Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying an image stream captured by an in vivo imaging device are presented. A method comprises receiving a stream of image frames captured by the in vivo device, each frame comprising a plurality of pixels. A summarized image presentation comprising summarized data elements may be generated, each summarized data element corresponding to at least one frame from the image stream. Summarized data elements are generated by ordering pixels of one or more image frames according to a first sorting parameter, sampling the ordered pixels according to a predetermined sampling scheme to acquire a subset of ordered pixels; and combining or appending sampled pixels to form a summarized data element. The summarized data elements are combined to form a summarized image presentation.

Abstract: A computerized-method for a mucosal assessment of a mucosal disease in a Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) of a subject, including receiving a stream of images of at least a portion of the GIT, parsing the stream into a plurality of segments, wherein each segment corresponds to a region of the at least portion of the GIT, obtaining a set of values for each segment, wherein the set of values refers to the pathological involvement of the segment in the mucosal disease and to severity of mucosal manifestation of the mucosal disease in the segment, and based on said set of values for each segment, generating a representation indicating the location and severity of the mucosal manifestation of the mucosal disease in the entirety of the at least portion of the subject's GIT, thereby allowing to assess the condition of the mucosal disease in the at least portion of the GIT.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes a first switch and a second switch respectively connecting a first terminal and a second terminal of an electrical coil to a positive terminal of a voltage source, a third switch and a fourth switch respectively connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the electrical coil to a negative terminal of the voltage source, and a controller to control the switching circuit in a current control mode to alternate a voltage polarity of the voltage source to thereby control a magnitude and direction of the electrical current of the electrical coil, and to control the switching circuit in a current hold mode to disconnect the electrical coil from the voltage source and to short-circuit the electrical coil to maintain the magnitude and direction of the electrical current at the transition time when the switching circuit switched to the current hold mode.

Abstract: A method executed by a system for selecting images from a plurality of image groups originating from a plurality of imagers of an in-vivo device includes calculating, or otherwise associating, a general score (GS) for images of each image group, to indicate the probability that each image includes at least one pathology, dividing each image group into image subgroups, identifying a set Set(i) of maximum general scores (MGSs), a MGS for each image subgroup of each image group; and selecting images for processing by identifying a MGS|max in each set S(i) of MGSs; identifying the greatest MGS|max and selecting the image related to the greatest MGS|max. The method further includes modifying the set Set(i) of MGSs related to the selected image, and repeating the steps described above until a predetermined criterion selected from a group consisting of a number N of images and a score threshold is met.

Abstract: Devices and a system for detection of blood within in-vivo fluids are provided. A device comprises a housing that includes a gap. The gap has at least one opening through which in-vivo fluids may enter and/or exit the gap. The device further comprises an illumination source for illuminating the in-vivo fluids in the gap, a light detector for detecting light which passes through the in-vivo fluids in the gap, and flexible fins disposed on the housing in the vicinity of the gap's opening for covering the opening when the fins are folded and for pumping fluids into and out of the opening by repeated closure and opening of the opening by the fins, due to repeated peristaltic waves. This pumping effect may lead to continuous flow of fluids into and out of the opening and thus into and out of the gap of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for segmenting an image stream to a plurality of segments is provided. A processing unit may be configured to calculate a set of pixel-based properties for frames of an image stream, and detect segments of constant mean values in the sets of pixel-based properties. The segments of constant mean values are detected by using a window method that determines possible partition points of the window, and calculating a difference between mean values of the sets of pixel-based properties for each sub-window of frames. Points of change may be identified in the calculated difference between mean values of the sets of pixel-based properties. A display unit may display a summarized representation of the image stream, wherein the summarized representation includes a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a segment of constant mean values in the sets of pixel-based properties.

Abstract: Methods for capturing and transmitting images by an in-vivo device comprise operating a pixel array in a superpixel readout mode to capture probe image, for example, according to a time interval. Concurrently to capturing of each probe image, the probe image is evaluated alone or in conjunction with other probe image(s), and if it is determined that no event of interest is detected by the last probe image, or by the last few probe images, the pixel array is operated in the superpixel readout mode and a subsequent probe image is captured. However, if it is determined that the last probe image, or the last few probe images, detected an event of interest, the pixel array is operated in a single pixel readout mode and a single normal image, or a series of normal image, is captured and transmitted, for example, to an external receiver.

Abstract: An in-vivo device includes a first communication circuit to communicate with an external communication device by using a first communication protocol while the in-vivo device is in the gastrointestinal system of a subject, a communication condition monitoring (CCM) circuit to monitor communication conditions for the first communication circuit, a second communication circuit to communicate with the external communication device by using a second communication protocol, and a controller configured to receive, from the communication condition monitoring (CCM) circuit, a signal indicative of a communication condition of the communication via the first communication circuit, to compare the communication condition to prerequisite communication condition(s), and to activate the first communication circuit and concurrently deactivate the second communication circuit, or vice versa, based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically navigating an in vivo imaging capsule in a body lumen. The system comprises an imaging capsule including an imager, optional pressure sensor for producing data of forces acting on the imaging capsule in vivo, and a transmitter to transmit image, positioning and pressure data from the capsule to an external unit. A positioning system for providing current position data of the capsule in vivo may be included in the capsule and/or external to it. External magnets may generate a magnetic field to scan a body lumen by causing a predetermined motion pattern of the imaging capsule within a region proximate to its current position, and generate a driving force to propel the imaging capsule according to a calculated target direction vector. A processor may calculate a target direction vector for propelling the imaging capsule based, on unique patterns identifiable in one or more images.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying portions of in vivo images such as pathological or anatomical landmark portions of images, may include receiving a stream of in vivo images captured in a body lumen, and selecting relevant image portions such as suspected pathological image portions from the stream, based on one or more predetermined criteria. A spatial arrangement of the image portions may be determined, and the selected image portions may be resized to an appropriate size, and displayed in a rectangular or hexagonal array layout according to the determined spatial arrangement, such that rows and columns of selected image portions are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An optimization unit controls electrical currents of a set of electromagnets to generate a wanted maneuvering magnetic field pattern (MMP) for moving an in-vivo device in the GI system. The optimization unit may calculate a magnetic force and a magnetic field to maneuver the in-vivo device from a current location and/or orientation to a new location and/or orientation. The optimization unit may solve a magnetic force optimization problem with respect to the magnetic force in order to determine electrical currents suitable for generating the wanted MMP. The optimization unit may additionally or alternatively solve a minimum electrical power optimization problem with respect to the electrical power to be consumed by the electromagnets in order to recalculate or adjust the electrical currents. The optimization unit may solve one or more of the optimization problems while complying with a set of constraints associated with or derived from each type of optimization objective.

