Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing
Online ISSN : 1881-3054
ISSN-L : 1881-3054
Precision Equipments
Impulse-driven Micromechanism Capsule
Takahiro ITOShohei ISHIMORITeru HAYASHI
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 315-323

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Abstract

We have developed a traveling small capsule, which has a smooth outer surface and is driven by inertia force and friction force. Measuring only 7 mm in diameter and 12 mm in length, it is sufficiently small to be placed in the human gullet or intestines. The capsule contains a small magnet and a coil, and an electric pulse drives the magnet to move the capsule. We performed an experimental investigation on making our capsule travel on a plastic material, which has similar elasticity characteristics to the living body. We also showed that it can travel on the surface of a pig's intestine. Our capsule may be useful for medical treatments such as inspection, drug delivery and operation.

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© 2010 by The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
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