System and apparatus for anchoring and operation of in-vivo medical devices
First Claim
1. An in-vivo medical device comprising:
- an image sensor;
an optical system;
at least one illumination source;
a permanent magnet assembly interacting with external magnetic fields for generating magnetic forces for magnetically maneuvering said device to a desired location along a patient'"'"'s GI tract; and
an anchoring mechanism, wherein said anchoring mechanism is configured to attach said device to body tissue at the desired location for a period of time, said anchoring mechanism comprising;
a chamber formed within a housing of said device, said chamber having an opening;
a harpoon located within said chamber, at least a portion of said harpoon extending outside of said chamber, said harpoon configured to penetrate the body tissue;
a harpoon cover configured to longitudinally move back and forth through said opening into said chamber and out of said chamber, respectively uncovering and covering said harpoon;
a spring located within said chamber, said spring configured to hold said cover outside said chamber and covering said harpoon, and configured to allow said cover to be moved longitudinally back into said chamber; and
a safety catch configured to prevent longitudinal movement of said cover unless released;
wherein, when said safety catch is in place, said safety catch prevents said cover from moving from a position outside said chamber and covering said harpoon, and when said safety catch is released, said spring allows said cover to move longitudinally into said chamber through said opening when said cover is pressed longitudinally against the body tissue, thereby uncovering said harpoon and allowing said harpoon to penetrate the body tissue for anchoring the device to the body tissue.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In-vivo medical devices, systems and methods of operating such devices include a permanent magnetic assembly interacting with external magnetic fields for magnetically maneuvering said device to a desired location along a patient'"'"'s GI tract, and anchoring said devices to the desired location for a period of time. The in-vivo medical device includes illumination sources, an optical system, and an image sensor for imaging the GI tract and thus assisting in locating the desired location. Some in-vivo medical devices include a concave window, which enables better imaging of small areas along the tissue. Furthermore, in-vivo devices with a concave window enable carrying operating tools without damaging the tissue of the GI tract, since prior to operation, the tools protrude from the concave window but remain behind the ends of the edges of the concave window.
35 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An in-vivo medical device comprising:
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an image sensor; an optical system; at least one illumination source; a permanent magnet assembly interacting with external magnetic fields for generating magnetic forces for magnetically maneuvering said device to a desired location along a patient'"'"'s GI tract; and an anchoring mechanism, wherein said anchoring mechanism is configured to attach said device to body tissue at the desired location for a period of time, said anchoring mechanism comprising; a chamber formed within a housing of said device, said chamber having an opening; a harpoon located within said chamber, at least a portion of said harpoon extending outside of said chamber, said harpoon configured to penetrate the body tissue; a harpoon cover configured to longitudinally move back and forth through said opening into said chamber and out of said chamber, respectively uncovering and covering said harpoon; a spring located within said chamber, said spring configured to hold said cover outside said chamber and covering said harpoon, and configured to allow said cover to be moved longitudinally back into said chamber; and a safety catch configured to prevent longitudinal movement of said cover unless released; wherein, when said safety catch is in place, said safety catch prevents said cover from moving from a position outside said chamber and covering said harpoon, and when said safety catch is released, said spring allows said cover to move longitudinally into said chamber through said opening when said cover is pressed longitudinally against the body tissue, thereby uncovering said harpoon and allowing said harpoon to penetrate the body tissue for anchoring the device to the body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification