Communication module for in vivo device technology field

Abstract

An ex-vivo communication module configured to communicate with a swallowable in-vivo device, the communication module comprising: a receiving unit operating in a first frequency range and configured to receive signals from the in-vivo device; and a transmitting unit operating in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range and configured to transmit signals to the in-vivo device, the transmitting unit also configured to function as a second receiving unit to receive signals from the in-vivo device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention is in the field of communications and transmission, and more particularly refers to a system configured for communicating with a swallowable in-vivo device. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of swallowable in-vivo devices to monitor and detect GI tract pathologies is well known in the art. In its most common form, the in-vivo device includes an in-vivo communications module configured to send and receive signals, e.g., to transmit images of the GI tract captured by the in-vivo device and to receive instructions regarding its operation.

[0003] An in-vivo device typically operates in conjunction with an ex-vivo device that includes an ex-vivo communication module, the in-vivo communication module and the ex-vivo communication module together forming a communication system.

[0004] The ex vivo device may be a portable device worn on the patient as close as possible to the GI tract and general area where the in vivo device is expected to be present.

[0005] The admission of the above references herein should not be inferred to mean that they are in any way relevant to the patentability of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided an ex-vivo communication module configured to communicate with a swallowable in-vivo device, the communication module comprising: a receiving unit configured to operate in a first frequency range to receive signals from the in-vivo device; and a transmitting unit configured to operate in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range (e.g., not including overlapping frequencies) to transmit signals to the in-vivo device, the transmitting unit also comprising a second receiving unit configured to receive signals from the in-vivo device.

[0007] Hereinafter, the terms "uplink unit" and "downlink unit" may be used interchangeably with the terms "receiving unit" and "transmitting unit." Specifically, the term "downlink" refers to transmitting a signal to an in-vivo device, and the term "uplink" refers to receiving a signal from an in-vivo device.

[0008] The communication module is configured to be positioned outside the body, for example, placed on the patient's body, to enable proper communication between the module and the in-vivo device.

[0009] The receiving unit and the transmitting unit may be configured with antennas, each antenna designed for its own operating frequency range. According to one embodiment, the first frequency range may be at least an order of magnitude larger / smaller than the second frequency range. The transmitting unit may be configured to operate between 5 and 30 MHz, more particularly between 10 and 20 MHz, even more particularly between 12 and 15 MHz, and the receiving unit may be configured to operate between 350 and 550 MHz, more particularly between 400 and 500 MHz, even more particularly between 420 and 450 MHz.

[0010] Because the ex-vivo module and the in-vivo device need to communicate with each other, it would naturally be desirable to increase transmission quality by using a low frequency range for both the uplink and downlink. This is because transmissions in the low frequency range have lower attenuation within the human body. However, the in-vivo device needs to transmit large amounts of data (e.g., images obtained from the GI) using a low frequency, similar to the downlink antenna, which may not provide sufficient bandwidth for such an amount of data. Therefore, the downlink antenna may still be selected to be in the low frequency range of a few MHz mentioned above, while the uplink antenna is selected to be in the high frequency range of several hundred MHz.

[0011] In accordance with the above, it will be appreciated that the design of a downlink antenna will be optimized for its particular frequency range and therefore would not be expected to perform adequately for receiving transmissions in a significantly different frequency range, e.g., an order of magnitude larger / smaller, as discussed above. Nevertheless, under the subject concept of the present application, it is suggested to use a downlink antenna as a second uplink (receiving) antenna, in contradiction to its originally intended design.

[0012] Due to the inherent structure of the above system, requiring close proximity of the ex vivo and in vivo devices using a downlink antenna as a second receiver has surprisingly been found to be useful in providing at least a portion of the necessary uplink communication with the in vivo device in the high frequency range.

[0013] In other words, the downlink antenna has a frequency range of about 13 MHz, and naturally, when used as a receiving unit, it is not as useful as an antenna in the high frequency range (about 400 MHz) and will produce poorer results, but it still functions as a short-range receiving antenna. Thus, the above communication module provides a configuration in which two antennas designed to operate in two different frequency ranges (high frequency and low frequency) and for two different purposes both cover the receiving end of uplink communication with an in-vivo device (transmitting in a single, predetermined high frequency range), thereby complementing each other and providing a significant improvement in uplink communication.

