Device and method for orienting a device in vivo

• US 20030216622A1
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Lewkowicz, Shlomo, Jacob, Harold
• Application Number:
  US10/423,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216622A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6886 Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue

Abstract

An in vivo device, such as an in vivo imaging device or other sensing device, may include a device body and at least one appendage coupled to the device body. According to some embodiments the appendage(s) may be extended or expanded, or reduced or removed, in vivo, thereby altering the device geometry while in a body lumen.

Claims

1. An in-vivo device comprising:

a housing;

a sensor contained within the housing; and

an appendage coupled to and extending from the housing, wherein the size or configuration of said appendage is changeable.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially rigid and the appendage is flexible.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the appendage is expandable or extendible.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the appendage is capable of detaching, collapsing, or disintegrating.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage is selected from a group comprising one or more of the following:

wing shaped, disc shaped, cone shaped, capsule shaped or any combination thereof.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage is substantially symmetric relative to a longitudinal axis of the device.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage is to position the device housing at an orientation substantially parallel to a body lumen wall.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage is to position the device housing at an angle relative to a body lumen wall.

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage includes one or more of the following:

rubber, silicon, hydrocarbon.

10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage includes a bimorph material.

11. The device according to claim 1 comprising a packaging surrounding the appendage.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the packaging is dissolvable.

13. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage may be controlled based on sensing one or more of the following:

pressure, temperature, pH, and enzymatic activity.

14. The device according to claim 1 comprising a transmitter.

15. The device according to claim 1 comprising a receiver.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the sensor includes an image sensor.

17. The device according to claim 1 comprising a location tracking device.

18. The device according to claim 1, comprising a set of substances which, when combined, produce gas.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the appendage includes at least a flexible and expandable covering.

20. A system for in vivo sensing, the system comprising:

a device body;

a sensor disposed within the device body;

at least one appendage coupled to the device body; and

a transmitter.

21. An in-vivo sensor comprising:

a body;

an imager disposed within the shell; and

an extendible appendage.

22. An in vivo device comprising:

a housing means for housing an in vivo sensor; and

an appendage means for positioning the in vivo device with respect to a body lumen.

23. A method for positioning an ill-vivo device within a body lumen, the method comprising:

providing an in-vivo device with an appendage; and

inserting the device in vivo.

24. The method of claim 23 comprising extending the appendage in vivo.

25. The method of claim 23 comprising:

sensing an in-vivo condition; and

on the detection of the condition, causing the extending of the appendage.

26. The method of claim 23 comprising:

sensing an in-vivo condition; and

on the detection of the condition, causing the collapse of the appendage.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the device includes substantially rigid housing and the appendage is flexible.

28. The method of claim 0.23 comprising positioning the device at an orientation substantially parallel to a body lumen wall.

29. The method of claim 23 comprising dissolving or removing a packaging surrounding the appendage.

30. The method according to claim 23 comprising capturing images.

31. The method according to claim 23 comprising transmitting data.

32. The method according to claim 23 comprising transmitting position information.

33. A method for positioning an in vivo device within a body lumen, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting the device in vivo, said device comprising an appendage; and

collapsing the appendage in vivo.

34. A method for in-vivo imaging, the method comprising the step of:

on the occurrence of an in vivo environmental condition, altering the configuration of an appendage attached to an in-vivo imaging device.

35. A method for in-vivo sensing, the method comprising:

inserting into a body an in-vivo device, the device including a sensor and including an appendage; and

altering the configuration of the appendage.