In-vivo imaging device, optical system and method

• US 20070002135A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Granted Patent: US 7,813,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/77
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An in-vivo device may include an optical system, and a method for viewing in-vivo sites. A dome or cover may cover an end of the device, protecting optical elements such as illumination devices or imagers, which may be behind the dome. The dome may be forward projecting and may have a convex shape. The field of view of the imager may be for example forward looking. Illumination element(s) and a receiving unit or imager may be disposed behind a single optical window, which for example may enable obtaining of images free of backscatter and stray light. The convex shape of the dome may be defined such that it may have a shape having an isolated area. At least one illumination element and at least one receiving unit may be geometrically positioned (for example in the isolated area) such that rays from the illumination elements, some of which are internally reflected from the internal and/or external surface of the optical window, will not be incident on the receiving unit.

Claims

1. An autonomous in-vivo imaging device comprising:

a device body, the device body comprising a convex shaped optical dome;

an illumination source; and

an imager;

wherein said optical dome covers said illumination source and said imager; and

wherein the convex shaped optical dome defines an isolated area on a defined plane covered by said optical dome.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a capsule.

3. The device of claim 1 comprising a baffle wherein the baffle substantially encompasses said imager and wherein the baffle comprises an aperture.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said aperture defines an opening on said defined plane.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the opening is positioned in an area other than said isolated area.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said illumination source is positioned within said isolated area.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said isolated area is in the shape of a ring.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the dome includes and inner and outer surface and wherein said inner surface has a shape of a flattened ellipsoid

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein an area on the plane outside of the isolated area is substantially free of backscatter from the illumination source.

10. An autonomous in-vivo imaging device comprising:

a convex shaped optical dome facing a viewing direction;

an illumination source; and

an imager;

the imager and the illumination source both being behind the optical dome, the imager accepting images via the optical dome wherein the convex shaped optical dome defines an isolated area and a central area wherein light from said illumination source originating from within the isolated area when reflected off the optical dome is not incident on said central area.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is an autonomous capsule.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the illumination source illuminates through the optical dome.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the isolated area is ring shaped.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the isolated area and the central area lie on a common plane.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein the central area comprises a baffle and wherein the baffle comprises an aperture for receiving light remitted from a target

16. The device of claim 10 wherein the optical dome includes an inner surface and wherein light of said illumination source is reflected from said inner surface and is incident on said isolated area.

17. The device of claim 10 wherein the optical dome includes an external surface and wherein light of said illumination source is reflected from said external surface and is incident on said isolated area.

18. An autonomous in-vivo imaging device comprising:

an imager;

an illumination source; and

an optical dome that defines an isolated area, wherein the illumination source and imager are positioned such that illumination rays from the illumination source that are internally reflected from the optical window are not incident on the imager.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the device is a capsule.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein the isolated area is ring shaped.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein said illumination source is positioned on said isolated area and said imager is not positioned on said isolated area.

22. The device of claim 18 comprising a baffle wherein the baffle surrounds the imager and wherein the baffle comprises an aperture.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said illumination source is positioned on said isolated area said aperture is not positioned on said isolated area.