ENDOSCOPIC CAPSULE

• US 20110313266A1
• Filed: 02/15/2010
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Förtsch, Stefan, Kuth, Rainer, Maier, Karl-Heinz
• Granted Patent: US 8,918,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4238 stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6861 Capsules, e.g. for swallowing or implanting

Abstract

An endoscopic capsule has a biocompatible capsule housing that contains at least one sensor device for acquiring medical data. The sensor is arranged on an outer surface of the housing, and has a first electrode produced of an acid-resistant noble metal, and a second electrode produced of silver. An electrical voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, and a change in an electrical variable is measured between the first and second electrodes when ammonia is present. The endoscopic capsule allows screening of gastric acid and the tissue of the stomach lining for Helicobacter pylori in a manner that is gentle for the patient.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. An endoscopic capsule comprising:

a biocompatible capsule housing;

a sensor apparatus inside said housing that detects medical information;

a sensor located at an exterior of said housing and communicating with said sensor apparatus, said sensor comprising a first electrode made of a noble metal, which cannot be attacked by acid; and

a second electrode made of silver;

said sensor apparatus comprising a voltage source connected between said first electrode and said second electrode that produces an electric voltage between said first electrode and said second electrode; and

said sensor apparatus comprising a detector that detects a change in an electrical variable between said first electrode and said second electrode if ammonia is present between said first electrode and said second electrode.

27. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source produces an electric voltage between said first electrode and said second electrode of zero.

28. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source produces said electric voltage source as an AC voltage with a variable frequency spectrum.

29. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source produces said electric voltage as a DC voltage for a predetermined period of time.

30. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said detector measures electrical potential as said electrical variable.

31. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said detector measures electrical current as said electrical variable.

32. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said detector measures electrical resistance as said electrical variable.

33. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said first electrode is made of a noble metal selected from the group consisting of platinum and gold.

34. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said second electrode comprises a silver chloride layer.

35. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein at least one of said first electrode and said second electrode is configured to be replaceable.

36. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said second electrode is regenerable.

37. An endoscopic capsule as claimed in claim 26 comprising, in said capsule housing, a therapeutic device that administers therapy via said capsule housing.

38. an endoscopic capsule as claimed in claim 26 comprising, in said housing, at least one magnetic element that navigates said capsule housing by interaction with a magnetic field produced by an extracorporeal magnet system.

39. An endoscopic capsule as claimed in claim 26 comprising, in said housing, a data storage medium in which at least sensor data produced by said sensor are stored.

40. An endoscopic capsule as claimed in claim 26 comprising, in said housing, evaluation electronics that evaluates sensor data produced by said sensor.

41. An endoscopic capsule as claimed in claim 26 comprising, in said capsule housing, at least one data transmission device configured to transmit data to a location external of said housing.

42. An endoscopic capsule as claimed in claim 26 comprising, in said housing, an energy storage unit that forms said voltage source.

43. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as an AC sinusoidal voltage.

44. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as an AC triangular voltage.

45. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as an AC sawtooth voltage.

46. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as an AC voltage representing a noise spectrum.

47. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as an AC voltage having a variable frequency spectrum comprised of at least two pulses with respectively different shapes.

48. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as an AC voltage with a variable frequency spectrum comprised of components having respectively different bandwidths.

49. An endoscopic capsule diagnostic device as claimed in claim 26 wherein said voltage source generates said electrical voltage as a modulated AC voltage having a variable frequency spectrum.