Abstract: A system and method may display an image stream, where an original image stream may be divided into two or more subset images streams, each subset image stream being displayed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. The images may be displayed fused. The images may be collected from an ingestible capsule traversing the GI tract.

Abstract: A swallowable in-vivo device comprising a shell formed with at least one inlet extending across a shell wall and configured for allowing ingress of fluid at least into the shell; the shell accommodates therein a lateral flow (LF) arrangement configured for absorbing the fluid; the LF arrangement comprises a test zone configured for coming into contact, in-vivo, with a predetermined N substance present in the fluid or a compound comprising the substance, thereby causing a change in at least one property of the test zone; the shell further accommodates a sensor configured for sensing, in-vivo, the at least one property, at least when changed by interaction with the fluid; the LF arrangement has at least one curved segment, and at least one exposure portion juxtaposed with the inlet, configured for absorbing the fluid passing through the inlet into the shell.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a state of a switching circuit may include a first unit to sense and interpret a wireless signal or physical parameter as an “on” signal to transition the switching circuit to the “on” state, or as an “off” signal to transition the switching circuit to the “off” state, and to transfer a first digital signal or logic value and/or a second digital signal or logic value, which may respectively or combinatorially represent the “on” signal or the “off” signal, to a second unit via a first output and/or a second output of the first unit, respectively. The second unit may force a control input of the switching circuit to a logic value which is a function of the first digital signal or value and/or second digital signal or value and congruent with the state to which the switching circuit is to be transitioned.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for capsule endoscopy are described for locating, positioning, steering, aiming and tracking of an endoscopy capsule (100) within a patient's esophagus and stomach. The apparatus includes an endoscopy capsule (100) with a magnetic element (110), an external capsule positioning system (200) including at least one magnet (202) movable along a track (204) for positioning the endoscopy capsule (100) within a patient. Also described are apparatus and methods for performing endoscopic spectroscopy using different wavelengths of light and other imaging technologies to diagnose various disease conditions, such as premalignant or inflammatory changes and internal bleeding.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ambulatory system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters in a body lumen, such as the esophagus. The system includes an implantable probe having a sensor for the physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting data to an external receiver. The probe may be used for monitoring any of various physiological parameters, including pH, temperature, and pressure, within the esophagus or other body lumens. Methods and deployment catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A swallowable in-vivo device contains a movement detection unit that includes a movement sensing unit, a frequency analyzing unit (FAU) and a time analyzing unit (TAU). The movement sensing unit senses movements of the in-vivo device relative to a non-stationary three-dimensional reference frame, and outputs a movement signal. The frequency analyzing unit may analyze the movement signal spectrally to detect a potential command-invoking movement, and the time analyzing unit may analyze the potential CIM temporally, possibly in conjunction with a series of other movement events, to determine whether the potential CIM is a genuine CIM. If the potential CIM is determined to be a genuine CIM, the in-vivo device may execute a predetermined command associated with the CIM. Otherwise, the in-vivo device may refrain from executing a CIM-related command. A PCB including the movement detection unit and a processor for processing their output is provided for the vivo sensing device.

Abstract: A system, method and virtual tool for size estimation of in-vivo objects includes receiving and displaying a two-dimensional image of in-vivo objects obtained by in-vivo imaging device; receiving indication of a selected area representing a point of interest from the user via a user input device; estimating depth of a plurality of image pixels around the selected area; calculating three-dimensional coordinates representation of the plurality of image points, based on the estimated depths; casting a virtual tool of a known size onto the three-dimensional representation; and projecting the virtual tool onto the two-dimensional image to create a cursor having a two-dimensional shape on the displayed image.

Abstract: An on/off switching circuit includes an on/off switch switchable between an on state and an off state, an light emitting diode (LED) driver to power one or more LEDs to illuminate an area of interest, a switch control unit to transition the on/off switch between the on and off states, the switch control unit including a light sensing circuit comprising at least one LED of the LEDs as a light sensor, and a bi-directional gate circuit. When the on/off switch is in the off state the bi-directional gate is in a first conducting state in which the bi-directional gate circuit connects the light sensor to the light sensing circuit, and when the on/off switch is in the on state the bi-directional gate is in a second conducting state in which the bi-directional gate connects the LED driver to the one or more LEDs including the light sensor.

Abstract: A system, method and virtual tool for size estimation of in-vivo objects includes receiving and displaying a two-dimensional image of in-vivo objects obtained by in-vivo imaging device; receiving indication of a selected area representing a point of interest from the user via a user input device; estimating depth of a plurality of image pixels around the selected area; calculating three-dimensional coordinates representation of the plurality of image points, based on the estimated depths; casting a virtual tool of a known size onto the three-dimensional representation; and projecting the virtual tool onto the two-dimensional image to create a cursor having a two-dimensional shape on the displayed image.