Apparatus and Methods for Capsule Endoscopy of the Esophagus

• US 20110060189A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Belson, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 9,968,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/73 Manipulators for magnetic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4233 oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for capsule endoscopy are described for locating, positioning, steering, aiming and tracking of an endoscopy capsule (100) within a patient'"'"'s esophagus and stomach. The apparatus includes an endoscopy capsule (100) with a magnetic element (110), an external capsule positioning system (200) including at least one magnet (202) movable along a track (204) for positioning the endoscopy capsule (100) within a patient. Also described are apparatus and methods for performing endoscopic spectroscopy using different wavelengths of light and other imaging technologies to diagnose various disease conditions, such as premalignant or inflammatory changes and internal bleeding.

Claims

1. An endoscopic imaging apparatus, comprising:

an ingestible endoscopy capsule including a magnetically attracted element, and

an external capsule positioning system including at least one magnet for positioning the endoscopy capsule within a patient.

2. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetically attracted element of the endoscopy capsule comprises a permanent magnet.

3. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetically attracted element of the endoscopy capsule comprises an electromagnet.

4. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetically attracted element of the endoscopy capsule comprises a magnetically attracted ferritic material.

5. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet of the external capsule positioning system comprises a permanent magnet.

6. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet of the external capsule positioning system comprises an electromagnet.

7. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external capsule positioning system further comprises a track for moving the magnet along a predetermined path corresponding with a desired path for moving the endoscopy capsule within the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

8. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 7, wherein the external capsule positioning system further comprises a fastening means for fastening the track to the patient in a position approximately parallel with the patient'"'"'s esophagus.

9. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fastening means is configured for fastening the track on a ventral side of the patient.

10. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fastening means is configured for fastening the track on a dorsal side of the patient.

11. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external capsule positioning system further comprises a first track positioned on a ventral side of the patient for moving a first magnet along a first predetermined path and a second track positioned on a dorsal side of the patient for moving a second magnet along a second predetermined path, and a means for moving the first magnet synchronously with the second magnet in order to move the endoscopy capsule along a desired path within the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

12. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endoscopy capsule includes a visible light imaging component and a spectroscopic imaging component.

13. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endoscopy capsule includes an electronic memory for storing images within the capsule.

14. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the endoscopy capsule includes a transmitter for transmitting images to an external receiver.

15. An endoscopic imaging apparatus, comprising:

an ingestible endoscopy capsule including a spectroscopic imaging component.

16. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the endoscopy capsule includes a visible light imaging component.

17. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the spectroscopic imaging component and the visible light imaging component are operable simultaneously.

18. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for operating the spectrocopic imaging component and the visible light imaging component in an alternating pattern.

19. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for displaying a spectroscopic image and a visible light image superimposed on one another.

20. The endoscopic imaging apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for displaying a spectroscopic image and a visible light image side-by-side.