Portable Magnetic Capsule Endoscopy for Automated Stomach Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional endoscopy procedures require skilled medical professionals, are costly, uncomfortable for patients, and not suitable for mass screenings due to size, sedation risks, and cross-infection concerns, while magnetic capsule endoscopy machines are expensive and lack portability and automation.
Innovation Solution
A portable automated magnetic endoscopy machine with a rotating ring and electromagnets that rotate and position a swallowed capsule for comprehensive stomach imaging, allowing computer-controlled operation without a doctor's intervention, and enabling small size and transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional endoscopy is used for stomach screening, then comprehensive imaging can be achieved, but skilled medical professionals are required, increasing cost and procedure complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule endoscopy system performs self-imaging within the stomach, eliminating the need for external manipulation by medical professionals. The capsule autonomously captures images while being transported through the digestive tract, transforming the procedure from a skill-intensive manual operation to a self-executing automated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manipulation system (gastroscope insertion and maneuvering by doctors) with a magnetic field-based control system. External magnets guide the capsule's movement and positioning without requiring physical insertion or manual dexterity, substituting complex mechanical operations with simpler magnetic actuation.
2Measurement precision
If traditional endoscopy is used, then stomach imaging is possible, but patient sedation is required causing discomfort and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is extracted from the external gastroscope and placed inside the patient's body in the form of a swallowable capsule. This extraction eliminates the need for throat insertion, sedation, and the associated discomfort and risks, while maintaining the ability to capture comprehensive stomach images.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed as a disposable, single-use device that is swallowed by the patient and then discarded after completing its imaging function. This eliminates cross-contamination risks between patients and removes the need for complex sterilization procedures, making the process safer and more accessible for mass screenings.
3Weight of moving object
If magnetic capsule endoscopy machine is used, then portability can be improved, but the machine size and bulk still inhibit transport
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic endoscopy system is divided into separate functional components: the swallowable capsule contains the imaging sensors, while the external magnets and control electronics are separated into a portable base unit. This segmentation allows the imaging function to be miniaturized in the patient's body while the support systems remain compact and transportable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a table-top or room-sized endoscopy system to a portable handheld device by utilizing the third dimension (vertical space) for magnet arrangement and wireless communication. The external magnets can be positioned at various heights and angles, allowing compact packaging while maintaining full imaging functionality through multi-dimensional magnetic field control.
4Productivity
If automated control is implemented, then screening speed increases, but system complexity increases requiring more sophisticated control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system incorporates real-time feedback from the capsule's position sensors, image capture status, and magnetic field strength measurements. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust magnet positions and imaging parameters to optimize screening speed while maintaining image quality, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mapping of the stomach geometry using initial imaging data before conducting the full screening. This preliminary action allows the automated control algorithm to pre-calculate optimal magnet movement paths and imaging sequences, significantly speeding up the main screening process while reducing the complexity of real-time control decisions.
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 mass screenings in non-medical settings with reduced costs and patient discomfort, avoiding cross-contamination and sedation, by automating the capsule positioning within the stomach for efficient and comprehensive imaging.
Implementation Method 1
A portable automated magnetic endoscopy machine with a rotating ring and electromagnets that rotate and position a swallowed capsule
Implementation Method 2
magnetic endoscopy machine to move the location and angle of the capsule in the patient's stomach using movable magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An automated magnetic endoscopy machine has a stationary disk that a person stands on that is surrounded by a rotating ring that has two telescoping poles, each having an electromagnet assembly with an actuator to raise and lower the electromagnet. Magnet current drivers adjust currents to the electromagnet to allow increased attraction to horizontally pull a swallowed capsule in the person's stomach. One actuator can move to a higher Z position than the other to pitch the capsule up, allowing imaging out of the horizontal plane. The rotating ring allows the electromagnets to rotate around a vertical axis. A sequence of rotational, Z, and radial/horizontal movements are performed by a control program that moves the capsule along paths in the stomach to capture images from cameras inside the capsule. The control program uses a laser in the capsule to map stomach walls before plotting paths through the stomach for imaging.