Ingestible device

• US 20030139661A1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectrum Dynamics Medical Ltd
• Original Assignee: Spectrum Dynamics LLC
• Inventors: Kimchy, Yoav, Amrami, Roni, Bouskila, Yona
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• 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 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/067 using accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/425 using detectors specially adapted to be used in the interior of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4423 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply

Abstract

An ingestible device, adapted to travel in the gastrointestinal tract and perform a diagnostic image of tissue therein, is provided. The diagnostic image may comprise diagnostic information as a function of time, or diagnostic information as a function of distance traveled within the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, the ingestible device may be arranged to perform a diagnostic image of nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, scintillation of a scintillation liquid, responsive to nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, optical fluorescence of a fluorescing-pharmaceutical or of bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue, infrared radiation of the gastrointestinal-tract tissue, temperature-differences along the gastrointestinal-tract, impedance, ultrasound reflection, magnetic resonance, and a combination thereof. The ingestible device may be adapted for general screening of a large population, on the one hand, and for specific diagnoses of suspected pathologies, on the other.

Claims

1. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

a probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

2. The ingestible device of claim 1, wherein said probe comprises a nuclear-radiation detector, arranged for detecting gamma and beta radiation.

3. The ingestible device of claim 2, wherein said nuclear-radiation detector is not collimated, to detect nuclear radiation impinging at any angle.

4. The ingestible device of claim 2, wherein said nuclear-radiation detector is gated to a narrow energy range, associated with a particular radioisotope.

5. The ingestible device of claim 2, wherein said nuclear-radiation detector comprises at least two crystals.

6. The ingestible device of claim 5, wherein each of said at least two crystals is gated to a different narrow energy range, associated with a different radioisotope.

7. The ingestible device of claim 5, wherein said at least two crystals are a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and are operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating nuclear radiation striking said at least two crystals at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

8. The ingestible device of claim 1, wherein said probe comprises a photodetector, arranged to detect scintillation produced by a scintillation liquid responsive to nuclear radiation of said radiophamaceutical.

9. The ingestible device of claim 8, wherein said photodetector comprises at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating scintillation striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

23. The ingestible device of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 and further comprising a coating, selected from the group consisting of a candy-like coating, a biologically inert coating which is replaced between uses, and a biologically inert coating which is replaced between uses, covered with a candy-like coating.

24. The ingestible device of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, wherein said data-handling apparatus comprises a transmitter, communicable with said probe and in signal communication with extracorporeal apparatus.

25. The ingestible device of claim 24, wherein said transmitter comprises a piezoelectric transducer.

26. The ingestible device of claim 25, wherein said piezoelectric transducer is further arranged for tracking said ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, in tandem with at least three extracorporeal piezoelectric transducers, at different locations, in direct contact with said body, based on the time of signal travel from each of said extracorporeal transducer to said ingestible device and back.

27. The ingestible device of claim 24, Wherein said transmitter comprises an RF transmitter.

28. The ingestible device of claim 27, wherein said transmitter is further arranged for tracking said ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, in tandem with at least three extracorporeal RF receivers.

29. The ingestible device of claim 27, wherein said transmitter comprises a multi-channel transmitter.

30. The ingestible device of claim 24, wherein said transmitter produces a reference signal at predetermined time intervals.

31. The ingestible device of claim 30, wherein said reference signal further includes identifying information of said body.

32. The ingestible device of claim 24 and further comprising a receiver.

33. The ingestible device of claim 32, wherein said receiver comprises a multi-channel receiver.

34. The ingestible device of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, wherein said data-handling apparatus comprises a computing means.

35. The ingestible device of claim 34 and further including a memory, for recording diagnostic information produced by said probe, therein.

36. The ingestible device of claim 35, wherein said memory is a removable data-storage implement.

37. The ingestible device of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, wherein said power source comprises an energizable power source.

38. The ingestible device of claim 37, wherein said energizable power source comprises a piezoelectric transducer.

39. The ingestible device of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 and further including a tracking means, for tracking said ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract.

