Abstract: A system and method for detection of colorimetric abnormalities within a body lumen includes an image receiver for receiving images from within the body lumen. Also included are a transmitter for transmitting the images to a receiver, and a processor for generating a probability indication of presence of colorimetric abnormalities on comparison of color content of the images and at least one reference value.

Abstract: A device and method for example operating an in vivo imaging device wherein the illumination is operated at a certain rate or range of rates, and images are transmitted from the device.

Abstract: A system and method for comparing captured sequences of in-vivo images with (e.g., template or model) sequences, for example, for computer-automated recognition of contractions. The size of the opening of an in-vivo lumen passageway represented in each frame in a subset of frames of an image stream captured in vivo may be measured. Frames in the subset of frames of the image stream having a local minimum size of the lumen passageway may be identified. The subset of frames may be divided into segments of sequential frames at frames having local maximum lumen sizes before and after the identified frame having a local minimum size of the lumen passageway to generate contraction sequences. A plurality of the contraction sequences may be compared to template sequences. A plurality of the contraction sequences may be displayed.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for in-vivo cauterization. An autonomous in-vivo device may include a heating mechanism to cauterize in-vivo tissue. A system may include an autonomous in-vivo heating device having a heating mechanism to cauterize in-vivo tissue, and an in-vivo imaging device to acquire in-vivo images.

Abstract: A device, system and method for automatic detection of contractile activity of a body lumen in an image frame is provided, wherein image frames during contractile activity are captured and/or image frames including contractile activity are automatically detected, such as through pattern recognition and/or feature extraction to trace image frames including contractions, e.g., with wrinkle patterns. A manual procedure of annotation of contractions, e.g. tonic contractions in capsule endoscopy, may consist of the visualization of the whole video by a specialist, and the labeling of the contraction frames. Embodiments of the present invention may be suitable for implementation in an in vivo imaging system.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method may indicate in-vivo device location within a body utilizing for example illumination irregularities for calculation of location. There may be provided with an in-vivo imaging device a set of dedicated illumination source and a set of detectors located on an in-vivo device, such as a swallowable capsule.

Abstract: An intra-luminal medical device includes a fixation mechanism to attach the medical device to tissue within a body lumen, and a detachment mechanism to permit selective detachment of the medical device from the tissue attachment site without the need for endoscopic or surgical intervention. An electromagnetic device may be provided to mechanically actuate the detachment mechanism. Alternatively, a fuse link may be electrically blown to detach the medical device. As a further alternative, a rapidly degradable bonding agent may be exposed to a degradation agent to detach the medical device from a bonding surface within the body lumen. The medical device may eliminate problems associated with uncertain and inconsistent detachment of intra-luminal medical devices.

Abstract: An in-vivo examining device, system and method for identifying the presence of strictures in the small bowel are provided. The in-vivo examining device includes a monitoring mechanism that becomes deactivated when exposed to in-vivo substances native to the small bowel or the colon, and a degradable device body that includes at least a first body portion which degrades at a slow rate when exposed to in-vivo substances native to the small bowel and at a fast rate when exposed to in-vivo substances native to the colon. The degradation of the degradable device body exposes the monitoring mechanism to substances native to the small bowel or the colon and thus indicates whether the examining device has safely passed through the small bowel or whether it is retained in the small bowel due to strictures in the small bowel.

Abstract: A method of assembling an in-vivo imaging device with a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board may include a plurality of flexible installation units connected to one another through flexible connection units. The flexible installation units may be capable of having electrical components disposed thereon at a size suitable for being included in an in-vivo imaging device which may be inserted into a body lumen, e.g., a capsule endoscope.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for detecting in vivo pathology are provided. An in vivo sensing device comprises a reacting layer with at least one type of binding agent attached thereon, a sensor configured for sensing an optical change occurring on the reacting substrate, and at least one illumination source. In-vivo fluids are in constant contact with the reacting substrate so that in vivo marker indicating pathology may bind to the binding agent attached onto the reacting layer and may be viewed by the sensor.

