DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VIEWING A BODY LUMEN

• US 20090023992A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pascal, Amit, Gilad, Zvika
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable

Abstract

A device and method for viewing a body lumen are provided. An assembly of a capsule endoscope and an endoscope is inserted into a body lumen. The capsule endoscope is positioned within the body lumen at a predetermined distance from the endoscope, and images are obtained from opposite sides of a desired location in the body lumen. In vivo procedures may be performed, while images of the procedure are obtained from opposite sides of the procedure location.

Claims

1. An in-vivo imaging device comprising:

a housing, said housing comprising therein

at least one imager;

at least one illumination source; and

an optical system,

wherein said housing comprises a curved portion so as to conform to a contour of a second in vivo device.

2. The in vivo imaging device of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an optical window, wherein said at least one imager, said at least one illumination source, and said optical system are positioned behind said optical window.

3. The in-vivo imaging device of claim 1, wherein said device is connected to an endoscope through at least two semi rigid cables with a predetermined length.

4. The in vivo imaging device of claim 1, wherein said device is connected to an endoscope through detachable means.

5. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:

inserting into a body lumen a capsule endoscope and an endoscope;

positioning within the body lumen said capsule endoscope at a predetermined distance from said endoscope; and

obtaining images from opposite sides of a desired location in the body lumen.

6. The method of claim 5 comprising performing an in vivo procedure at said desired location, while obtaining images from opposite sides of said procedure.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said capsule endoscope comprises at least one imager, at least one illumination source and an optical system.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said at least one imager, said at least one illumination source and said optical system are positioned behind an optical window.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein said capsule endoscope comprises two optical windows.

10. The method according to claim 5, comprising connecting said capsule endoscope to said endoscope.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein connecting said capsule endoscope to said endoscope is done through at least two semi rigid cables with a predetermined length.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein inserting said capsule endoscope and said endoscope into the body lumen, comprises said capsule endoscope comprising a curved portion so as to conform to a contour of said endoscope.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein said capsule endoscope comprises a transmitter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein powering said capsule endoscope is done through an electrical wire connected to said endoscope.

16. The method of claim 5, said method comprising receiving control signals from an external transceiver.

17. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:

inserting into a body lumen a capsule endoscope and an endoscope; and

guiding said endoscope to a desired location in the body lumen, using images obtained by said capsule endoscope.

18. The method according to claim 17, said method comprising performing an in vivo procedure at said desired location while obtaining images from opposite sides of said procedure

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said capsule endoscope comprises at least one imager, at least one illumination source and an optical system.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein said capsule endoscope comprises two optical windows.

21. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:

inserting into a body lumen a capsule endoscope and an endoscope;

guiding said endoscope in the body lumen, using images obtained by said capsule endoscope, until no further movement is possible;

leading said capsule endoscope further in the body lumen, without the endoscope, while said capsule endoscope is attached to said endoscope; and

obtaining images of the body lumen using the capsule endoscope.

22. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:

inserting into a body lumen a capsule endoscope;

immobilizing said capsule endoscope at a desired location in the body lumen;

inserting into the body lumen an endoscope to said desired location; and

obtaining images from opposite sides of said desired location, using both said capsule endoscope and said endoscope.