Device and method for in-vivo sensing

• US 20040181155A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Granted Patent: US 7,485,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• 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 1/06 with illuminating arrangements
• 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 5/073 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 5/6886 Monitoring or controlling distance between sensor and tissue

Abstract

An in vivo device for sensing a lumen such as the GI tract, such as an in vivo imaging device or other sensing device, may include a substantially spherical housing and an oblong appendage attached to the housing. The appendage may be detached in vivo, for example in the stomach. The in vivo device may then roll and glide along a stomach wall to provide, for example, a smooth sampled image stream.

Claims

1. An in-vivo device comprising:

a substantially spherical housing, said housing comprising a sensor; and

a detachable appendage.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is an imager.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the imager is a CMOS imager.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes a viewing window.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage includes a degradable material.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the degradable material is pH sensitive.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage and the spherical housing are glued together.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage and the spherical housing are glued together using dissolvable glue.

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the appendage comprises:

an outer coating; and

an internal filling.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the outer coating is semi-permeable.

11. An ingestible imaging device comprising:

a substantially spherical imaging device; and

a detachable appendage.

12. The device according to claim 11 comprising:

an illumination source; and

a transmitter.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the illumination source has intensity that is adjustable in vivo.

14. The device according to claim 11 comprising a ballast weight.

15. The device according to claim 11 wherein the appendage includes a degradable material.

16. The device according to claim 15 wherein the degradable material is pH sensitive.

17. The device according to claim 11 wherein the appendage and the spherical housing are glued together.

18. The device according to claim 11 the appendage and the spherical housing are glued together with dissolvable glue.

19. The device according to claim 11 wherein the appendage comprises:

an outer coating; and

an internal filling.

20. The device according to claim 19 wherein the outer coating is semi-permeable.

21. A method for in vivo sensing, the method comprising:

causing detachment of an appendage of a sensing device in vivo.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the sensing device is substantially spherical.

23. The method according to claim 21 comprising:

orienting the sensing device along a body lumen wall.

24. The method according to claim 21 comprising:

triggering detachment of the appendage.

25. The method according to claim 21 wherein detachment is triggered by intake of a cold drink.

26. The method according to claim 21 wherein detachment is trigged by exposure to a specified pH environment.

27. A method according to claim 21 wherein the sensing device is an imaging device.

28. A method for viewing the upper GI tract, the method comprising:

inserting an ingestible imaging device, the device comprising a substantially spherical section and a detachable appendage; and

detaching the appendage.

29. The method according to claim 28 comprising:

detaching the appendage near entrance to a stomach.

30. The method according to claim 28 comprising:

orienting the in-vivo device along an esophageal wall.

31. The method according to claim 28 comprising:

triggering detachment of the appendage.

32. The method according to claim 28 wherein detachment is triggered by the intake of a hot drink.

33. The method according to claim 28 wherein detachment is triggered by an elapsed time period.

34. The method according to claim 28 wherein the detachment is externally controlled.