Apparatus and method for light control in an in-vivo imaging device

• US 9,737,201 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2015
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Avni, Dov, Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Primary Examiner(s): Brutus, Joel F
• Application Number:
  US14/830,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20150351619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/000095 for image enhancement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00057 provided with means for testing or calibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes

Abstract

A device and method for example operating an in vivo imaging device wherein the illumination is operated at a certain rate or range of rates, and images are transmitted from the device.

Claims

1. A method of operating a swallowable in-vivo imaging capsule, the capsule comprising a light source and an imager, the method comprising across a plurality of imaging periods, each imaging period including a sampling period and a subsequent illumination period:

during the sampling period, operating the light source to provide illumination and recording an amount of light reflected to the imager;

calculating, based on the amount of light recorded, a calculated intensity or duration of the illumination to be provided during the illumination period; and

during the illumination period, operating the light source to provide illumination at said calculated intensity or duration.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each imaging period comprises a dark period during which pixel information is read.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising scanning the imager to acquire an image.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the recording is based on a signal from the imager.

5. A swallowable in-vivo imaging capsule, comprising:

a light source;

an imager; and

a controller, the controller to, across a plurality of imaging periods, each imaging period including a sampling period a subsequent illumination period;

during the sampling period, operate the light source to provide illumination and record an amount of light reflected to the imager;

calculate, based on the amount of light recorded, a calculated intensity or duration of the illumination to be provided during the illumination period; and

during the illumination period, cause the light source to provide illumination at said calculated intensity or duration.

6. The capsule of claim 5 wherein each imaging period comprises a dark period during which pixel information is read.

7. The capsule of claim 5 wherein the controller is to scan the imager to acquire an image.

8. The capsule of claim 5 wherein a recording of the light by the controller is based on a signal from the imager.

9. A method of operating a swallowable in-vivo imaging capsule, the swallowable in-vivo imaging capsule comprising a plurality of LEDs an imager, the method comprising across a plurality of imaging periods, each imaging period including an illumination period and a sampling period:

during a sampling period operating the plurality of LEDs and recording an amount of light reflected to the swallowable in-vivo imaging capsule;

calculating, based on the amount of reflected light, a calculated intensity or duration of the illumination to be provided during an illumination period; and

during the illumination period, providing illumination using the plurality of LEDs at said calculated intensity or duration.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein each imaging period comprises a dark period during which pixel information is read.

11. The method of claim 9 comprising scanning the imager to acquire an image.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the recording is based on a signal from the imager.