Modular Capsules with Assembly and Separation Mechanism: Proof of Concept

Li, Zhenyu; Hoang, Manh Cuong; Kim, Chang-Sei; Choi, Eunpyo; Bang, Doyeon; Park, Jong-Oh; Kang, Byungjeon

doi:10.3390/act10070159

Open AccessArticle

Modular Capsules with Assembly and Separation Mechanism: Proof of Concept

by

Zhenyu Li

^1,2,

Manh Cuong Hoang

^1,2,

Chang-Sei Kim

^1,2,*

,

Eunpyo Choi

^1,2

,

Doyeon Bang

^1,3,

Jong-Oh Park

^1,2,* and

Byungjeon Kang

^1,3,*

¹

Korea Institute of Medical Microrobotics, Gwangju 506813, Korea

²

School of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea

³

Robotics Engineering Convergence, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Actuators 2021, 10(7), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/act10070159

Submission received: 27 May 2021 / Revised: 30 June 2021 / Accepted: 9 July 2021 / Published: 12 July 2021

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Actuators for Endoscopic Robots)

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Abstract

As wireless capsule endoscope (WCE) technology has advanced, various studies were published on WCEs with functional modules for the diagnosis and treatment of problems in the digestive system. However, when additional functional modules are added the physical size of the WCEs will increase, making them more difficult for patients to comfortably swallow. Moreover, there are limitations when it comes to adding multi-functional modules to the WCEs due to the size of the digestive tract itself. This article introduces a controllable modular capsule endoscope driven by an electromagnetic actuation (EMA) system. The modular capsules are divided into a driving capsule and a functional capsule. Capsules with different functions are swallowed in sequence and then recombination, transportation and separation functions are carried out under the control of the EMA system while in the stomach, this approach solves the size limitation issues faced by multi-functional capsule endoscopes. The recombination and separation functions make use of a characteristic of soft magnetic materials so that their magnetization direction can be changed easily. These functions are made possible by the addition of a soft magnet to the capsule together with the precise control of magnetic fields provided by the EMA system.

Keywords: wireless capsule endoscope; modular capsule; reconfigurable mechanism; functional capsule; electromagnetic actuation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Li, Z.; Hoang, M.C.; Kim, C.-S.; Choi, E.; Bang, D.; Park, J.-O.; Kang, B. Modular Capsules with Assembly and Separation Mechanism: Proof of Concept. Actuators 2021, 10, 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/act10070159

AMA Style

Li Z, Hoang MC, Kim C-S, Choi E, Bang D, Park J-O, Kang B. Modular Capsules with Assembly and Separation Mechanism: Proof of Concept. Actuators. 2021; 10(7):159. https://doi.org/10.3390/act10070159

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Zhenyu, Manh Cuong Hoang, Chang-Sei Kim, Eunpyo Choi, Doyeon Bang, Jong-Oh Park, and Byungjeon Kang. 2021. "Modular Capsules with Assembly and Separation Mechanism: Proof of Concept" Actuators 10, no. 7: 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/act10070159

APA Style

Li, Z., Hoang, M. C., Kim, C.-S., Choi, E., Bang, D., Park, J.-O., & Kang, B. (2021). Modular Capsules with Assembly and Separation Mechanism: Proof of Concept. Actuators, 10(7), 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/act10070159

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