Device and method for illuminating an in vivo site

• US 20070270651A1
• Filed: 05/21/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilad, Zvika, Rabinovitz, Elisha
• Application Number:
  US11/802,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270651A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0627 for variable illumination angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for providing images of an in vivo site during in vivo procedures, such as laparoscopy wherein the device is capable of illuminating an internal body cavity and has grasping tongs for fastening to an internal body structure.

Claims

1. A system for illuminating an in vivo site, said system comprising an in vivo device, said in vivo device comprises a housing,

wherein said housing comprising:

a first portion and a second portion, wherein at least one of said first portion or said second portion comprises an illumination device; and

a rotatable connection unit,

whereby said rotatable connection unit rotates said first portion in respect to said second portion within a body lumen.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an optical window.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises an imager.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said housing encloses at least one imager, an optical system and a transmitter.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said housing is capsule shaped.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion each comprise at least one illumination source, at least one imager and an optical system.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion face opposing directions.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable connection unit is located between said first portion and said second portion.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable connection unit rotates an axis of said first portion in respect to an axis of a direction of imaging at an angle α

, wherein 0°

<

α

≦

180°

.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable connection unit is a ball-and-socket joint connection unit.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein said second shaft is housed within said first shaft.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said first shaft is connected to said rotatable connection unit.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said second shaft is configured for immobilizing the device to a desired spot within a body lumen.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein said first shaft is configured to rotate the device.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured for being immobilized to a body lumen.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured for being immobilized to an instrument, said instrument for being inserted into the body lumen.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said instrument is selected from the group consisting of:

knife, scissor, grasper, stitcher, trocar tube, endoscope, laparoscope, needle, catheter, overtube, and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube.

19. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mount for attaching to the device;

a first arm and a second arm both of which are attached to the mount and adapted to moving between a first position and a second position, wherein said second position is for immobilizing the device; and

a drive mechanism for driving said arms between said first position and said second position.

20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a first pin having an axis around which said first arm rotates and a second pin having an axis around which said second arm rotates.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein said drive mechanism engages with said arms through gears.

22. The system according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a transmitter.

23. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a receiver for receiving data transmitted from said device.

24. An in vivo device comprising a housing, said housing comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein at least one of said first portion or said second portion comprises an illumination device, and

(a) a rotatable connection unit, whereby said rotatable connection unit rotates said first portion in respect to said second portion within a body lumen;

and

(b) a device for immobilizing said housing to a desired location within the body lumen.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein said device for immobilizing said housing comprises a mount for attaching to the device, said mount comprises:

a first arm and a second arm both of which are adapted to moving between a first position and a second position, wherein said second position is for immobilizing the device, and

a drive mechanism for driving said arms between said first and second positions.

26. The device according to claim 24, wherein said device for immobilizing said housing comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein said first shaft is configured for immobilizing the device to a desired spot within a body lumen and said second shaft, which is housed within said first shaft is configured to rotate the device.

27. A method for providing illumination to an in vivo site, the method comprising the steps of:

immobilizing a self powered illumination device to a body lumen; and

providing illumination to an in vivo site from said illumination device.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising rotating said illumination device in respect to its location in the body lumen for providing a multitude of fields of illumination.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the illumination device comprises a housing said housing comprising:

a first portion and a second portion, wherein at least one of said first portion or said second portion comprises an illumination device; and

a rotatable connection unit,

whereby said rotatable connection unit rotates said first portion in respect to said second portion within a body lumen.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of immobilizing is done using a mount for attaching to the illumination device, said mount comprising:

a first arm and a second arm both of which are adapted to moving between a first position and a second position, wherein said second position is for immobilizing the illumination device, and

a drive mechanism for driving said arms between said first and second positions.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said drive mechanism drives said arms synchronously.