Image based size analysis

• US 20020107444A1
• Filed: 12/19/2000
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Adler, Doron
• Application Number:
  US09/739,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20020107444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence

Abstract

There is provided a method and system for calculating a size of an object in a gastrointestinal tract using images acquired by a moving imager. The method includes the steps of determining a distance traveled by the moving imager during capture of two of the images, calculating spatial coordinates of objects within the images using the distance, and calculating the size of an object from the spatial coordinates. The method and system may be used in the digestive tract with an endoscope or capsule.

Claims

1. A method for calculating a size of an object in a gastrointestinal tract using images acquired by a moving imager, wherein said method comprises the following steps:

determining a distance traveled by said moving imager during capture of two of said images;

calculating relative spatial coordinates of objects within said images using said distance; and

calculating the size of one of said objects from said spatial coordinates.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said distance is non-negligible as compared to a distance between said moving imager and said objects.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said moving imager comprises a single camera.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said moving imager is an in vivo imager.

5. A method according to claim 3 for use in an endoscope.

6. A system for calculation of object size by conversion of two-dimensional images, said two-dimensional images acquired by a moving imager, said system comprising:

a distance-detecting unit for determining a distance traveled by said moving imager during the capture of two of said images; and

at least one processor for generating spatial coordinates of objects within said images, said processor using said distance obtained by said distance-detecting unit, whereby said at least one processor converts said spatial coordinates into a size calculation of said object.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said imager is an in vivo imager.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said in vivo imager comprises a single camera.

9. A system according to claim 6 wherein said distance-detecting unit is a sensor.

10. A system according to claim 9 where said sensor is a position sensor.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said position sensor comprises at least one receiver which receives signals from a transmitter in communication with said camera system, said receiver in communication with a means for determining the position of said camera system.

12. A system according to claim 10 wherein said at least one receiver includes three receivers.

13. A system according to claim 10 where said position sensor is an induction coil.

14. A system according to claim 9 where said sensor is an image analyzer which can analyze the optical flow of an image.

15. A system according to claim 9 wherein said sensor is a velocity sensor.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said velocity sensor is an accelerometer, data from said accelerometer being integrated to determine velocity.

17. A system according to claim 15 where said velocity sensor is an ultrasound transducer.

18. A system according to claim 7 for use in an endoscope.

20. A capsule as in claim 19 wherein said distance-detecting unit is a sensor.

21. A capsule as in claim 20 wherein said sensor is a position sensor.

22. A capsule as in claim 21 wherein said position sensor comprises at least one receiver which receives signals from a transmitter in communication with said capsule, said receiver in communication with a means for determining the position of said capsule.

23. A capsule as in claim 22 wherein said at least one receiver includes three receivers.

24. A capsule according to claim 21 where said position sensor is an induction coil.

25. A capsule according to claim 20 wherein said sensor is an image analyzer which can analyze the optical flow of an image.

26. A capsule according to claim 20 wherein said sensor is a velocity sensor.

27. A capsule according to claim 26 wherein said velocity sensor is an accelerometer, data from said accelerometer being integrated to determine velocity.

28. A capsule according to claim 26 where said velocity sensor is an ultrasound transducer.

19. A swallowable capsule for calculating a size of an object in a gastrointestinal tract, the capsule comprising:

an image-receiver for receiving images within the gastrointestinal tract;

a distance-detecting unit for determining a distance traveled by said capsule during reception of two of said images; and

a processor for generating spatial coordinates of at least one object found within said two images and for converting said spatial coordinates into a size calculation of said at least one object.