Device and method for attenuating radiation from in vivo electrical devices

• US 7,161,164 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Terrel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Salvatore; Lynda
• Application Number:
  US10/187,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20030013370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,651 Days
• Field of Search: 428/144, 428/148, 428/172, 428/432, 428/450, 442/117, 442/131, 600 1- 3, 600/12, 600/15, 2 4/6, 245/5, 250/516.1
• US Class Current: 250/516.1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0525 Loin or waist area
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 9/00 Belts, girdles, or waistbands for trousers or skirts
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/14 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/20 comprising aluminium or copper B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/212 Electromagnetic interference shielding
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/441 Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties electroconductive, anti-static or radiation-shielding filaments D01F1/09, D01F1/106; anti-static fabrics D03D15/533; conducting, insulating or anti-static layers for floor coverings D06N7/0042
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 11/00 Double or multi-ply fabrics not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/25 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/20 Metallic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2201/02 Cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/02 polyamides D10B2331/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/04 Outerwear; Protective garments
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2509/00 Medical; Hygiene
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 1/08 Metals; Alloys; Cermets, i.e. sintered mixtures of ceramics and metals
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 3/02 Clothing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2907 with coating or impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2475 Coating or impregnation is electrical insulation-providing, -improving, or -increasing, or conductivity-reducing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/259 : Coating or impregnation provides protection from radiation [e.g., U.V., visible light, I.R., micscheme-change-itemave, high energy particle, etc.] or heat retention thru radiation absorption
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/335 : Plural fabric layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3374 : Coating or impregnation includes particulate material other than fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3382 : Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/339 : Metal or metal-coated strand
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3415 : Preformed metallic film or foil or sheet [film or foil or sheet had structural integrity prior to association with the woven fabric]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3423 : Plural metallic films or foils or sheets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3431 : Plural fabric layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3902 : Polyimide sheet or film
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/618 : Blend of chemically different inorganic microfibers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/651 : Plural fabric layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/652 : Nonwoven fabric is coated, impregnated, or autogenously bonded
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/653 : Including particulate material other than fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/654 : Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/655 : Metal or metal-coated strand or fiber material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/656 : Preformed metallic film or foil or sheet [film or foil or sheet had structural integrity prior to association with the nonwoven fabric]

Abstract

A garment and method for reducing electromagnetic radiation produced by a transmitting device typically located inside a body. The garment may include material to prevent or lower electromagnetic radiation. A method for using such a garment to lower electromagnetic emissions is described.

Claims

1. A method of attenuating electromagnetic radiation produced by an electrical or electronic in-vivo device ingested in a body, the method comprising:

providing a garment comprising an electromagnetic radiation attenuating layer;

providing an antenna array;

operating the ingested in-vivo device to produce electromagnetic radiation; and

at least partially surrounding the body with the antenna array and the garment such that the radiation produced by the ingested in-vivo device is at least partially attenuated by the garment; and

such that the antenna array is positioned between the body and the garment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the garment includes at least a sheet of conductive material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sheet includes aluminum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the garment includes at least conductive fibers.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the fibers are impregnated with conductive material.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the garment includes at least one fabric layer, wherein the electromagnetic radiation attenuating layer is disposed adjacent to the at least one fabric layer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna array is positioned on the inside of the garment, and wherein a collection unit is attached to the antenna array via a hole in the garment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-vivo device is a swallowable capsule for imaging the gastrointestinal tract.