Device and system for in vivo imaging

• US 7,872,667 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Avni, Dov, Iddan, Gavriel J., Meron, Gavriel, Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Primary Examiner(s): Diep; Nhon T
• Application Number:
  US11/363,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,785 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2733 Oesophagoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/03866 using scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining in vivo images. The system contains an imaging system and a transmitter for transmitting signals from a camera to a receiving system located outside a patient.

Claims

1. A swallowable in-vivo imaging device for imaging the small intestine, the device comprising:

a CMOS imager;

a battery with sufficient power for taking and transmitting images as the device passively traverses the small intestine;

an illumination source; and

a transmitter to transmit via radio frequency, from inside the small intestine, images at a rate of two to eight frames per second;

wherein the device is to passively traverse the entire small intestine.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is to operate at frequencies of 432 to 434 MHz.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein transmitter has an input bandwidth of more than 1.35 Megabit per second.

4. The device of claim 1, comprising an optical window.

5. The device of claim 1, comprising an optical system.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said optical system comprises a lens.

7. The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of illumination sources.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the illumination source comprises an LED.

9. The device of claim 1, comprising an illumination source provided in a ring around the imager.

10. A method for imaging the small intestine using a swallowable in-vivo imaging device, the method comprising:

using a swallowable device which is to passively traverse the entire small intestine, the device comprising a CMOS imager, an illumination source, a battery with sufficient power for taking and transmitting images as the device passively traverses the small intestine, and a transmitter;

illuminating an in-vivo site;

collecting remitted light; and

transmitting via radio frequency, from inside the small intestine, images at a

rate of two to eight frames per second.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising transmitting at frequencies of 432 to 434 MHz.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitter has an input bandwidth of more than 1.35 Megabit per second.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the device comprises an optical window.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the device comprises an optical system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the optical system comprises a lens.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the device comprises a plurality of illumination sources.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the illumination source comprises an LED.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the illumination source is provided in a ring around the imager.