Method for activating an image collecting process

• US 7,295,226 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Avron, Jerome, Adler, Doren
• Primary Examiner(s): Boccio; Vincent F.
• Application Number:
  US10/130,326
• Time in Patent Office: 2,554 Days
• Field of Search: 348 76- 77, 600/109, 600/114
• US Class Current: 348/77
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00057 provided with means for testing or calibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00144 Hygienic packaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera

Abstract

The present invention is a method for activating an image collecting process (step 34), comprising the steps of releasing the power source of a component essential to the image collecting process from an inhibition imposed by an external magnet, wherein the invention also provides suitable packaging for storing the imaging system having a magnet, designed for the inside of a body lumen.

Claims

1. A method for operating a swallowable imaging capsule, the method comprising:

providing a swallowable imaging capsule inserted into a cup such that a portion of the swallowable imaging capsule is held by the cup and a portion of the swallowable imaging capsule protrudes from the cup such that the swallowable imaging capsule can be released from the cup by a user;

magnetically activating a light source of the swallowable imaging capsule while the swallowable imaging capsule is in the cup to illuminate at least once from outside a patient'"'"'s body for ensuring proper operation of the swallowable imaging capsule;

providing a reception system outside the patient'"'"'s body which receives output transmitted from the swallowable imaging capsule;

and transmitting an image of the area of interest to the reception system.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the capsule comprises an imaging device, wherein the imaging device is a CCD camera or a CMOS type image sensor.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the capsule is designed to image the insides of body lumens.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cup is to provide white balance.