[0014] During operation, the in-vivo device, as it moves along the patient's GI tract, constantly changes distance and orientation relative to the ex-vivo communications module. The in-vivo device's transmissions are received by the uplink unit, but the in-vivo device may sometimes be in a position and orientation that causes the uplink unit to not properly receive the transmitted signal. It is at this point that the downlink unit comes into play as a second uplink receiving unit, operating as a backup / complementary receiving unit. Thus, even if the downlink unit receives an uplink signal of poor quality, it may be better than not receiving the signal at all from the uplink unit alone.

[0015] Of course, in some cases, neither the downlink nor the uplink unit will receive any signals from the in-vivo device, however, during testing of the above uplink / downlink configuration, it was demonstrated that using the downlink unit as a backup for the uplink resulted in receiving a higher percentage of in-vivo transmissions compared to the standard configuration in which only the uplink unit was used for uplink reception.

[0016] The communication module may comprise a processor configured to provide input to the transmitting unit (which is then transmitted to the in-vivo device) and to receive data from the receiving unit. The communication module may further comprise a modem unit interposed between the processor and the receiving / transmitting unit and configured to provide communication therebetween.

[0017] The modem unit may be configured to apply a diversity scheme by which it detects which unit provides a better uplink transmission and, upon such detection, selects the better of the two transmissions to be provided to the processor, in this way the quality of received data from the in-vivo device may be optimized.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the uplink unit may have dual connections (one for uplink and one for downlink) with a modem, and the modem may be configured to continuously alternate between a downlink mode in which it provides data to the downlink unit and an uplink mode in which it receives data from the uplink unit. Alternatively, according to another example, both the uplink and downlink connections of the uplink unit may be connected to the modem via a multiplexer, allowing continuous uplink / downlink communication between the modem and the uplink / downlink unit.

[0019] The communication module may be incorporated into an ex vivo device configured to be worn by a patient. According to one example, the ex vivo device may be a patch configured to be attached to the patient's skin. According to another example, the ex vivo device may be a portable device configured to be carried by the patient, similar to a monitor. According to yet another example, the ex vivo device may be a belt configured to be worn by the patient and extend around the patient's body, rather than having a pinpoint location.

[0020] The uplink and downlink antennas may be flat, allowing at least a portion of the communications module to have a flat-sheet design, making it particularly suitable for incorporation into a patch or belt as described above. In particular, the flat-sheet design of the communications module allows the communications module to flex and twist, thereby conforming to the natural shape of the patient's body.

[0021] According to one specific example, the communication module may have the shape of a rectangular flat sheet design having a length dimension L and a width dimension W. In this design, the receive antenna may be formed on the flat sheet and the transmit antenna may extend circumferentially along the edge of the flat sheet. Specifically, the receive antenna may be a monopole antenna.

