Propulsive Capsule Endoscopy for Controlled GI Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic procedures are invasive, time-consuming, and costly, with capsule endoscopy lacking control over camera orientation and requiring prolonged patient presence in medical settings due to slow traversal through the digestive tract.

Innovation Solution

A propulsive ingestible device equipped with a camera, propulsion components, and control elements that allow self-propulsion and orientation for targeted imaging, enabling remote medical professional intervention and reducing the need for prolonged patient presence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a flexible tube is used for endoscopy, then the camera can be positioned in desired locations, but the procedure becomes invasive and time-consuming with potential complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidinvasiveness and complications

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical flexible tube system with an ingestible capsule containing a camera. The capsule is swallowed and travels through the digestive tract using peristalsis and passive propulsion, eliminating the need for external mechanical insertion while maintaining imaging capability. This substitution removes the invasive nature and associated complications of traditional endoscopy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If capsule endoscopy is used, then invasiveness is reduced, but control over camera orientation and traversal speed is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidcontrol over camera orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates propulsion components including rotors or propellers that can be activated to control the capsule's movement and orientation. The capsule transitions from passive to active propulsion, allowing dynamic control over traversal speed and camera orientation while maintaining the non-invasive benefit of ingestion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule is designed to navigate the digestive tract using its own propulsion system rather than requiring external manipulation. The device autonomously controls its movement and orientation, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation through programmed navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If traditional endoscopy is used, then real-time imaging is achieved, but patient presence in medical setting is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time imagingVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for prolonged patient presence in medical settings by using wireless transmission to send images and data from the capsule to external receivers. Patients can leave the medical facility while the capsule continues capturing and transmitting data, dramatically reducing the time spent in medical settings while maintaining real-time imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250302456A1Ingestible device with propulsion and imaging capabilities

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 ENDIATX INC

AI summary

An ingestible device comprising a capsule, a camera, an antenna, and a propulsion component id disclosed. The camera can capture images of various in vivo environments as the ingestible device traverses the gastrointestinal tract, and these images can be wirelessly transmitted to an electronic device located outside of the living body. The images may be transmitted to the electronic device for review by an operator responsible for controlling the ingestible device.