Capsule Imaging Devices, Systems and Methods for in Vivo Imaging Applications

• US 20090216079A1
• Filed: 05/12/2006
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Lund, P. Kay, Morgan, Douglas R., Zhang, Howard H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,900,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00186 with imaging filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0646 with illumination filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence

Abstract

Novel capsule imaging devices, systems and methods are provided for in vivo imaging applications, such as for gastrointestinal applications. A swallowable video imaging device, such as a capsule, can be used with a light filter for in vivo illumination of a target tissue that has absorbed a previously administered biological probe. The target tissue can be distinguished in images transmitted from the video imaging device. Quantification of the signal intensity of fluorescence can be used to assess how progressed the target tissue may be. The target tissue can be therapeutically treated to shrink or kill the target tissue.

Claims

1. An imaging system for in vivo imaging, the imaging system comprising:

(a) a video imaging system comprising;

(i) a video imaging device adapted for passage within any portion of a gastrointestinal tract for imaging an area of interest from within an entire gastrointestinal tract, the video imaging device comprising an optical system for in vivo imaging adapted for detection of electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength range or wavelength, an electromagnetic radiation source, a transmitter for transmitting images from the optical system, and a power source; and

(ii) a receiver for receiving images transmitted from the video imaging device;

(b) a biological probe for targeting and attaching to an in vivo probe target; and

(c) whereby the probe target can be distinguished in images from the video imaging system.

4. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a filter for filtering electromagnetic radiation from the video imaging device.

7. The imaging system of claim 4 wherein the filter comprises an excitation filter and an emission filter.

9. The imaging system of claim 7 wherein the excitation filter is adapted for allowing passage of electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength from about 600 nm to about 1000 nm.

16. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the biological probe comprises a fluorochrome.

17. The imaging system of claim 16 wherein the fluorochrome has an excitation wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range.

18. The imaging system of claim 16 wherein the fluorochrome has an emission wavelength that is within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the emission wavelength can be imaged by the video imaging device.

19. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the biological probe comprises a targeting moiety adapted to target the biological probe to the probe target.

20. The imaging system of claim 19 wherein the targeting moiety is selected from the group consisting of a membrane translocation signal, an antibody, an antigen-binding antibody fragment, and a receptor-binding molecule.

21. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the biological probe is an activatable biological probe.

22. The imaging system of claim 21 wherein the activatable probe is maintained in a non-active form by intramolecular quenching of the fluorochrome.

24. The imaging system of claim 21 wherein the activatable probe is activatable by a protease expressed by the probe target.

25. The imaging system of claim 24 wherein the protease is selected from the group consisting of a cathepsin, a caspase, and a matrix metalloproteinase.

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31. An imaging device for in vivo imaging, the imaging device comprising:

(a) a swallowable video imaging device comprising an optical system for in vivo imaging, an electromagnetic radiation source, a transmitter for transmitting images from the optical system, and a power source; and

(b) an electromagnetic radiation filter for filtering electromagnetic radiation passing from and to the video imaging device, the filter being adapted for detection of electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined broad or narrow wavelength range for cooperation with an administered biological agent to enable image detection of diseased tissue, non-diseased tissue, or both diseased tissue and non-diseased tissue.

32. A method of in vivo imaging, the method comprising:

(a) providing a video imaging system comprising;

(i) a video imaging device adapted for passage within any portion of a gastrointestinal tract for imaging an area of interest from within an entire gastrointestinal tract, the video imaging device comprising an optical system for in vivo imaging adapted for detection of electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength range or wavelength, an electromagnetic radiation source, a transmitter for transmitting images from the optical system, and a power source; and

(ii) a receiver for receiving images transmitted from the video imaging device;

(b) illuminating, in vivo, a probe target with electromagnetic radiation from the video imaging device;

(c) transmitting an image from the video imaging device of the illuminated probe target; and

(d) distinguishing the probe target within the image transmitted from the video imaging system.

49. The imaging system of claim 32, wherein the probe target is a cancerous tissue.

53. The method of claim 32 comprising distinguishing diseased tissue from non-diseased tissue.

71. The method of claim 32 comprising distinguishing among pre-malignant or malignant lesions, inflammation, benign lesions, and normal tissue.

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60. A method of distinguishing targeted tissue within a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, the method comprising:

(a) administering to the subject a biological probe that is absorbed by a probe target within a gastrointestinal tract of the subject;

(b) providing a video imaging device for in vivo imaging comprising a video imaging device adapted for passage within any portion of a gastrointestinal tract for imaging an area of interest from within an entire gastrointestinal tract, the video imaging device comprising an optical system for in vivo imaging adapted for detection of electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength range or wavelength, an electromagnetic radiation source, a transmitter for transmitting images from the optical system, and a power source;

(c) illuminating the probe target within the gastrointestinal tract with excitation electromagnetic radiation from the video imaging device;

(d) wherein step (c) causes the probe target to emit electromagnetic radiation to the optical system of the video imaging device;

(e) transmitting an image from the video imaging device of the probe target; and

(f) distinguishing the probe target within the image transmitted from the video imaging system.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein distinguishing the probe target within the image transmitted from the video imaging system comprises observing contrast of the probe target within the image.

63. The method of claim 60 comprising determining a signal intensity of fluorescence.

64. The method of claim 63 comprising quantifying clinical classification of the probe target based upon a determination of the signal intensity.

68. The method of claim 60 comprising filtering the emitted electromagnetic radiation before it reaches the optical system of the video imaging device.

69. The method of claim 60 comprising filtering the excitation electromagnetic radiation before it reaches the probe target.

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70. A method of treating target tissue in a subject, comprising:

(a) administering a biological probe comprising a fluorochrome having a substantially different excitation wavelength and emission wavelength to a target tissue of a subject;

(b) providing a video imaging system comprising;

(i) a video imaging device adapted for passage within any portion of a gastrointestinal tract for imaging an area of interest from within an entire gastrointestinal tract, the video imaging device comprising an optical system for in vivo imaging adapted for detection of electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength range or wavelength, an electromagnetic radiation source, a transmitter for transmitting images from the optical system, and a power source; and

(ii) a receiver for receiving images transmitted from the video imaging device; and

(c) illuminating, in vivo, the target tissue and the biological probe with electromagnetic radiation from the video imaging device and filtering the electromagnetic radiation before it reaches the target tissue and the biological probe, wherein the electromagnetic radiation excites the fluorochrome to fluoresce and heat is generated and transmitted to the target tissue due to the difference in the excitation and emission wavelengths.