Self-stabilizing encapsulated imaging system

• US 20060178557A1
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Yadid-Pecht, Orly, Mintchev, Martin P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,852,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination

Abstract

Wireless capsule endoscope technology has been used to image portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small bowel. However in other GI organs, especially those having larger-lumens, the capsule may become destabilized and tumble, precluding meaningful interpretation of the acquired images. The present invention describes a method and apparatus for permitting capsule imaging of organs having larger-lumens without tumbling, and includes an outer shell surrounding the capsule that targets the colon, as an example. Once the colon has been reached, the shell breaks or dissolves, and allows expansion of expandable materials attached to each end of the capsule, thereby stabilizing the capsule in the targeted organ, while permitting it to be moved by peristalsis and/or other means for locating the capsule. Imagers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are activated during the expansion process, and enable overlapping of images. The capsule is moved through the colon, taking images at chosen frame rates with data being wirelessly transmitted by means of an RF transmitter, and is eventually expelled from the body.

Claims

1. An apparatus for imaging walls of a gastrointestinal organ, the apparatus comprising:

a swallowable capsule;

an imaging system carried by the capsule;

expandable material attached to the capsule by a controllable releasing mechanism; and

the expandable material being expandable to stabilize the capsule in the gastrointestinal organ.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the capsule has a window for passage of light radiation into the imaging system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the expandable material comprises a first expandable material portion and a second expandable material portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the first expandable material portion and the second expandable material portion are attached to opposed ends of the capsule.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the controllable releasing system comprises a material that releases the expandable material at a controlled location.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the controllable releasing system comprises a component that dissolves due to action of fluids in the gastrointestinal organ.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the controllable releasing system comprises an outer component for sealing the capsule and the expandable material, and adapted to dissolve or break within the gastrointestinal organ, but not in other gastrointestinal organs, thereby permitting swelling of the expandable material such that the capsule is laterally stabilized within the targeted gastrointestinal organ while being able to move through the gastrointestinal organs.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the imaging system comprises a light source and an imager.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the imaging system further comprises a wireless transmitter for transmitting images of the walls of the gastrointestinal organ to a receiver.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the light source is a light emitting diode adapted for illuminating a portion of the walls of the gastrointestinal organ.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a controller configured for controlling the operation of the light source and imager.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the imaging system comprises a plurality of light sources and imagers arranged circumferentially around the capsule.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a controller configured for controlling the operation of the light source, imager and wireless transmitter.

14. An apparatus for imaging gastrointestinal organs, the apparatus comprising:

a swallowable capsule having an expandable material attached to it;

an outer component for sealing the capsule and the expandable material, and adapted to dissolve or break within a targeted gastrointestinal organ, but not in other gastrointestinal organs, thereby permitting swelling of the expandable material such that the capsule is laterally stabilized within the targeted gastrointestinal organ while being able to move through the gastrointestinal organs;

at least one light emitting diode adapted for illuminating a portion of the interior of the targeted gastrointestinal organ;

at least one imager for imaging the internal wall of the targeted gastrointestinal organ, and generating signals bearing the images of the internal wall;

a wireless transmitter in the capsule; and

means for controlling the operation of the at least one light emitting diode and the at least one imager, for receiving the signals from the at least one imager, and for directing the signals to the wireless transmitter for transmission out of the targeted gastrointestinal organ.

15. An apparatus for imaging gastrointestinal organs, the apparatus comprising:

a swallowable capsule;

an expandable material attached to the capsule;

means for sealing the capsule and the expandable material, and adapted to dissolve or break within a targeted gastrointestinal organ, but not in other gastrointestinal organs, thereby permitting swelling of the expandable material such that the capsule is laterally stabilized within the targeted gastrointestinal organ while being able to be moved through the gastrointestinal organs;

means for illuminating a portion of the interior of the targeted gastrointestinal organ;

at least one imager for imaging the internal wall of the targeted gastrointestinal organ, and generating signals bearing the images of the internal wall;

means for wirelessly transmitting the signals bearing images of the internal wall out of the targeted gastrointestinal organ; and

means for controlling the operation of the means for illuminating and the at least one imager, for receiving the signals from the at least one imager, and for directing the received signals to the means for wirelessly transmitting.

16. A method for imaging gastrointestinal organs, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a capsule into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the capsule being adapted for obtaining images of the internal walls of structures through which the capsule passes and for wirelessly transmitting these images;

moving the capsule through the gastrointestinal tract to an organ to be imaged;

stabilizing the capsule in the organ of interest such that the capsule does not tumble;

activating the imaging function of the capsule in the organ to be imaged;

transmitting the images obtained by the capsule to an image processor external to the patient; and

moving the capsule out of the gastrointestinal tract.