Abstract: An in vivo imaging device having a flexible circuit board, for example, a one-sheet flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board may enable folding components attached to the flexible circuit board according to a predefined angle.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for enhancing an image by expanding the color contrast of the image presented to a wider range of colors that is optimized for the item sought to be viewed. The method also increases contrast of an image or a portion of an image for example an in vivo image captured by an autonomous in vivo device. A user interface with a display provides the user with the option of viewing selected images captured by the in-vivo imaging device in either regular view or in a color enhanced view to enable more distinct viewing of the selected images.

Abstract: An in-vivo sensing system incorporating a sensing device movably disposed within a housing such that the orientation of the sensing device may be moved or changed in response to substantially small forces. The in-vivo sensing device may be ingested and may naturally traverse a lumen such as the GI tract or may be anchored at a surgical site. In a preferred embodiment, the in vivo sensing system is an imaging system (100) incorporating a sensing device such as an imaging device (112) suspended in a liquid (114) encapsulated in an covering or housing (110).

Abstract: The invention relates to an in vivo sensing device having a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it essentially to float. In one embodiment the in vivo sensing device consists of an image sensor system and a buoyant body. The buoyant body, which is attached to the sensor system or which can optionally house one or more elements of the sensor system, keeps the sensor system essentially floating in a body lumen liquid.

Abstract: A system and method may allow automatic display of un-viewed images of an image stream, which may be produced by an ingestible capsule. A set of images acquired by an in-vivo device disposed within a body lumen is received by a receiver or workstation, and a portion of the set of images is selected for display as an image stream. The selected portion of images is displayed as a first image stream, and a complementary portion of the set of images is displayed as a second image stream. The complementary portion includes unselected images from the set of images, and/or images which are indicated as unviewed images. A graphical user interface is provided for selecting a viewing mode which is determined based on previously viewed images and users' review history.

Abstract: A method and system for detection of intestinal contraction may include detecting an obstructed portion of an image frame captured in-vivo. The obstructed portion of the image frame may include an area within an image frame that is obstructed by turbid intestinal content. The method and system may set a threshold for the area of the obstructed portion in the image frame, to determine an invalid frame and may remove the invalid frame from an image stream.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an imaging device in vivo, the method comprising the steps of providing an imaging device having a longitudinal axis and a magnetic component, said device to be inserted into a patient's body; providing a rotating magnetic field outside the patient's body; and advancing the rotating magnetic filed along the patient's body in a desired direction.

Abstract: A system and method for comparing captured sequences of in-vivo images with (e.g., template) sequences, for example, for computer-automated diagnosis. Captured in vivo images may be divided into a plurality of captured image sequences. For each of the plurality of captured sequences, the processor may assign a first and second set of scores to each frame in the captured sequence and align each frame in the captured sequence with one or more frames in the template sequence for which the comparisons therebetween generate the minimum scores in the first and second sets of scores. The processor may define a match between the template sequence and captured sequences having a combination of scores in the first and second sets of scores for the frames in the captured sets compared with the one or more aligned frames in the template sequence, which are below or above a threshold value.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for localizing an in vivo imaging device by means of a single magnetic source coil assembly and a single magnetic detector coil assembly. This invention also relates to methods and apparatus to enable the use of a single magnetic source coil assembly to also transmit and receive information, images, and controls signals, as well as for the coil assembly to be used in DC-DC voltage conversion. A user interface with a display provides the user with the option of viewing selected images captured by the in vivo imaging device.

Abstract: An in-vivo imaging system and method to screen for colorectal polyps in the GI tract may include an in-vivo imaging device for capturing a stream of image frames in a GI tract, a polyp detector for detecting and/or identifying one or more image frames from the stream of image streams that may show colorectal polyps, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to display image frames detected.