[0022] According to a particular design, the transmit antenna extends around the monopole uplink antenna and may be a coil antenna, forming multiple loops around the receive antenna. The present invention provides, for example, the following items. (Item 1) 1. An ex-vivo communication module configured to communicate with a swallowable in-vivo device, the communication module comprising: a receiving unit configured to operate in a first frequency range to receive signals from the in-vivo device; and a transmitting unit configured to operate in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range to transmit signals to the in-vivo device, the transmitting unit also comprising a second receiving unit configured to receive signals from the in-vivo device. (Item 2) Item 1 , the communication module being configured to be placed on a patient's body to enable proper communication between the module and the in-vivo device. (Item 3) 3. The communication module according to item 1 or 2, wherein the receiving unit and the transmitting unit are constituted by antennas, each antenna being designed to operate in its own frequency range. (Item 4) Item 4. The communication module of item 3, wherein the first frequency range is at least one order of magnitude larger / smaller than the second frequency range. (Item 5) Item 5. The communication module according to item 4, wherein the transmitting unit is configured to operate at 5 to 30 MHz, more specifically 10 to 20 MHz, and even more specifically 12 to 15 MHz. (Item 6) 6. The communication module according to item 4 or 5, wherein the receiving unit is configured for data transfer operation at 350 to 550 MHz, more specifically 400 to 500 MHz, and even more specifically 420 to 450 MHz. (Item 7) 7. The communication module according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the communication module comprises a processor. (Item 8) The processor includes at least (a) to provide input to said transmitting unit; and (b) The communication module according to item 7, configured to receive data from the receiving unit. (Item 9) 9. The communication module according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the module further comprises a modem unit interposed between the processor and the receiving unit / the transmitting unit and configured to provide communication therebetween. (Item 10) 10. The communication module of claim 9, wherein the modem unit is configured to detect which of the receiving unit / the transmitting unit provides a better uplink transmission and, upon such detection, select the better of the two transmissions to be provided to the processor. (Item 11) Item 11. The communication module according to item 9 or 10, wherein the uplink unit may have dual connections with the modem, one for uplink and one for downlink. (Item 12) Item 12. The communication module of item 11, wherein the modem is configured to continuously alternate between a downlink mode in which it provides data to the downlink unit and an uplink mode in which it receives data from the uplink unit. (Item 13) Item 12. The communication module of item 11, wherein both the uplink connection and the downlink connection of the uplink unit are connected to the modem via a multiplexer, enabling continuous uplink / downlink communication between the modem and the uplink unit / downlink unit. (Item 14) 14. The communication module of any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the communication module is incorporated into an ex vivo device configured to be worn by the patient. (Item 15) Item 15. The communication module of item 14, wherein the ex vivo device is a patch configured to be attached to the patient's skin. (Item 16) Item 15. The communication module of item 14, wherein the ex vivo device is a portable device configured to be carried by the patient. (Item 17) Item 15. The communication module of item 14, wherein the ex vivo device is a belt configured to be worn by the patient and extend around the patient's body. (Item 18) 18. The communication module according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the uplink antenna and the downlink antenna are flat and are integrated into a flexible sheet of the communication module. (Item 19) Item 19. The communication module of item 18, wherein the flexible sheet allows the communication module to bend and twist, thereby conforming to the natural shape of the patient's body. (Item 20) 20. The communication module according to any one of items 1 to 19, wherein the communication module has a rectangular flat sheet design shape having a length dimension L and a width dimension W. (Item 21) 21. The communication module according to item 20, wherein the receiving unit is a monopole antenna formed on the flat sheet. (Item 22) 22. The communication module according to item 20 or 21, wherein the transmitting antenna extends circumferentially along the edge of the flat sheet. (Item 23) 23. The communications module of claim 20, 21, or 22, wherein the transmitting antenna extends around the monopole receiving antenna. (Item 24) 24. The communication module of claim 23, wherein the transmitting antenna is a coil antenna and forms multiple loops around the receiving antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] For a better understanding of the subject matter disclosed herein, and to illustrate how it may be carried out in practice, certain embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1A]1 is a schematic diagram of a patient's body wearing a patch comprising a communication module of the present application. [Figure 1B] 1B is a schematic diagram of the GI tract of the patient of FIG. 1A including an in-vivo device configured to communicate with the communication module of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the communication module shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 3] 1B is a schematic diagram of the patch shown in FIG. 1A comprising a communication module of the present application; [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic isometric view of another example of a patch with a communication module according to the present application. [Figure 4B] 4B is a schematic exploded view of the layers comprising the patch shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a schematic front view of a communication module incorporated into the patch shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0024] It will be understood that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity, or several physical components may be included in a single functional block or element. Furthermore, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, modules, units, and / or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0026] Turning first to Figures 1A and 1B, these figures show a patient having an in-vivo device in the form of a swallowable capsule C contained within their GI tract, with a patch P, generally designated 1, equipped with a communication module of the present application, worn externally.

[0027] The communication module 1 is configured to communicate with the swallowable capsule C during its travel along the GI tract, both receiving data from (herein referred to as "uplink") and transmitting data to (herein referred to as "downlink") the capsule C. Specifically, the uplink data may include images captured by the capsule C, parameters recorded thereby, etc., and the downlink data may include instructions sent to the capsule to, for example, change the operating mode of the capsule C, change its frame rate, etc.

