Capsule endoscopy offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional endoscopic methods, providing greater patient comfort and ease of procedure. However, challenges such as capsule retention, suboptimal imaging, and limited controllability remain. Previously, a dynamic model was developed to predict the behaviour of a magnetically controlled capsule endoscope using open-loop control for navigation. The model was validated in a realistic colon phantom and demonstrated feasible control of the capsule’s movement.
This project is funded by the Pioneer in Health Care Project (Improving diagnosis with precision: X-ray guided magnetic monitoring in capsule endoscopy) with collaborators from MST and Saxion. Although the previous model enabled basic control, further refinement is required to achieve real-time, closed-loop navigation, which would provide enhanced precision, reliability, and adaptability in clinical settings. The previous project relied on X-ray-based fluoroscopy to manually localize the capsule, and open-loop control did not require real-time localization or feedback as the path was pre-planned.
This project aims to build upon that foundation by integrating visual feedback from the video capsule to enable real-time localization and orientation control. This feedback will enhance navigation accuracy, paving the way for closed-loop control and more effective capsule endoscopy procedures.