Device and system for in vivo imaging

• US 20060132599A1
• Filed: 01/24/2006
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Avni, Dov, Iddan, Gavriel J., Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Granted Patent: US 9,432,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2733 Oesophagoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/03866 using scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• 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 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining in vivo images. The system contains an imaging system and a transmitter for transmitting signals from a camera to a receiving system located outside a patient.

Claims

1. A swallowable capsule for in vivo imaging of the gastrointestinal tract, said capsule comprising a housing, the housing including at least an optical window, the housing enclosing at least:

an imaging camera;

a plurality of illumination sources for illuminating a gastrointestinal tract site;

an optical system for imaging the gastrointestinal tract site onto the imaging camera, the optical system being separated from the optical window, the camera imaging the site via the optical window and via the optical system, and the illumination sources illuminating the site directly via the optical window and not via the optical system; and

a transmitter for transmitting an output of the imaging camera.

2. The swallowable capsule of claim 1, wherein the imaging camera comprises a CMOS imaging camera.

3. The swallowable capsule according to claim 2 wherein the CMOS imaging camera comprises active pixel circuitry.

4. The swallowable capsule according to claim 2 wherein the CMOS imaging camera comprises a correlated double sampler for processing an analog signal produced by the active pixel circuitry.

5. The swallowable capsule according to claim 2 wherein the CMOS imaging camera comprises an analog to digital converter having serial output.

6. The swallowable capsule according to claim 2 wherein the CMOS imaging camera comprises an encoding and randomizing unit for defining frame and row parameters and for priming digital signals for transmission.

7. The swallowable capsule according to claim 2 wherein the CMOS imaging camera comprises:

active pixel circuitry, said circuitry producing an analog signal;

a correlated double sampler for processing the analog signal produced by the active pixel circuitry;

an analog to digital converter having serial output for converting the analog signal to a digital signal; and

an encoding and randomizing unit for defining frame and row parameters and for priming the digital signal for transmission.

8. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the illumination sources include white LEDs.

9. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the illumination sources comprise a refracting crystal matrix having at least one blue LED chip integrated therein.

10. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the optical system comprises an aspherical focussing lens.

11. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the optical system comprises at least one collimator for collecting remittent light.

12. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises an internal electronic switch for converting a logic of a normally open switch to a normally closed logic.

13. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a control block for controlling the imaging camera.

14. The swallowable capsule according to claim 13 wherein the control block is to control the illumination sources.

15. The swallowable capsule according to claim 13 wherein the control block is to send a shutdown signal to the imaging camera to inactivate the imaging camera and to the transmitter to inactivate main capsule subsystems.

16. The swallowable capsule according to claim 1 wherein a shutdown signal is sent from a control block for a period following activation of the capsule.

17. (cancelled)

18. (cancelled)

19. A swallowable in-vivo imaging device, said device comprising a housing, the housing including at least an optical window, the housing enclosing at least:

an imaging camera;

an illumination source;

an optical system comprising an aspherical focussing lens; and

a transmitter.

20. The device of claim 19 where the optical system is separated from the optical window, the camera imaging the site via the optical window and via the optical system, and the illumination source illuminating the site directly via the optical window.

21. The device of claim 19 comprising a plurality of illumination sources

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the illumination source is a white LED.