SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-VIVO IMAGING

• US 20120200684A1
• Filed: 03/20/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: GLUKHOVSKY, Arkady, MERON, Gavriel, AVRON, Jerome, ADLER, Doron, ZINATI, Ofra
• Granted Patent: US 8,368,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00002 Operational features of endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An in-vivo imaging device including a camera may include a frame storage device. Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in-vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system is varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Claims

1. A method for varying a frame capture rate of an in vivo camera system, the method comprising:

using a swallowable imaging capsule, capturing in vivo images at a first frame capture rate;

calculating a velocity of the imaging capsule; and

based on the calculated velocity, varying the frame capture rate to a second frame capture rate, the second capture rate being lower when the calculated velocity is relatively slow and faster when the calculated velocity is relatively fast.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising:

comparing at least two captured in vivo images; and

calculating the capsule velocity based on the image comparison.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising determining a correlation between capsule velocity and a frame capture rate.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving instantaneous acceleration data from an accelerometer placed in the interior of capsule, and calculating the capsule velocity based on the acceleration data.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving pressure data from a pressure sensor attached to the capsule, and calculating velocity based on the pressure data.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the pressure data includes peristaltic-induced pressure exerted on the capsule.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising:

operating a magnetic field external to the capsule;

receiving data of induced current in an induction coil contained within the capsule; and

calculating the velocity of the capsule based on the induced current.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising:

tracking the capsule with an ultrasound unit; and

converting the ultrasound data to capsule velocity data.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising transmitting information relating to the second frame capture rate to the capsule.

10. A system comprising:

a swallowable imaging capsule, capturing in vivo images at a first frame capture rate; and

a processor to calculate a velocity of the imaging capsule and to, based on the calculated velocity, vary the frame capture rate to a second frame capture rate, the second capture rate being lower when the calculated velocity is relatively slow and faster when the calculated velocity is relatively fast.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to compare at least two captured in vivo images and calculate the capsule velocity based on the image comparison.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to determine a correlation between capsule velocity and a frame capture rate.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to receive acceleration data from an accelerometer placed in the interior of capsule, and calculate the capsule velocity based on the acceleration data.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to receive pressure data from a pressure sensor attached to the capsule, and calculate velocity based on the pressure data.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the pressure data includes peristaltic-induced pressure exerted on the capsule.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to:

receive data of induced current in an induction coil contained within the capsule; and

calculate the velocity of the capsule based on the induced current.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to convert ultrasound data to capsule velocity data.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is to cause the transmission of information relating to the second frame capture rate to the capsule.

19. A method comprising:

capturing in vivo images via an imaging capsule;

calculating the velocity of the imaging capsule; and

determining a frame capture rate for the capsule based on the calculated velocity.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising:

comparing at least two captured in vivo images; and

calculating the capsule velocity based on the image comparison.