Device and system for in vivo imaging

• US 8,125,516 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J., Avni, Dov, Glukhovsky, Arkady, Meron, Gavriel
• Primary Examiner(s): DIEP, NHON THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/415,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20060192889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,128 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 method for imaging an in vivo site comprising:

in a swallowable capsule comprising a housing, the housing including at least an optical window and an optical system separated from the optical window;

illuminating a gastrointestinal tract site in vivo via the optical window and not via the optical system, by using a plurality of illumination sources;

imaging the gastrointestinal tract site using a CMOS imaging camera via the optical window and via the optical system, the imaging comprising;

collecting remitted light onto pixels of the CMOS imaging camera, thereby generating an analog signal;

processing and converting the analog signal to a digital signal;

randomizing the digital signal by randomizing occurrences of 0 and 1 digital signals;

transmitting the digital signal to a receiving system; and

processing the transmitted signals to obtain images of the in vivo site.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the wherein the CMOS imaging camera comprises

active pixel circuitry, said circuitry producing an analog signal;

a correlated double sampler for processing the analog signal produced by the active pixel circuitry;

an analog to digital converter having serial output for converting the analog signal to a digital signal; and

an encoding and randomizing unit for defining frame and row parameters and for priming the digital signal for transmission.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of processing and converting the analog signal to a digital signal is preformed by an analog to digital converter having serial output.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting the digital signal to a receiving system is preformed by a transmitter, said transmitter comprising a control block for controlling a CMOS imaging camera.