Methods and devices for detecting abnormal tissue cells

• US 20040133095A1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Avidor, Yoav, Dunki-Jacobs, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US10/713,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133095A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4255 Intestines, colon or appendix
• 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 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/004 by using forward error control H04L1/0618 takes precedence; coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or correction H03M13/00

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for identifying tissue cells, such as cancerous cells. The device can include a swallowable capsule having a detector. A patient can be given a substance which includes a marker material (such as a radioactive marker or a magnetic marker material), and which substance can be preferentially bound to or otherwise associated with the particular cell type.

Claims

1. A method for detecting target cells in a patient comprising:

a) marking target cells in the body with a signal emitting substance

b) directing a detector through a naturally occurring body lumen in the patient to detect the signals; and

c) differentiating between signals associated with target cells and signals associated with non target cells.

2. A method for detecting target cells in a patient comprising:

a) administering to a patient a material comprising at least one signal emitting substance and at least one substance having an affinity for a target cell type.

b) providing a detector capable of detecting signals emitted by the substance;

c) directing the detector through the patient'"'"'s gastrointestional tract;

d) differentiating between signals associated with the target cells and signals associated with non target cells.

3. A method comprising the steps of:

a) administering to a patient a material capable of targeting a target cell type;

b) administering to the patient a clearing agent for removing the material which is not bound to the target cell type;

c) directing a detector through the patient'"'"'s gastrointestinal tract to detect the target cell type.