Optical system

• US 20060122461A1
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: GIVEN IMAGING (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J., Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Kislev, Hanoch
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/172
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0661 Endoscope light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/00 Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2407 Optical details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0018 with means for preventing ghost images anti-reflection coatings G02B1/11
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical system for illuminating and viewing a target in which an illumination element and a receiving means are disposed behind a single optical window, and which obtains data essentially free of backscatter and stray light. The optical window of the optical system is configured such that it defines a shape having at least one focal curve, i.e., an ellipsoid shaped dome. The illumination element and the receiving means are geometrically positioned on the focal curve plane or in proximity of the focal curve plane, such that, when illuminating, rays from the illumination elements, that are internally reflected from the optical window, will not be incident on the receiving means

Claims

1. A swallowable capsule for in-vivo imaging comprising:

an optical ellipsoid shaped dome;

at least two illumination elements and a camera positioned behind the optical dome;

a transmitter which transmits output of the camera;

the at least two illumination elements positioned at points that coincide with focal points of the dome; and

the camera positioned at a point that coincides with points other than focal points of the dome.

2. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 wherein the optical dome is made of plastic.

3. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 wherein the camera is positioned on an axis of symmetry of the capsule.

4. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the optical dome defines a focal curve, and wherein an illumination element is positioned on the focal curve.

5. The swallowable capsule of claim 1, wherein the swallowable capsule includes an axis of symmetry, and wherein an illumination element is positioned on a focal plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry, and wherein the camera is positioned on the axis of symmetry.