INTRAVAGINAL OPTICS TARGETING SYSTEM

• US 20110190582A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Illuminare Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Illuminare Holdings Limited
• Inventors: BENNETT, James D., Ziarno, Witold Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/890,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20110190582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/425 for reproduction or fertilisation specially adapted for use with animals A61D19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/035 Intra-uterine probes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/344 Foetal cardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4318 Evaluation of the lower reproductive system A61B5/4343 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4343 Pregnancy and labour monitoring, e.g. for labour onset detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/023 : for introduction into the body, e.g. into the oesophagus oesophageal ECG probes A61B5/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 : related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 : Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 : Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0611 : Vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 : for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 : ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

Intravaginal monitoring devices (IMDs) with adjustable optics assemblies support local and remote control of mechanical and electro-mechanical mechanisms associated with multiple imagers and other sensors for tailoring an IMD to meet the specific dimensions and characteristics of various female reproduce systems. Such mechanisms also assist in guiding and analyzing pathways through a vaginal channel to and including a cervix. Exemplary pivoting, rotational, and telescopic infrastructures with integrated, local and remote control and monitoring are supported with external visual displays of images and video streams in devices such as phones, tablet and laptop computers, and servers for use by a patient or any medical support staff. Such multiple images or video streams may be combined to provide an enhanced viewing experience.

Claims

1. A monitoring device sized for at least partial insertion into a plurality of vaginal channels, each of the plurality of vaginal channels having a corresponding one of a plurality of cervixes disposed therein at different locations and orientations, the monitoring device comprising:

a first imager that captures data in a first field of view;

a second imager, disposed in an adjustable configuration, that captures data within a second field of view;

the first imager being disposed in a more axial orientation than that of the second imager; and

adjustments made to the adjustable configuration of the second imager assist in placing the second field of view to at least partially contain a first cervix of the plurality of cervixes within a first vaginal channel of the plurality of vaginal channels.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising an electro-mechanical component that manipulates the adjustable configuration of the second imager.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical structure supporting manual interaction to manipulate the adjustable configuration of the second imager.

4. The monitoring device of claim 2, further comprising communication circuitry through which control signals are received, the control signals directing the electro-mechanical component in performing the manipulation of the adjustable configuration.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising communication circuitry through which the data captured by the second imager from the second field of view is delivered.

6. The monitoring device of claim 5, further comprising an electro-mechanical component that responds to control signals to change the adjustable configuration of the second imager, and the delivery through the communication circuitry of the data captured by the second imager from the second field of view supports generation of the control signals.

7. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the data captured in the first field of view by the first imager comprising video data.

8. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the data captured in the first field of view by the first imager comprising still image data.

9. A monitoring device sized for at least partial insertion into a plurality of vaginal channels, a first vaginal channel of the plurality of vaginal channels having there within a first intravaginal target, the monitoring device comprising:

an imager, disposed at an adjustable angle, that captures data within a field of view;

an electro-mechanical component disposed to change the adjustable angle of the imager; and

circuitry that directs the electro-mechanical component to assist in at least partially encompassing within the field of view the first intravaginal target of the first vaginal channel.

10. The monitoring device of claim 9, further comprising:

control circuitry coupled to the electro-mechanical component;

communication circuitry, coupled to the control circuitry, through which control signals are received and forwarded to the control circuitry; and

the control circuitry responding to the control signals by directing the electro-mechanical component in making the change to the adjustable angle of the imager.

11. The monitoring device of claim 9, further comprising communication circuitry, and the captured data is communicated outside of the monitoring device via the communication circuitry.

12. The monitoring device of claim 10, wherein the captured data is communicated outside of the monitoring device via the communication circuitry to support generation of the control signals.

13. The monitoring device of claim 11, wherein a computing device outside of the monitoring device receives and displays the captured data.

14. A method used to capture data within a vaginal channel, the method comprising:

inserting an imager at an orientation angle into the vaginal channel;

adjusting the orientation angle of the imager via electronic signaling that originates outside of the vaginal channel; and

forwarding data captured by the imager within the vaginal channel to a location outside of the vaginal channel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjustments of the orientation angle and forwarding of data occur within a first device housing, and further comprising:

receiving the forward data within a second device housing;

displaying the received data; and

generating the electronic signaling from within the second device housing.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the forwarded data is routed through a communication network.

17. The method of claim 14 performed within a first device housing, and wherein the forwarded data is received within a second device housing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second device housing comprising a hand-held device housing.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second device housing comprising a computing device housing, and the forwarding comprises routing through a communication network.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the vaginal channel and the first device housing are located at a first premises, and the second device housing is located at a second premises.