Device, system and method for image based size analysis

• US 20040258328A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Adler, Doron
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/286
• 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 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence

Abstract

A device, system and method for calculating a size of an object using images acquired by a typically moving imager, for example in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A distance traveled by the moving imager during image capture may be determined, and spatial coordinates of image pixels may be calculated using the distance. The size of the object may be determined, for example, from the spatial coordinates. The moving imager may be in a swallowable capsule, or, for example, an endoscope.

Claims

1. A method for calculating a size of an object in vivo using images acquired by an imager, the method comprising:

determining a distance traveled by said imager during capture of two of said images;

calculating relative spatial coordinates of a set of objects within said images using said distance; and

calculating the size of one of the set of objects from said spatial coordinates.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said distance traveled is non-negligible as compared to a distance between said imager and said objects.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the imager is included within an endoscope.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the imager is included within a swallowable capsule.

5. The method according to claim 1 comprising determining the position of the imager.

6. The method according to claim 1 comprising determining the velocity of the imager.

7. The method according to claim 1 comprising determining an optical flow of the images.

8. The method according to claim 1 comprising determining the distance traveled by analyzing the images.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the object is in a gastrointestinal tract.

10. A system for calculation of object size using images acquired by an imager, said system comprising:

a sensor capable of providing data used for determining a distance traveled by said imager during the capture of two of said images; and

at least one processor for generating spatial coordinates of objects within said images, said processor calculating a distance using data obtained by said sensor, wherein said at least one processor is capable of converting said spatial coordinates into a size calculation of an object.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said sensor is located in a swallowable capsule.

12. A system for calculation of object size using images, said images acquired by an in-vivo imager device, said system comprising:

at least one processor capable of receiving data from a sensor, said processor capable of generating spatial coordinates of objects within said images and calculating a distance using data obtained by said sensor, wherein said at least one processor is capable of converting said spatial coordinates into a size calculation of said object.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the sensor is located in the imager device.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the sensor is located outside a patient'"'"'s body.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein said sensor includes a camera.

16. The system according to claim 12 wherein said sensor includes a position sensor.

17. The system according to claim 12 where said sensor includes an induction coil.

18. The system according to claim 12 wherein said processor includes an image analyzer which is capable of analyzing the optical flow of an image.

19. The system according to claim 12 wherein said processor includes an image analyzer which is capable of determining a distance traveled by analyzing the images.

20. The system according to claim 12 wherein said data obtained by said sensor is capable of being used by said processor to calculate a velocity.

21. The system according to claim 20 wherein said sensor includes an accelerometer.

22. The system according to claim 20 where said sensor includes an ultrasound transducer.

23. The system according to claim 12 wherein the imager device is disposed within an endoscope.

24. The system according to claim 12 wherein the imager device is disposed within a swallowable capsule.

25. A swallowable capsule comprising:

an image sensor capable of obtaining images from within the gastrointestinal tract;

a distance-detecting sensor capable of generating data for determining a distance traveled by said capsule during reception of at least two of said images, wherein said data may be used by a processor for generating spatial coordinates of at least one object found within said two images and for converting said spatial coordinates into a size calculation of said at least one object.

26. The capsule according to claim 25 where said position sensor includes an induction coil.

27. The capsule according to claim 25 wherein said sensor includes a velocity sensor.

28. The capsule according to claim 25 wherein said sensor includes an imager.