Device and method for blocking activation of an in-vivo sensor

• US 20040087832A1
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Avni, Dov, Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Application Number:
  US10/695,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087832A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters

Abstract

There is provided an in-vivo device, for example an imaging device, configured with operation blocking capability to prevent the reuse of such device or to prevent a reactivation of such device after such device has completed a medical examination.

Claims

1. An in-vivo device comprising an operation blocker to prevent activation of said device after a specified condition is satisfied.

2. The device as in claim 1, wherein said operation blocker is configured to permanently prevent activation of said in vivo device after a specified condition is satisfied.

3. The device as in claim 1, wherein said operation blocker comprises a non-volatile memory configured for assuming a designated state upon said satisfaction of said specified condition.

4. The device as in claim 1, wherein said specified condition is a total elapsed time of operation of said device.

5. The device as in claim 1, wherein said specified condition is reaching a pre-defined period of operation for a current operating session of said device.

6. The device as in claim 1, wherein said specified condition is a voltage level of a power source in said device.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein said specified condition is a receipt of a command.

8. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a timer.

9. The device as in claim 1, wherein said specified condition is satisfied by a sensor of said device detecting a pre-defined external environment.

10. The device as in claim 1, wherein said device may be activated until said specified condition is satisfied.

11. The device as in claim 1, wherein said specified condition is satisfied by a counter exceeding a predefined number of images captured by said device.

12. The device as in claim 1, wherein said operation blocker remains activated after removal or replacement of a battery.

13. The device as in claim 1, wherein said device is an autonomous in vivo device.

14. An in-vivo sensing device comprising a circuit to prevent reactivation of said device after said device has been used for a medical exam.

15. The device as in claim 14, further comprising a non-volatile memory.

16. The device as in claim 14, further comprising an operation blocker configured for preventing reactivation of said device after a specified condition has been satisfied.

17. A method for preventing reuse of an in-vivo device comprising activating a permanent operation blocker in said device upon satisfaction of a specified condition.

18. The method as In claim 17, wherein activating an operation blocker comprises burning a non-volatile memory unit into an activated position.

19. The method as in claim 17, wherein activating an operation blocker comprises melting of an insulation.

20. A method for blocking activation of an in vivo device comprising configuring a circuit to block activation of an in-vivo device upon the satisfaction of a pre-defined condition.

21. The method as in claim 20, wherein configuring a circuit comprises configuring a circuit to block activation of an in-vivo device upon a lapse of a pre-defined time period of operation of said device.

22. The method as in claim 20, wherein configuring a circuit comprises configuring a circuit to block activation of an in-vivo device upon said device capturing a pre-defined number of images.

23. The method as in claim 20, wherein configuring a circuit comprises configuring a circuit to block activation of an in-vivo device upon a voltage level in said device falling below a pre-determined voltage level.

24. The method as in claim 20, wherein configuring a circuit comprises configuring a circuit to block activation of an in-vivo device upon detection by a sensor of said device of a pre-defined external environment

25. The method as in claim 20, further comprising configuring said circuit to permit continued operation of said device after the satisfaction of a predefined condition.

26. The method as in claim 20, further comprising receiving a signal from an external command unit to activate said circuit.

27. A method of operating an autonomous in-vivo sensing device, the method comprising permanently preventing the operation of said autonomous in-vivo sensing device upon the satisfaction of a specified condition.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the operation of said autonomous in-vivo device includes imaging.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said preventing comprises configuring a circuit to block activation of at least a portion of the device.

30. The method of claim 27, comprising burning a memory.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein said specified condition is satisfied by a counter exceeding a predefined number of images captured by an imager.

32. The method as in claim 27, wherein said specified condition is satisfied upon the sensing of an in-vivo environmental condition.

33. The method as in claim 27, wherein said specified condition is satisfied upon a lapse of a predefined period of operation of said device.