Optical docking system with inductive powering for capsule camera
Inventors
Wilson, Gordon C. • Luo, Jiafu • Wang, Kang-Huai • Lee, Chung-Ta
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10602913-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed, where the system comprises a capsule device and a docking device. The capsule device comprises a battery, a secondary coil, an optical transmitter all enclosed in a capsule housing. The docking device comprises a primary coil to generate an alternating magnetic field, a primary core and optical receiver to receive an optical signal. The alternating magnetic field is coupled to the secondary coil to supply power to the capsule device when the capsule device is at a docked position in the docking device. The primary core is arranged to concentrate the alternating magnetic field on the secondary coil when the capsule device is at the docked position. Furthermore, the capsule endoscopic system is arranged so that an optical path is formed between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver when the capsule device is at the docked position.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an optical docking capsule endoscopy system that includes a capsule device and a docking device. The capsule device comprises a battery, a secondary coil that conducts a current when an alternating magnetic field is present, and an optical transmitter for transmitting an optical signal. The optical transmitter is coupled to the secondary coil to receive power derived from the current in the secondary coil, and the capsule housing encloses these components in a sealed environment that is separated into a first portion and a second portion.
The docking device includes a base enclosure with a receptacle for holding the capsule device in a docked position. The docking device generates an alternating magnetic field with a primary coil and uses a primary core configured for concentrating the alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the second portion of the sealed environment, as positioned by the receptacle when the capsule device is docked. The configuration provides that the second portion receives greater magnetic flux than the first portion, supporting power delivery to the capsule secondary coil portion while a reliable optical connection is also established.
The docking device further includes an optical receiver to receive the optical signal from an optical path situated between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver when the capsule device is held in the docked position. The optical docking concept is supported by embodiments that describe optical/inductive alignment between the longitudinal/lateral/orthogonal field geometries and optical transmitter/receiver positioning, including ferrite cores and bores. The system additionally supports wireless data retrieval via modulated light using a modulated light source, and the capsule and docking arrangements include docking mechanics for alignment and reliable data retrieval while maintaining the capsule sealed environment.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim clm-00001 specifies a capsule endoscopic system with coordinated inductive powering and optical signal transfer at a docked position. The claim includes five main inventive elements: a sealed capsule environment with separated portions, a secondary coil providing current under an alternating magnetic field, an optical transmitter coupled to receive power derived from that current, a docking device with a receptacle, a primary coil and a primary core that concentrates magnetic flux to a targeted capsule portion, and an optical receiver receiving the optical signal via an optical path aligned by docking.
Sealed capsule environment with separated portions
A capsule housing encloses the battery, the secondary coil, and the optical transmitter in a sealed environment having a first portion and a second portion separated from each other, with the battery in the first portion and the secondary coil in the second portion.
Secondary-coil powered optical transmitter in a capsule
A capsule device includes a secondary coil that conducts a current when an alternating magnetic field is present, and an optical transmitter coupled to the secondary coil to receive power derived from the current in the secondary coil.
Dock receptacle positioning for inductive flux concentration
A docking device has a base enclosure with a receptacle configured to hold the capsule device in a docked position, positioning the second portion of the sealed environment so that it receives concentrated magnetic flux from the docking device.
Primary core concentrating alternating magnetic field to the capsule second portion
The docking device includes a primary coil generating the alternating magnetic field and a primary core configured for concentrating the alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the second portion of the sealed environment, such that the second portion receives a greater magnetic flux than the first portion.
Optical path between capsule optical transmitter and docking optical receiver
The docking device includes an optical receiver to receive the optical signal from an optical path situated between the optical transmitter, as positioned by the receptacle when the capsule device is held in the docked position, and the optical receiver.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on pairing inductive powering via a concentrated alternating magnetic field with optical signal reception via a docking-aligned optical path. The capsule is sealed with separated portions, the optical transmitter receives power derived from the secondary coil’s current, and the docking device concentrates magnetic flux to the capsule’s second portion while receiving the capsule’s optical signal through a docked optical path.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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