System and method for determining path lengths through a body lumen

• US 20060036166A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Horn, Eli
• Granted Patent: US 7,596,403 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/433
• 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

A system and method for determining the path length through a body lumen, for example to a specified location, is described. A location detection system may identify the location in space of an in-vivo device over time. A path-length detection unit may use data from the location detection system to determine a path traveled by an in-vivo device. A site of interest along that path may be identified. The distance of the site of interest from at least one end point of a body lumen may be determined.

Claims

1. A system for determining the path length through a body lumen, the system comprising:

an in-vivo device;

a location detection system; and

a path-length detection unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is to determine a path length to a specified location.

3. The system according to claim 1 comprising:

a processing unit; and

a storage unit;

wherein the path-length detection unit is at least partially integral to said processing unit and said storage unit.

4. The system according to claim 1 comprising:

a display unit; and

a user input unit.

5. The system according to claim 1 comprising an antenna array.

6. The system according to claim 1 comprising an external recorder wherein the location detection system is at least partially integral to said external recorder.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the in-vivo device is a sensing device.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the in-vivo device is an imaging device.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the in-vivo device is an autonomous device.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the in-vivo device is a swallowable capsule.

11. A method for determining a path length through a body lumen, the method comprising:

determining a raw path length of an in-vivo device traveling through a body lumen;

determining a raw path length of the in-vivo device traveling to a specified location along said body lumen;

determining a path length to the specified location.

12. The method according to claim 11 comprising locating the specified location.

13. The method according to claim 11 comprising locating end points of a body lumen.

14. The method according to claim 11 comprising transmitting in-vivo data.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the in-vivo device is an autonomous imaging capsule.

16. A system for determining a path length through a body lumen the system comprising:

a means for determining a raw path length of an in-vivo device through a body lumen;

a means for determining a raw path length of the in-vivo device to a specified location;

a means for determining a path length to the specified location.

17. The system according to claim 16 comprising a means for locating the specified location.

18. The system according to claim 16 comprising a means for locating end points of a body lumen.

19. The system according to claim 16 comprising a means for sensing data in-vivo.

20. A method comprising:

determining a set of locations of a device in an in-vivo lumen; and

determining from the set of locations a path length of the device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the device is an autonomous imaging device.

22. The method according to claim 20, comprising receiving in-vivo sense data, and determining the set of locations from the in-vivo sensed data.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the sensed data is image data.

24. The method of claim 20, comprising:

determining a ratio between an estimated total path length and a calculated path length; and

calculating from the ratio and the estimated path length, a distance to a site of interest.