Single Actuator Capsule Delivery Device for Simplified Anchoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for monitoring physiological conditions within a body lumen, such as those used for gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosis, require complex operation and involve multiple motions for anchoring and releasing capsules, which can be unintuitive and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device with a single actuator that allows for anchoring and releasing a capsule within a body lumen using a single motion, incorporating a vacuum system and mechanical mechanisms like pull-wires and locking pins to simplify the process and reduce manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single actuator is used to anchor and release the capsule, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to the complexity of making one actuator perform two functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate actuators into a single actuator that performs both anchoring and releasing functions. The single actuator is mechanically linked to both the anchor element and the release mechanism, allowing one operator to complete both operations with a single device, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform both anchoring and releasing operations. By making the actuator universal in its capabilities, the device simplifies the user interface and operational procedure while ensuring that both critical functions are available through a single control mechanism
2Ease of manufacture
If a single actuator operates in one motion type, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity may worsen due to the need for one actuator to perform multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate actuators into one, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces assembly steps, improving ease of manufacture while the integrated design manages the inherent complexity through unified architecture
3Device complexity
If a single actuator is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation may worsen due to the need for one actuator to perform two different motions
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator is designed with dynamic capabilities to perform both anchoring and releasing motions. The actuator can change its motion characteristics based on the operational phase, adapting its movement pattern to suit each function while maintaining a unified control interface, thereby reducing device complexity without significantly compromising ease of operation
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 simplifies the operation of anchoring and releasing capsules within the body lumen, making the process more user-friendly and cost-effective while maintaining stability and accuracy in monitoring physiological conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system and mechanical mechanisms like pull-wires and locking pins
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device, and method for placing a capsule for sensing one or more parameters of a patient by anchoring the capsule to a tissue at a specific site and releasing the capsule from the device, using a single actuator operated during a single motion. As an example, a delivery device may anchor the capsule to the tissue site and release the capsule from the delivery device during a single motion of the actuator. This allows a user to place the capsule by interacting with only a single actuator through one type of motion, thus making delivery of the capsule more reliable and user-friendly.