[0028] 2, there is shown a communications module 1 comprising a base 10 made of a flexible sheet of material 12 to which is attached a circuit board M, on which are imprinted downlink and uplink antennas 20 and 30 extending circumferentially around the base 10. The circuit board M carries both the uplink and downlink antennas 30 and their respective connections N U and N D The radio communication system further comprises a modem unit 40 associated therewith via a .

[0029] The downlink antenna 20 is in the form of an antenna coil 22 and is configured for transmitting data to capsule C at approximately 13.5 MHz. The uplink antenna 30 is in the form of a monopole antenna 32 and is configured for receiving transmissions from capsule C at approximately 435 MHz. In addition, the downlink antenna 20 is also configured to receive transmissions from capsule C, thereby operating as a second uplink antenna.

[0030] It should be noted that capsule C is designed to transmit data in the high frequency range (hundreds of MHz) due to bandwidth considerations arising from the need to transmit large amounts of data (e.g., in-vivo images). Uplink antenna 30 is therefore selected to operate in the corresponding high frequency range to optimize reception from capsule C. However, downlink antenna 20 is not subject to similar limitations in terms of transmission frequency and can therefore be designed to operate in the low frequency range (tens of MHz), reducing signal attenuation while passing through human tissue.

[0031] During capsule C's travel within the GI tract, it may sometimes reach a position or orientation where the uplink antenna 30 is unable to properly receive the signal transmitted by capsule C. To compensate for this, downlink antenna 20 is used, which may be able to pick up the signal from capsule C better than uplink antenna 30, albeit optimized to operate in a frequency range significantly different from that of the capsule's transmitter.

[0032] Modem unit 40 is connected to uplink antenna 30 only as a receiver via connection 34, but is connected to downlink antenna 20 both as a transmitter via link 26 and as a receiver via link 24. Each of uplink 30 / downlink antenna 20 may pick up a strong signal, a weak signal, or no signal at all. Modem unit 40 is configured to operate under a diversity scheme, detecting which of connections 24, 34 provides a stronger signal and providing the stronger signal and prioritizing it over the weaker signal. This results in at least the following cases (as used herein, the terms "weak" and "strong" are used relative to each other):

[0033] Table 1. [Table 1]

[0034] During testing of the above uplink / downlink configuration, it was clearly demonstrated that using the downlink unit as a backup for the uplink resulted in a statistically higher percentage of transmissions being received from the in vivo capsule C compared to a configuration in which the downlink antenna was used only for the downlink.

[0035] 3, the communication module 1 may be incorporated into a patch P, which is then configured to be attached to the patient's body, for example by adhesive. It should be noted that the flexibility of the sheet 12 (and antennas 20, 30 printed thereon) may provide significant advantages in terms of user comfort, as the patch is adhered to the body and therefore provides less restriction of movement on the part of the patient.

[0036] 4A-4C, there is shown another example of a patch according to some embodiments, generally designated P′, which may include, but is not limited to, multiple functional layers, namely: an adhesive layer 152 configured for direct contact with the patient's body and for securing the position of the patch relative to the patient's body; a communication layer 101 constituting a communication module; and An outer cover layer 156 is included.

[0037] The patch 10 further comprises a power supply unit 158 ​​and a processing unit 159 nested within the outer cover layer 156 .

[0038] 4C , there is shown a configuration of a communications module 101 comprising an elliptical base 110 made of a flexible sheet of material 112 to which is attached a circuit board M, on which are imprinted downlink and uplink antennas 120 and 130 that extend circumferentially around the elliptical base 110. The circuit board M and the antennas 120, 130 are configured to be connected to each other via a connection terminal N.

[0039] The communication module 101 is essentially similar to the communication module 1 described above, the differences being mainly the elliptical design of the printed antenna (compared to the rectangular design of the communication module 1) and the design of the patch P'.

[0040] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will readily appreciate that they can make changes, variations and modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, mutatis mutandis.

[0041] It will thus be seen that certain changes may be made in the practice of the methods and in the structures described elsewhere herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention so as to efficiently attain the objects set forth elsewhere herein, among those apparent from the foregoing description.Furthermore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0042] In the foregoing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, modules, units, and / or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Some features or elements described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with features or elements described with respect to other embodiments.

