Localization for robotic capsule looped by axially magnetized permanent-magnet ring based on hybrid strategy

Abstract

To actively maneuver a robotic capsule for interactive diagnosis in the gastrointestinal tract, visualizing accurate position and orientation of the capsule when it moves in the gastrointestinal tract is essential. A possible method that encloses the circuits, batteries, imaging device, etc into the capsule looped by an axially magnetized permanent-magnet ring is proposed. Based on expression of the axially magnetized permanent-magnet ring’s magnetic fields, a localization and orientation model was established. An improved hybrid strategy that combines the advantages of particle-swarm optimization, clone algorithm, and the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was found to solve the model. Experiments showed that the hybrid strategy has good accuracy, convergence, and real time performance.

Keywords:

• localization
• permanent-magnet ring
• robotic capsule
• hybrid strategy

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 61202196, 61273332, and 61202195), the China Scholarship Council, Scientific Research Fund of the Sichuan Provincial Education Department (grant 12ZA200), the Yibin Scientific and Technological Project (grant 2013ZSF010), and the Doctoral Fund of Yibin University (grant 2011B06).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.