Device, system, and method for adaptive imaging

• US 20090281389A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J.
• Application Number:
  US11/794,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20090281389A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging

Abstract

Device, system and method for adaptive imaging and adaptive in-vivo imaging. For example, an in-vivo imaging device may include a lens and a modifier to modify a physical property or an optical property of said lens.

Claims

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. An in-vivo imaging device comprising:

a lens;

a modifier to modify an optical property of said lens; and

a controller to control the modifier.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein said modifier comprises a pump to transfer a liquid into a cavity within said lens.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein said modifier comprises a pump to apply pressure on a liquid stored within said lens.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein said modifier comprises a piezoelectric frame, a physical property of which is modifiable in response to an electric current.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein said modifier is to cause said lens to expand in response to an internal pressure.

34. The device of claim 29, wherein said modifier is to cause said lens to bend in response to an external pressure.

35. The device of claim 29, wherein said lens includes an elastic material.

36. The device of claim 29, wherein said lens includes a flexible material.

37. The device of claim 29, wherein said lens includes an elastomer.

38. The device of claim 29, wherein said adaptive lens includes plastic.

39. The device of claim 29, wherein said adaptive lens includes an expandable liquid.

40. The device of claim 29, wherein said modifier comprises an electric circuit to increase a temperature of a liquid stored within said adaptive lens.

41. The device of claim 29, wherein said device is a swallowable capsule.

42. The device of claim 29, wherein said device is an autonomous in-vivo device.

43. The device of claim 29, comprising an imager.

44. The device of claim 29, wherein said physical property comprises a curvature.

45. The device of claim 29 wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the modifier in response to a pre-defined signal.

46. The device of claim 29 wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the modifier in response to a triggering event said triggering event occurring externally to the device.

47. A method for in vivo imaging, the method comprising:

receiving a signal by a controller in a swallowable capsule; and

controlling an optical property of a lens in the swallowable capsule according to the received signal.

48. The method of claim 47, comprising transferring a liquid into a cavity within said lens.

49. The method of claim 47, comprising applying pressure to a liquid within said lens.

50. The method according to claim 47 comprising:

sensing a condition within a body lumen;

determining whether a pre-defined condition is met; and

based on the determination generating the signal.