Method for in vivo sensing

• US 20060235275A1
• Filed: 06/14/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gat, Daniel, Rabinovitz, Raphael, Afik, Danny
• Granted Patent: US 7,628,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging

Abstract

A method for in vivo sensing of a body lumen such as a lumen in the upper GI tract is provided. The method may include, for example, inserting a sensing device into a subject'"'"'s body lumen, positioning the subject in a horizontal or other suitable position, and receiving data transmitted from the sensing device.

Claims

1. A method for in vivo sensing of a body lumen, the method comprising:

inserting a sensing device into a subject'"'"'s body lumen;

positioning the subject in a horizontal position; and

receiving data transmitted from the sensing device.

2. The method according to claim 1 comprising imaging the subject'"'"'s body lumen.

3. The method according to claim 1 comprising positioning the subject on his back.

4. The method according to claim 1 comprising positioning the subject on his side.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said horizontal positioning includes positioning the subject in a right lateral position.

6. The method according to claim 1 comprising:

inserting a sensing device into a subject'"'"'s body lumen while the subject is lying flat on his right side;

administering one sip of water every 30 sec for 7 minutes to the subject;

positioning the subject in an upright sitting position; and

administering an additional sip of water to the subject.

7. The method according to claim 1 comprising ingesting a saliva reducing agent prior to inserting a sensing device into a subject'"'"'s body lumen.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the saliva reducing agent includes glycerin.

9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the saliva reducing agent includes oil.

10. The method according to claim 1 comprising training a patient to drink sips of ˜

15 ml of water through a straw.

11. The method according to claim 1 comprising substantially emptying the subject'"'"'s body lumen prior to Inserting a sensing device into a subject'"'"'s body lumen.

12. The method according to claim 1 comprising substantially filling the subject'"'"'s body lumen prior to inserting a sensing device into a subject'"'"'s body lumen.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein substantially filling the subject'"'"'s body lumen comprises ingesting 200 ml or above of water.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the subject'"'"'s body lumen is in the subject'"'"'s upper GI tract.

15. The method according to claim 1 comprising receiving data transmitted from the sensing device in real time.

16. A method for imaging a subject'"'"'s esophagus, said method comprising:

reducing saliva in the subject;

swallowing an autonomous imaging device; and

positioning the subject in a horizontal position.

17. The method according to claim 16 comprising keeping the subject'"'"'s mouth substantially open after swallowing an autonomous imaging device.

18. The method according to claim 16 comprising keeping the subject'"'"'s mouth substantially open for approximately three minutes after swallowing an autonomous imaging device.

19. The method according to claim 16 wherein reducing saliva in the subject comprises ingesting a saliva reducing agent.

20. The method according to claim 16 wherein the saliva reducing agent includes glycerin.

21. The method according to claim 19 wherein the saliva reducing agent includes oil.

22. The method according to claim 19 wherein the saliva reducing agent includes water.

23. A method for imaging a subject'"'"'s stomach, the method comprising:

inserting an imaging device into the subject'"'"'s stomach;

positioning the subject on his back;

positioning the subject on his side.

24. The method according to claim 23 comprising positioning the subject in an upright sitting position.

25. The method according to claim 23 wherein positioning the subject on his side comprises positioning the subject on his left side.

26. The method according to claim 23 wherein positioning the subject on his side comprises positioning the subject in a substantially horizontal position and in an angled position.

27. The method according to claim 23 comprising substantially emptying the subject'"'"'s stomach prior to inserting the imaging device.

28. The method according to claim 23 comprising substantially filling the subject'"'"'s stomach.

29. The method according to claim 23 comprising ingesting 200 ml or above of water.

30. The method according to claim 23 wherein the imaging device includes a ballast.