and complexity of tethered optical imaging systems, enabling precise and cost-effective medical imaging by using low-cost disposable components and improving the accuracy of rotational speed control, facilitating high-quality imaging data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
The optical waveguide is arranged to receive source light at a distal end of the optical waveguide and project the source light from a proximal end of the optical waveguide onto the reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
receive reflected light from the reflective surface at the proximal end of the optical waveguide and transmit the reflected light to the distal end of the optical waveguide
Implementation Method 3
A rotational speed of the motor is actively controlled by a feedback signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a tethered optical imaging probe configured to be integrated into an optical system for medical diagnosis are provided. In one configuration, the present disclosure provides a tethered optical imaging probe including a motor arranged within a swallowable capsule. A rotational speed of the motor is actively controlled by a feedback signal.