Panoramic field of view imaging device

• US 20060052708A1
• Filed: 05/02/2004
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J., Rubey, Kevin, Frisch, Mordechai, Levy, Daphna
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0623 for off-axis illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0627 for variable illumination angles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2423 of the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes

Abstract

An in vivo imaging device with a curved reflective element and for example a concave portion of an outer shell of such device. Such curved reflective element may for example reflect onto an image sensor light rays from an object where such light rays before reflection are substantially parallel to the plane of the image sensor. An in vivo imaging device with a reflective surface situated at an angle to an image sensor of such imaging device. Such an angle may be for example a 45 degree angle so that light rays that are substantially parallel to a plain of an image sensor of an imaging device may for example he reflected by the reflective surface onto the image sensor.

Claims

1-44. -44. (canceled)

45. An in-vivo imaging system comprising:

an in-vivo imaging device comprising a curved reflective element to reflect onto an image sensor an image of an in-vivo area said in-vivo area being substantially perpendicular to said image sensor,

a transmitter; and

an external receiver.

46. The system as in claim 45, wherein said in-vivo imaging device comprises a shell having a concave area.

47. The system as in claim 45, wherein said image is an image of a radial in-vivo area.

48. The system as in claim 45, comprising a processor to combine a plurality of images into a continuous image.

49. The system as in claim 45, comprising a processor to change a circular image into a rectangular, shaped image.

50. An autonomous in-vivo imaging device comprising an outer shell having a concave area.

51. The device as in claim 50, wherein said concave area comprises a transparent portion.

52. The device as in claim 50, comprising

an image sensor;

an optical system; and

a reflective element.

53. The device as in claim 52, wherein said reflective element is situated at an angle to the plane of the image sensor.

54. The device as in claim 52, wherein said reflective element is shaped as a parabola.

55. The device as in claim 52, wherein said reflective element is selected from the group consisting of:

a curved mirror, a metallic element, a reflective plastic element, a reflective coated plastic element and a glass element.

56. The device as in claim 52, comprising a motor to rotate said reflective element.

57. The device as in claim 50, comprising an illumination source.

58. The device as in claim 57, wherein said illumination source is placed on a slanted ring such that the illumination source faces outward.

59. The device as in claim 50, wherein the device is a swallowable capsule.