In-vivo extendable element device and system, and method of use

• US 6,936,003 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Flanagan, Beverly M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/694,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20040176664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600114-115, 600117-118, 600/160
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00085 Baskets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes

Abstract

An in-vivo device, such as an autonomous imager or other suitable in-vivo device, includes a moveable arm, extendible element, or proboscis. The in-vivo device may include sensors, such as imagers, etc. The device may transmit sensing information via, for example, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

Claims

1. An autonomous in-vivo device comprising:

a housing; and

a moveable arm;

said housing configured to store the moveable arm and said movable arm configured to be coiled when stored within the housing.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising an imager.

3. The device of claim 1, comprising a transmitter.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is to transmit via radio waves.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the moveable arm is hollow.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the moveable arm includes a tube.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the moveable arm includes a plurality of segments.

8. The device of claim 1, comprising a set of control wires.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the moveable arm includes a movement device.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the moveable arm includes a piezo material.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the moveable arm includes a shape memory material.

12. The device of claim 1, comprising a controller to send movement signals to the moveable arm.

13. The device of claim 1, comprising a storage tank.

14. An in-vivo device comprising:

a housing;

a transmitter; and

a moveable proboscis;

said housing configured to store the movable proboscis and said movable proboscis configured to be coiled when stored within the housing.

15. The device of claim 14, comprising an imager.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is to transmit via radio waves.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the proboscis includes a tube.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the proboscis includes piezo material segments.

19. An in-vivo device comprising:

a housing;

a moveable means to manipulate a structure in-vivo;

said housing configured to store the movable means and said movable means configured to be coiled when stored within the housing.

20. The in-vivo device of claim 19, comprising an imaging means to capture images.

21. The in-vivo device of claim 19, comprising a transmitter means to transmit images.

22. An autonomous in-vivo device comprising:

a housing;

an imager; and

an arm extending from the device, the arm comprising a plurality of segments;

said housing configured to store the arm extending from the device and said arm extending from the device configured to be coiled when stored within the housing.

23. The device of claim 22 comprising a set of control wires, a subset of the control wires being attached to each of a set of segments.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein a subset of the control wires control movement in a first direction, and wherein a subset of the control wires control movement in a second direction.

25. The device of claim 22, comprising a radio transmitter.

26. An autonomous in-vivo device comprising:

a housing;

an imager;

an arm extending from the device, the arm comprising a plurality of segments and being controllable;

said housing configured to store the arm and said arm configured to be coiled when stored within the housing.