Device, system and method for capturing in-vivo images with three-dimensional aspects

• US 20030174208A1
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Kislev, Hanoch
• Application Number:
  US10/320,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20030174208A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00194 adapted for three-dimensional imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0655 Control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2415 Stereoscopic endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2461 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/207 using a single 2D image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/211 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/221 using the relative movement between cameras and objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/254 in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/11 for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 : for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 : provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/131 : including elements passing infrared wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/134 : based on three different wavelength filter elements

Abstract

In-vivo images including three-dimensional or surface orientation information may be captured and viewed An in-vivo site is illuminated by a plurality of sources, and the resulting reflected images may be used to provide three-dimensional or surface orientation information on the in-vivo site. The system may include a swallowable capsule.

Claims

1. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising a swallowable capsule including at least:

an imager; and

a plurality of illumination sources, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources are operated in a separate time period.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein at least two of the plurality of illumination sources are configured to illuminate an in vivo site from different angles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of illumination sources produces an illumination level which differs from the illumination level produced by a different one of the plurality of illumination sources.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources produces illumination of the same spectrum.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the capsule comprises a transmitter for transmitting image data.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the capsule comprises a battery.

7. The system of claim 1 comprising a controller configured to control the illumination sources in a selective manner.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising a receiving unit configured to receive transmitted image data.

9. The system of claim 8 comprising a processor configured to create from an image pair a single image portraying three-dimensional and surface orientation information.

10. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising a swallowable capsule including at least:

an imager; and

a plurality of illumination sources, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources is capable of producing a different spectrum.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces illumination in the infra-red spectrum.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces illumination in the UV spectrum.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the capsule comprises a transmitter.

14. The system according to claim 10 wherein the capsule comprises a mosaic filter.

15. The system of claim 10 comprising a receiving unit configured to receive transmitted image data.

16. The system of claim 15 comprising a processor configured to create from an image pair a single image portraying three-dimensional and surface orientation information.

17. A method for capturing in-vivo images, the method comprising:

illuminating an in vivo site with a set of illumination sources non-simultaneously; and

capturing a set images of the site using an imager contained within a swallowable capsule, at least two images in the set illuminated using different subsets of illumination sources.

18. The method of claim 17 comprising transmitting the images via a wireless link.

19. The method of claim 17 comprising passing light through a segmented filter.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of illuminating an in vivo site comprises illuminating in at least two different illumination levels.

21. A method for capturing in-vivo images, the method comprising:

illuminating an in vivo sight with at least two illumination sources, said illumination sources producing different spectrums; and

capturing a set of images of the site using an imager contained within a swallowable capsule.

22. The method of claim 21 comprising transmitting the images via a wireless link.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces illumination in the infra-red spectrum.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces illumination in the UV spectrum.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces substantially white light.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the spectral content of at least two of the illumination sources is the same, the method comprising:

when capturing a first image using a first of the illumination sources, providing illumination from a third illumination source, wherein the illumination from the third illumination source differs in its spectral content from that of a second of the illumination sources.

27. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising a swallowable capsule, said capsule comprising:

an imager; and

a plurality of illumination sources, wherein the plurality of illumination sources are spaced from one another and selectively operable, such that the combination of the plurality of reflected images produced by illumination from the plurality of illumination sources provides information on the three-dimensional aspects of the in-vivo site.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources are operated in a separate time period.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein:

each of the plurality of illumination sources are operated in the same time period; and

at least one of the plurality of illumination sources produces illumination in a spectrum which differs from the spectrum of illumination produced by a different one of the plurality of illumination sources.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources produces illumination of the same spectrum.

31. The system of claim 27 wherein the capsule comprises a transmitter.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces illumination in the infra-red spectrum.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the illumination sources produces substantially white light illumination.

34. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising:

an imager;

a transmitter; and

a plurality of illumination sources, wherein at least one of the plurality of illumination sources produces illumination in a spectrum which differs from the illumination produced by at least a second one of the plurality of illumination sources.

35. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising:

an imager;

a transmitter; and

a plurality of illumination sources, wherein each illumination source provides light from a different angle, each illumination source being selectively operable.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources are operated in a separate time period.

37. A system for presenting images comprising:

a processor accepting a series of images from an in-vivo imager, the series of images including surface orientation information, and outputting graphics images displaying such images to a user such that the user may perceive surface orientation aspects of the images.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the in-vivo imager is contained in a capsule.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein for each image the surface orientation information is recorded by at least a plurality of sub-images, each sub-image including an image of a site using a different lighting perspective.

40. A system for presenting images comprising:

a processor means accepting a series of images from an in-vivo imager, the series of images including surface orientation information, and outputting graphics images displaying such images to a user such that the user may perceive stereoscopic information.

41. A method for presenting images comprising:

accepting a series of images from an in-vivo imager, the series of images including surface orientation information; and

outputting graphics images displaying such images to a user such that the user may perceive surface orientation aspects of the images.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the in-vivo imager is contained in a capsule.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein for each image the surface orientation information is recorded by at least a plurality of sub-images, each sub-image including an image of a site using a different lighting perspective.

44. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising a swallowable capsule including at least:

an imager; and

a plurality of illumination sources, wherein each of the plurality of illumination sources are operated in a separate time period;

wherein at least two of the plurality of illumination sources are configured to illuminate an in vivo site from different angles.

45. An in-vivo imaging capsule for imaging an in-vivo site, the capsule comprising:

an imager means for capturing images;

a plurality of illumination source means; and

a controller means for operating the illumination sources so that the imager captures three dimensional information.

46. An in-vivo imaging system for imaging an in-vivo site, the system comprising a swallowable capsule including at least:

an imager; and

a plurality of illumination sources, at least two of the illumination sources producing light of a different spectrum, at least one illumination source producing UV light.

47. A method for capturing in-vivo images, the method comprising:

illuminating an in vivo site with a set of illumination sources non-simultaneously; and

capturing a set images of the site using an imager contained within a swallowable capsule, at least two images in the set illuminated using different subsets of illumination sources, the imager including a segmented filter.

48. A system for presenting images comprising:

a processor capable of accepting a series of sets of images from an in-vivo imager, each set including of images taken using different lighting, and capable of outputting graphics images displaying such images to a user such that the user may perceive surface orientation aspects of the images.

49. A system for presenting images comprising:

a processor means for accepting a series of images from an in-vivo imager, the series of images including surface orientation information, and for outputting graphics images displaying such images to a user such that the user may perceive surface orientation aspects of the images.