Immobilizable in-vivo imager with moveable focusing mechanism

• US 8,702,597 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/025,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,400 Days
• Field of Search: 600/101, 600/109, 600/167, 600/173
• US Class Current: 600/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A system, method and device for immobilizing an imager in-vivo and/or focusing images on the imager reflected from an in-vivo site to be monitored with for example a moveable or otherwise adjustable focusing mechanism. The imaging sensor may for example be positioned on an acute angle to an in-vivo surface to which the device is immobilized so that the device may for example image an in-vivo area that is opposed to such device. Sensors in addition to or other than an imaging sensor may be used.

Claims

1. An autonomous in-vivo device for monitoring a site in-vivo, the in-vivo device comprising:

a housing adapted to be mountable to an in-vivo surface for being immobilized in-vivo, the housing comprising;

a dome-shaped optical window;

an optical system positioned behind the optical window, the optical system comprising a focusing lens;

an image sensor positioned behind the optical window and within the housing, wherein said image sensor is positioned to face in a direction at an acute angle relative to a side of the housing which is mounted, wherein the angle is adjustable; and

a moveable focusing mechanism, comprising a focusing lever positioned on the housing, allowing the distance of the focusing lens relative to the image sensor to be adjusted by moving the image sensor by a shaft, wherein the focusing lens is located at a fixed distance from the optical window.

2. The in-vivo device as in claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises rotatable clasps.

3. The in-vivo device as in claim 1, comprising an illumination source.

4. The in-vivo device as in claim 3, comprising a controller to control illumination.

5. The in-vivo device as in claim 1, comprising a controller to control a frame rate of said imaging device.

6. The in-vivo device as in claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a vacuum pad configured to immobilize said housing to an endo-lumenal surface.

7. The in-vivo device as in claim 1, wherein said housing is configured to accept a suture to immobilize said housing to an endo-lumenal surface.

8. The in-vivo device as in claim 1, further comprising a base to which the imaging sensor is attached, the base comprising an edge moveably joined to a thread, wherein the edge moves within a track.

9. An autonomous in-vivo device configured for passing through a body lumen, the device comprising:

a housing adapted to be mountable to an in-vivo surface for being temporarily immobilized in-vivo, the housing comprising;

a dome-shaped optical window;

an optical system comprising a focusing lens behind the optical window;

an image sensor positioned behind the optical window and within the housing, wherein said image sensor is positioned to face in a direction at an acute angle relative to a side of the housing which is mounted, wherein the angle is adjustable; and

a moveable focusing mechanism, comprising a shaft and focusing screw positioned on the housing, allowing the distance of the focusing lens relative to the image sensor to be adjusted by moving the image sensor by a shaft, wherein the focusing lens is located at a fixed distance from the optical window.

10. The autonomous device as in claim 9, wherein said imaging device is positioned at an acute angle relative to a surface of a body lumen upon which said housing is immobilized.

11. The autonomous device as in claim 9, comprising means for temporarily immobilizing said housing in vivo.

12. An autonomous in-vivo device for monitoring a site in-vivo, the in-vivo device comprising:

a housing adapted to be mountable to an in-vivo surface for being immobilized in-vivo, the housing comprising;

a dome-shaped optical window;

an optical system comprising a focusing lens behind the optical window;

an image sensor positioned behind the optical window and within the housing, wherein said image sensor is positioned to face in a direction at an acute angle relative to a side of the housing which is mounted, wherein the angle is adjustable by a moveable focusing mechanism positioned on the housing; and

a base to which the imaging sensor is attached, the base comprising an edge moveably joined to a thread, allowing an end of the base to move within a track, wherein the focusing lens is located at a fixed distance from the optical window.