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-10881282-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-05
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, and a capsule housing to enclose the battery and the secondary coil in a sealed environment, where the capsule device consists of a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the capsule device, and the battery is located in proximity to the first end and the secondary coil is located in proximity to the second end. The docking device comprises an opening on the docking device, a primary coil to generate an alternating magnetic field, and a primary core. The capsule endoscopic system is arranged so that at least a portion of the secondary coil is enclosed by the primary coil and the battery is outside the primary coil when the capsule device is at the docked position.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a capsule endoscopic system that retrieves data over wireless communication from a capsule device in which a signal source operates in a sealed environment powered by a secondary coil. The capsule device includes a battery and a secondary coil that, in the presence of an alternating magnetic field, provides a current to power the signal source. The capsule housing is adapted to be swallowable and to enclose the battery, the signal source, and the secondary coil in a sealed environment along a longitudinal axis, with a first end enclosing the battery and a second end enclosing the signal source and the secondary coil.
A docking endoscopic system is provided with a docking device including a receptacle for securing the capsule device in a docked position, a primary coil for generating the alternating magnetic field, and a primary core configured as a shell that encloses the primary coil. The primary core concentrates the alternating magnetic field in a first zone within the shell while reducing the alternating magnetic field in a second zone outside the shell. The primary core includes an opening into which the receptacle is placed so that, when the capsule device is secured, the battery is positioned in the second zone and the secondary coil is positioned in the first zone, thereby reducing the alternating magnetic field on the battery.
The documented embodiments refine the magnetic field concentrator and coil/field geometries to support inductive powering and wireless data retrieval. The primary core is configured with ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, and additional structural variations include different field geometries, including lateral and longitudinal configurations, with orthogonal quadrature pole sets. The system further specifies a wireless data communication architecture that includes a light source and a photodiode, with optional uplink using optical fibers or free-space transmission.
Further embodiments describe a power-disconnect switching arrangement that disconnects the capsule battery from internal electronic circuits when docked. A magnetically actuated switch is associated with a lid or removable cover such that, when the capsule device is docked with the lid or cover closed, the battery is disconnected from the electronic circuits. Compliance and sealing elements are described to support the switching arrangement, including spring/plunger compliance and optional sealing using foam or an elastic membrane.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001, which combines (i) an ingestible sealed capsule device with a wireless signal source powered by inductive coupling and (ii) a docking endoscopic system that uses a primary-core shell with a field-reduction zone for protecting the capsule battery. Dependent claims further refine the docked magnetic field concentrator structure, coil/field geometry, the signal source as a light source, and magnetically actuated power-disconnect switching coordinated with a hinged lid/removable cover.
Sealed swallowable capsule with inductive-powered wireless signal source
A capsule endoscopic system with a swallowable capsule housing enclosing a battery, a signal source used in wireless communication, and a secondary coil powered by an alternating magnetic field to provide current to the signal source in a sealed environment, with a first end enclosing the battery and a second end enclosing the signal source and the secondary coil.
Primary-core shell that concentrates magnetic field in a zone and reduces field on the battery
A docking endoscopic system having a docking device with a receptacle, a primary coil generating an alternating magnetic field, and a primary core configured as a shell that encloses the primary coil to concentrate the alternating magnetic field in a first zone within the shell and reduce the alternating magnetic field in a second zone outside the shell, with an opening such that, in the docked position, the battery is located in the second zone and the secondary coil is located in the first zone to reduce the alternating magnetic field on the battery.
Magnetic field concentrator using ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material
The primary core is configured with ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.
Lateral-field docked coil geometry
When the system is in the docked position, the primary and secondary coils are arranged in a lateral-field geometry configuration.
Longitudinal-field docked coil geometry
When the system is in the docked position, the primary and secondary coils are arranged in a longitudinal-field geometry configuration.
Magnetically operated switch for battery disconnect from electronic circuits
A magnetically operated switch disconnects the battery from the electronic circuits inside the capsule housing.
Hinged lid or removable cover with magnet for docking-time battery disconnect
A hinged lid or removable cover with a magnet disconnects the battery from the electronic circuits when the capsule device is docked with the lid/cover closed.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the main inventive structure is the docked alignment that places the capsule battery in a reduced-field zone while positioning the secondary coil in a concentrated-field zone using a primary-core shell around the primary coil. Additional refinements specify magnetic core materials and alternate docked coil/field geometries, and further add magnetically actuated battery disconnect switching coordinated with a hinged lid or removable cover.
Stated Advantages
Reduces the alternating magnetic field on the battery.
Powers a capsule wireless signal source using a secondary coil in the presence of an alternating magnetic field from the docking device.
Provides wireless communication data retrieval from the capsule device while the capsule housing encloses components in a sealed environment.
Disconnects the capsule battery from electronic circuits inside the capsule housing when the capsule device is docked with the lid or removable cover closed.
Documented Applications
Capsule endoscopic system for retrieving data over wireless communication from a swallowable capsule device using docking endoscopic hardware for inductive powering.
Inductive powering and wireless data retrieval for a capsule device in a docked position without opening the sealed capsule (sealed environment of the capsule housing is maintained).
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