LOCALIZATION OF CAPSULE WITH A SYNTHETIC SOURCE OF QUADRUPOLES AND DIPOLES

• US 20110125007A1
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bettesh, Ido, Steinberg, Ben Zion
• Granted Patent: US 8,423,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for localizing an in vivo imaging device by means of a single magnetic source coil assembly and a single magnetic detector coil assembly. This invention also relates to methods and apparatus to enable the use of a single magnetic source coil assembly to also transmit and receive information, images, and controls signals, as well as for the coil assembly to be used in DC-DC voltage conversion. A user interface with a display provides the user with the option of viewing selected images captured by the in vivo imaging device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an encapsulated in vivo imaging device, comprising a single electromagnetic sensor coil for determining localization of said in vivo imaging device in a vicinity of an electromagnetic field, said localization computed based on determining an electrical signal across said electromagnetic sensor coil, said signal being induced by said electromagnetic field;

a set of quadrupole electromagnetic radiator source coils to radiate said electromagnetic field, said electromagnetic field being sensed by said electromagnetic sensor coil, and said set of electromagnetic radiator source coils being located outside of said capsule;

wherein said set of quadrupole electromagnetic radiator source coils comprises three mutually orthogonal pairs of parallel coils, and wherein a distance between said parallel coils within said pair is substantially smaller than a distance between said electromagnetic radiator source coils and said electromagnetic sensor coil.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter, wherein said converter is used for detecting an electrical signal generated by said radiated electromagnetic field across said electromagnetic sensor coil within said in vivo imaging device for purposes of localization of said device.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a DC-DC converter, wherein said converter is used for delivering power to components within said in vivo device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said electromagnetic sensor coil is used as a part of said DC-DC converter to fulfill power needs within said in vivo imaging device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver, wherein said transceiver is used for transmitting information from and receiving information by said in vivo imaging device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said electromagnetic sensor coil is used as an antenna by said transceiver for transmitting information from and receiving information by said in vivo imaging device.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means of switching between said coil and said analog-to-digital converter, said DC-DC converter, and said transceiver within said in vivo imaging device.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power source, wherein said source is used for delivering power to components within said in vivo device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means of processing information delivered to said means from components within said in vivo device.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor and interface circuitry means to control components within said in vivo device.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means of illumination to illuminate a body lumen being imaged by said in vivo device.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising an imager.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means of transmitting data to and receiving data from said in vivo imaging device, said means comprising a transceiver/recorder located outside said body lumen or cavity being imaged.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic locator located outside said body lumen being imaged.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital-to-analog converter located outside said body lumen being imaged, said converter used to deliver current to said magnetic source for determining localization of said in vivo imaging device.

2. A method comprising:

radiating an electromagnetic field by passing a current through a set of quadrupole electromagnetic radiator source coils, said set comprised of three mutually orthogonal pairs of parallel coils;

sensing said radiated electromagnetic field by a single electromagnetic coil sensor located inside an encapsulated in vivo imaging device; and

inferring a location of said in vivo imaging device with respect to said set of electromagnetic radiator source coils based on an electrical signal excited across said electromagnetic coil sensor by said electromagnetic field.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein said electromagnetic sensor coil is used for DC-DC conversion in order to supply power to various systems requiring said power within said in vivo device.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein said electromagnetic sensor coil is used as an antenna for transmitting information from and receiving information by said in vivo device.

19. The method of claim 2, further comprising a means of switching to enable said electromagnetic sensor coil to be used for reading an electrical signal across said coil, for DC-DC conversion, or for transmitting and receiving information.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising a time division multiplexing scheme to enable said electromagnetic sensor coil to perform said three functions.