System and method for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device

• US 9,084,547 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bettesh, Ido, Khait, Semion
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet, Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOU, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US11/723,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,045 Days
• Field of Search: 600/103, 600/109, 600/117, 600/118, 600/160, 600/424, 600/407
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the status of a battery in an in-vivo imaging device, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device. The device may include a frame counter for counting the number of frames captured and may include monitoring the voltage of the battery. A warning signal is generated if it is determined that the battery is faulty prior to use. The warning signal can be generated by the device and/or by a receiver which receives data from the in-vivo imaging device and/or a by workstation which receives the data from the receiver.

Claims

1. A method for checking the status of a swallowable in-vivo imaging device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of:

counting image frames captured by an imager located in the in-vivo device;

registering said captured image frames by a processor; and

indicating a warning if a number of image frames counted by the frame counter prior to swallowing of the in-vivo imaging device exceeds a critical number of frames,

wherein the critical number of frames is calculated based on a lifetime of the battery, the amount of time required for sensing passages or cavities within a body of a patient, and an image frame capture rate of the imager,

such that a difference between a lifetime of the battery and a division of the critical number of frames by a frame capture rate is greater than a time necessary to complete imaging of a required length of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the in-vivo imaging device is a swallowable capsule.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the swallowable capsule is autonomous.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the warning is indicated by an indicator located in the in-vivo sensing device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the warning is indicated by the in-vivo imaging device shutting down.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the warning is indicated by the in-vivo imaging device suppressing the operation of illumination sources.