Device, system and method for in-vivo imaging of a body lumen

• US 20110034795A9
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pascal, Amit, Gilad, Zvika
• Granted Patent: US 8,639,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407.000
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An in-vivo device, system and a method for imaging a body lumen, typically liquid filled body lumen. The in-vivo device may have a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it to float. The in-vivo device may include an optical system for viewing through a body lumen liquid and another optical system for viewing through a non liquid medium. The in-vivo device may be moved through the body lumen by the liquid movement in that lumen.

Claims

1. A floatable device for in-vivo imaging, said device comprising:

a first optical system for viewing through a body lumen liquid; and

a second optical system for viewing through a non liquid medium.

2. The device according to claim 1, comprising a transparent empty-spaced elongated optical dome.

3. The device according to claim 1, comprising a lens holder for viewing through a liquid.

4. The device according to claim 1, comprising a planoconcave lens a planoconvex lens and a convex lens.

5. The device according to claim 4, comprising an aperture stop5

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the aperture stop is placed between a first and a second lens.

7. The device according to claim 1, comprising a lens holder for viewing through a non liquid medium.

8. The device according to claim 1, comprising:

a first volume of space having at least an imager and an optical system; and

a second volume of space being empty of components, the second volume being greater than twice the volume of the first volume of space.

9. The device according to claim 1, comprising a control voltage liquid crystal lens.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said in-vivo device is an autonomous swallowable capsule.

11. The device according to claim 1, having a specific gravity of about 1.

12. The device according to claim 1, having a volume to weight ratio that enables said device to float in a body lumen liquid.

13. The device according to claim 1, comprising an illumination source.

14. The device according to claim 1, comprising a transmitter.

15. The device according to claim 1, comprising a ballast.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein internal components of said device are packaged so as to create ballast in one portion of the device.

17. An in-vivo imaging system, said system comprising:

a floatable imaging device, said device comprising a first optical system for viewing through a body lumen liquid and a second optical system for viewing through a non liquid medium;

a transmitter; and

a receiver.

18. The system according to claim 17, comprising a data processor.

19. The system according to claim 17, comprising a storage unit.

20. The system according to claim 17, comprising a monitor.

21. A method of manufacturing a floatable in-vivo imaging device, the method comprising:

providing a first lens holder having one or more lenses for viewing through air;

providing a second lens holder having one or more lenses for viewing through liquid;

attaching the first and second lens holders to a circuit board; and

inserting the circuit board into a housing.

22. The method according to claim 21 comprising attaching one or more components to the circuit board said components are selected from the group consisting of

an imager, a battery, a sensor, a transmitter and an antenna.