Method of in vivo monitoring using an imaging system including scanned beam imaging unit

• US 20080167521A1
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Sheetz, Jane A., Ritchie, Paul G., Youmans, David C., Brophy, Jere J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,801,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00172 with means for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body includes locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time. The scanned beam imaging unit is located at the imaging location using a locating instrument. The locating instrument is removed from the patient'"'"'s body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location. With the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location, a beam of light is scanned across the portion of the anatomy and light is received from the portion of the anatomy. A video image of the portion of the anatomy is produced from imaging data generated using detected light received from the portion of the anatomy.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:

locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time, the scanned beam imaging unit being located at the imaging location using a locating instrument;

removing the locating instrument from the patient'"'"'s body with the scanned beam imaging unit remaining at the imaging location;

with the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location,

scanning a beam of light across the portion of the anatomy;

receiving light from the portion of the anatomy; and

producing a video image of the portion of the anatomy from imaging data generated using detected light received from the portion of the anatomy.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising producing continuous imaging data from the detected light using a detector.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising saving the imaging data in memory.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a control unit including the detector, memory and a light source for creating a beam of light.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising connecting the control unit to an image processor for processing the imaging data and producing the video image of the portion of the anatomy.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of connecting the control unit to the image processor is performed after the step of saving the imaging data in memory.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising connecting the control unit to the scanned beam imaging unit by a line, wherein the control unit is located outside the patient'"'"'s body.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising carrying the control unit while imaging data is being produced, the control unit being carried by the patient as the patient moves from place to place.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising sending imaging data from the control unit to an image processor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of locating the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location for the period of time includes connecting the scanned beam imaging unit to an anatomical structure.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the scanned beam imaging unit from the imaging location after the period of time.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising disconnecting connecting structure affixing the scanned beam imaging unit at the imaging location to remove the scanned beam imaging unit from the imaging location.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising locating a monitoring device within the patient'"'"'s body, the monitoring device generating data indicative of a condition within the patient'"'"'s body other than imaging data.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising correlating the data generated by the monitoring device and imaging data produced using the scanned beam imaging unit.

15. An imaging system for monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the imaging system comprising:

a scanned beam imaging unit comprising a reflector that directs a beam of light across a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy; and

a portable control unit linked to the scanned beam imaging unit, the portable control unit comprising a power source, a light source that generates the beam of light and a memory for saving imaging data generated using the scanned beam imaging unit.

16. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the portable control unit includes a data processor configured to transmit the imaging data from the memory to an image processor to generate a video image of the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

17. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the portable control unit is configured to be located outside the patient'"'"'s body and the scanned beam imaging unit is configured to be placed in the patient'"'"'s body.

18. The imaging system of claim 17 further comprising connecting structure that affixes the scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location within the patient'"'"'s body.

19. The imaging system of claim 15 further comprising an optical fiber connecting the control unit and the scanned beam imaging system, the optical fiber directing the beam of light from the portable control unit to the scanned beam imaging unit.

20. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the portable control unit is configured to be connected to an image processor after the imaging data is saved in the memory.

21. The imaging system of claim 15, wherein the scanned beam imaging unit further comprises a detection optical fiber that receives light from the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy and transmits received light to the portable control unit.

22. The imaging system of claim 21, wherein the portable control unit further comprises a detector that receives the light from the detection optical fiber and generates the imaging data.

23. A method of monitoring a condition within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:

locating a scanned beam imaging unit at an imaging location for a period of time to observe and characterize a portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy over at least a portion of the period of time; and

providing a portable control unit in communication with the scanned beam imaging unit with the scanned beam imaging unit located at the imaging location, the portable control unit including a recording medium for saving imaging data generated using the scanned beam imaging unit for producing a video image of the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising connecting the portable control unit to an image processor for processing the imaging data and producing the video image of the portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising saving imaging data generated using the scanned beam imaging unit on the recording medium.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of connecting the portable control unit to the image processor is performed after the step of saving the imaging data on the recording medium.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising connecting the portable control unit to the scanned beam imaging unit by a line including an optical fiber for directing a beam of light from the portable control unit to the scanned beam imaging unit, wherein the portable control unit is located outside the patient'"'"'s body.

28-32. -32. (canceled)