Array system and method for locating an in vivo signal source

• US 20050148816A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady, Frisch, Mordechai, Levy, Daphna
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/103
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• 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 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters

Abstract

A system and method for localizing an in vivo signal source using a wearable antenna array having at least two antenna elements. The signal is received and a signal strength is measured at two or more antenna elements. An estimated coordinate set is derived from the signal strength measurements.

Claims

1. A method to receive signals from an ingestible transmitting capsule, the method comprising:

receiving a signal transmitted by said capsule at a plurality of antennas;

scanning the plurality of antennas;

detecting a signal strength received from at least two of said plurality of antennas; and

increasing a signal to noise ratio of the received signal.

2. The method according to claim 1 comprising performing a weighted sum of the received signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 comprising multiplying the signal with a weak signal strength by a reducing factor.

4. The method according to claim 1 comprising adjusting a rate of the scanning.

5. The method according to claim 1 comprising adjusting a pattern of the scanning.

6. The method according to claim 1 comprising defining a subset of the plurality of antennas to be scanned.

7. The method according to claim 6 comprising excluding from the subset an antenna providing weak signal strength.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of antennas includes up to eight antennas.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the antennas are wearable.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the antennas are wrapped around a patient.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the antennas are loop antennas.

12. A receiver system operable with an ingestible transmitting capsule, the receiver system comprising:

an antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas to receive a signal transmitted from said capsule;

an antenna selector connected to said antenna array to select at least one antenna to be scanned;

a signal strength detector connected to said antenna selector; and

a processing unit for increasing a signal to noise ratio of a received signal.

13. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the antenna selector is configured to scan at adjustable scanning rates.

14. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the antenna selector is configured to scan with adjustable patterns.

15. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the antenna selector selects at least one antenna to provide a strong signal.

16. The receiver system according to claim 12 comprising up to 8 antennas.

17. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the antenna array is wearable.

18. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the antennas are loop antennas.

19. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the processing unit is to perform a weighted sum of the received signals.

20. The receiver system according to claim 12 wherein the processing unit is to multiply a signal with the weakest signal strength by a reducing factor.