Method and apparatus for leveraging residue energy of capsule endoscope
Inventors
Wang, Kang-Huai • Hadley, Mark • Lin, Chang-Wei • Chow, Kam Wing • Huynh, Hai
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11612303-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Method for leveraging battery residue energy and a capsule endoscope using the method are disclosed. The capsule endoscope is capable of performing one or more functions at a first throughput or a first peak current when the battery has sufficient energy. According to this method, whether the battery energy is sufficient is determined. Upon determining the battery energy being insufficient, at least one function of the one or more functions is performed at a second throughput lower than the first throughput, or at least one function of the one or more functions is switched to another function requiring a second peak current lower than the first peak current.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to leveraging battery energy for a capsule endoscope powered by a battery. One or more functions are performed by the capsule endoscope at a first peak current when the battery has sufficient energy, and, upon determining that the battery energy is insufficient, at least one function is switched to another function.
The switched another function requires a second peak current, and the second peak current is such that (the second peak current×battery internal resistance) is sufficiently low while the another function is still operating. This battery-energy-aware switching corresponds to switching a camera function to another function, including an excretion detection function.
For capsule operation, switching can correspond to switching a camera function to a wireless function, including switching the capsule endoscope into a wait or sleep mode prior to the wireless function if the capsule endoscope has not been excreted from a human body. Capsule excretion can be detected, and based on capsule excretion detection the wireless function can transmit images stored on-board.
A capsule endoscope structure is also described with a pixel array, one or more LED light sources, on-board memory for stored images, and a wireless module with an antenna, all enclosed in a swallowable housing, and configured to perform functions at a first throughput or first peak current when battery energy is sufficient and to switch to functions requiring a second peak current when battery energy is insufficient.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims. Across these claims, the battery-energy-aware switching centers on determining battery energy sufficiency, switching a function to another function requiring a second peak current, and constraining the second peak current with (second peak current×battery internal resistance) while maintaining operation, with additional refinements for camera, wireless, excretion-detection behavior, and a capsule endoscope device structure.
Battery-energy sufficiency and peak-current-constrained switching for capsule endoscope functions
Determining whether the battery energy is sufficient; upon determining the battery energy being insufficient, switching at least one function to another function requiring a second peak current; and wherein the second peak current is such that (the second peak current×battery internal resistance) is sufficiently low, but the another function is still operating.
Camera-to-wireless switching with wait or sleep based on excretion status
Switching at least one function to another function requiring a second peak current; wherein the switching corresponds to switching a camera function to a wireless function; and wherein the capsule endoscope is switched into a wait or sleep mode prior to the wireless function if the capsule endoscope has not been excreted from a human body.
Camera-to-excretion-detection-to-wireless image transmission upon excretion
Switching a camera function to an excretion detection function; and switching the excretion detection function to a wireless function to transmit images stored on-board upon capsule excretion detected.
Swallowable capsule endoscope with battery-powered image capture, on-board memory, wireless transmission, and internal-resistance-constrained switching
A capsule endoscope comprising a pixel array responsive to light energy, one or more LED light sources, one or more circuits coupled to the pixel array and LED light source, a battery, on-board memory to store images, and a wireless module with an antenna capable of transmitting stored images, all enclosed in a housing adapted to be swallowed; configured to perform functions at a first throughput or first peak current when battery energy is sufficient; configured to determine whether the battery energy is sufficient; and upon determining battery energy being insufficient, switch at least one function to another function requiring a second peak current; wherein the second peak current is such that (the second peak current×battery internal resistance) is sufficiently low, but the another function is still operating.
The independent claims collectively define battery-energy-aware switching for a capsule endoscope, including determining battery energy sufficiency and switching functions from a first peak-current or first throughput operating state to a second-peak-current state while ensuring the electrical constraint using (second peak current×battery internal resistance). Additional refinements specify switching behavior among camera, excretion detection, and wireless functions, including wait or sleep prior to wireless operation when excretion is not detected, and device-level structure supporting pixel capture, on-board storage, and wireless transmission of stored images.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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