Patent ID: 7118531
Filing Date: 2006-10-10
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
1. A medical capsule comprising: a housing configured and dimensioned to be ingestible and/or implantable in an animal body, the housing having an interior space with a cargo bay area and an opening into the cargo bay area; a payload device, within the cargo bay area, selected from the group consisting of medical diagnostic devices, devices for treating a medical condition and visualizing apparatus; a transceiver enclosed within said housing; at least one ultrasonic transducer electrically connected to the transceiver; a power supply enclosed with the housing and electrically connected to the transceiver; a microprocessor unit for data processing and control, said microprocessor being electrically connected to the transceiver; and an interface for mechanically coupling the payload device to the cargo bay area and electrically coupling the payload device to the microprocessor so as to carry signals between the microprocessor and the payload device, the interface including a connector configured to provide a removable connection between the cargo bay area and the payload device so that the payload device can be plugged into and removed from the cargo bay area.