Device and method for viewing a body lumen
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An in-vivo imaging device comprising:
- a non-cylindrical housing having a concave cross-section with a first surface having a concave shape opposing a second surface having a convex shape, said housing comprising between said first and second surfaces;
an optical window;
at least one imager;
at least one illumination source; and
an optical system,wherein said concave shaped surface of said housing is adapted to attach to, and partially wrap around, a correspondingly curved external surface of an endoscope, the endoscope having an insertion direction corresponding to a direction at which the endoscope is inserted into a body lumen;
wherein the at least one of said at least one imager is configured to image in a direction opposite to the endoscope insertion direction, andwherein said housing is configured to attach to, and detach from, the external surface of the endoscope via said concave shaped surface of said housing using an attachment means;
wherein, following insertion of the in-vivo imaging device and the endoscope to a first side of a desired location within the body lumen, said in-vivo imaging device is adapted to move, via said attachment means, a predetermined distance from the endoscope, from a position in which said housing is attached to the endoscope at the first side of the desired location to a position in which said housing is detached from the endoscope at a second side of the desired location opposing the first side, such that said at least one of said at least one imager is configured to image the desired location from the second side of the desired location opposing the first side, in the direction opposite to the endoscope insertion direction.
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Abstract
A device and method for viewing a body lumen are provided. An assembly of a capsule endoscope and an endoscope is inserted into a body lumen. The capsule endoscope is positioned within the body lumen at a predetermined distance from the endoscope, and images are obtained from opposite sides of a desired location in the body lumen. In vivo procedures may be performed, while images of the procedure are obtained from opposite sides of the procedure location.
49 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An in-vivo imaging device comprising:
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a non-cylindrical housing having a concave cross-section with a first surface having a concave shape opposing a second surface having a convex shape, said housing comprising between said first and second surfaces; an optical window; at least one imager; at least one illumination source; and an optical system, wherein said concave shaped surface of said housing is adapted to attach to, and partially wrap around, a correspondingly curved external surface of an endoscope, the endoscope having an insertion direction corresponding to a direction at which the endoscope is inserted into a body lumen; wherein the at least one of said at least one imager is configured to image in a direction opposite to the endoscope insertion direction, and wherein said housing is configured to attach to, and detach from, the external surface of the endoscope via said concave shaped surface of said housing using an attachment means; wherein, following insertion of the in-vivo imaging device and the endoscope to a first side of a desired location within the body lumen, said in-vivo imaging device is adapted to move, via said attachment means, a predetermined distance from the endoscope, from a position in which said housing is attached to the endoscope at the first side of the desired location to a position in which said housing is detached from the endoscope at a second side of the desired location opposing the first side, such that said at least one of said at least one imager is configured to image the desired location from the second side of the desired location opposing the first side, in the direction opposite to the endoscope insertion direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:
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inserting an in-vivo imaging device and an endoscope in a first direction into a body lumen, wherein said in-vivo imaging device comprises a non-cylindrical housing having a concave cross-section with a first surface having a concave shape opposing a second surface having a convex shape, said housing comprising between said first and second surfaces an optical window, at least one imager, at least one illumination source, and an optical system, wherein said concave shaped surface is configured to attach to and partially wrap around a correspondingly curved external surface of said endoscope, wherein said housing is configured to attach to, and detach from, the external surface of the endoscope via said concave shaped surface of said housing using an attachment means; positioning the endoscope and said attached in-vivo imaging device at a first side of a desired location within the body lumen; moving said in-vivo imaging device, via said attachment means, a predetermined distance from said endoscope, from a position in which said in-vivo imaging device is attached to the endoscope at the first side of the desired location to a position in which said in-vivo imaging device is detached from the endoscope at a second side of the desired location opposing the first side; and obtaining images of the desired location from the second side of the desired location opposing the first side in the direction opposite to said first direction using said in-vivo imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:
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inserting an in-vivo imaging device and an endoscope in a first direction into a body lumen, wherein said in-vivo imaging device comprises a non-cylindrical housing having a concave cross-section with a first surface having a concave shape opposing a second surface having a convex shape, said housing comprising between said first and second surfaces an optical window, at least one imager, at least one illumination source, and an optical system, said concaved shaped surface configured to attach to and partially wrap around a correspondingly curved external surface of said endoscope, wherein said housing is configured to attach to, and detach from, the external surface of the endoscope via said concave shaped surface of said housing using an attachment means; guiding the endoscope and said attached in-vivo imaging device to a first side of a desired location in the body lumen using images obtained from said first direction by said in-vivo imaging device; moving said in-vivo imaging device, via said attachment means, a predetermined distance from said endoscope, from a position in which said in-vivo imaging device is attached to the endoscope at the first side of the desired location to a position in which said in-vivo imaging device is detached from the endoscope at a second side of the desired location opposing the first side; and obtaining images of the desired location from the second side of the desired location opposing the first side in the direction opposite to said first direction using said in-vivo imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for viewing a body lumen, the method comprising:
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inserting an in-vivo imaging device and an endoscope in a first direction into a body lumen, wherein said in-vivo imaging device comprises a non-cylindrical housing having a concave cross-section with a first surface having a concave shape opposing a second surface having a convex shape, said housing comprising between said first and second surfaces an optical window, at least one imager, at least one illumination source, and an optical system, said concave shaped portion configured to attach to and partially wrap around a correspondingly curved external surface of said endoscope, wherein said housing is configured to attach to, and detach from, the external surface of the endoscope via said concave shaped surface of said housing using an attachment means; guiding the endoscope and said attached in-vivo imaging device to a first side of a desired location in the body lumen using images obtained by said in-vivo imaging device until no further movement is possible; leading said in-vivo imaging device, via said attachment means, a predetermined distance further in the body lumen, without the endoscope, while said in-vivo imaging device remains attached to said endoscope via said attachment means; and obtaining images of the desired location using said in-vivo imaging device from a second side of the desired location opposing the first side in the direction opposite to said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification