In-vivo sensing system

• US 20060004255A1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J., Gilad, Zvika
• Granted Patent: US 8,449,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

An in-vivo sensing system incorporating a sensing device movably disposed within a housing such that the orientation of the sensing device may be moved or changed in response to substantially small forces. The in-vivo sensing device may bc ingested and may naturally traverse a lumen such as the GI tract or may be anchored at a surgical site. In a preferred embodiment, the in vivo sensing system is an imaging system (100) incorporating a sensing device such as an imaging device (112) suspended in a liquid (114) encapsulated in an covering or housing (110).

Claims

1. An in vivo sensing system comprising:

a housing;

at least one sensing device; and

at least one friction reducing mechanism.

2. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes a material selected from a group consisting of:

glass, plastic, and rubber.

3. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the housing has a shape selected from a group consisting of:

spherical shape, capsule shape, and ovoid shape.

4. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the housing is collapsible.

5. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 4 wherein the housing includes at least a semi-permeable membrane.

6. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 comprising a hydrocarbon casing.

7. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the housing is at least partially transparent.

8. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises at least one attachment mechanism.

9. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 8 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of:

glue, rings, indentations, grooves, fasteners, niche, anchors, suction cups, and clasps.

10. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing device has a shape selected from a group consisting of:

spherical shape, capsule shape, and ovoid shape.

11. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing device has a weight that is evenly distributed along a horizontal and a vertical axis of the sensing device.

12. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 comprising at least one ballast weight.

13. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 comprising at least one directional activator.

14. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 13 wherein the directional activator comprises at least one magnet.

15. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one imaging device comprises a magnetic switch configured for controlling at least one electrical component of the sensing device.

18. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 comprising at least one sensor selected from the group including:

image sensor, blood detection sensor, pH sensor, electrical impedance sensor, pressure sensor, and temperature sensor.

24. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the friction-reducing mechanism includes a liquid.

25. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 24 wherein the liquid is selected from a group consisting of:

water;

saline solution;

oil, glycerin, and bodily fluid.

26. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 24 wherein the sensing device has a specific gravity that does not substantially exceed the specific gravity of the liquid.

27. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 24 wherein the liquid is introduced into the housing in vivo.

28. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 24 wherein the liquid has a diffraction coefficient substantially similar to a diffraction coefficient of the housing.

29. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 24 wherein the liquid is at least partially transparent.

30. The in vivo sensing system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing device comprises an imaging device.

47. The method according to claim 4.3 further comprising the step of:

transmitting data from the in vivo sensing device.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. An in vivo imaging system comprising an outer covering;

an image sensor; and

a liquid disposed between the outer covering and the sensor.

33. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 32 wherein the housing comprises at least one attachment mechanism selected from the group consisting of:

glue, rings, indentations, grooves, fasteners, niche, anchors, suction cups, and clasps.

35. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 32 comprising at least one directional activator.

36. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 35 wherein the at least one directional activator comprises a magnet.

38. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 32 further comprising at least one sensor.

39. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 38 wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group including:

blood detection sensor, pH sensor, electrical impedance sensor, pressure sensor, and temperature sensor.

40. The in vivo imaging system according to claim 32 comprising a transmitter.

34. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. A method for sensing an in vivo site comprising the steps of:

enabling an in vivo sensing device disposed within a housing to be moved in a friction-reduced manner.

44. The method according to claim 43 comprising the step of:

applying an external force to the in vivo sensing device.

45. The method according to claim 44 wherein the external force is selected from a group including:

electromagnetic force torque generating fields, magnetic torque generating fields, and gravitational force.

46. The method according to claim 45 wherein applying an external force includes repositioning a patient.

48. The method according to claim 43 comprising the steps of:

reviewing transmitted data; and

applying an external force to change the direction of the sensing device based on the reviewed transmitted data.

50. The method according to claim 43 wherein the in vivo sensing device is an imaging device.

49. (canceled)