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.

Abstract: In-vivo devices, systems and methods for the detection of blood within in-vivo bodily fluids. The methods include irradiating in-vivo fluids passing through a gap in a housing of an in-vivo device introduced to the GI tract of a subject with a plurality of illumination sources positioned on a first side of a gap; detecting with at least one light detector positioned on the opposite side of the gap and facing the illumination sources, light irradiated by the illumination sources; transmitting a plurality of values representing the light detected over time; converting these values to blood concentration values over time, and comparing the blood concentration values to a predetermined threshold value. Based on the comparison, the method includes determining the type of bleeding profile, such that if a plurality of blood concentration values measured consecutively is above the threshold value, the bleeding profile indicates bleeding.

Abstract: An in vivo capsule has a cauterization element that may be deployed by physician while in vivo for cauterizing a lesion, such as bleeding. Energy is transferred from outside of the patient's body to the capsule and specifically to the ablating element, such as via a resonance circuit. Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for precisely cauterizing or ablating tissue in-vivo. Embodiments of the invention may provide an in-vivo device having a cauterization or ablation element incorporated therein and a system and method for controlled navigation of the in-vivo cauterization device through a body lumen.

Abstract: Anorectal diagnostic procedures are oftentimes carried out with the patient laying in the left decubitus position, which leads to non-representative response to test maneuvers due to the unnatural position and patient anxiety. Devices spanning, or fastened on, the interglutial cleft of a patient allow for a more natural patient position and eliminate non-representative responses.

Abstract: A system and method for reconstructing locations of sensors in radiopaque images may estimate sensor locations in two groups of good radiographic images and use them to estimate candidate sensor locations in a group of bad radiographic images B1, . . . , Bn in which many sensors are indiscernible. A first iterative process pervading from the first image B1 to the last image Bn may determine a first set of candidate sensor locations, and a second iterative process pervading from the last image Bn to the first image B1 may determine a second set of candidate sensor location for each image. Location of a sensor in each image Bi may be estimated based on the pertinent first and second candidate sensor locations related, or determined for, the particular sensor in the particular image. Sensor locations still missing in the series of images are, then, estimated using the already estimated sensor locations.

Abstract: A method and device may control energy consumption of in an in vivo imaging device by determining or estimating an amount of energy needed to capture images at a frame rate until a complete passage of the device through a predetermined region of the gastrointestinal tract, and alter or limit the frame capture rate accordingly.

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: An in-vivo imaging device for capturing one or more narrow band images of the gastrointestinal tract, or other body lumens or cavities of a patient, using one or more narrow band illumination sources and an imager having an array of light sensitive elements.

Abstract: A device for cryotherapy treatment of gastrointestinal lesions includes a cooling member that may be attached to a first tube for pressurizing cryogenic fluid through the tube and into the cooling member through nozzles located at the distal end of the first tube. A second tube may be attached to the cooling member for evacuating the cryogenic fluid from within the cooling member, following the fluid's expansion once it exits the first tube. The cryotherapy device may be attached to an endoscope such that the first tube may be passed through the endoscope's working channel, while the second tube may be passed along the endoscope's circumference. The cryotherapy device may further comprise securing means attached to the first tube, for securing the first tube to the endoscope's working channel, thus preventing free rotation of the cryotherapy device within the endoscope, relative to the rotation of the endoscope.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for placing a capsule for sensing one or more parameters of a patient. In particular, the techniques provide for anchoring of the capsule to a tissue at a specific site and releasing the capsule from the device using a single actuator. As an example, a delivery device may anchor the capsule to the tissue site during a first motion of the actuator and release the capsule from the delivery device during a second motion of the actuator. This allows a user to place the capsule by interacting with only a single actuator, thus making delivery of the capsule easier and more reliable.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for in-vivo imaging, for example, using an in-vivo imaging device including an imager a lens and an illumination source, all positioned behind a single viewing window. The in-vivo imaging device may include an element to block light from reaching a point of reflection on the inner surface of the viewing window, thereby preventing the light from being received by the imager.

Abstract: A device and system for monitoring the status of a battery in an in-vivo imaging device, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device. The device may include a frame counter for counting the number of frames captured and may include monitoring the voltage of the battery. A warning signal is generated if it is determined that the battery is faulty prior to use. The warning signal can be generated by the device and/or by a receiver which receives data from the in-vivo imaging device and/or a by workstation which receives the data from the receiver.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for displaying in-vivo images at variable rate. For example, a system includes a processor to gradually increase a frame display rate of an in-vivo image stream based on a similarity among two or more in-vivo frames of the in-vivo image stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and system for displaying an in vivo imaging procedure. The method includes receiving real-time image data captured by the capsule, and continuously generating an updated summarized color bar, said color bar comprising color strips and time scale marks. The color bar is calculated based on color values of received image data, and is updated continuously as new image data is received. The displayed time period is periodically updated, for example based on predetermined fixed time intervals, based on varying time intervals, or based on an accumulated amount of received image data. Other methods of determining the periodic updates may be used.

Abstract: An in-vivo device may allocate a sensing window in a work cycle for sensing and processing localization signals to determine the location/orientation of the in-vivo device. The in-vivo device may use a timing unit to schedule transmission of data frames and the sensing of the localization signals relative to a reference time embedded in work cycles. The timing unit may produce a clock signal based on which the in-vivo device may measure time specifics, which define the sensing window, relative to the reference time. A receiver may use data embedded in data frames to restore the clock signal and the reference time, and, from them, and using identical or similar time specifics, generate a synchronization signal for a localization signals source (LSS) to enable the LSS to generate localization signals in synchronization with the sensing windows.