Device, system and method for transfer of signals to a moving device

• US 20060169292A1
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J
• Granted Patent: US 7,866,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence

Abstract

A system for transfer of a signal, such as an energizing signal, to a transmitting in vivo sensing device. The in vivo device includes at least one signal transmitter and at least one signal receiving unit. The system includes an external phased array antenna. The phased array antenna receives a signal from the sensing device and then transmits a signal to the device phased in the reverse order to that of receipt the signal from the sensing device.

Claims

1. A system for transfer of a signal to an in vivo device, said system comprising:

an in vivo sensing device, the device comprising a signal receiving unit; and

an external phased array antenna.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the phased array antenna includes at least two antennas.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the phased array antenna is configured for surrounding a portion of a body.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the phased array antenna is configured for transmission and reception.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing device includes an image sensor.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing device comprises a capacitor or a rechargeable battery.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing device comprises at least one antenna.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the phased array antenna is configured to transmit a signal having an active portion and a silent interval.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the silent interval lasts for a period in the order of magnitude of 1 msec.

15. The system according to claim 13 wherein the active portion includes RF bursts.

16. The system according to claim 13 wherein the active portion includes bursts of about 1 milijoule.

17. The system according to claim 13 wherein the active portion includes bursts at a frequency of about 1 GigaHertz.

18. The system according to claim 1 wherein the phased array antenna is configured to transmit a modulated signal.

20. The system according to claim 1 wherein the phased array antenna is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device and to be phased with the reverse order to that of receipt of the signal from the sensing device.

5. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. A system for transfer of a signal to an in vivo device, said system comprising:

an in vivo transmitting RF ID tag, the tag comprising at least one signal receiving unit; and

an external phased array antenna.

23. A method for transfer of a signal to an in vivo sensing device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal transmitted from said in vivo sensing device;

recording an order of receipt said signal; and

transmitting a signal to said in vivo sensing device using the reverse order of receipt of the transmitted signal from the said in vivo sensing device.

24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the order of receipt is a time array.

25. The method according to claim 23 comprising the steps of energizing at least one component of said in vivo sensing device.

26. The method according to claim 23 comprising the steps of:

transmitting a signal from the in vivo sensing device;

switching from transmit to receive mode;

receiving a signal which includes at least one active portion and at least one silent interval; and

switching from receive mode to transfer mode at an end of the active portion of the signal.

27. A method for measuring gastrointestinal motility comprising the steps of:

ingesting an RF ID tag;

receiving a transmitted signal from the RF ID tag;

recording a time array of receipt;

recording a strength array of receipt; and

performing triangulation thereby obtaining position of the RF ID tag.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. An in vivo device comprising:

an imager;

an energy receiving unit; and

an omni-directional antenna.

32. The in vivo device of claim 31 comprising an energy storage unit to store energy received from the energy receiving unit.