Self propelled device

• US 20060030754A1
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J.
• Application Number:
  US11/244,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030754A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A sensing device includes a propulsion system that is typically substantially or completely within the sensing device. The propulsion system may include, for example, a rotatable propeller. The sensing device may be an in-vivo autonomous capsule with an imager, but may be another type of sensing device. A separate propulsion system may be provided which may be attachable to, for example, a sensing device.

Claims

1. An in-vivo sensing device comprising:

a sensor; and

a duct, wherein the duct includes a first opening at a first end of the device and a second opening at a second end of the device.

2. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 wherein the duct passes through the length of the device.

4. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 comprising an imager.

5. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 comprising a valve, wherein the valve is to control the flow through the duct.

6. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 5 comprising a control unit, wherein the valve is connected to the control unit.

7. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 6 comprising a transceiver wherein the control unit is integral to the transceiver.

8. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 5 comprising a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is to receive control commands from an external source.

9. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an ingestible capsule.

3. The in-vivo sensing device according to clam 1 wherein the duct is to accept and expel fluid from the GI tract.

10. A method for in-vivo sensing, the method comprising:

sensing information from the GI tract with an in-vivo device; and

expelling fluid of the GI tract from a duct within the in vivo device, the duct having a first opening at a first end of the in-vivo device and a second opening at a second end of the in-vivo device.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the fluid is expelled from a duct that passes through the length of the device.

12. The method according to claim 10 comprising imaging the GI tract,

13. The method according to claim 10 comprising controlling a flow of the fluid expelled through the device.

14. The method according to claim 10 comprising receiving control commands from the external source.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein the device is an ingestible capsule.

16. An in-vivo imaging device comprising:

an imaging unit;

a propulsion unit, wherein the propulsion unit comprises a motor; and

a delivery unit.

17. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 16 wherein the delivery unit includes a controllably openable storage vessel.

18. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 16 wherein the delivery unit comprises a substance.

19. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 18 wherein the substance is a pharmaceutical composition.

20. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 18 wherein the substance is in the form of a liquid.

21. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 16 wherein the delivery unit is to deliver a quantity of a substance to a target site.

22. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 16 comprising a controlling unit.

23. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 22 wherein the controlling unit is to control the delivery unit.

24. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 22 wherein the controlling unit is to control the propulsion unit.

25. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 22 comprising a transceiver, wherein the controlling unit is integral to the transceiver.

26. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 16 comprising a transceiver to receive commands from an external source.

27. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 16, wherein the device is an ingestible capsule.

28. A method for delivering a substance to a target in-vivo location comprising:

propelling a device to an in-vivo location wherein the device comprises a motor; and

delivering a substance to the target location.

29. The method according to claim 28 comprising receiving control commands from an external source.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the control commands are to control the propelling of the device.

31. The method according to claim 29 wherein the control commands are to control the delivery of the substance.

32. The method according to claim 28 wherein the substance is a to pharmaceutical composition.

33. The method according to claim 28 wherein the substance is in the form of a liquid.

34. The method according to claim 28 comprising tracking location data of the device.

35. The method according to claim 28 comprising tracking orientation data of the device.

36. The method according to claim 28 comprising imaging the GI tract and transmitting imaging data.