System and method for in-vivo imaging

• US 9,215,973 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2015
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady, Meron, Gavriel, Adler, Doron, Zinaty, Ofra, Avron, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Unsu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Santos Rodriguez, Joseph M
• Application Number:
  US14/739,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20150305605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 190 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00002 Operational features of endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• 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 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An in-vivo imaging device including a camera may include a frame storage device. Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in-vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on for example, a physical quantity experienced by the camera system, or physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system may be varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Claims

1. A method for in vivo imaging with an imager of a swallowable imaging capsule, the method comprising:

using an imager within a swallowable imaging capsule to capture in vivo images at a first frame capture rate;

measuring a physical quantity experienced by the imaging capsule while moving in the gastrointestinal tract, wherein the physical quantity is one of acceleration, pressure, induced current and motion;

based on said measurement, varying the imager'"'"'s frame capture rate from the first frame capture rate to a second frame capture rate; and

using the imager, capturing in vivo images at the second frame capture rate.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising:

transmitting the second frame capture rate to the imaging capsule.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said second capture rate is determined according to a predetermined function, database or look-up table which correlates between a determined physical quantity and a capture rate.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving instantaneous acceleration data from an accelerometer placed in the interior of capsule.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the physical quantity experienced by the imaging capsule comprises pressure data received from a pressure sensor attached to the capsule.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the pressure data includes peristaltic-induced pressure exerted on the capsule.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the physical quantity is induced current, the method comprising:

operating a magnetic field external to the capsule; and

receiving data related to an induction coil contained within the capsule.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising:

tracking the capsule and generating ultrasound data with an ultrasound unit; and

converting the ultrasound data to capsule motion data.

9. A system for in vivo imaging, the system comprising:

a swallowable imaging capsule comprising an imager; and

a processor to;

receive in vivo images captured using the imager at a first frame capture rate;

receive measurements of a physical quantity experienced by the imaging capsule while moving in the gastrointestinal tract, wherein the physical quantity is one of acceleration, pressure, induced current and motion;

based on the measurement, vary the imager'"'"'s frame capture rate from the first frame capture rate to a second frame capture rate; and

receive in vivo images captured using the imager at the second frame capture rate.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the system further comprises a transmitter to transmit the second frame capture rate to the imaging capsule.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said second capture rate is determined according to a predetermined function, database or look-up table which correlates between a determined physical quantity and a capture rate.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor is to receive instantaneous acceleration data from an accelerometer placed in the interior of capsule.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the physical quantity experienced by the imaging capsule comprises pressure data received from a pressure sensor attached to the capsule.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the pressure data includes peristaltic-induced pressure exerted on the capsule.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the physical quantity is induced current, and wherein the system is to:

operate a magnetic field external to the capsule; and

receive data related to an induction coil contained within the capsule.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor is to:

track the capsule with an ultrasound unit; and

convert the ultrasound data to capsule motion data.

17. A method for in vivo imaging comprising:

capturing in vivo images using an imager contained in a swallowable capsule at a first capture rate;

measuring a physical quantity experienced by the capsule while in the gastrointestinal tract, wherein the physical quantity is one of acceleration, pressure, induced current and motion; and

based on the physical quantity, varying the imager'"'"'s capture rate from the first capture rate to a second capture rate;

capturing in vivo images at the second frame capture rate using the imager.

18. The method of claim 17 comprising transmitting the second capture rate to the capsule.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said second capture rate is determined according to a predetermined function, database or look-up table which correlates between a determined physical quantity and a capture rate.