Method for in vivo imaging of an unmodified gastrointestinal tract

• US 20040138532A1
• Filed: 11/20/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Application Number:
  US10/478,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138532A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/176
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes

Abstract

Imaging device (40) which is capable for insertion in the intestine has a convex shaped tip (402) of endoscope (400) with an optical window (42) through which the intestine is illuminated, viewed and/or imaged.

Claims

1. A method for in vivo imaging of an unmodified gastrointestinal tract, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing an imaging device into an unmodified gastrointestinal tract, said imaging device comprising at least one convex end through which the unmodified gastrointestinal tract is illuminated and viewed; and

obtaining images of the unmodified gastrointestinal tract.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the unmodified gastrointestinal tract comprises an uninsufflated gastrointestinal tract.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the unmodified gastrointestinal tract is an uninsufflated small intestine.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the imaging device is an endoscope.

5. A method for viewing submucosal formations in a gastrointestinal tract, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing an imaging device into an unmodified gastrointestinal tract, said imaging device comprising at least one convex end through which the unmodified gastrointestinal tract is illuminated and viewed;

illuminating at least one collapsed wall of the gastrointestinal tract;

obtaining images of the collapsed gastrointestinal tract wall; and

obtaining a view of submucosal formations of the gastrointestinal tract from the images of the collapsed gastrointestinal tract wall.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the unmodified gastrointestinal tract comprises an uninsufflated gastrointestinal tract.

7. The method according to claim 5 wherein the unmodified gastrointestinal tract is an uninsufflated small intestine.

8. The method according to claim 5 wherein the imaging device is an endoscope.

9. An endoscope configured to image an unmodified gastrointestinal tract said endoscope comprising at least one convex end through which the gastrointestinal tract is illuminated and viewed.

10. The endoscope according to claim 9 wherein the unmodified gastrointestinal tract comprises an uninsufflated gastrointestinal tract.

11. The endoscope according to claim 9 wherein the unmodified gastrointestinal tract is an uninsufflated small intestine.

12. The endoscope according to claim 9 comprising a convex optical window, an image sensor and an illumination source, wherein the image sensor and illumination source are both positioned behind said optical window.