System and method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device

• US 20070232887A1
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Khait, Semion, Bettesh, Ido
• Granted Patent: US 9,084,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the status of a battery in an in-vivo imaging device, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device. The device may include a frame counter for counting the number of frames captured and may include monitoring the voltage of the battery. A warning signal is generated if it is determined that the battery is faulty prior to use. The warning signal can be generated by the device and/or by a receiver which receives data from the in-vivo imaging device and/or a by workstation which receives the data from the receiver.

Claims

1. An in-vivo imaging device powered by a battery, comprising:

an imager for capturing image frames;

a frame counter for counting the number of image frames captured; and

an indicator for indicating a warning if the number of image frames captured exceeds a critical number of frames.

2. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 1, comprising a swallowable capsule.

3. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the swallowable capsule is autonomous.

4. An in-vivo imaging system, comprising an in-vivo imaging device and a receiver, the in-vivo imaging device being powered by a battery, the receiver and the in-vivo imaging device being separate physically non-connected members;

the in-vivo imaging device comprising;

an imager for capturing image frames;

a frame counter for counting the number of image frames captured; and

a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least the number of image frames captured;

the receiver comprising;

at least one antenna for receiving data transmitted by the in-vivo imaging device;

a receiver memory for storing data received by the at least one antenna;

a receiver data processor; and

a receiver indicator for indicating a warning if the number of image frames counted exceeds a critical number of frames.

5. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

6. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 5, wherein the transmitter transmits image data.

7. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the imaging device is a swallowable capsule.

8. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 7, wherein the swallowable capsule is autonomous.

9. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 4, wherein the receiver indicator is a loudspeaker, and the warning is an audio signal.

10. An in-vivo imaging system, comprising an in-vivo imaging device, a receiver and a workstation, the in-vivo imaging device being powered by a battery, the receiver and the in-vivo imaging device being separate physically non-connected members;

the in-vivo imaging device comprising;

an imager for capturing image frames;

a frame counter for counting the number of image frames captured; and

a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least the number of image frames captured;

the receiver comprising;

at least one antenna for receiving data transmitted by the in-vivo imaging device; and

a receiver memory for storing data received by the at least one antenna;

the workstation comprising a workstation indicator for indicating a warning if the number of image frames captured exceeds a critical number of frames.

11. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 10, wherein the workstation indicator is a workstation display screen.

12. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 10, wherein the workstation indicating indicator is a Light Emitting Diode.

13. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 10, wherein the workstation indicator is a loudspeaker, for generating an audio warning signal.

14. A method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device, comprising the steps of:

capturing image frames by an imager located in the in-vivo imaging device;

counting the number of image frames captured; and

indicating a warning if the number of image frames captured exceeds a critical number of frames.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the in-vivo imaging device is a swallowable capsule.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the swallowable capsule is autonomous.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the warning is indicated by an indicator located in the in-vivo sensing device.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the warning is indicated by the in-vivo imaging device shutting down.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the warning is indicated by the in-vivo imaging device suppressing the operation of illumination sources.

20. A method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device, comprising the steps of:

capturing image frames by an imager located in the in-vivo imaging device;

counting the number of image frames captured;

transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device the number of image frames;

receiving the number of image frames at a receiver; and

indicating a warning by the receiver if the number of image frames exceeds a critical number of frames.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the warning is indicated by the in-vivo imaging device shutting down.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the warning is indicated by the receiver shutting down.

23. A method for checking the status in-vivo imaging device, comprising the steps of:

capturing image frames by an imager located in the in-vivo imaging device;

counting the number of image frames captured;

transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device the number of image frames;

receiving the number of image frames at a receiver;

downloading the number of image frames to a work station;

indicating a warning by the workstation if the number of image frames exceeds a critical number of frames.

24. A method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device powered by a battery installed therein, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the battery voltage;

comparing the monitored battery voltage with a critical voltage value;

determining if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit; and

indicating a warning by an indicator located in the in-vivo sensing device, if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit.

25. A method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device powered by a battery installed therein, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the battery voltage;

transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device monitored battery voltage values;

receiving the monitored battery voltage values at a receiver; and

comparing at the receiver the monitored battery voltage with a critical voltage value;

determining at the receiver if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit; and

indicating a warning by an indicator located in the receiver, if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit.

26. A method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device powered by a battery installed therein, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the battery voltage;

transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device monitored battery voltage values;

receiving the monitored battery voltage values at a receiver;

downloading the received monitored battery voltage values to a workstation;

comparing at the workstation the monitored battery voltage with a critical voltage value;

determining at the workstation if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit; and

indicating a warning by an indicator located in the workstation, if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit.