Vibration Capsule for GI Tract Health via Eccentric Motor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for weight loss and constipation management are either dependent on drugs, cause dehydration, or are ineffective with increased abdominal fat, and lack comfort and ease of use for in vivo applications.
Innovation Solution
A vibration capsule device with a movement generation unit, control unit, wireless communication, and power supply, featuring sensors and adjustable vibration frequencies and duty cycles, designed for safe and effective interaction with the GI tract to promote health and weight loss without discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drug is used for weight loss or constipation treatment, then the therapeutic effect is achieved, but drug dependency and dehydration side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatment with a mechanical vibration system. The vibration capsule uses an eccentric rotating mass mechanism to generate controlled vibrations that mechanically stimulate the GI tract, substituting chemical drug action with physical mechanical stimulation to achieve therapeutic effects without drug-related side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration capsule employs periodic vibration cycles with adjustable duty cycles (e.g., 5 seconds on, 5 seconds off). This periodic mechanical stimulation promotes GI motility and prevents colon spasm through rhythmic contractions, eliminating the need for continuous drug administration and avoiding associated dependency and dehydration issues
2Reliability
If an in vitro message device is used for weight loss or constipation, then initial effect is achieved, but the effect diminishes with increased abdominal fat
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration capsule is designed to be swallowed and nested within the GI tract environment. This internal placement allows the device to directly contact and vibrate the colonic and intestinal walls from within, ensuring effective mechanical stimulation regardless of external abdominal fat layers that would block in vitro devices
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration capsule delivers localized mechanical stimulation directly to the target GI tract segments. The focused vibration energy is applied precisely where needed in the colon or small intestine, ensuring effective treatment independent of the patient's body composition or abdominal fat distribution
3Productivity
If vibration frequency is increased to improve therapeutic effect, then colonic motility is enhanced, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration capsule features dynamically adjustable vibration parameters including frequency (e.g., 5-20 Hz), amplitude, and duty cycle. The control system allows real-time modification of these parameters to optimize therapeutic effect while maintaining patient comfort, adapting the mechanical stimulation to individual patient tolerance and treatment response
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensors that detect patient responses and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the vibration parameters to be automatically adjusted to maintain optimal therapeutic effect while preventing excessive vibration that would cause discomfort or pain
4Reliability
If continuous vibration is applied to maintain therapeutic effect, then colon spasm relief is sustained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration capsule operates in periodic cycles with adjustable duty cycles (e.g., 5 seconds vibration, 5 seconds rest). This intermittent operation sustains therapeutic effect through rhythmic stimulation while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous vibration, extending battery life and enabling longer wear duration
Solution Approach 2:
Although vibration is intermittent, the periodic stimulation maintains continuous therapeutic effect by keeping the GI tract in a state of enhanced motility. The rhythmic on-off pattern prevents colon spasm recurrence and sustains weight loss effect without requiring constant energy input
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 vibration capsule device improves GI tract health, provides maximum user freedom, achieves optimal clinical effects without discomfort, and has a long shelf and consumer use life by offering customizable vibration protocols and real-time feedback for optimal vibration levels.
Implementation Method 1
a movement generation unit, which comprises an eccentric motor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit is selected from an accelerometer (g-sensor), pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a magnetic field sensor and a gyro sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The vibration capsule device comprises a movement generation unit, a movement control unit, a wireless communication unit and a power supply unit (4). The movement control unit provides instructions to the movement generation unit, which generates movements in configurable frequencies and duty cycles. The power supply unit (4) provides power to the movement generation unit through the movement control unit, which also decides work period and rest period for the capsule device. The vibration capsule device further comprises a capsule movement detection unit, which comprises at least one sensor unit and provides information to the wireless communication unit.