Marc O. Schurr

Feasibility proof of a legged locomotion capsule for the GI tract.

BACKGROUNDnA colonoscopy and a gastroscopy are the most important screening measures for malignant diseases in the GI tract. One of the main limitations is the lack of patient adherence to come in for a flexible endoscopy, especially in asymptomatic conditions.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe feasibility proof of a new generation of endoscopic capsules based on a novel propelling mechanism that features electromechanical legs.nnnDESIGNnTeleoperated endoscopic 8-legged capsule.nnnSETTINGnScuola Superiore SantAnna, Pisa, Italy, and novineon Healthcare Technology Partners GmbH, Tübingen, Germany.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTSnSuccessful locomotion in a lower-GI tract (LGI) phantom model and in a porcine colon.nnnRESULTSnThe testing session was organized into repetitive ex vivo trials and in vivo tests. The repetitive tests were performed for collecting reproducible data in various small series of individual experiments in standardized conditions, thus defining the best locomotion parameters. In vivo tests were performed in a porcine colon: the capsule, inserted transanally, traveled upward in the oral direction for 15 cm in about 5 minutes, against peristalsis.nnnLIMITATIONSnThe current version of the capsule travels curves by bouncing back from the wall and following step by step the direction of the curved bowel. Steering mechanisms are not yet implemented.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study shows the systematic development and medical assessment of an imaging capsule with self-propelling abilities. A full colonic passage was successfully demonstrated in the ex vivo phantom model. A net movement in in vivo tests has been achieved, thus giving a feasibility proof of the legged locomotion as a possible solution to the problem of self-locomoting endoscopic devices in the LGI.

A System-on-Chip solution for a low power active capsule endoscope with therapeutic capabilities for clip application in the gastrointestinal tract

This paper addresses the circuit implementation challenges resulting from the integration of a therapeutic clip in a magnetically maneuverable wireless capsule intended for colonoscopy. To deal with the size constraints typical of a capsule endoscope, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) has been designed specifically to habilitate the release of the therapeutic clip. The ASIC is a complete System on Chip (SoC) that incorporates a circuit for the low power release of the clip, thus overcoming the limitations of the power supply system. With a size of 14mm2, the ASIC can be incorporated in practically any capsule endoscope, consuming only an idle-state power of 1.5mW.