Multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule

• US 20040106849A1
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kyungpook National University
• Original Assignee: Kyungpook National University
• Inventors: Cho, Jin-Ho, Choi, Hyun-Chul, Choi, Jun-Rim
• Application Number:
  US10/308,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106849A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule for endoscopy is provided. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule includes a capsule body insertable into a patient'"'"'s body, a lens mounted on the capsule body, an imaging sensor installed in the capsule body to image a site of the patient'"'"'s body viewed through the lens, a pH sensor, a biological potential sensing electrode, a stimulating electrode, a pressure sensor, a light emitter to emit light in front of the capsule body, the light intensity of the light emitter being externally controllable, a transmitter to wirelessly transmit an image signal generated by the imaging sensor, a pH signal generated by the pH sensor, a biological signal generated by the biological potential sensing electrode, and a pressure signal generated by the pressure sensor, a receiver to wirelessly receives an external control signal, and a control unit and a power source for the forgoing constitutional elements.

Claims

1. A multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule for endodscopy, the capsule comprising;

a capsule body insertable into a patient'"'"'s body;

a lens mounted on the capsule body;

an imaging sensor installed in the capsule body to image a site of the patient'"'"'s body viewed through the lens;

a light emitter to emit light in front of the capsule body;

a transmitter to wirelessly transmit an image signal generated by the imaging sensor;

a receiver to wirelessly receive an external control signal;

a control unit to control the imaging sensor, the light emitter, the transmitter, and the receiver; and

a power source to supply power to the forgoing constitutional elements.

2. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of claim 1, wherein the light emitter includes at least one of a white-light light emitting diode emitting white light and an infrared ray emitting diode emitting infrared rays.

3. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of claim 1, wherein the light intensity of the light emitter is externally controllable.

4. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of claim 1, further comprising a pH sensor mounted on the external surface of the capsule body and connected to the control unit to measure a pH level of a site of the patient'"'"'s body.

5. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of claim 1, further comprising a biological potential sensing electrode mounted on the external surface of the capsule body and connected to the control unit to measure an electromyogram and/or an electrocardiogram.

6. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of either one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the pH sensor and the biological potential sensing electrodes are implemented with ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETS) that have a small volume and need no electrolyte for measurement.

7. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of claim 1, further comprising a stimulating electrode mounted on the external surface of the capsule body and connected to the control unit to apply an electrical stimulus to the intestine.

8. The multi-functional, bi-directional communication telemetry capsule of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor mounted on the external surface of the capsule body and connected to the control unit to measure the inner pressure of a site of the patient'"'"'s body.