40. The ingestible device of claim 39, wherein said tracking is performed vis a vis an extracorporeal reference system.

41. The ingestible device of claim 40, wherein said tracking means comprises at least one acceleration sensor, which senses accelerations in at least three degrees of freedom, with respect to a set of three mutually perpendicular coordinate axes.

42. The ingestible device of claim 40, wherein said tracking means comprises at least at least three acceleration sensors, each sensing accelerations along a single axis of a set of three mutually perpendicular coordinate axes.

43. The ingestible device of claim 40, wherein said tracking means comprises a magnetic tracking and location system.

44. The ingestible device of claim 40, wherein said tracking means includes a piezoelectric transducer, operable in tandem with at least three extracorporeal piezoelectric transducers, at different locations, in direct contact with said body, for tracking based on the time of signal travel from each of said extracorporeal transducer to said ingestible device and back.

45. The ingestible device of claim 39, wherein said tracking is performed vis a vis the walls of said gastrointestinal tract.

46. The ingestible device of claim 45, wherein said tracking means comprises at least one roller, adapted to roll against the tissue of said gastrointestinal tract, wherein said at least one roller is in communication with a counter, and wherein the number of revolutions made by said at least one roller indicate the length traveled by said ingestible device.

47. The ingestible device of claim 45, wherein said tracking means includes at least two piezoelectric transducers, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating ultrasound reflection of an ultrasound pulse, originating from one of said at least two piezoelectric transducers, striking said at least two piezoelectric transducers, at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

48. The ingestible device of claim 47 and further including a plurality of piezoelectric transducers, to enhance the cross correlation.

49. The ingestible device of claim 45, wherein said tracking means includes a light source and at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating reflected light striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

50. The ingestible device of claim 49 and further including a plurality of photo-sensing diodes to enhance the cross correlation.

51. The ingestible device of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 wherein said ingestible device is disposable, and needs not be retrieved.

52. A tissue diagnostic system, comprising:

an ingestible device, in accordance with of any one of claims 1, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21; and

extracorporeal apparatus, comprising;

at least one extracorporeal receiver;

an extracorporeal computing means; and

an extracorporeal power source.

53. The tissue diagnostic system of claim 52, wherein said extracorporeal apparatus further includes a replaceable interface.

54. The tissue diagnostic system of claim 52, wherein said at least one extracorporeal receiver further includes at least three extracorporeal receivers, for tracking said ingestible device.

55. The tissue diagnostic system of claim 54, wherein said at least three extracorporeal receivers further includes at least three piezoelectric-transducer patch-sensor devices.

56. The tissue diagnostic system of claim 52, wherein said at least one extracorporeal receiver comprises an RF receiver.

59. The tissue diagnostic system of claim 52, wherein said ingestible device further comprises at least one intracorporeal acceleration sensor, which senses accelerations in at least three degrees of freedom, with respect to a set of three mutually perpendicular coordinate axes, and wherein said extracorporeal apparatus further comprises at least one extracorporeal acceleration sensor, for sensing accelerations of said body, in at least three degrees of freedom, with respect to a set of three mutually perpendicular coordinate axes, in order to correct measurements of said intracorporeal acceleration sensor, for movements of said body.

10. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

a probe, comprising a photodetector, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by optical fluorescence of a fluorescing-pharmaceutical;

a laser light source, of a wavelength which substantially matches at least one absorption peak of said fluorescing-pharmaceutical;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe, light source, and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, light source, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

11. The ingestible device of claim 10, wherein said photodetector comprising at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating fluorescence striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

12. The ingestible device of claim 10, and further comprising at least two reflected-light photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating reflected light striking said reflected-light photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

13. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

a probe, comprising a photodetector, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by optical fluorescence of a bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue;

a laser light source, of a wavelength which substantially matches an absorption peak of said bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe, light source, and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, light source, data-handling apparatus, and power source within,

wherein said photodetector comprising at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate and incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating fluorescence string said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

14. The ingestible device of claim 13 and further comprising at least two reflected-light photo-sensing diodes, adapted to sense reflected light from said laser light source, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlating reflected light striking said reflected-light photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

15. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

a probe, comprising a thermography detector, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by infrared thermography;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

