Finite Element Modeling for Two-Dimensional Wireless Capsule Endoscope Manipulation System

The inadequacies of traditional flexible endoscopes used in gastrointestinal diagnostic procedures, causing pain and discomfort to patients, led to the development of the wireless capsule endoscope. There are two types of wireless capsule endoscopes: passive and active. The passive wireless capsule endoscope cannot stop at a specific position for diagnostic purposes, which can lead to capsule retention. The active capsule can solve those problems. In this article, we use COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate a two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetic actuation (EMA) system for active wireless capsule endoscope. The EMA system uses a stationary two-pair coil system (Helmholtz and Maxwell). The capsule endoscope is activated by adjusting the magnitude and direction of the external magnetic flux coil system. A comparison of the mathematical analysis validates the simulation. Since the EMA system depends on the relative permeability of the soft tissue, navigation and manipulation of the capsule endoscope can benefit from it. The simulated EMA system is well suited for wireless capsule endoscopes that require no or very little power and do not require internal batteries. Therefore, the wireless capsule endoscope will be active, not passive, and we can avoid the retention of the capsule in the gastrointestinal tract.