Abstract: A garment and method for reducing electromagnetic radiation produced by a transmitting device typically located inside a body. The garment may include material to prevent or lower electromagnetic radiation. A method for using such a garment to lower electromagnetic emissions is described.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues includes an autonomous capsule with an external surface having openings, a plurality of electrodes located within the openings, and a processor in communication with the plurality of electrodes for generating electrical characteristics. A method for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues includes the steps of introducing into the digestive tract an autonomous electrode configuration, selecting sets of electrodes for measurement, introducing a current into the selected electrodes, collecting electrical data from the selected electrodes, and calculating electrical characteristics from the collected data.

Abstract: A device, method and system for sensing the temperature or temperature change of an environment. A typically in-vivo device includes an image sensor. The device may sense the dark current noise of the image sensor, and calculate the temperature or a temperature change of the image sensor.

Abstract: A system and method allows for the annotation of an image stream, which may be produced by, for example, an ingestible capsule. A workstation accepts images acquired by the capsule and displays the images on a monitor as a moving image. A user inputs an annotation which corresponds to a portion of the moving image, and the annotation is recorded in a database associated with the selected portion. The annotation may include, for example, textual notes regarding the image portion. The annotations may be displayed at a later time.

Abstract: A device, system and method may enable the obtaining of in vivo information other than or in addition to images from for example within body lumens or cavities, such as temperature, pressure, or pH from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the data is typically transmitted or otherwise sent via an optical means to a receiving system.

Abstract: An energy saving method for acquiring in vivo images of the gastro-intestinal tract is provided. A device, such as an autonomous capsule, includes at least one imaging unit; a control unit connected to the imaging unit and a power supply connected to the control unit. The control unit includes a switching unit and an axial motion detector connected to the switching unit. The axial motion detector detects the axial movement of the device and if the axial acceleration is below a pre-determined threshold, disconnects the power supply thereby preventing the acquisition of redundant images. A method for operation and use of the device is provided.

Abstract: An endoscope having restricted dimensions and comprising at least one image gatherer, at least one image distorter and at least one image sensor shaped to fit within said limited dimensions, and wherein said image distorter is operable to distort an image received from said image gatherer so that the image is sensible at said shaped image sensor.

Abstract: An in vivo examining device and method are described. The in vivo examining device has two operational phases; an initial phase in which the device is of initial dimensions and a final phase in which the device is of final dimensions. In the initial phase the device can pass freely through a normally configured body lumen whereas it may not be able to pass freely through an abnormally configured lumen. In the final phase the device can pass freely through a body lumen even if it is abnormally configured.

Abstract: Systems and methods which vary the frame capture rate of the camera and/or frame display rate of the display unit of in vivo camera systems are discussed. The capture rate is varied based on physical measurements related to the motion of the camera. Alternatively, the frame capture rate is varied based on comparative image processing of a plurality of frames. The frame display rate of the system is varied based on comparative image processing of a multiplicity of frames. Both the frame capture and the frame display rates of such systems can be varied concurrently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining in vivo images. The system contains an imaging system and an ultra low power radio frequency transmitter for transmitting signals from the CMOS imaging camera to a receiving system located outside a patient. The imaging system includes at least one CMOS imaging camera, at least one illumination source for illuminating an in vivo site and an optical system for imaging the in vivo site onto the CMOS imaging camera.

Abstract: A system and method for maneuvering a device in vivo, wherein a tube has a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end, and an in vivo sensing device is changeably connected to the distal end of the tube. Typically, the sensing device may be moved from one position where it is, for example, within the axial profile of the tube or along the longitudinal axis of the tube, to a second position, where it is not.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a propulsion system that is typically substantially or completely within the sensing device. The propulsion system may include, for example, a rotatable propeller. The sensing device may be an in-vivo autonomous capsule with an imager, but may be another type of sensing device.

Abstract: Capsule (60) moves through the gastrointestinal tract (62) in a first pass to generate a map of the gastrointestinal tract, and to identify a location of interest. In its second pass, capsule (60) moves through the gastrointestinal tract, and is controlled to perform a job at the identified location. Repeated localizations generate generate a map of the route taken by the capsule in the gastrointestinal tract (62). images displayed on the image monitor (61) are compared with the generated map displayed on the position monitor (63) to identify the location of a pathology (72).

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and analyzing motility within a body lumen such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where an in vivo imaging device such as a capsule captures images and transmits the images to a processor, which calculates the motility of the device based on comparison of the images. Preferably, the processor compares the intensity of pairs of images or of elements of pairs of images, generates a variance for the compared images, and calculates the motility of the imaging device from the variances. The motility data may be presented to a user in various manners; for example, a plot of motility over time may be generated, or indications of low motility may be presented to the user of the system.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a magnetohydrodynamic propulsion system. The sensing device may be an in-vivo autonomous capsule with an imager, but may be another type of sensing device.

Abstract: An in-vivo device, such as an autonomous imager or other suitable in-vivo device, includes a moveable arm, extendible element, or proboscis. The in-vivo device may include sensors, such as imagers, etc. The device may transmit sensing information via, for example, wireless transmission, or wired transmission.

Abstract: A device, system and method enables obtaining data such as in vivo images from within body lumens or cavities, such as images of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A device may include an imaging system and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for transmitting signals from an imaging device to a receiving system. The signal strength of the transmitter may be varied or changed to account for, for example, the amount of signal attenuation resulting from body tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system for illuminating and viewing a target in which an illumination element and a receiving means are disposed behind a single optical window, and which obtains data essentially free of backscatter and stray light. The optical window of the optical system is configured such that it defines a shape having at least one focal curve, i.e., an ellipsoid shaped dome. The illumination element and the receiving means are geometrically positioned on the focal curve plane or in proximity of the focal curve plane, such that, when illuminating, rays from the illumination elements, that are internally reflected from the optical window, will not be incident on the receiving means.