16. The ingestible device of claim 15, wherein said thermography detector comprises at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, operative to evaluate an incremental distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, during a period Δ

T, by cross correlation infrared radiation striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

17. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

a thermocouple probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by temperature-differences;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

18. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

an impedance probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by impedance;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

19. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

an ultrasound probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by ultrasound reflection;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

20. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

an MRI probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by magnetic resonance;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probe, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probe;

a power source, for powering said probe and data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probe, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

21. An ingestible device, arranged for traveling within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

at least two probes, each operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image selected from the group, consisting of nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, scintillation of a scintillation liquid, responsive to nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, optical fluorescence of a fluorescing-pharmaceutical, optical fluorescence of a bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue, infrared thermography, temperature-differences, impedance, ultrasound reflection, magnetic resonance, and video, wherein each probe is operative to perform a different diagnostic image;

data-handling apparatus, in signal communication with said probes, for receiving and handling imaging data, generated by said probes;

a power source, for powering said probes and said data-handling apparatus; and

a shell, which encapsulates said probes, data-handling apparatus, and power source within.

22. The ingestible device of claim 21 and further including a light source.

57. The tissue diagnostic system of 56, wherein said at least one extracorporeal receiver comprises a multi-channel receiver.

58. The tissue diagnostic system of 52, and further comprising an RF transmitter.

60. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract of a body, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising a probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical;

administrating said radiophamaceutical;

ingesting said ingestible device, adetermined time after said administrating said radiophamaceutical;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein said probe comprises a nuclear-radiation detector, arranged for detecting gamma and beta radiation.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein said nuclear-radiation detector comprises at least two crystals.

63. The method of claim 62, and further including gating each of said crystals to a different narrow energy range, associated with a different radioisotope.

64. The method of claim 63, and further including using the clock-like property of nuclear radiation to identify a pathological site, by an activity ratio of at least two radioisotopes.

65. The method of claim 62, wherein said at least two crystals are arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, by cross correlating nuclear radiation striking said crystals at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

66. The method of claim 60, wherein said probe comprises a photodetector, wherein said method further includes administrating a scintillation liquid, a predetermined time after said administrating said radiophamaceutical and a predetermined time before said ingesting said ingestible device, and wherein said producing diagnostic signals with said probe further includes detecting scintillation, produced by said scintillation liquid, responsive to nuclear radiation of said radiophamaceutical, thus forming said diagnostic image.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said probe comprises at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, by cross correlating scintillation striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

81. The method of any one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, wherein said diagnostic image comprises diagnostic information as a function of time.

82. The method of any one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, wherein said diagnostic image comprises diagnostic information as a function of distance traveled by said ingestible device.

83. The method of any one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, wherein said recording further includes transmitting said information extracorporeally, and recording said information by extracorporeal apparatus.

84. The method of and one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, wherein said recording further includes recording said information within said ingestible device.

85. The method of any one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, and further including administrating a pharmaceutical a predetermined time prior to said ingesting said ingestible device.

86. The method of any one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, and further including screening a large population.

87. The method of claim 86 and further including screening for gastrointestinal-tract neoplasm.

88. The method of any one of claims 60, 68, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 80, and further including diagnosing for a suspected pathology.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein said suspected pathology is malignant.

90. The method of claim 88, wherein said suspected pathology is nonmalignant.

68. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising a laser light source and a probe, comprising a photodetector, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by optical fluorescence of a fluorescing-pharmaceutical, wherein said laser light source is operative at a wavelength that substantially matches an absorption peak of said fluorescing-pharmaceutical;

administrating said fluorescing-pharmaceutical;

ingesting said ingestible device, a predetermined time after said administrating said fluorescing-pharmaceutical;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said photodetector comprises at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, bit cross correlating fluorescence striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

70. The method of claim 68, and further including at least two reflected-light photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, by cross correlating reflected light striking said reflected-light photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

71. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising a laser light source and a probe, comprising a photodetector, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by optical fluorescence of a bare tissue, wherein said laser light source is operative at a wavelength that substantially matches an absorption peak of said bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image,

wherein said photodetector comprises at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, by cross correlating fluorescence striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

72. The method of claim 71, and further including at least two reflected-light photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, by cross correlating reflected light striking said reflected-light photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at later time T+Δ

T.

73. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising a probe, which further comprises a thermography detector, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by infrared thermography;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein said thermography detector further comprises at least two photo-sensing diodes, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel, and wherein said method further includes evaluating the distance traveled within said gastrointestinal tract, by cross correlating infrared radiation striking said photo-sensing diodes at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T.

75. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing and ingestible device comprising a thermocouple probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by temperature-differences;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

76. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising an impedance probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, at diagnostic image by impedance;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

77. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising an ultrasound probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by ultrasound reflection;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

78. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising an MRI probe, operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image by a magnetic resonance;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probe, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic image; and

recording information of said diagnostic image.

79. The method of claim 78, and further including resonating at a frequency of a contrast agent that has been administered to said body.

80. A method of performing tissue diagnosis within a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

providing an ingestible device comprising at least two probes, each operative to perform, along said gastrointestinal tract, a diagnostic image selected from the group, consisting of nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, scintillation of a scintillation liquid, responsive to nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, optical fluorescence of a fluorescing-pharmaceutical, optical fluorescence of a bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue, infrared thermography, temperature-differences, impedance, ultrasound reflection, magnetic resonance, and video, wherein each probe is operative to perform a different diagnostic image;

ingesting said ingestible device;

producing diagnostic signals with said probes, as said ingestible device travels in said gastrointestinal tract, thus forming said diagnostic images; and

recording information of said diagnostic images.

91. A method of locating a site in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

evaluating a distance from a reference point to said site, by tracking an ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, vis a vis the walls of said gastrointestinal tract; and

invasively measuring said distance along said gastrointestinal tract from said reference point to said site.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein said evaluating said distance further includes:

providing at least two sensors, arranged a predetermined distance apart, in the direction of travel;

cross correlating a parameter sensed by said at least two sensors, at a time T and at a later time T+Δ

T;

determining an incremental distance traveled by said ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, during period Δ

T; and

summing incremental distances between the time said ingestible device passed by said reference point and the time said ingestible device passed by said site, to obtain said distance.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein said parameter, sensed by said at least two sensors, is selected from the group consisting of nuclear radiation of a radiopharmaceutical, scintillation light produced by a scintillation liquid, responsive to nuclear radiation of a radiopharmaceutical, optical fluorescence, reflected light, infrared radiation, temperature differences, impedance, and ultrasound reflection.

94. The method of claim 91, wherein evaluating said distance further includes:

employing at least one roller, arranged to roll over the walls of said gastrointestinal tract; and

employing a counter, in communication with said at least one roller, for counting the number of revolutions made by said at least one roller, between the time said ingestible device passed by said reference point and the time said ingestible device passed by said site.

95. A method of locating a site in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising:

estimating a distance from a reference point to said site, by tracking an ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, vis a vis an extracorporeal reference system; and

invasively measuring said distance along said gastrointestinal tract from said reference point to said site.

96. The method of claim 95, and further comprising:

tracking an ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, to obtain instantaneous x;

y;

z;

values vis a vis said extracorporeal reference system;

estimating an incremental distance traveled by said ingestible device within said gastrointestinal tract, during period Δ

T; and

summing estimated incremental distances between the time said ingestible device passed by said reference point and the time said ingestible device passed by said site, to estimate said distance.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein said tracking is selected from the group consisting of tracking with an intracorporeal RF transmitter and three extracorporeal RF receivers, tracking with an intracorporeal piezoelectric transducer and three extracorporeal piezoelectric transducer, tracking with at least one acceleration sensor, and tracking with a magnetic tracking and location system.

98. A method of identifying a pathology, using a clock-like property of radioisotopes, comprising:

providing a nuclear-radiation detector arranged for distinguishing between at least two forms of radiation, associated with at least two radioisotopes;

administering a radiophamaceutical which includes said at least two radioisotopes;

performing diagnostic images by nuclear radiation for each of said at least two radioisotopes;

evaluating an activity ratio for said at least two radioisotopes; and

identifying said pathology, by an observed change in said activity ratio.