Magneto-mechanical capsules
Inventors
Speck, Robin • Bauer, Anja • Schilling, Christian • Illsley, Scott Garth
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12582329-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
Magneto-mechanical capsules can include a body, a first magnet attached to a first end of the body, a second magnet attached to a second end of the body, and a third magnet disposed between the first magnet and the second magnet. In some cases, the third magnet is configured to oscillate in response to an external magnetic field to produce a second magnetic field.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a magneto-mechanical capsule for medical procedures in which a capsule body includes a first magnet attached to a first end and a second magnet attached to a second end. A third magnet is disposed in the body between the first magnet and the second magnet, and the third magnet is configured to rotationally oscillate about a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the first and second magnets to produce a magnetic signal in response to a magnetic field.
A system includes a transducer configured to transmit a magnetic field and detect the magnetic signal produced by the rotational oscillation of the third magnet. The detected magnetic signal is indicative of the rotational oscillation of the third magnet and can be used by a computer system to determine capsule position and/or orientation based on resonance frequencies and/or signal characteristics derived from the magnetic signal.
The disclosure addresses instability or wobbling of the third magnet by introducing stabilizers that limit rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Examples include pin-based configurations and bushing or sleeve stabilizers, as well as cogwheel or cup geometries and related cavity or sidewall features intended to reduce unwanted rotational freedom.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim scope defines a magneto-mechanical capsule tracking system with a transmitting/receiving transducer and a capsule that generates a magnetic signal via rotational oscillation of a free third magnet. Dependent claims add mechanical stabilization to limit unwanted rotation, constrain capsule and magnet geometry and pole relationships, and refine detection timing and signal processing for determining position/orientation.
Magneto-mechanical capsule with three magnets and longitudinal-axis rotational oscillation
A magneto-mechanical capsule comprising a body, a first magnet attached to a first end of the body, a second magnet attached to a second end of the body, and a third magnet disposed in the body between the first magnet and the second magnet, the third magnet configured to rotationally oscillate about a longitudinal axis of the body relative to the first and second magnets to produce a magnetic signal in response to the magnetic field, the magnetic signal being indicative of the rotational oscillation of the third magnet.
Transducer configured to transmit and detect a magnetic signal
A system comprising a transducer configured to transmit a magnetic field and detect the magnetic signal produced by the third magnet rotational oscillation of the magneto-mechanical capsule.
Stabilizer to limit rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
A stabilizer inside the body configured to limit rotation of the third magnet about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Pin-based stabilizer interacting with magnet cavities
A stabilizer including a first pin extending longitudinally from the third magnet into a cavity of the first magnet and a second pin extending in an opposite longitudinal direction from the third magnet into a cavity of the second magnet.
North/south pole orientation relationship between first and second magnets
North and south poles of the first magnet oriented in the same direction as north and south poles of the second magnet.
Detection timing after magnetic-field transmission stops
The transducer configured to detect the magnetic signal after transmission of a magnetic field has stopped.
Across the independent claim scope and its dependent refinements, the inventive core is the magneto-mechanical capsule where a third magnet rotationally oscillates about the longitudinal axis between two end magnets to generate a detectable magnetic signal, with dependent features providing mechanical stabilization, defined magnet/pole relationships, and refined detection timing for subsequent position/orientation determination.
Stated Advantages
Improved capsule detection by using resonance-based characteristics of the magnetic signal.
Reduced instability or wobbling of the third magnet via stabilizers that limit unwanted rotation.
Improved resonance-based detection by constraining mechanical behavior of the third magnet.
Documented Applications
Magneto-mechanical capsule tracking for medical procedures using a catheter-mounted capsule array in a patient with electromagnetic transducers embedded in bed.
Optional sensing using a flexible body for pressure and/or temperature via resonance shifts.
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