In-Vivo Sensing Device With Detachable Part

• US 20070282164A1
• Filed: 05/28/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilad, Zvika, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Iddan, Gavriel, Gat, Daniel, Rabinovitz, Raphael, Davidson, Tal, Frisch, Mordechai
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen

Abstract

A device and system for in-vivo sensing having a relatively heavy part and a relatively light part such that the heavy and light part may be temporarily attached in-vivo. Detachment of the heavy part may be provided at a predetermined location along a body lumen. The light part upon detachment of the heavy part may for example float within a body lumen.

Claims

1. An in-vivo sensing device comprising:

a first part having a first specific gravity; and

a second part having a second specific gravity, wherein the first part and the second part are detachable.

2. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 wherein the first specific gravity is greater than the second specific gravity.

3. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 wherein the second specific gravity is less than the specific gravity of a bodily fluid within a body lumen.

4. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 comprising an imager and an illumination source.

6. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 comprising a filament to temporarily attach the first part to the second part.

9. The in-vivo sensing device according to claim 1 comprising a magnet, to temporarily attach the first part and the second part by an electromagnetic force.

13. The in-vivo device according to claim 1 wherein the first part is configured to detach in-vivo.

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31. A system for in-vivo sensing comprising:

an in-vivo sensing device comprising;

a first part having a first specific gravity;

a second part having a second specific gravity, wherein the first specific gravity is different from the second specific gravity and the first part and the second part are attached by a releasable fastener; and

an external receiver to receive wireless signals from the in-vivo device.

32. The system according to claim 31 comprising an in-vivo imager.

34. The system according to claim 31 comprising an external transmitter for transmitting signals to the in-vivo device.

37. The system according to claim 31 comprising a display to display sensed data from the in-vivo sensing device.

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38. A method for in-vivo sensing comprising:

detaching a first part of an in-vivo device located in an in-vivo body lumen from a second part of the in-vivo device, wherein the first part is floatable in the gastrointestinal tract and the second part is not floatable in the gastrointestinal tract; and

activating a component in the first part.

17. The method according to claim 38 wherein the device is weighted such that it favors a certain orientation.

18. The method according to claim 38, wherein the first part is attached to the second part by an electromagnetic force.

19. The method according to claim 18 comprising changing the direction of the electromagnetic force.

21. The method according to claim 38 comprising activating a component in the second part.

22. The method according to claim 38 wherein the component comprises an imager.

25. The method according to claim 38 wherein the first part and the second part are attached with a filament.

30. The method according to claim 38 wherein the detaching is initiated by a signal external to the in-vivo sensing device.

39. The method of claim 38 comprising:

sensing a parameter; and

detaching the first part from the second part in response to sensing the parameter.