Device, system and method for in-vivo imaging of a body lumen

• US 20070106112A1
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilad, Zvika, Gat, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/471,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20070106112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH

Abstract

An in vivo device, system and a method for imaging a body lumen, typically liquid filled body lumen. The in vivo device may have a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it to float. The in vivo device may include a sensor, for example an image sensor, and may be attached to or set in one or more buoyant bodies. The in vivo device may be moved through the body lumen by the liquid movement in that lumen.

Claims

1. A buoyant device for in vivo imaging, the device comprising:

a buoyant body a first imagining system and a second imaging system, wherein the first imaging system is configured to image above a liquid level and the second imaging system is configured to image below the liquid level.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging system and the second imaging system are situated on opposing ends of the buoyant device.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an autonomous swallowable capsule.

4. The device according to claim 1, having a specific gravity of about 1.

5. The device according to claim 1, having a volume to weight ratio that enables the device to float in a body lumen liquid.

6. The device according to claim 1, comprising a transmitter.

7. The device according to claim 1, comprising a ballast.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein internal components of the device are packaged so as to create ballast in one portion of the device.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body houses the first imaging system and the second imaging system.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is being configured for floating in a liquid level of about 10 mm.

11. A method for in vivo imaging of a body lumen, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a floatable in vivo imaging device in the body lumen;

at least partially filling the body lumen with a liquid; and

obtaining images above a liquid level and below the liquid level.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising illuminating the body lumen.

13. The method according to claim 11, comprising transmitting image data to an external receiving system.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the body lumen is a stomach.

15. The method according to claim 11, comprising changing the specific gravity of the floatable in vivo imaging device.