The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 07, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2006
Martin P. Mintchev, Calgary, CA;
Orly Yadid-pecht, Haifa, IL;
Martin P. Mintchev, Calgary, CA;
Orly Yadid-Pecht, Haifa, IL;
UTI Limited Partnership, Calgary, Alberta, CA;
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.