Vanderbilt University

Christian Di Natali

Pietro Valdastri

Marco Beccani

Keith L Obstein

Alan J Herline

Robert Caprara

Alexander Vartanian

William Jones

Erdem Erdemir

Christopher Lyne

Douglas R Morgan

Federico Campisano

Gabrielmaria Scozzarro

Systems and methods are provided for controlling lateral movement of a medical capsule system. A capsule housing is configured to be inserted into an anatomical structure of a patient. The multichannel tether is coupled to a rear of the capsule and includes at least one liquid exhaust channel conveying liquid to the capsule housing. The plurality of liquid exhaust ports are positioned around an outer circumference of the capsule housing and each configured to controllably expel liquid laterally from the capsule housing at varying rates to affect lateral movement of the capsule housing.

Hydro-jet endoscopic capsule and methods for gastric cancer screening in low resource settings

Systems and methods are described for determining an orientation and position of a capsule inserted into the body of a patient. A magnetic field is applied to an area of the patient where the capsule is located. Sensor data, including inertial data from an inertial sensor and magnetic field data indicative of the applied magnetic field as detected by at least one magnetic field sensor, is wirelessly received from the capsule. An orientation angle of the capsule is determined based at least in part on the inertial data. The magnetic field data is compared to known characteristics of the applied magnetic field and a location of the capsule is determined based on the comparison.

Real-time pose and magnetic force detection for wireless magnetic capsule

A system and method for detecting a tissue property. The system comprises a first unit positioned outside a patient body and a second unit positioned inside the patient's body. The first unit includes a first housing, and a magnetic field source supported by the first housing. The second unit includes a second housing, a pressure sensor supported by the second housing, a localization module supported by the second housing, a controller, and a power source. The pressure sensor is configured to detect an indentation force applied to the tissue, and the second unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the indentation force data and localization data to a computer to generate a volumetric stiffness map for the tissue.

System and method for detecting tissue surface properties

A method of actuating a surgical device is described. A surgical tool is inserted into a body cavity of a patient through a natural orifice. A distal end of an actuation tool is inserted through a surgical access port in the body of the patient. The distal end of the actuation tool is positioned proximal to an external wall of the body cavity opposite the surgical tool. A magnetic coupling is established between the distal end of the actuation tool and the surgical tool. When the magnetic coupling is established, distal end of the actuation tool is located at the external wall of the body cavity and the surgical tool is located at the internal wall of the body cavity. The surgical tool is manipulated using the actuation tool through the magnetic coupling.

Local magnetic actuation of surgical devices

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Christian Di Natali