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Publication Number
US-11129516-B2
Publication Date
2021-09-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A power source apparatus and a system incorporating said power source for medical capsules are disclosed. A medical capsule often includes a power source sealed in a housing. Embodiments of the present invention allow the medical capsule to enable/disable electrical power supplied to a sub-system in the capsule device without special tools and/or skills after the medical capsule is manufactured. In one embodiment, the power source apparatus comprises a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring to interact with the plunger, a battery and a control piece. The plunger is moved between first and second positions according to a magnetic field applied externally. Accordingly, the control piece enables or disables the power depending on the plunger positions. In another embodiment, a capsule system uses an electrical interconnect with pressure contacts between the power source and the capsule sub-system connecting the second circuit board to the power-output nodes.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a magnetically actuated power source apparatus for medical capsules that uses a plunger responsive to a magnetic field. A spring disposed to interact with the plunger positions the plunger at a first position when the magnetic field is applied and pushes the plunger to a second position when the magnetic field is removed. The switching controls electrical power delivery within the capsule and is described as tool-free and magnetically controlled.
The power source apparatus includes one or more batteries having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and two power-output nodes coupled to the batteries and the plunger. Electrical connection between the power-output nodes and the positive terminal or negative terminal is enabled when the plunger is at the second position, and electrical connection is disconnected to disable electrical power when the plunger is at the first position.
In a capsule camera system embodiment, the invention integrates the magnetically actuated power source within a housing adapted to be swallowed. The capsule sub-system includes a light source, a camera capturing a digital image of a scene illuminated by the light source, and an archival memory to store data and/or a transmitter to transmit the data. The capsule sub-system is coupled to the power-output nodes so that the camera system receives power when the plunger-controlled switching enables power delivery.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims: one directed to a power source apparatus for medical capsules and one directed to a capsule camera system that includes that power source. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are magnetically responsive plunger actuation with spring return, and plunger-position-dependent electrical connection/disconnection of battery power-output nodes for powering capsule sub-systems.
Magnetically responsive plunger with spring-position change for power switching
A power source apparatus for medical capsules comprising a plunger responsive to a magnetic field; a spring disposed to interact with the plunger, wherein the plunger is at a first position to press the spring when the magnetic field is applied and the plunger is pushed by the spring to a second position when the magnetic field is removed; and two power-output nodes coupled to the one or more batteries and the plunger.
Plunger-position-dependent enabling/disconnecting of battery power-output nodes
One of said two power-output nodes is electrically connected to the positive terminal and another of said two power-output nodes is electrically connected to the negative terminal, wherein at least one of said two power-output nodes is connected to the positive terminal or the negative terminal electrically to enable electrical power from said one or more batteries at said two power-output nodes when the plunger is at the second position, and at least one of said two power-output nodes is electrically disconnected to disable the electrical power from said one or more batteries at the power-output nodes when the plunger is at the first position.
Swallowable capsule camera system with integrated magnetically actuated power source
A capsule camera system comprising a housing adapted to be swallowed; a power source within the housing comprising a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring disposed to interact with the plunger with first/second positions responsive to magnetic field application/removal, one or more batteries with positive and negative terminals, and two power-output nodes coupled to the one or more batteries and the plunger with plunger-position-dependent enabling/disconnecting of electrical power.
Light source camera capturing digital images stored and/or transmitted as data
A capsule sub-system within the housing comprising a light source; a camera for capturing a digital image of a scene illuminated by the light source; and an archival memory to store data and/or a transmitter to transmit the data, wherein the data corresponds to the digital image; and wherein the capsule sub-system is coupled to said two power-output nodes to receive power from the power source.
The claim set centers on a magnetically actuated plunger and spring arrangement that moves between first and second positions in response to the presence or removal of a magnetic field. In both the power source apparatus and the capsule camera system, the plunger position determines whether electrical power is enabled or disabled by electrically connecting or disconnecting two battery power-output nodes, thereby powering capsule functions such as a light source and camera system that captures and stores/transmits image data.
Stated Advantages
Tool-free power control for swallowable medical capsules.
Capsule receives power only when the magnetic field is removed, by disabling electrical power when the plunger is at the first position and enabling power when the plunger is at the second position.
Documented Applications
Capsule camera system in a housing adapted to be swallowed, including a light source and a camera capturing digital images with data stored in archival memory and/or transmitted by a transmitter, powered by the magnetically actuated power source.
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