[0043] Although embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this respect, as used herein, the terms "plurality" and "a plurality" can include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more." The terms "plurality" or "a plurality" may be used throughout this specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, etc. As used herein, the term set may include one or more items. Unless otherwise stated, the method embodiments described herein are not limited to a particular order or sequence. In addition, some of the method embodiments or elements thereof described may occur or be performed simultaneously, contemporaneously, or together.

[0044] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the general and specific features of the invention described herein, and, as a matter of language, all statements of the scope of the invention contained therein.

Claims

1. an ex-vivo communication module configured for communicating with a swallowable in-vivo device, the ex-vivo communication module comprising: a receiving unit configured with a receiving antenna and configured to operate in a first frequency range to receive signals from the in-vivo device; and a transmitting unit configured with a transmitting antenna and configured to operate in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range to transmit signals to the in-vivo device, the transmitting unit also comprising a second receiving unit configured to operate in the first frequency range to receive signals from the in-vivo device; the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna are flat and integrated into a flexible sheet of the ex-vivo communication module; The flexible sheet allows the ex vivo communication module to bend and twist, thereby conforming to the natural shape of the patient's body.

2. The ex vivo communication module of claim 1 , wherein the ex vivo communication module is configured to be placed on the body of the patient to enable proper communication between the ex vivo communication module and the in-vivo device.

3. 3. The ex-vivo communication module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna is designed to operate in its own frequency range.

4. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 3 , wherein the first frequency range is at least one order of magnitude larger / smaller than the second frequency range.

5. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 4 , wherein the transmitting unit is configured for operation between 5 and 30 MHz.

6. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 5, wherein the transmitting unit is configured for operation at 10-20 MHz.

7. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 6, wherein the transmitting unit is configured for operation at 12-15 MHz.

8. The ex-vivo communication module according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the receiving unit is configured for data transfer operation at 350 to 550 MHz.

9. 9. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 8, wherein the receiving unit is configured for data transfer operation at 400-500 MHz.

10. 10. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 9, wherein the receiving unit is configured for data transfer operation at 420-450 MHz.

11. The ex vivo communication module of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ex vivo communication module comprises a processor.

12. The processor includes at least (a) to provide input to said transmitting unit; and The ex-vivo communication module of claim 11 , configured to: (b) receive data from the receiving unit.

13. 13. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 11 or 12, further comprising a modem unit interposed between the processor and the receiving unit / the transmitting unit and configured to provide communication therebetween.

14. 14. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 13, wherein the modem unit is configured to detect which of the receiving unit / the transmitting unit provides a better uplink transmission and, upon such detection, select the better uplink transmission of the receiving unit / the transmitting unit to be provided to the processor.

15. 15. An ex-vivo communication module according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the receiving unit may have dual connections with the modem unit, one for uplink and one for downlink.

16. 16. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 15, wherein the modem unit is configured to continuously alternate between a downlink mode to provide data to the transmitting unit and an uplink mode to receive data from the receiving unit.

17. 16. The ex vivo communication module of claim 15, wherein both the uplink and downlink connections of the receiving unit are connected to the modem unit via a multiplexer, enabling continuous uplink / downlink communication between the modem unit and the receiving unit / the transmitting unit.

18. The ex vivo communication module of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the ex vivo communication module is incorporated into an ex vivo device configured to be worn by the patient.

19. 20. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 18, wherein the ex-vivo device is a patch configured to be attached to the patient's skin.

20. 20. The ex vivo communication module of claim 18, wherein the ex vivo device is a portable device configured to be carried by the patient.

21. 20. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 18, wherein the ex-vivo device is a belt configured to be worn by the patient and extend around the patient's body.

22. The ex-vivo communication module of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the ex-vivo communication module has the shape of a rectangular flat sheet design having a length dimension L and a width dimension W.

23. 23. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 22, wherein the receiving unit is a monopole antenna formed on the flat sheet.

24. 24. The ex-vivo communication module according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the transmitting antenna extends circumferentially along an edge of the flat sheet.

25. 24. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 23, wherein the transmitting antenna extends around the monopole antenna.

26. 26. The ex-vivo communication module of claim 25, wherein the transmitting antenna is a coil antenna and forms multiple loops around the receiving antenna.

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