System and method for an in-vivo imaging device with an angled field of view

• US 20080084478A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Birnboim, Yaniv, Gilad, Zvika
• Application Number:
  US11/528,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20080084478A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00179 for off-axis viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for imaging a body lumen using a device with a centerline, where the center of gravity of the device is displaced from the centerline, and the centerline has a radius of curvature. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for imaging a body lumen using a device with a centerline, where the center of gravity of the device is displaced from the centerline, the device has at least two imagers positioned on opposite ends of the device, and the fields of view of the imagers have respective center lines that intersect.

Claims

1. An imaging device for imaging a body lumen, wherein the device comprises a center of

gravity and a centerline having a radius of curvature;

and

wherein the center of gravity of the device is displaced from the centerline.

2. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the device is displaced along an axis of symmetry of the device.

3. The imaging device of claim 1, comprising at least two imagers each having a field of view, wherein the imagers are positioned on opposite ends of the device.

4. The imaging device of claim 3, wherein the fields of view of the imagers have respective center lines that intersect.

5. The imaging device of claim 3, further comprising two illumination sources positioned on opposite ends of the device, wherein the illumination sources illuminate the fields of view of the imagers.

6. The imaging device of claim 3, wherein the imaging device has a curved capsule shape.

7. The imaging device of claim 1 comprising a substance that increases the buoyancy of the device.

8. The imaging device of claim 1 comprising a substance that decreases the buoyancy of the device.

9. The imaging device of claim 8, wherein the device comprises activatable shape memory material adapted for changing the orientation of the centerline between being substantially straight and substantially having a radius of curvature.

10. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein the imaging device is substantially flexible for conforming to the shape of the body lumen.

13. The imaging device of claim 1I, wherein the center of gravity of the device is displaced along an axis of symmetry of the fields of view of the respective imagers.

11. An imaging device for imaging a body lumen, wherein the device comprises a center of gravity displaced from the centerline;

and

at least two imagers, each having a field of view, positioned on opposite ends of the device, wherein the fields of view of the imagers have respective center lines that intersect.

12. The imaging device of claim 11, further comprising two illumination sources positioned on opposite ends of the device, wherein the illumination sources illuminate the fields of view of the imagers.

14. An in vivo imaging system, comprising:

a receiver for receiving in vivo image data; and

an imaging device for transmitting the in vivo image data to the receiver, wherein the imaging device comprises a centerline and a center of gravity, wherein the center of gravity of the imaging device is displaced from the centerline, and the centerline has a radius of curvature.

15. The in vivo imaging system of claim 14, wherein the center of gravity of the imaging device is displaced along an axis of symmetry of the device.

16. The in vivo imaging system of claim 14, wherein the imaging device further comprises at least two imagers, each having a field of view, wherein the imagers are positioned on opposite ends of the device.

17. The in vivo imaging system of claim 16, wherein the fields of view of the imagers have respective center lines that intersect.

18. The in vivo imaging system of claim 16, wherein the imaging device further comprises two illumination sources positioned on opposite ends of the imaging device, wherein the illumination sources illuminate the fields of view of the imagers.

19. The in vivo imaging system of claim 16, wherein the imaging device comprises a curved capsule shape.

20. The in vivo imaging system of claim 14, wherein the imaging device further comprises a substance that increases the buoyancy of the device.

21. The in vivo imaging system of claim 14, wherein the imaging device further comprises a substance that decreases the buoyancy of the device.