System and method for in-vivo imaging

• US 8,159,549 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady, Meron, Gavriel, Adler, Doron, Zinati, Ofra, Avron, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Aggarwal, Yogesh
• Application Number:
  US11/025,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20050110881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,665 Days
• Field of Search: 348/22, 348/45, 348/65, 348/220.1, 348/222.1, 348/399.1, 348/412.1, 348/415.1, 600/103, 600/105, 600/117, 600/118, 600/160
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00002 Operational features of endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An in-vivo imaging device including a camera may include a frame storage device. Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in-vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system is varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Claims

1. An in vivo camera system comprising:

a swallowable capsule for obtaining images from within a patient'"'"'s gastrointestinal tract, the capsule comprising an imager adapted to have its frame capture rate varied;

a processor to measure the movement of the capsule by comparing at least two images obtained thereby; and

a transmitter external to the patient, the transmitter to transmit to the capsule a frame capture rate, the imager to capture frames at the frame capture rate, which is lower when the capsule movement is relatively slow and faster when the capsule movement is relatively fast.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is to provide the capture rate to said transmitter.

3. An in vivo camera system comprising:

a swallowable capsule for obtaining images from within a patient'"'"'s gastrointestinal tract, the capsule comprising an imager adapted to have its frame capture rate varied;

a processor to determine a frame capture rate for the capsule by comparing at least two images obtained thereby; and

a transmitter in communication with said processor, the transmitter external to the patient, the transmitter to transmit to the capsule the frame capture rate, the imager to capture frames at the frame capture rate, wherein the frame capture rate is lower when the capsule movement is relatively slow and faster when the capsule movement is relatively fast.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the processor is to provide the capture rate to said transmitter.