US 12,262,871 B1
Dual-beam dual-magnet capsule for endoscopy in stomach
Huimin Guo, Hong Kong (HK); Wenchao Wu, Hong Kong (HK); and Chun Kit Lau, Hong Kong (HK)
Assigned to Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited, (HK)
Filed by Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited, Hong Kong (HK)
Filed on May 9, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/659,264.
Application 18/659,264 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/581,563, filed on Feb. 20, 2024.
Int. Cl. A61B 1/04 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/041 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00016 (2013.01); A61B 1/00032 (2013.01); A61B 1/00158 (2013.01); A61B 1/063 (2013.01); A61B 1/0655 (2022.02); A61B 1/0684 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dual-beam magnetic endoscopy capsule that is swallowed by a patient, the dual-beam magnetic endoscopy capsule comprising:
a casing that encloses components inside the dual-beam magnetic endoscopy capsule, the casing having a length that is greater than a width, with a long axis along the length of the casing, the casing being impervious to stomach acid;
a primary magnet situated inside the casing, the primary magnet having a first magnetic axis that passes through a North and a South pole of the primary magnet, the first magnetic axis being parallel to the long axis;
a second magnet situated inside the casing, the second magnet having a second magnetic axis that passes through a North and a South pole of the second magnet, the second magnetic axis being orthogonal to the long axis;
wherein the primary magnet is longer along the first magnetic axis than the second magnet is long along the second magnetic axis;
a front light sensor situated inside the casing near a front end where the first magnetic axis intersects the casing, the front light sensor for detecting light received that is reflected off a stomach interior at a first point;
a front light source, situated inside the casing near the front end, for generating a front light beam that is reflected off the first point of a stomach interior and reflected back into the front light sensor;
a side light sensor situated inside the casing near a middle of the casing, the side light sensor for detecting light received that is reflected off the stomach interior at a second point;
a side light source, situated inside the casing near the middle of the casing, for generating a side light beam that is reflected off the stomach interior at a second point and back into the side light sensor;
wherein the side light beam is orthogonal to the front light beam;
a controller that controls the front light source to generate the front light beam, and that uses the front light detector to detect the light reflected back from the first point on the stomach interior, the controller determining a first distance from the dual-beam magnetic endoscopy capsule to the first point in response to the front light detector;
wherein the controller also controls the side light source to generate the side light beam, and that uses the side light detector to detect the light reflected back from the second point on the stomach interior, the controller determining a second distance from the dual-beam magnetic endoscopy capsule to the second point in response to the side light detector;
wherein distances to two points on the stomach interior are generated for each location and orientation of the dual-beam magnetic endoscopy capsule within the stomach using two light beams that are orthogonal.