Capsule Blood Detection System and Method

• US 20090124853A1
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Gono, Kazuhiro, Suga, Takeshi
• Granted Patent: US 9,017,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00057 provided with means for testing or calibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• 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 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• 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

Abstract

A capsule for determining the blood content of living tissue in vivo in a patient to detect tumors. The capsule includes a light source and a light detector for directing light onto the tissue and for receiving interacted light therefrom. By analyzing the interacted lights a determination can be made of the blood content of that tissue. There are various ways of positioning the capsule so that it contacts the tissue in the desired orientation of the light source and light detector. There is also a system for determining the actual contact between the capsule and the tissue. A calibration system is also used that allows a self calibration that can be carried out easily and accurately just prior to the use of the capsule.

Claims

1. A device comprising;

a capsule having a blood content detector.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an image capture device disposed in said capsule.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said blood content detector is an optical detector.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a measurement window formed within the capsule and wherein the optical detector is disposed adjacent said window.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said capsule is configured to locate said window in contact with living tissue when employed in vivo.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said configuration includes a shape for facilitating said window positioning in vivo.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said configuration includes a center of gravity to utilize gravity for facilitating said window positioning in vivo.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising at least one weight to achieve said center of gravity.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the blood content detector is selectively moveable within said capsule.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a module moveably disposed within said capsule, wherein said blood content detector is mounted to said module.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the capsule has at least a part of a circular cross-section shape.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the capsule has at least a part of an ellipsoidal cross-section shape.

13. The device of claim 10 further comprising a gimbal, wherein said blood content detector is mounted to said gimbal.

14. The device of claim 10 further comprising at least one measurement window disposed within said capsule, wherein said blood content detector is an optical detector.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the blood content detector comprises a light source and an optical detector.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the blood content detector further comprises at least one reflector.

17. A device of claim 16 wherein said at least one reflector is positioned within said capsule to reflect light produced by said light source through the measurement window onto the surface of a living tissue.

31. The system of claim 13 wherein said color range is red.

18. A system disposable in a lumen of a living organism comprising:

a blood content detector; and

a proximity detector.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the proximity detector is electrically coupled to the blood content detector for communicating an activation signal to said detector.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the blood content detector and proximity detector are disposed in an endoscope.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the blood content detector and proximity detector are disposed within a capsule.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the proximity detector is a mechanical detector.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein the proximity detector is an optical detector.

24. The system of claim 18 wherein the proximity detector is an electromagnetic signal sensor.

25. The system of claim 18 wherein the proximity detector is located on the surface of the system for contact with in vivo tissue.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the optical detector includes a laser and laser detector.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the electromagnetic signal sensor is a piezoelectric device.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein the optical detector is an image sensor.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the image sensor detects proximity to living tissue by the proportion of an image that is substantially within a single color range.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the image sensor detects contact with living tissue by determining when a sensed image is substantially within a single color range.

32. A method for activating a blood content detection system comprising the steps of:

positioning the blood content detector in a lumen of a living organism;

detecting the proximity of the blood content detector relative to wall of the lumen;

generating a proximity signal,

triggering the blood content detector when the proximity signal satisfies a triggering condition.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the positioning step is performed by an endoscope or capsule.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the detecting step is performed by mechanical detection, optical detection, or electromagnetic sensing.

35. A calibration system for a blood content detector comprising:

a receptacle for receiving a capsule containing a blood content detector;

an illumination reflector disposed within said receptacle.

36. The calibration system of claim 35 further comprising:

a processor; and

transceiver coupled to the processor for transmitting and receiving data to and from the capsule.

37. The calibration system of claim 35 wherein the illumination reflector is a diffuser plate.

38. The calibration system of claim 35 wherein the receptacle is a protective cap for the capsule.

39. The calibration system of claim 38 wherein the protective cap forms a sterile barrier around the capsule during calibration.

40. A calibration method for a capsule having a blood content detector comprising the steps of.

disposing the capsule in a calibration receptacle;

causing a light source of said capsule to illuminate a calibration region of said receptacle;

generating a signal based on a light characterstic detected from said calibration region; and

determining at least one calibration factor based on said generated signal.