Method for delivering a device to a target location

• US 20060004285A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gavriel J. Iddan, Gavriel Meron
• Original Assignee: Gavriel J. Iddan, Gavriel Meron
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J., Meron, Gavriel
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• 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 5/065 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

An autonomous device that may include for example a camera, a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the camera and a storage compartment for retaining a substance in the device. A method of delivering a medicament to a patient including imaging a gastrointestinal tract with an autonomous device, identifying a target location in such tract, and releasing a medicament from the device at the target location.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. An autonomous device comprising:

a camera system;

a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the camera system; and

a storage compartment for retaining a substance in said autonomous device.

25. The device according to claim 24, comprising a light source.

26. The device according to claim 25, comprising a window through which light from said light source illuminates an inner portion of a digestive tract.

27. The device according to claim 24 comprising a viewing window.

28. The device according to claim 24, comprising a sensor element.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the sensor element is selected from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, and a sensor for sensing pathology.

30. The device according to claim 24, wherein the substance is a medicament.

31. The device according to claim 24, wherein the substance is a sample from a gastrointestinal tract environment.

32. The device according to claim 24, wherein the storage compartment is for releasably retaining the substance.

33. The device according to claim 24, wherein the transmitter transmits to an antenna array, said antenna array outside a patient.

34. The device according to claim 24, wherein the camera system comprises a CMOS.

35. The device according to claim 24, wherein the camera system comprises a CCD.

36. The device according to claim 24, wherein the device is capsule shaped.

40. The capsule according to claim 34, wherein the substance is released from the compartment into the gastrointestinal tract.

37. A capsule for passing through a gastrointestinal tract the capsule comprising

a camera for imaging the gastrointestinal tract;

a lens for focusing;

a light source for illuminating the gastrointestinal tract;

a transmitter for transmitting images of the gastrointestinal tract; and

a compartment for storing a substance in said capsule.

38. The capsule according to claim 37, wherein the substance is a sample from the gastrointestinal tract

39. The capsule according to claim 37, wherein the substance is a medicament.

41. The capsule according to claim 37, wherein the substance is controllably released to the gastrointestinal tract.

42. The capsule according to claim 37, wherein the substance is controllably collected from the gastrointestinal tract.

43. A method for administering a medicament to a patient, the method comprising:

imaging a gastrointestinal tract with an autonomous swallowable device;

identifying a target location in the gastrointestinal tract; and

releasing a medicament from said device at the target location.

44. The method according to claim 43, comprising transmitting the images obtained by the swallowable device.

45. The method according to claim 43, wherein identifying the target location comprises analyzing visual data obtained by the swallowable device

46. The method according to claim 43 comprising controlling the swallowable device.

47. The method according to claim 46 wherein controlling the swallowable device is formed automatically by the device.

48. The method according to claim 46, wherein controlling the swallowable device is performed remotely by an external operator.