Motor for an in-vivo device

• US 20060004276A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• 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 7,643,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• 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 5/061 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

Abstract

The present invention may provide a system, method and device containing a motor. The motor may propel an in-vivo device by rotating a propeller situated for example outside of an outer shell of such device with an electromagnetic field generated by for example a plurality of electrical coils situated for example within such device.

Claims

1. An autonomous in-vivo device, comprising:

a rotor;

a plurality of electric coils to generate an electromagnetic field from inside said device around said rotor; and

a switch to alternate current among said coils.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the rotor is a propeller.

3. The device as in claim 1, comprising a duct to channel liquid to said rotor.

4. The device as in claim 1, wherein said rotor includes at least one permanent magnet.

5. The device as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of electric coils is enclosed within an outer shell of said device.

6. The device as in claim 5, wherein said outer shell has a torus shaped end.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of electric coils are mounted on a flexible circuit board.

8. The device as in claim 1, comprising a rotor shaft attached to a ball and socket joint.

9. The device as in claim 8, comprising a controller to increase a strength of said current to a first of said coils relative to a second of said coils, wherein said increase tilts said rotor.

10. The device as in claim 1, comprising a controller to control a direction of thrust generated by said rotor.

11. A method of propelling an in-vivo device, comprising:

generating an electromagnetic field from within said device around a propeller of said device; and

rotating said propeller in response to changes in said field.

12. The method as in claim 11, comprising channeling fluids in an in-vivo area to said propeller.

13. The method as in claim 11, wherein said generating an electromagnetic field comprises passing an alternating current through electrical coils around said propeller.

14. The method as in claim 11, comprising tilting a propeller shaft towards an electrical coil.

15. The method as in claim 14, wherein said tilting comprises changing a strength of a current in a first of said coils relative to a current in a second of said coils.

16. The method as in claims 15, comprising transmitting a signal from an external operator to said in-vivo device to change said strength of said current in said first of said coils.

17. The method as in claim 11, comprising changing a direction of a thrust from said propeller.

18. A system comprising:

an in-vivo device comprising;

a sensor;

a rotor;

a plurality of electrical coils surrounding said rotor; and

a transceiver; and

an external transceiver;

19. The system as in claim 18, wherein said in-vivo device comprises a duct to channel a liquid to said rotor.

20. The system as in claim 18, wherein said rotor is connected to said device with a ball and socket joint.

21. The system as in claim 18, comprising a flexible circuit board upon which said electrical coils are arranged.

22. The system as in claim 18, comprising a housing in which said electrical coils are completely enclosed.

23. The system as in claim 18 wherein the rotor is controlled by a signal from the external transceiver.