Methods and devices for illuminating, vievwing and monitoring a body cavity

• US 20050288555A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kenneth E. Binmoeller
• Original Assignee: Kenneth E. Binmoeller
• Inventors: Binmoeller, Kenneth E.
• Application Number:
  US11/167,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288555A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0627 for variable illumination angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0661 Endoscope light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

A device and method for illuminating, viewing and monitoring internal body surfaces without an external attachment is disclosed. The present device includes a housing that is suitable for swallowing by the patient or by placement with an endoscope, either through the working lumen or attached to the endoscope. The device has an optical or sensor element coupled to the housing that can be used for illuminating, visualizing or monitoring a body surface. A power source may be located in the housing to provide power to the optical or sensor element. The device may be secured to the body using securement elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus to facilitate viewing an interior body surface of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a housing with an optical element coupled to the housing;

a battery located in said housing to provide power to the optical element;

and a securement element to position the apparatus within the body cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing and optical element can be placed through a working lumen of an endoscope.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 where the optical element includes at least one light source.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one light source has a filament.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one light source is an LED.

6. The light source of claim 3 wherein the at least one light source generates light using a chemical reaction.

7. The light generating chemical reaction of claim 6 whereby the reaction includes peroxide and a phenyl ester.

8. The light generating chemical reaction of claim 6 whereby the reaction contains a luciferin and ATP.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one light source includes a lens to modify the diffraction of light from the light source.

10. The light source of claim 3 wherein the at least one light source can be articulated relative to said housing.

11. The securement element described in claim 1 wherein said securement element includes a barbed hook, a loop or a tab.

12. The tab of claim 11 wherein said tab is split so that it can pinch said interior body surface.

13. The securement element described in claim 1 wherein said securement element includes a cord which extends to the exterior of a patient'"'"'s body.

14. The securement element described in claim 1 wherein said securement element includes a helicoil, shaped tube, screw, magnet, balloon, clip or a T-Tag.

15. The securement element described in claim 1 wherein said securement element includes a suction chamber.

16. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the optical element includes at least one viewing element and a transmitter so that images of the interior surface of the body can be transmitted to a receiver located outside of the patient'"'"'s body.

17. The viewing element of claim 16 wherein the at least one viewing element can be articulated relative to said housing.

18. The viewing element of claim 16 wherein the viewing element includes a camera.

19. The viewing element of claim 16 wherein the viewing element includes lens and a CCD.

20. An apparatus for illuminating an interior body surface of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a housing, said housing sized to be placed into proximity to the interior body surface;

a light source;

a battery located in said housing to provide power to the light source; and

a securement element to position the apparatus within the body cavity.

21. A self contained device for remotely viewing a body cavity, said device comprising:

a housing, said housing sized to be placed into said body cavity;

an optical element coupled to the housing;

a power source to provide power to the optical element; and

a securement element to position the apparatus within the body cavity.

22. An apparatus to remotely measure a condition of a body cavity of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a housing with a sensor element coupled to the housing;

a battery located in said housing to provide power to the sensor element; and

a securement element to position the apparatus within the body cavity.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 whereby the sensor measures a Ph or a temperature of the body cavity.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 whereby the sensor measures a force of contractility or an electrolyte or a protein concentration of the body cavity.

25. A method of viewing a body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of:

placing a housing inside the body cavity, said housing containing a power source, a viewing element and a transmitter;

securing the housing to the body cavity;

using said viewing element to view the body cavity; and

transmitting the images to a receiver outside the patient.

26. The method of claim 25 whereby the housing contains a light source and the step includes illuminating the body cavity with said light source.

27. A method of illuminating a body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of:

placing a housing inside the body cavity, said housing containing a power source and a light source;

securing the housing to the body cavity; and

activating the light source to provide light inside the body cavity.

28. A method of measuring a condition of a body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of:

placing a housing inside the body cavity, said housing containing a power source, at least one sensor element and a transmitter;

securing the housing to the body cavity;

measuring said condition of a body cavity; and

transmitting the information to a receiver outside the patient.