Lumen-traveling device
First Claim
1. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
- a motion-arresting portion;
a fluid-contacting portion configured to contact fluid within the body lumen and to at least intermittently permit flow of fluid through the body lumen;
a propelling mechanism capable of producing movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen in which the lumen-traveling device is deployed;
motion control circuitry carried at least in part by said lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism to control movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen;
a sensor capable of detecting a condition of interest in the body lumen and generating a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest;
response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest in the body lumen; and
an active portion operatively connected to the response initiation circuitry and capable of producing a response upon receipt of 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
152 Claims
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1. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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a motion-arresting portion;
a fluid-contacting portion configured to contact fluid within the body lumen and to at least intermittently permit flow of fluid through the body lumen;
a propelling mechanism capable of producing movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen in which the lumen-traveling device is deployed;
motion control circuitry carried at least in part by said lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism to control movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen;
a sensor capable of detecting a condition of interest in the body lumen and generating a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest;
response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest in the body lumen; and
an active portion operatively connected to the response initiation circuitry and capable of producing a response upon receipt of the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 51, 68, 83, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147)
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3-50. -50. (canceled)
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52-67. -67. (canceled)
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69-82. -82. (canceled)
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84-94. -94. (canceled)
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95. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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a lumen-wall-engaging portion;
a fluid-contacting portion configured to contact fluid within the body lumen and to at least intermittently permit flow of fluid through the body lumen;
a propelling mechanism capable of producing movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen in which the lumen-traveling device is deployed;
at least one sensor capable of detecting a condition of interest in the body lumen and generating a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest;
motion control circuitry carried at least in part on said lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism at least in part based upon the sense signal;
response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of a condition of interest in the body lumen; and
an active portion operatively connected to the response initiation circuitry and capable of producing a response upon receipt of the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (96, 148, 149)
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97-124. -124. (canceled)
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125. A lumen-traveling device comprising:
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a structural element sized to fit within a body lumen;
at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures operable to alternately engage and disengage a wall of the body lumen;
a propelling mechanism capable of producing relative extension and retraction of the at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures with respect to each other in combination with alternate engagement and disengagement of the body lumen wall to produce movement of the lumen-traveling stimulation device with respect to the body lumen wall;
motion control circuitry carried at least in part by the lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism to control movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen;
a sensor capable of detecting a condition of interest in the body lumen; and
an active portion carried by the structural element and configured to perform an action in response to detection of the condition of interest by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (134, 150, 151, 152)
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126-133. -133. (canceled)
Specification