Locomotion system for a medical device
AssigneeQueen Mary University of London
InventorsMohamed Adhnan Thaha, Mohammad Hasan Shaheed, Julius Esmann Bernth
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Abstract
A locomotion system for use in a medical device, including at least one magnet, a rotor including a plurality of coil windings, and a ferromagnetic member. The rotor is configured, on application of a current to the plurality of coil windings, to travel along the ferromagnetic member and to impact on a surface.
Claims17
A locomotion system for use in a medical device, comprising:
- an actuator comprising a plurality of coil windings;
- a ferromagnetic member;
- and
- a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged circumferentially around the actuator and ferromagnetic member;
- wherein the actuator is configured, on application of a current to the plurality of coil windings, to travel along the ferromagnetic member and to impact on a surface.
A method of moving a medical device with a locomotion system comprising an actuator comprising a plurality of coil windings, a ferromagnetic member, and a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged circumferentially around the actuator and ferromagnetic member, wherein the actuator is configured, on application of a current to the plurality of coil windings, to travel along the ferromagnetic member and to impact on a surface, the method comprising:
- applying a first current to the plurality of coil windings to cause the actuator to travel along the ferromagnetic member in a first direction and impact on the surface,
- wherein the actuator impacting on the surface generates motion of the medical device in the first direction.
A method for the diagnosis of a disease or condition in a subject using a medical device comprising a locomotion system including an actuator comprising a plurality of coil windings, a ferromagnetic member, and a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged circumferentially around the actuator and ferromagnetic member;
- wherein the actuator is configured, on application of a current to the plurality of coil windings, to travel along the ferromagnetic member and to impact on a surface, the method comprising:
- generating images of the gastrointestinal tract of said subject using an imaging means located in the medical device when said medical device is located in the gastrointestinal tract;
- and
- analyzing said images to determine a presence or absence of the disease or condition.
An endoscopic capsule comprising:
- a locomotion system including:
- an actuator comprising a plurality of coil windings,
- a ferromagnetic member, and
- a plurality of magnets, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged circumferentially around the actuator and ferromagnetic member, and
- wherein the actuator is configured, on application of a current to the plurality of coil windings, to travel along the ferromagnetic member and to impact on a surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.