Lumen-traveling device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
- a motion-arresting portion;
a fluid-contacting portion configured to contact fluid within the body lumen and to at least intermittently permit flow of fluid through the body lumen;
a propelling mechanism configured to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen in which the lumen-traveling device is deployed;
motion control circuitry carried at least in part by said lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism to control movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen;
a sensor configured to detect a condition of interest in the body lumen and to generate a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest;
response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest in the body lumen; and
an active portion operatively connected to the response initiation circuitry and configured to produce a response upon receipt of the response initiation signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Lumen-traveling devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, as well as additional components such as a sensor, an active portion, and/or control circuitry. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect a local condition, and an action may be performed within the body lumen. Actions that may be performed include, but are not limited to, transmitting information, releasing a material within the lumen, performing a surgical step, or collecting a sample, among others.
356 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
-
a motion-arresting portion; a fluid-contacting portion configured to contact fluid within the body lumen and to at least intermittently permit flow of fluid through the body lumen; a propelling mechanism configured to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen in which the lumen-traveling device is deployed; motion control circuitry carried at least in part by said lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism to control movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen; a sensor configured to detect a condition of interest in the body lumen and to generate a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest; response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest in the body lumen; and an active portion operatively connected to the response initiation circuitry and configured to produce a response upon receipt of the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
-
a lumen-wall-engaging portion; a fluid-contacting portion configured to contact fluid within the body lumen and to at least intermittently permit flow of fluid through the body lumen; a propelling mechanism configured to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen in which the lumen-traveling device is deployed; at least one sensor configured to detect a condition of interest in the body lumen and to generate a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest; motion control circuitry carried at least in part on said lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism at least in part based upon the sense signal; response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest in the body lumen; and an active portion operatively connected to the response initiation circuitry and configured to produce a response upon receipt of the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A lumen-traveling device comprising:
-
a structural element sized to fit within a body lumen; at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures operable to alternately engage and disengage a wall of the body lumen; a propelling mechanism configured to produce relative extension and retraction of the at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures with respect to each other in combination with alternate engagement and disengagement of the body lumen wall to produce movement of the lumen-traveling stimulation device with respect to the body lumen wall; motion control circuitry carried at least in part by the lumen-traveling device and configured to control the propelling mechanism to control movement of the lumen-traveling device through the body lumen; a sensor configured to detect a condition of interest in the body lumen and to generate a sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest; response initiation circuitry operatively connected to the sensor and configured to generate a response initiation signal upon receipt of the sense signal indicating detection of the condition of interest in the body lumen; and an active portion carried by the structural element and configured to perform an action in response to receipt of the response initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification