In-Vivo Sensing System Device and Method for Real Time Viewing

• US 20080262304A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rubey, Kevin, Skala, Michael, Pascal, Pesach, Nisani, Micha, Horn, Eli, Davidson, Tal
• Application Number:
  US11/631,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262304A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• 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 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

A system, device and method for a real time viewing of an in-vivo site. The in-vivo sensing system may include, for example an in-vivo sensing device (4), a receiver/recorder (6), a workstation (50), a portable device (40) and/or a portable memory (60). The receiver/recorder, the workstation and the portable device may display a stream of images while still downloading images from the receiver/recorder.

Claims

1. An in-vivo sensing system comprising:

an in-vivo sensing device comprising;

an illumination source,

an imaging sensor,

a transmitter,

a control-block to synchronize between time periods selected from the group consisting of;

time periods in which the illumination source produces light rays, time periods in which imaging sensor captures images, and time periods which transmitter transmits images,

a control block to perform image data buffering, and

an internal receiver located in the sensing device to wirelessly receive control messages for the control blocks; and

an external receiver to display images received from the in-vivo sensing device on the external a receiver'"'"'s display, while the sensing device is inside a patient'"'"'s body.

2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the external receiver is to simultaneously record images received from the In-vivo sensing device into a memory, process the images, and display the images on the external receiver'"'"'s display.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein the external receiver is to record images received from the in-vivo sensing device into a memory, and simultaneously process and display the images on the eternal receiver'"'"'s display.

4. The system as in claim 1, comprising a workstation and a workstation'"'"'s display.

6. The system as in claim 4, wherein the external receiver is to simultaneously record images of a stream of images received from the in-vivo sensing device into a memory, download the images from the memory to the workstation, and display the images on the workstation'"'"'s display.

7. The system as in claim 4, wherein the external receiver is to record images of a stream of images received from the in-vivo sensing device into a memory, and simultaneously download the images from the memory to a workstation, and display the images on the workstation'"'"'s display.

8. The system as in claim 1, comprising a portable memory.

9. The system as in claim 8, wherein the receiver is to record images received from the in-vivo sensing device into a portable device.

10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the sensing device comprises a housing.

11. The system as in claim 1, wherein the external receiver is a portable device.

12. The system as in claim 4, wherein the workstation is a portable device.

13. The system as in claim 4, wherein the workstation is to control the order in which the receiver transfers recorded information to the workstation.

21. The system as in claim 4, wherein the external receiver is to receive control messages from the workstation.

22. The system as in claim 1, comprising a portable device, wherein said portable device is to control the external receiver to download selected images in a selected order.

23. The system as in claim 1, wherein the internal receiver wirelessly receives control messages selected from the group consisting of:

activating or de-activating image capturing by the sensing device, controlling the time periods for capturing images, and activating or de-activating transmissions from the sensing device.

5. (canceled)

14. A receiver for recording in real time information received from an in-vivo sensing device, the receiver comprising:

a memory,

an antenna;

a processor; and

a display.

15. The device as in claim 14, wherein the receiver is portable.

16. The device as in claim 14, comprising a key pad.

17. The device as in claim 14, comprising a cellular transmission device.

18. A method for a real time viewing of an in-vivo site, the method comprising:

recording on a receiver information received from an in vivo sensing device on a memory; and

simultaneously processing the information and displaying the information on a display.

19. The method as in claim 18, comprising:

simultaneously recording the information on a memory;

downloading the information from the memory to a workstation; and

displaying the information on a display.

20. The method as in claim 18, comprising downloading the information from the receiver to a portable memory.