ENDOSCOPIC SMART PROBE AND METHOD
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein, adapted to obtain and store or transmit one or more types of data such as visual image data, laser autofluorescence data, or ultrasonic waveform data. In another aspect of the invention, an improved endoscopic device useful for implanting the aforementioned endoscopic smart probe is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for delivering agents including nano structures, radionuclides, medication, and ligands is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for obtaining a biopsy of intestinal tissue is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting the presence of one or more molecular species within the intestine is disclosed. Methods for inspecting and/or treating the interior regions of the intestinal tract using the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.
150 Citations
47 Claims
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1-29. -29. (canceled)
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30. A method of evaluating image data generated by at least one sensor of a substantially autonomous intestinal probe, comprising:
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providing a plurality of said image data obtained from said at least one sensor of said probe while said probe moved substantially autonomously through the intestinal tract of a living being; displaying said plurality of image data on at least one display, said displaying comprising providing on a single display apparatus having a plurality of display portions thereof, each display portion displaying a different segment of said plurality of collected image data; and evaluating said displayed plurality of collected image data in order to identify a physiologic condition of said living being; wherein efficiency of said act of evaluating is increased by simultaneous display of said plurality of image data across said plurality of display portions of said single display apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of evaluating data obtained from a substantially autonomous intestinal probe, comprising:
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receiving in real time a substantially continuous stream of data relating to a single image, said data obtained using said probe while said probe travels substantially autonomously through an intestinal tract of a human being; dividing said substantially continuous stream of data into at least two stream portions, said portions representing at least two respective periods of time of travel of said probe through said intestinal tract; and displaying said at least two stream portions contemporaneously on a single display device. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of evaluation using data obtained from at least two substantially autonomous intestinal probes, comprising:
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obtaining a plurality of first data from a first of said at least two probes while said first probe moves substantially autonomously through the intestinal tract of a first living being; obtaining a plurality of second data from a second of said at least two probes while said second probe moves substantially autonomously through an intestinal tract of a second living being; and displaying at least portions of said first and second data simultaneously as a mosaic on a single display screen; wherein said display of said first and second data simultaneously enables comparison thereof. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. Apparatus adapted to evaluate first data generated by a sensor of a substantially autonomous intestinal probe, comprising:
at least one digital processor; and
at least one computer program recorded on a computer readable medium, said medium in data communication with said at least one processor, said program adapted to run on said at least one processor, said at least one program further being adapted to;obtain a plurality of said data, said data generated by said sensor as said probe moved substantially autonomously through the intestinal tract of a living being; divide said data into a plurality of temporal segments; and present at least a portion of said plurality of temporal segments of said data in a respective plurality of portions of a partitioned display screen.
Specification