Self-stabilized encapsulated imaging system
US8852083B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/0615
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Wireless capsule endoscope technology has been used to image portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small bowel. However in other GI organs, especially those having larger-lumens, the capsule may become destabilized and tumble, precluding meaningful interpretation of the acquired images. The present invention describes a method and apparatus for permitting capsule imaging of organs having larger-lumens without tumbling, and includes an outer shell surrounding the capsule that targets the colon, as an example. Once the colon has been reached, the shell breaks or dissolves, and allows expansion of expandable materials attached to each end of the capsule, thereby stabilizing the capsule in the targeted organ, while permitting it to be moved by peristalsis and/or other means for locating the capsule. Imagers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are activated during the expansion process, and enable overlapping of images. The capsule is moved through the colon, taking images at chosen frame rates with data being wirelessly transmitted by means of an RF transmitter, and is eventually expelled from the body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.