Device and method for dark current noise temperature sensing in an imaging device

• US 6,607,301 B1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J., Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRUCHNIC, STANLEY J
• Application Number:
  US09/806,714
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 374/175, 374/117, 374/141, 374/136, 374/121, 374/120, 374/128, 356/43, 356/44, 600/474, 600/549, 600/101, 600/109, 600/117, 600/118, 600/127, 600/153, 600/160, 600/562, 600/573, 600/104-106, 348/65, 348/74-77, 348/81-85, 348/909, 250/339.04, 250/352, 327/512
• US Class Current: 374/175
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/30 using thermal noise of resistances or conductors

Abstract

A device, method and system for sensing the temperature of an environment. An image sensor may be introduced into an environment having an image sensing module. The dark current noise of the image sensor may be sensed, and the temperature of the image sensor (and environment) calculated. Such a device, system and method may be used in, for example, a medical imaging device.

Claims

1. A method for sensing the temperature of an environment comprising the steps of:

introducing into the environment an image sensor having an image sensing module;

sensing the dark current noise of the image sensing module;

calculating the temperature of the image sensor from the sensed dark current noise; and

calculating the temperature of the environment from the calculated image sensor temperature.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the calculated environment temperature.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of amplifying the sensed dark current noise prior to the step of calculating the temperature of the image sensor.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the sensed dark current noise is amplified by an integrating unit that is in communication with the image sensor.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of sensing the dark current noise of the image sensor is performed by an integrating unit that is in communication with the image sensor.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein any one of the steps subsequent to the step of sensing the dark current noise of the image sensor is performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein the integrating unit is located outside of the environment.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the steps of calculating the temperature of the image sensor and calculating the temperature of the environment are performed by an integrating unit that is in communication with the image sensor.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the image sensor is exposed to intermittent illuminated and dark periods.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of sensing the dark current noise of the image sensor is performed during one or more dark periods.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the image sensor is a video camera.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the environment is a body cavity.

14. The method according to claim 1, comprising obtaining visual data.

15. A system for sensing the temperature of an environment comprising an image sensor in communication with an integrating unit,

said image sensor being introduced into an environment;

and

said integrating unit receiving dark current noise from the image sensor, calculating the temperature of the image sensor, and calculating the temperature of the environment.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit amplifies the received dark current noise prior to calculating the temperature of the image sensor, and calculating the temperature of the environment.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein one or more of the steps of amplifying the received dark current noise, calculating the temperature of the image sensor and calculating the temperature of the environment are performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.

19. A system according to claim 15 wherein one or both of calculating the temperature of the image sensor and calculating the temperature of the environment are performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.

21. A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit further displays the calculated environment temperature.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein displaying the calculated environment temperature is performed by a separate unit that is in communication with the integrating unit.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the separate unit is located outside of the environment.

24. A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit is located outside of the environment.

25. A system according to claim 15 wherein the image sensor is exposed to intermittent illuminated and dark periods.

26. A system according to claim 25 further comprising a switch which is in communication with an illumination indicator for receiving indication of illumination, said switch enabling communication between the image sensor and integrating unit only during one or more dark periods.

27. A system according to claim 26 wherein the switch is capable of accepting signals from an external operator.

28. A system according to claim 15 further comprising a switch which controls illumination elements for exposing the image sensor to intermittent illuminated and dark periods, said switch enabling communication between the image sensor and integrating unit only during one or more dark periods.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the switch is capable of accepting signals from an external operator.

30. A system according to claim 15 wherein the integrating unit is in communication with functional units for operating said functional units in accordance with a predetermined temperature.

31. A medical device comprising the system according to claim 30.

32. A medical device according to claim 31 in which the functional units are units that enable the collection of samples from the environment.

33. A system according to claim 15 wherein the image sensor is a video camera.

34. A system according to claim 15 wherein the environment is a body cavity.

35. A medical device comprising the system according to claim 15.

36. A medical device according to claim 35 wherein the device is a swallowable autonomous endoscope.

37. The system according to claim 15, wherein said image sensor is capable of obtaining visual data.