Patent Publication Number: US-2006015013-A1

Title: Device and method for in vivo illumination

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a device useful for in-vivo imaging, more specifically to a device for providing illumination in-vivo.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Devices helpful in providing in-vivo imaging are known in the field. Autonomous in-vivo imaging devices, such as swallowable capsules or other devices may move through a body lumen, imaging as they move along. In vivo imaging may require in-vivo illumination, for example, using one or more LEDs or other suitable illumination sources positioned inside an in-vivo imaging device. Typically, it is required that the illumination be directed outwards from the device, to the body lumen being imaged.  
      In some in vivo devices, such as ingestible imaging capsules, the electronic components within the capsule, such as illumination sources, may be arranged on a board or on several boards, such as on a printed circuit board (PCB). In some cases proper alignment or positioning of components, such as the illumination sources, may not be easily achieved.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      There is provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention an in vivo imaging device having an illumination sub system. According to one embodiment the illumination sub system may include, for example, a base or support for holding one or more light sources, for example, LEDs or other suitable illumination sources.  
      According to one embodiment of the present invention the base may include a conductive ring and/or other components for holding illumination sources at a selected angle.  
      According to another embodiment of the present invention a support, for example a PCB, or a set of supports may form a structure on which illumination sources may be positioned. For example, a set of supports may be designed in the shape of a “top hat” or other suitable structure so as to enable an illumination source positioned on the structure to be facing, for example, outwards, at a selected angle.  
      In another embodiment the support may be manufactured according to several designs, enabling the support to fit into devices of different shapes.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The principles and operation of the system, apparatus, and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings, and the following description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes-only and are not meant to be limiting, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of an in-vivo imaging device, according to some embodiments of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 2A-2D  are schematic diagrams of supports and constructions, according to some embodiments of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic illustration of a flexible support, according to some embodiments of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a method of illuminating a body lumen in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method of illuminating a body lumen in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
      It should be noted that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements throughout the serial views.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.  
      Illumination sources used with embodiments of the present invention may include, for example, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), incandescent sources, or other suitable light sources that may enable in-vivo illumination, and may include devices providing electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum, outside of the visible spectrum, and further a combination of visible and non-visible electromagnetic radiation.  
      Embodiments of the invention may typically be autonomous and typically self-contained. For example, a device according to some embodiments may be a capsule or other unit where all the components are substantially contained within a container or shell, and where the device does not require wires or cables in order to receive power or transmit information, for example. The device may communicate with an external receiving and display system to provide display of data, control, or other functions. -Power may be provided, for example, by an internal battery or a wireless receiving system. Other embodiments may have other configurations and capabilities. Components in some cases may be distributed over multiple sites or units and Control information may be received from an external source.  
      Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a typically swallowable in-vivo device that may be used for recording and transmitting in vivo data, such as, for example, from-the entire length of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, to a receiving and/or processing unit. Other embodiments need not be swallowable or autonomous, and may have other shapes or configurations. According to some embodiments the in vivo device may include an image sensor, however, other sensors may be used. Devices according to embodiments of the present invention may be similar to embodiments described in International Application WO 01/65995 and/or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,531, each of which are assigned to the common assignee of the present invention and each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, receiving, storage, processing and/or display systems suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention may be similar to embodiments described in WO 01/65995 and/or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,531. Of course, devices, systems, structures, functionalities and methods as described herein may have other configurations, sets of components and processes etc.  
      It should be noted that while a device, system and method in accordance with some embodiments of the invention may be used, for example, in a human body, the invention is not limited in this respect. For example, some embodiments of the invention may be used in conjunction or inserted into a non-human body, e.g., a dog, a cat, a rat, a cow, or other animals, pets, laboratory animals, etc.  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic illustration of an in-vivo imaging device  10  with an illumination sub-system  13 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. Device  10 , which may be a swallowable capsule, may include, for example, a power source  11 , a transmitter  12 , an imager  14  and possibly a receiver  19 . Illumination sub-system  13  may include for example a base  17 , for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) board or other suitable support, including one or more illumination sources  15 , such as LEDs or other suitable illumination sources. Base  17  may include one or more components, for example, conductive rings, and/or conductive step  16 . Base  17  may include illumination sources  15  positioned at a selected angle relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the device  10 . Typically, the imager  14  faces generally in the direction of axis L. Thus, the direction of imaging, which may be the direction in which the imager is facing, may coincide with an axis (e.g., axis L) of the device  10 . However, other arrangements are possible; for example the illumination sources need not be angled relative to a specific axis and need not be angled relative to a viewing or imaging direction. Illumination source  15  may be positioned, for example on base  17  and/or on a conductive ring or conductive step  16  and/or stepped substrate (as will be described, for example, with reference to  FIG. 2D ). A stepped substrate may be, for example, a stepped PCB, e.g., a substrate such as a PCB or a set of substrates designed in the shape of a “top hat” or other suitable structure so as to enable an illumination source such as an LED positioned on the structure to be facing outwards at a selected angle. Other designs, components, elements etc. may be used. Other arrangement directions may be chosen, for example, to create different angles of illumination source  15  in order to illuminate, for example, a selected field of view. Other structures may be used in addition to and/or in place of rings, steps, etc.  
