Displaying Image Data From A Scanner Capsule

• US 20110004059A1
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innurvation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innurvation Incorporated
• Inventors: Tirpack, Devon, Bandy, William R., Arneson, Michael, Powell, Kevin J., Salsman, Kenneth E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,617,058 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging

Abstract

An ingestible image scanning pill captures high resolution images of the GI tract as it passes through. Images communicated externally have exact location determination. Image processing software discards duplicate information and stitches images together, line scan by line scan, to replicate a complete GI tract as if it were stretched out in a straight line. A fully linear image is displayed to a medical professional as if the GI tract had been stretched in a straight line, cut open, laid flat out on a bench for viewing—all without making any incisions in a live patient.

Claims

1. A GI tract imaging arrangement, comprising:

an ingestible imaging pill configured and arranged to illuminate and scan a GI tract of an animal and provide signals corresponding to scan images;

a receiver configured and arranged to receive the signals; and

an interactive signal processing device configured and arranged to process the signals and dynamically display them in a manner dictated by a human operator.

2. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the interactive signal processing device is configured to provide a “

fly through”

display of the GI tract.

3. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the signals are electromagnetic.

4. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the signals are optical.

5. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the interactive signal processing device is configured to display the GI tract stretched into a substantially linear representation of the GI tract.

6. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the interactive signal processing device is configured to permit the human operator to input comments related to a portion of the display the GI tract and have those comments displayed in a manner related to the display of the GI tract.

7. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the interactive signal processing device is configured to display graphical user interface (GUI) controls that can be manipulated by the human operator in order to change the display so as to focus on a particular feature of the GI tract.

8. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the interactive signal processing device is configured to display a positional indicator identifying where along the GI tract a particular image being displayed represents.

9. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises a CMOS imaging array for scanning the GI tract and providing signals indicative of the scanning.

10. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with white light.

11. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with acoustical energy and the pill includes sensors for detecting reflected acoustical energy.

12. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with multi-spectrum light.

13. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with narrow spectrum light.

14. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with infra-red light.

15. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with ultra-violet light.

16. A GI tract imaging arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the imaging pill comprises means for illuminating the GI tract with white light.

17. An ingestible imaging pill, comprising:

an illuminator configured and arranged to illuminate a portion of a wall of a GI tract of an animal;

a scanner configured to scan and image the GI tract;

a controller arranged to control the illuminator and scanner and provide an image signal indicative of an image of the GI tract; and

a transmitter for transmitting the image signal outside of the animal.

18. An ingestible imaging pill according to claim 17 wherein the transmitter comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

19. An ingestible imaging pill according to claim 17 wherein the transmitter comprises an audio transmitter.

20. An ingestible imaging pill according to claim 17 wherein the illuminator is an ultrasonic audio generator and wherein the pill includes sensors configured to respond to reflected audio signals to thereby generate an internal ultrasound image.