In vivo imaging device and method of manufacture thereof

• US 20060056828A1
• Filed: 12/25/2003
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilad, Zvika, Iddan, Gavriel J
• Granted Patent: US 7,637,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A substantially spherical in vivo imaging device (40) may be used for imaging body lumens in the GI tract. The imaging device (40) may include for example a ballast or weight (74) for setting a preferred orientation of the device within the body lumen. The substantially spherical shape (52) of the in vivo imaging device (40) may facilitate capturing steady streams of imaging data in large body lumens. A method of manufacture is presented.

Claims

1. An in vivo imaging device comprising:

a support having a first and second face, the first face having thereon an antenna; and

the second face of the support having thereon a transmitter.

2. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the support is selected from a group consisting of:

PCB, plastic board and sheet.

3. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1 wherein the antenna is selected from a group consisting of:

a single ring and a coil.

4. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is mounted around the periphery of the support.

5. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1, comprising an isolation element.

6. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the isolation element is selected from a group consisting of:

plastic, polymer, or ABS.

7. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the isolation element is selected from a group consisting of:

an opaque barrier, a translucent barrier, a light trap, and an optical filter.

8. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 5 wherein the isolation element is an extension of a component of said in vivo imaging device.

9. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 8 where in the component is selected from a group consisting of:

a dome, a lens, the illumination source, the image sensor, and the support.

10. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the isolation element is to support an optical system.

11. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1 wherein the image sensor is selected from a group consisting of:

CCD and CMOS.

12. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1 comprising an optical system with a focal distance between 0 to 40 mm.

13. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1 comprising an optical system with a field of view between about 80 and 140 degrees.

14. The in vivo imaging device according to claim 1 comprising a ballast weight.

15. A method of manufacturing a substantially spherical in vivo imaging device, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting an image sensor and a transmitter on a single support; and

encapsulating said support in a substantially spherical housing.

16. The method according to claim 15 comprising the step of mounting the transmitter on one face of the single support and mounting an antenna on a second face of the single support.

17. The method according to claim 15 comprising the step of including a ballast within the substantially spherical housing.

18. The method according to claim 15 comprising the step of attaching a ballast on a lower portion of the substantially spherical housing.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the spherical housing comprises a substantially transparent dome.

20. An in vivo imaging device comprising:

a support;

a transmitter mounted on the support; and

an antenna embedded within the support.

21. The device of claim 20, comprising a ballast.

22. The device of claim 20, comprising a substantially spherical shell, wherein the support, transmitter and antenna are disposed within the shell.

23. The device of claim 20, comprising an imager.

24. An in vivo imaging device comprising:

a transmitter;

an isolation element; and

an antenna attached to the isolation element.

25. The device of claim 24, comprising a ballast.

26. The device of claim 24, comprising a substantially spherical shell.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein the antenna is disposed substantially within the isolation element.

28. The device of claim 24, wherein the antenna is mounted on a surface of the isolation element.

29. The device of claim 24, wherein the isolation element is to optically isolate sections of the device.

30. The device of claim 24, comprising an imager.