A New Magnetic Control Method for Spiral-Type Wireless Capsule Endoscope

Abstract

In this paper, the authors propose a new magnetic control method for spiral-type wireless capsule endoscope (WCE). A cylindrical external permanent magnet (EPM) is used to generate rotational magnetic field to manipulate the synchronous rotation of a magnetic spiral-type WCE. To verify the feasibility of this method, a handheld actuator (HA) controlled by micro controller unit (MCU) was fabricated to drive the rotation of the EPM which is fixed on a step motor, and a magnetic spiral-type WCE along with a bracket were fabricated, too. Theoretical analysis and magnetic simulation about the control distance were performed. In ex vivo experiments were carried out in porcine small intestine, the control distance and control performances were evaluated. Experimental results indicate that this method can provide a maximum control distance up to 426.6[Formula: see text]mm with good control stability. Compared with Helmholtz coils method, this method is more cost-effective and the control region is broader. In addition, the estimated value of static friction torque (about 0.5694[Formula: see text]mN[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m) is obtained, which enriches the current research on friction issue in active control of the magnetic spiral-type WCE. This method has great potential to be applied in future clinical application.

Magnetically guided capsule endoscopy

“…The first demonstration of a magnetically driven spiral WCE with an integrated camera was reported by Bo et al (2015). 143 They used a hand-held rotary magnetic actuator to navigate the WCE through an excised porcine small intestine. They used a commercially available capsule (Hitron Co. Ltd, Hangzhou, China) wrapped with a radially magnetized NdFeB magnetic shell [ Fig.…”

“…The first demonstration of a magnetically driven spiral WCE with an integrated camera was reported by Bo et al. (2015) . They used a hand‐held rotary magnetic actuator to navigate the WCE through an excised porcine small intestine.…”

“…Spiral and Hybrid Capsule Designs: (a) First reported spiral robot, Honda et al . (b) Chiba et al., (c) Bo et al., (d) Guo et al., (e) Wang et al., (f) Yim et al., (g) Magnetically controlled crawling movement by Nokata et al …”