Lumen-traveling device
First Claim
1. A method implemented with a lumen-traveling device, comprising:
- propelling the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen;
at least intermittently permitting flow of fluid through the body lumen and past a fluid-contacting portion of the lumen-traveling device;
detecting a condition of interest with a sensor on the lumen-traveling device;
producing a response initiation signal with response initiation circuitry located at least in part on the lumen-traveling device at least partially in response to detection of the condition of interest; and
performing an action with an active portion of the lumen-traveling device in response to the response initiation signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Lumen-traveling devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, as well as additional components such as a sensor, an active portion, and/or control circuitry. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect a local condition, and an action may be performed within the body lumen. Actions that may be performed include, but are not limited to, transmitting information, releasing a material within the lumen, performing a surgical step, or collecting a sample, among others.
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Citations
125 Claims
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1. A method implemented with a lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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propelling the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen;
at least intermittently permitting flow of fluid through the body lumen and past a fluid-contacting portion of the lumen-traveling device;
detecting a condition of interest with a sensor on the lumen-traveling device;
producing a response initiation signal with response initiation circuitry located at least in part on the lumen-traveling device at least partially in response to detection of the condition of interest; and
performing an action with an active portion of the lumen-traveling device in response to the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112)
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2-61. -61. (canceled)
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62. Logic for controlling a lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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a sensing module capable of processing an input from a sensor on the lumen-traveling device to generate a sense signal indicating detection of a condition of interest in a body lumen of an organism;
a response initiation module capable of receiving the sense signal from the sensing module and based at least in part upon the sense signal generating a response initiation signal configured for causing an action to be performed in the body lumen by an active portion of the lumen-traveling device; and
a motion control module capable of controlling at least one of a propelling mechanism and a steering mechanism on the lumen-traveling device to control direction or rate of movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (66, 113, 114, 115, 116)
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63-65. -65. (canceled)
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67-73. -73. (canceled)
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74. A method of using a lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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moving a self-propelling lumen-traveling device through a body lumen;
at least intermittently permitting flow of fluid through the body lumen and past a fluid-contacting portion of the lumen-traveling device;
detecting a treatment target based at least in part upon detection of a condition of interest in the body lumen with a sensor on the lumen-traveling device;
producing a response initiation signal at least in part in response to detection of the condition of interest with response initiation circuitry located at least in part on the lumen-traveling device; and
delivering a treatment to the treatment target with an active portion of the lumen-traveling device in response to the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (84, 89, 95, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125)
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75-83. -83. (canceled)
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85-88. -88. (canceled)
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90-94. -94. (canceled)
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96-102. -102. (canceled)
Specification