In Vivo Capsule Device with Electrodes

Abstract

A capsule endoscopic device with movement control is disclosed. The capsule endoscopic device comprises a capsule housing, one or more electrodes disposed fixedly through the capsule housing and a processing unit inside the capsule housing. The electrodes apply electrical stimulus to living body tissue in a patient's gastrointestinal track. The processing unit generates the electrical stimulus according to a quantified movement of the capsule endoscopic device to adjust movement of the capsule endoscopic device. Also, the capsule device can be configured for multi-function electrodes. In one embodiment, the capsule device can be configured to use the electrodes to adjust movement in vivo. In another embodiment, the capsule device can be configured to use the electrodes to download data stored in an archive memory inside the capsule device. In yet another embodiment, the capsule device can configure the electrodes to collect electrochemical data.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present invention claims priority to US Provisional Application, entitled “In Vivo Capsule Device with Electrodes”, Ser. No. 61 / 683,878, filed on Aug. 16, 2012. The present invention is also related to US Provisional Patent Application, entitled “Capsule Camera Docking System with Feedthrough Interconnect”, Ser. No. 61 / 657,747, filed on Jun. 9, 2012. The U.S. Provisional Patent Applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to in vivo capsule device. In particular, the present invention relates to multi-purpose electrodes, detection of capsule direction inside the GI tract and the capsule device movement control.BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART[0003]Devices for imaging body cavities or passages in vivo are known in the art and include endoscopes and autonomous encapsulated cameras. Endoscopes are flexible or rigid tubes that pass into the body through an orific...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Another capsule endoscopic device with movement control according to the present invention comprises a capsule housing, one or more electrodes disposed fixedly through the capsule housing, a first processing unit, a second processing unit and a switch module, wherein the first processing unit, the second processing unit and the switch module are inside the capsule housing. The electrodes apply electrical stimulus to living body tissue in a patient's gastrointestinal track. The first processing unit can generate the electrical stimulus for said one or more electrodes. The second processing unit comprises a first archival memory and an interface circuit. The switch module is coupled to the electrodes, the first processing unit and the second processing unit. Furthermore, the switch module can be configured to connect the electrodes to the first processing unit or the second processing unit depending on an operation mode. For example, during the capture mode when the capsule endoscopic device travels in the patient's gastrointestinal track, the switch module can be configured to connect the electrodes to the first processing unit. Therefore, the electrical stimulus can adjust the speed, movement or pose of the capsule endoscopic device so that the capsule endoscopic device can achieve better image capture. After the capsule endoscopic device exits from the patient's body, the switch module can configure the capsule endoscopic device in a download mode by connecting the electrodes to the second processing unit. The capsule endoscopic device may further comprise a third processing unit coupled to the switch module for data collection.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the difficulty traversing a convoluted passage, endoscopes cannot reach the majority of the small intestine and special techniques and precautions, that add cost, are required to reach the entirety of the colon.

Other capsule devices also encounter the same issue as the capsule camera.

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