Magnetic Tracking and Orientation of Imaging Endoscopic Capsules

描述（由申请人提供）：在胶囊式内窥镜（CE）出现之前，小肠成像和检查很困难。今天，患者用成像摄像机吞下胶囊，然后通过胃肠道被动地携带胶囊。机载摄像头在7-11小时内每秒捕获几次管腔壁的图像，将其无线中继到身体佩戴的接收器，在那里它们被存储用于随后的医生检查。由此产生的大量图像为医生提供了前所未有的检查胃肠道解剖结构的能力。尽管医生能够通过查看大量图像来检测病变，但是利用当前技术很难知道病变位于胃肠道内的何处。缺乏位置信息会减慢或阻止外科医生发现和切除特定病变，增加手术时间和发病率。需要一种更好的定位方法来改善胶囊内镜术后手术的结果。Koronis Biomedical Technologies Corporation（KBT）提出开发一种定位方法，用于使用固态薄膜Tunnel Magnetoresistive（TMR）技术基于磁传感跟踪内窥镜胶囊。TMR传感器在每传感器体积内提供出色的磁灵敏度，允许在微型胶囊内集成3轴传感器组件。将胶囊位置和方向信息添加到由设备记录的每个图像中显著提高了诊断病变的能力，并为所需治疗的位置提供了路线图。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Prior to the advent of capsule endoscopes (CE), imaging and examination of the small bowel was difficult. Today, a patient swallows the capsule with an imaging camera, which is then carried passively through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by peristalsis. The onboard camera captures images of the lumen wall several times per second over a 7-11 hour period, relaying them wirelessly to a body worn receiver where they are stored for subsequent physician review. The resulting large set of images gives the physician an unprecedented ability to examine the gastrointestinal anatomy. Although the physician is able to detect lesions through reviewing the vast number of images, it is very difficult to know where the lesion is located within the GI tract with current technology. The lack of location information slows or prevents surgeons from finding and excising a specific lesion, increasing surgery duration and morbidity. A better localization method is needed to improve the outcome of post-capsule endoscopy surgeries. Koronis Biomedical Technologies Corporation (KBT) proposes to develop a localization method for tracking endoscopic capsules based on magnetic sensing using solid-state thin-film Tunneling Magnetoresistive (TMR) technology. TMR sensors provide excellent magnetic sensitivity per sensor volume allowing integration of a 3-axis sensor assembly within the miniature capsule. Adding capsule location and orientation information to each image recorded by the device significantly improves the ability to diagnose lesions and provide a roadmap for location of needed therapy.