System and method for controlling a device in vivo

• US 20030114742A1
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady, Lewkowicz, Shlomo
• Granted Patent: US 7,907,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field

Abstract

A system and method for controlling a device in vivo. The system and method may utilize a steerable receiver, typically an element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field, for controlling the movement of a device, including the direction, force and velocity of the device movement.

Claims

1. An in vivo sensing device comprising:

an image sensor; and

at least one element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the element is a coil.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the element is a magnet having a dipole.

4. The device according to claim 1 comprising three elements that are maneuverable by a magnetic field.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a transmitter configured for wirelessly transmitting data to an external receiving unit.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of:

image data, in vivo environmental data, positional data or any combination thereof.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the element is a transceiver.

8. In an in vivo sensing device, a steerable receiver, said receiver comprising at least one element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field.

9. The receiver according to claim 8 wherein the element is a coil.

10. The receiver according to claim 8 wherein the element is a magnet having a dipole.

11. The receiver according to claim 8 comprising three elements that are maneuverable by a magnetic field.

12. A system for maneuvering a device in vivo, the system comprising

a sensing device, said sensing device comprising at least one element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field;

and

a signal source configured for generating at least one signal that maneuvers the element.

13. The system according to claim 12 further comprising an external receiver.

14. The system according to claim 12 wherein the sensing device further comprises an image sensor.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein the signal source is a variable electromagnetic field generator.

16. The system according to claim 12 wherein the sensing device comprises a transmitter.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit at least a positional signal.

18. The system according to claim 12 further comprising a processing unit configured for calculating the location or position of the sensing device.

19. A system for maneuvering a device in vivo, the system comprising

a sensing device, said sensing device comprising at least an image sensor, a transmitter and at least one element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field;

a signal source configured for generating at least one signal that maneuvers the element; and

an external receiver.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at least positional and image data.