      Device  10  as depicted in  FIG. 1  and according to one embodiment is generally capsule shaped, and may be easily swallowed and passively passed through the entire GI tract, pushed along, for example, by natural peristalsis. Nonetheless, it should be noted that device  10  may be of any shape and size suitable for being inserted into and passing through a body lumen or cavity, such as spherical, oval, cylindrical, etc. or other suitable shapes. Furthermore, device  10  or various embodiments that may include at least some components of device  10  may be attached or affixed on to an instrument that is inserted into body lumens and cavities, such as, for example, on an endoscope, laparoscope, needle, catheter etc.  
      According to one embodiment, device  10  includes a convex window  23 . According to some embodiments one or more illumination source(s)  15  may be arranged in a ring and may be placed in close proximity to the convex window  23 . Typically the structure formed by subsystem  13  according to embodiments of the invention, enables the illumination source(s)  15  to be positioned in proximity to a curved window, such as a convex window, and to conform to the shape of the window and/or device, so as to avoid phenomena (such as backscatter) usually associated with illuminating from within a window.  
      According to an embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen with reference to  FIG. 2A , grooves or indentations  31  may be formed or cut out of a PCB or other suitable support  30 , for holding one or more illumination sources  15 , for example, LEDs. For example, angled channels or cutouts in one or more PCBs may be used to hold one or more illumination sources. Conductive pads  32 , for example, metal pads, may be placed or molded in grooves  31 , to provide connections for illumination sources. In  FIG. 2B , which is a schematic bottom view, a conductive ring  33  may be connected to pads  32 , for example, on the bottom of the PCB or other support  30 , to provide conductivity between all the pads, and to provide a base for positioning the illumination sources. Illumination sources  34  may be placed on support  30  with one end  30 A being in contact with conductive ring  33 , and another end  30 B being in contact with the backs of grooves  31 , thereby facing an angle determined by the conductive ring and the backs of the grooves. Any suitable angle may be provided for the placement of the illumination sources.  
       FIG. 2C , which is a schematic view from the top, illustrates the addition of resistors  35  adjacent to illumination sources  34 , according to one embodiment of the invention.  
      According to another embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen, for example, with reference to  FIG. 2D , a PCB or other substrate with surfaces on two or more planes may be provided. An outer ring  36  in a first plane may be connected to an inner ring  37  which may be of smaller diameter and on a parallel plane to the first plane, for example, being higher and narrower than outer ring  36 . Conductive pads  32  may be placed on both outer ring  36  and inner ring  37 , enabling illumination sources  34  to be placed at an angle, leaning on both the outer ring  36  and inner ring  37 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, any suitable angle may be provided for the placement of the illumination sources. According to another embodiment of the present invention, any suitable number of PCB planes may be used.  
      According to one embodiment of the present invention, a support including ceramic may be used as a base on which to place illumination sources. Ceramic may be provided with grooves and pads for the placement of light sources. In one embodiment a ceramic cone may be provided, such that light sources placed therein may transmit light at an angle created by the slope of the cone shaped ceramic.  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  showing an exemplary embodiment of a flexible circuit board  50  shape after it has been folded and inserted into an in vivo device, for example, a capsule. According to one embodiment of the present invention, flexible circuit board portions  54  and  56  may be folded upon insertion so that they are “C” shaped, facing each other. According to other embodiments portions  54  and  56  need not be flexible. According to one embodiment, flexible leaves  58  include illumination sources  15  and may, for example, bend in a range of degrees upon inserting the circuit board into a capsule housing tube so as to enable, for example, an outwards illumination at different angles. The illumination angle may be determined by the housing tube shape. For example, flexible leaves  58  may enable to position illumination source(s)  15  in proximity to a curved window (e.g., a convex window) within a device.  
      According to some embodiments circuit board  50  may include other components of the device such as, imager  14  and antenna  53 , typically associated with a transmitter for transmitting images from imager  14 . Circuit board  50  may further include contact points  52  to connect additional components, such as a power source.  
      According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 , a method is provided for in-vivo illumination that may include, providing, in an in vivo imaging device, an illumination source at an angle ( 410 ). According to some embodiments the angle may be relative to the direction of imaging. According to other embodiments the angle may be relative to an axis of the device. Another step includes illuminating a body lumen ( 420 ). According to one embodiment the angle is typically less than 90 degrees, to the direction of imaging, which may coincide, for example, with an axis of the imaging device. Embodiments of the invention may achieve a broad field-of-view, by using, for example, a panoramic imaging device which includes a reflective element, for example, a curved or other suitably shaped mirror, to capture a panoramic image. According to one embodiment a segment of the outside wall of the panoramic imaging device may be partially or entirely transparent. The illumination in a panoramic imaging device may be provided by angled illuminations sources, according to an embodiment of the invention. An in-vivo lumen may be illuminated using the light source, which may be enabled to provide light at a wide angled. However, the method may be implemented using other in-vivo devices having other suitable structures. Any combination of the above steps may be implemented. Further, other steps or series of steps may be used.  
      A method for providing in vivo illumination at an angle according to another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5 . According to one embodiment the method may include providing an illumination source on a flexible support ( 510 ) and inserting the support into a housing of an in vivo device ( 520 ). Typically, the support will assume the shape of the device housing. According to one embodiment an illumination source provided on a flexible support may be, upon insertion into a device housing, placed against a transparent section of the housing (e.g., an optical window), typically at an angle that is dictated by the shape of the housing, thus enabling illumination of an area out side of the device, for any shape of device. According to one embodiment the support may include additional components of the device.  
      The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that many modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalents are possible in light of the above teaching. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.