SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND ACTIVATING AN IN VIVO IMAGING CAPSULE

• US 20100300922A1
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: ROYTENBURD, Vitaly, GILAD, Zvika
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/530
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00144 Hygienic packaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging

Abstract

A storage unit is provided for removably storing an in vivo imaging capsule. The capsule may have a housing and an optical dome. The storage unit may include a recessed space formed for accepting the capsule. A magnet for magnetically activating and deactivating the capsule may be provided in the storage unit, for example in the lid. The storage unit may also include a capsule holding unit comprising at least two protruding elements to removably hold the capsule in the storage unit, wherein the protruding elements are positioned to grip the capsule housing.

Claims

1. A storage unit for removably storing an in vivo imaging capsule, the capsule having at least a housing and an optical dome, wherein the storage unit comprises:

a recessed space formed for accepting the capsule;

a magnet for magnetically activating and deactivating the capsule; and

a capsule holding unit comprising at least two protruding elements to removably hold the capsule in the storage unit, wherein the protruding elements are positioned to grip the capsule housing;

wherein the capsule holding unit is positioned substantially within the recessed space.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the storage unit comprises a lid, and wherein the magnet is positioned on the lid, such that the capsule is activated when the lid is open, and the capsule is deactivated when the lid is closed.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a fastening element is positioned on the lid, such that when the lid is in closed position, at least one of the protruding elements is pressed towards the stored capsule by the fastening element.

4. The device of claim 3 comprising a magnet for magnetically activating and deactivating the capsule, wherein the magnet is embedded into the fastening element.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the lid is made of a transparent material.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a lid, and wherein at least two fastening elements are positioned on the lid, such that when the lid is in closed position, the protruding elements are pressed towards the stored capsule by the fastening elements, thereby holding the stored capsule.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the protruding elements are positioned substantially symmetrically across from each other on opposite sides of the recessed space.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the holding unit comprises two capsule gripping units, wherein each capsule gripping unit comprises two protruding elements that are positioned substantially symmetrically across from each other on opposite sides of the recessed space.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the capsule gripping units are positioned substantially one centimeter apart from each other.

10. A storage device for storing a swallowable capsule, the capsule comprising a housing and an optical dome, the storage device comprising:

a container base comprising a recessed space for placing the swallowable capsule;

a capsule holding unit positioned substantially within the container base, the capsule holding unit comprising at least two protruding elements positioned to removably hold the swallowable capsule around its housing; and

a lid for covering the container base, the lid comprising a magnet, wherein the magnet is positioned to activate the swallowable capsule when the lid is open, and to deactivate the swallowable capsule when the lid is closed, and the lid comprising a fastening element to apply pressure to the at least two protruding elements when the lid is closed, thereby holding the swallowable capsule in the capsule holding unit.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a liner assembled into the container base.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the magnet is embedded into the fastening element.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the lid is made of a transparent material.

14. A method for packaging a swallowable capsule, the capsule comprising a capsule housing and an optical dome, the method comprising:

providing a container base, the base including a connecting element;

connecting a capsule holding unit with at least two protruding elements to the container base connecting element;

attaching a lid to the container base, the lid comprising a magnetic element for activating the swallowable capsule, and a fastening element to press the protruding elements together towards the stored capsule;

inserting the swallowable capsule into the capsule holding unit, the holding unit holding the capsule around the capsule housing; and

closing the lid to apply pressure to the protruding elements of the capsule holding unit, and to deactivate the capsule, wherein the pressure is applied by the fastening element and the capsule is deactivated by the magnet.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising assembling a liner onto the container base, the liner provided with a fissure for the protruding elements.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising rotating the swallowable capsule around its axis to deactivate it.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising activating an illumination source of the swallowable capsule to indicate whether the swallowable capsule is activated.