In vivo device with flexible circuit board and method for assembly thereof

• US 8,500,630 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilad, Zvika, Khait, Semion
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, PHILIP ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US10/879,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20060004257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,324 Days
• Field of Search: 600/101, 600/109, 600/160, 600/130
• US Class Current: 600/160
• 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: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence

Abstract

An in vivo imaging device having a flexible circuit board, for example, a one-sheet flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board may enable folding components attached to the flexible circuit board according to a predefined angle.

Claims

1. An autonomous in vivo imaging device comprising:

a device housing; and

a flexible circuit board inserted within said housing, the flexible circuit board comprising;

a first portion having components mounted thereon, said first portion defining a plane, and

a plurality of flexible leaves extending from the perimeter of said first portion, said flexible leaves abutting against said housing and being disposed at an angle with respect to the plane of the first portion, said angle being determined by the inner wall of said housing when said leaves abut said housing,

wherein at least one of said plurality of flexible leaves comprises an illumination source mounted thereon such that the illumination source abuts said housing;

wherein said plurality of flexible leaves comprises at least four flexible leaves, each protruding outwardly from the perimeter of said first portion in a respective plurality of radial directions.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of flexible leaves are for being folded at a required angle in relation to an axis of said in vivo device.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said angle is determined by the shape of the device housing.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said circuit board is a PCB.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said sensor is an image sensor.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, an electrical impedance sensor and a pressure sensor.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein a sensor is disposed on said first portion of said circuit board and a transmitter is disposed on a second portion of said circuit board.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said illumination source illuminates in a direction towards a side of said housing.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of flexible leaves is folded at a different angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of said in vivo device.

11. An autonomous in vivo imaging device comprising:

a device housing; and

a flexible circuit board inserted within said housing, the flexible circuit board comprising;

a first portion having components mounted thereon, said first portion defining a plane, and

a plurality of flexible leaves extending from the perimeter of said first portion, said flexible leaves abutting against said housing and being disposed at an angle with respect to the plane of the first portion, said angle being determined by the inner wall of said housing when said leaves abut said housing,

wherein each of said plurality of flexible leaves comprises an illumination source mounted thereon such that said illumination sources abut said housing and illuminate at different angles in relation to a longitudinal axis of said in vivo device.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of flexible leaves are for being folded at a required angle in relation to an axis of said in vivo device.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said angle is determined by the shape of the device housing.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein said circuit board is a PCB.

15. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a sensor.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said sensor is an image sensor.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, an electrical impedance sensor and a pressure sensor.

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein a sensor is disposed on said first portion of said circuit board and a transmitter is disposed on a second portion of said circuit board.

19. The device according to claim 16 wherein the imager is positioned on the first portion.

20. The device according to claim 11, wherein each of said illumination sources illuminate in a direction towards a respective side of said housing.