Capsule blood detection system and method

• US 9,017,248 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Gono, Kazuhiro, Suga, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOU, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US11/937,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20090124853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,728 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/160, 600/178, 600322-325, 600/118, 600/310, 600/328
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00057 provided with means for testing or calibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters

Abstract

A capsule for determining the blood content of living tissue in vivo in a patient to detect tumors. The capsule includes a light source and a light detector for directing light onto the tissue and for receiving interacted light therefrom. By analyzing the interacted light, a determination can be made of the blood content of that tissue. There are various ways of positioning the capsule so that it contacts the tissue in the desired orientation of the light source and light detector. There is also a system for determining the actual contact between the capsule and the tissue. A calibration system is also used that allows a self calibration that can be carried out easily and accurately just prior to the use of the capsule.

Claims

1. A device comprising;

a capsule configured for swallowing and movement within the digestive tract, said capsule having a transmitter and a blood content detector for detecting blood content within mucosal tissue forming a body lumen of the digestive tract, wherein the blood content detector comprises;

a light source configured to emit light outwardly relative to said capsule for interacting with the mucosal tissue;

an optical detector that detects interacted light from the mucosal tissue that is originated from said light source;

a light source linear polarizer configured to polarize the light emitted by the light source; and

a first and a second linear polarizers placed between the mucosal tissue and the optical detector and configured to polarize the interacted light from the mucosal tissue, a polarizing direction of the first linear polarizer being same as that of the light source linear polarizer and a polarizing direction of the second linear polarizer being perpendicular to that of the first linear polarizer; and

wherein said transmitter is coupled to said optical detector for receiving signals from said optical detector indicative of the detected interacted light from the mucosal tissue and for transmitting signals to an external processor;

said transmitted signals being indicative of blood content within said mucosal tissue.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an image capture device disposed in said capsule.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a measurement window formed within the capsule and wherein the optical detector is disposed adjacent said window.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said capsule is configured to locate said window in contact with said mucosal tissue when employed in vivo.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said configuration includes a shape for facilitating said window positioning in vivo.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said configuration includes a center of gravity to utilize gravity for facilitating said window positioning in vivo.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising at least one weight to achieve said center of gravity.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the blood content detector is selectively moveable within said capsule.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a module moveably disposed within said capsule, wherein said blood content detector is mounted to said module.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the capsule has at least a part of a circular cross-section shape.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the capsule has at least a part of an ellipsoidal cross-section shape.

12. The device of claim 9 further comprising a gimbal, wherein said blood content detector is mounted to said gimbal.

13. The device of claim 9 further comprising at least one measurement window disposed within said capsule, wherein said blood content detector is an optical detector.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the blood content detector comprises a light source and an optical detector.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the blood content detector further comprises at least one reflector.

16. A device of claim 15 wherein said at least one reflector is positioned within said capsule to reflect light produced by said light source through the measurement window onto the surface of a living tissue.