Vivo imaging device with a small cross sectional area and methods for construction thereof

• US 20080200757A1
• Filed: 08/27/2007
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging

Abstract

An image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) includes a pixel array portion and a circuitry portion, where the circuitry portion may be segregated, for example longitudinally, from the pixel array portion.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. An in vivo imaging device, comprising:

a capsule shaped housing having a longitudinal axis and a substantially transparent optical window at an end of the housing; and

a CMOS image sensor comprising a pixel array portion and a circuitry portion, wherein said pixel array portion is disposed within said housing substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the pixel array portion is continuous with the circuitry portion.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the circuitry portion comprises circuitry selected from the group consisting of timing circuitry, analog to digital conversion circuitry, input/output (I/O) circuitry, transmitting circuitry or a combination thereof.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a light deflecting element positioned for deflecting received light to said pixel array.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the light deflecting element is positioned at substantially 45°

to the pixel array.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the light deflecting element is a mirror.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising an optical system, said system configured for changing an image to compensate for distortion of an image by the light deflecting element.

16. The device of claim 12 further comprising an aperture for reflected light to progress through.

17. The device of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of light emitting devices.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said optical system comprises a lens within said housing, configured to collect light rays coming through said optical window.