Array system and method for locating an in vivo signal source

• US 20080108872A1
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady, Frisch, Mordechai, Levy, Daphna
• Application Number:
  US11/976,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108872A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters

Abstract

A system and method for localizing an in vivo signal source using a wearable antenna array having at least two antenna elements. The signal is received and a signal strength is measured at two or more antenna elements. An estimated coordinate set is derived from the signal strength measurements.

Claims

1. A method for localizing an ingestible in-vivo capsule

within a body lumen within a body, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning at least two antenna elements on the body, at least one of the antenna elements positioned above the navel,

receiving a signal at two or more of said antenna elements;

measuring the received signal strength; and

estimating the location of the capsule based on the signal strength measurements.

2. The method according to claim 1 comprising positioning at least one of the antenna elements in a position within the group consisting of:

the intersection of the right 7th intercostal space and right mid clavicular line,

the xiphoid process,

the intersection of the left 7th intercostal space and left mid clavicular line,

the right lumbar region at umbilical level,

the left lumbar region at umbilical level,

the right mid-linguinal region, and

the left mid-linguinal region.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating a distance value associated with a received signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of correlating the location of the capsule using the distance values associated with two or more antenna elements.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the capsule'"'"'s estimated location.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising displaying the capsule'"'"'s estimated location graphically as a pointer with a figure of a body.

7. A method for receiving a signal from an ingestible in-vivo capsule, said capsule being within a body lumen, the method comprising:

positioning a first antenna element at the intersection of the right 7th intercostal space and right mid lavicular line,

positioning a second antenna element at the xiphoid process,

positioning a third antenna element at the intersection of the left 7th intercostal space and left mid clavicular line,

positioning a fourth antenna element at the right lumbar region at umbilical level,

positioning a fifth antenna element at the left lumbar region at umbilical level,

positioning a sixth antenna element at the right mid-linguinal region,

positioning a seventh antenna element at the left mid-linguinal region, and

positioning an eighth antenna element above the navel.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the antenna elements are included in a wearable antenna array.