System and method for determining path lengths through a body lumen

• US 7,596,403 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Horn, Eli
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur; Eric F
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOR, HELENE CATHERINE
• Application Number:
  US10/879,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,917 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/424, 600/117, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for determining the path length through a body lumen, for example to a specified location, is described. A location detection system may identify the location in space of an in-vivo device over time. A path-length detection unit may use data from the location detection system to determine a path traveled by an in-vivo device. A site of interest along that path may be identified. The distance of the site of interest from at least one end point of a body lumen may be determined.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for determining a relative path length traveled to a specific location through a body lumen by an in vivo device, the method comprising the steps:

determining, using a processing unit, a raw path length value of the in vivo device through the body lumen to the specific location based upon location data of the in vivo device;

determining a total raw lumen length value based upon location data of the in vivo device;

calculating, using the processing unit, a relative path length value using a ratio between the raw path length value and the raw total lumen length value; and

providing the relative path length value to a user for use by said user in examination, diagnosis or treatment of said body lumen.

2. The method according to claim 1 comprising capturing images of the body lumen as the in vivo device travels through the body lumen.

3. The method according to claim 1 comprising sensing the body lumen as the in vivo device travels through the body lumen.

4. The method according to claim 1 comprising sensing pH, pressure or temperature of the body lumen.

5. The method according to claim 2, comprising obtaining the location data of the in vivo device based on the captured images.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising obtaining the location data of the in vivo device based on data sensed by the in vivo device.

7. The method according to claim 2 comprising transmitting the captured images to an external receiving system.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the body lumen is the gastrointestinal tract.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the in vivo device is a swallowable capsule.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising obtaining the location data of the in vivo device based on triangulation of the signal strength received by antennas of the an external receiving system.

11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

post-processing images sent from the in vivo device to identify end points of a portion of a body lumen traveled by the in vivo device; and

providing indication to the user if a point of interest may be revisited by an alternate device.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein post-processing images is performed by identifying a color scheme of the images corresponding to a specific body lumen portion.

13. The method according to claim 11 further comprising providing indication to the user from which direction the point of interest may be revisited by the alternative device.

14. The method according to claim 10 further comprising providing a relative distance from a near exit point of a body lumen portion.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein a portion of a body lumen is selected from the group consisting of:

esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

16. The method according to claim 10 wherein an end point of a portion of a body lumen is selected from the group consisting of:

pylorus and cecum.

17. The method according to claim 10 wherein providing indication to the user comprises suggesting a method selected from the group consisting of:

endoscopy, colonscopy, gastroscopy, enteroscopy, laparoscopy and surgical intervention.

18. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

pre-selecting an overall length of the body lumen value; and

calculating an actual path length value using said relative path length value and the overall length of the body lumen value.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising providing the corrected path length value to a user.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the overall length of the body lumen value is between 6 to 8 meters.