System and Method For Controlling Traversal of an Igested Capsule

• US 20080269664A1
• Filed: 01/16/2006
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Trovato, Karen I., Herzka, Daniel, Naamat, Judy R., Ouwerkerk, Martin
• Application Number:
  US11/814,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269664A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/72 Micromanipulators
• 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 5/065 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/105 having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes

Abstract

A treatment system (1600, 1900) is provided for traversing the alimentary tract. The system (1600, 1900) includes an ingestible capsule, which includes a gas pressurizing module (1602)) providing a gas and at least one balloon (1604, 1901) in fluid communication with the gas pressurization module (1602). The capsule further includes an exhaust channel (1610) in fluid communication with a respective balloon of the at least one balloon (1604, 1901), and a depressurizing closure member (1608) for selectively controlling flow of gas between the balloon (1604, 1901) and the ambient surroundings of the capsule. The system further includes control circuitry (906) for controlling the depressurizing closure member (1608).

Claims

1. A treatment system (1600, 1900) for traversing the alimentary tract comprising:

an ingestible capsule comprising;

a gas pressurizing module (1602) providing a gas;

at least one balloon (1604, 1901) in fluid communication with the gas pressurization module (1602);

an exhaust channel (1610) in fluid communication with a respective balloon of the at least one balloon (1604);

a depressurizing closure member (1608) for selectively controlling flow of gas between the respective balloon and the ambient surroundings of the capsule (1600, 1900) through the exhaust channel (1610); and

control circuitry (906) for controlling the depressurizing closure member (1608).

2. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the capsule further comprises a pressurizing closure member (1606) for controlling flow of fluid between the gas pressurizing module (1602) and the at least one balloon (1604, 1901), wherein the control circuitry (906) controls the pressurizing closure member (1606) for controlling inflation of the at least one balloon (16041901).

3. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pressurizing closure member (1606) and the depressurizing closure member (1608) includes a MEMS microvalve and an associated actuator.

4. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pressurizing closure member (1606) and the depressurizing closure member (1608) includes a hatch and a MEMS motor for opening and closing the hatch.

5. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pressurizing closure member (1606) and the depressurizing closure member (1608) includes an artificial muscle including a polymer which selectably contracts and expands in response to an electrical stimulus for facilitating achievement of the open and closed state of the respective closure member (1606m 1608).

6. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, the capsule further comprising a catheter (1904) for combining with one of the balloons of the at least one balloon to form a balloon catheter.

7. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, a balloon of the at least one balloon (1604, 1901) including an outer microporous membrane with holes infused with a medicament, and wherein upon inflation of the balloon the medicament weeps from the membrane to the ambient surroundings of the capsule.

8. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the capsule further comprises:

a medicament delivery system (901) for outputting a medicament; and

a perimetrical lumen 1630) having an open end and having a plurality lf apertures (1631), wherein the perimetrical lumen (1630) is wound around a respective balloon of the at least one balloon (1604, 1901);

wherein the open end of the perimetrical lumen (1630) receives medicament output by the medicament delivery system (901) and the medicament is output through the apertures (1631) to the ambient surroundings of the capsule.

9. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry (906) further controls the gas pressurizing module (1602) for controlling inflation of the balloon (1604, 1901).

10. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the gas pressurizing module (1602) stores at least one starter element and generates the gas therefrom.

11. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the gas pressurizing Module (1602) stores compressed gas.

12. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the gas is selected from the group of gases consisting of nitrogen, CO2, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon and a combination thereof.

13. The treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, wherein the capsule further comprises at least one of a laser delivery device and an infrared delivery device for delivering at least one of laser energy or infrared energy to a target in the alimentary tract.

23. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of delivering at least of laser and infrared energy to a target within the alimentary tract.

29. A treatment system (1600, 1900) according to claim 1, comprising an ingestible capsule comprising:

a housing (102);

at least one of a laser delivery device and an infrared delivery device (1640) for delivering at least one of laser energy or infrared energy to a target in the alimentary tract; and

control circuitry (906) for controlling the at least one of the laser delivery device and an infrared delivery device 1640).

14. A method for controlling traversal of an alimentary tract of a patient by an ingested free standing capsule comprising the steps of:

providing a gas;

inflating a balloon (1604, 1901) attached to the capsule with the gas for at least one of slowing, steering or stopping movement of the capsule;

deflating the balloon (1604, 1901); and

providing air exiting the balloon (1604, 1901) to exit to ambient surroundings of the capsule.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of controlling inflation of the balloon (1604, 1901).

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of controlling deflation of the balloon (1604, 1901).

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of before deflating the balloon (1604, 1901), inflating a second balloon (1604, 1901) forming a region between the balloon (1604, 1901) and the second balloon (1604, 1901) for blocking the region from the rest of the alimentary tract.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of before deflating the balloon (1604, 1901) performing a treatment within the region and after the treatment is completed deflating the second balloon (1604, 1901).

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of blocking a path of another capsule traversing the alimentary tract.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the providing the gas step comprises the steps of:

storing at least one starter element; and

generating the gas from the at least one starter element, the gas occupying a larger volume than the at least one starter element from the at least one starter element.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the providing the gas step comprises the step of storing compressed gas.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the gas is selected from the group of gases consisting of nitrogen, CO2, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon and a combination thereof.

24. A treatment system (2000) for traversing the alimentary tract comprising:

an ingestible capsule comprising;

a plurality of pressure sensors (2010) sensing pressure exerted on the pressure sensors (2101) and generating corresponding sensed pressure signals.

25. The treatment system (2000) according to claim 24, wherein the pressure signals are processed for generating a pressure mapping of the alimentary tract traversed.

26. The treatment system (2000) according to claim 24, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors (2010) are disposed about a circumference of the capsule.

27. A method for generating a topographical mapping of the alimentary tract traversed comprising the steps of:

sensing pressure exerted on a capsule traversing the alimentary tract; and

generating deflection sensing signals in accordance with the sensing.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the deflection sensing signals are processed for generating a topographical mapping of the alimentary tract that was traversed.

30. A method for delivering energy within the alimentary tract of a patient comprising the steps of:

traversing the alimentary tract with a capsule; and

delivering at least of laser and infrared energy to a target within the alimentary tract.