Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed, where the system comprises a capsule device and a docking device. The capsule device comprises a battery, a secondary coil, and a capsule housing to enclose the battery and the secondary coil in a sealed environment, where the capsule device consists of a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the capsule device, and the battery is located in proximity to the first end and the secondary coil is located in proximity to the second end. The docking device comprises an opening on the docking device, a primary coil to generate an alternating magnetic field, and a primary core. The capsule endoscopic system is arranged so that the primary coil is wrapped around at least a portion of the primary core.

Abstract: An in vivo endoscope illuminates tissue using multiple sources. Light from a short-range source exits a tubular wall of the endoscope through a first illumination region that overlaps an imaging region, and the light returns through the imaging region after reflection by tissue, to form an image in a camera. Light from a long-range source exits the tubular wall through a second illumination region that does not overlap the imaging region. The endoscope of some embodiments includes a mirror, and light from an emitter for the short-range source is split and reaches the first illumination region from both sides of an optical axis of the camera. Illuminating the first illumination region with split fractions of light results in greater uniformity of illumination, than illuminating directly with an un-split beam. The energy generated by each source is changed depending on distance of the tissue to be imaged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of aligning a lens module with respect to an image sensor device for a capsule camera are disclosed. The image sensor device comprises multiple pixel arrays and the lens module comprises multiple lens sets to form multiple images corresponding to multiple fields of view associated with the multiple lens sets, and each lens set forms one image for one corresponding pixel array associated with one field of view. A method according to the present invention present invention, one or more test images are presented in the multiple fields of view associated with the lens module. Multiple images in the multiple fields of view are captured using the multiple pixel arrays. Metric measurement is derived based on the multiple images captured by the multiple pixel arrays. Lens alignment between the lens module and the image sensor device is then adjusted based on the metric measurement.

Abstract: An in vivo endoscope illuminates tissue using multiple sources. Light from a short-range source exits a tubular wall of the endoscope through a first illumination region that overlaps an imaging region, and the light returns through the imaging region after reflection by tissue, to form an image in a camera. Light from a long-range source exits the tubular wall through a second illumination region that does not overlap the imaging region. The endoscope of some embodiments includes a mirror, and light from an emitter for the short-range source is split and reaches the first illumination region from both sides of an optical axis of the camera. Illuminating the first illumination region with split fractions of light results in greater uniformity of illumination, than illuminating directly with an un-split beam. The energy generated by each source is changed depending on distance of the tissue to be imaged.

Abstract: A power source apparatus and a system incorporating said power source for medical capsules are disclosed. A medical capsule often includes a power source sealed in a housing. Embodiments of the present invention allow the medical capsule to enable/disable electrical power supplied to a sub-system in the capsule device without special tools and/or skills after the medical capsule is manufactured. In one embodiment, the power source apparatus comprises a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring to interact with the plunger, a battery and a control piece. The plunger is moved between first and second positions according to a magnetic field applied externally. Accordingly, the control piece enables or disables the power depending on the plunger positions. In another embodiment, a capsule system uses an electrical interconnect with pressure contacts between the power source and the capsule sub-system connecting the second circuit board to the power-output nodes.

Abstract: A power source apparatus and a system incorporating said power source for medical capsules are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention allow the medical capsule to enable/disable electrical power supplied to a sub-system in the capsule device without special tools and/or skills after the medical capsule is manufactured. In one embodiment, the power source apparatus comprises a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring to interact with the plunger, a battery and a control piece. The plunger is moved between first and second positions according to a magnetic field applied externally. Accordingly, the control piece enables or disables the power depending on the plunger positions. In another embodiment, a capsule system uses an electrical interconnect with pressure contacts between the power source and the capsule sub-system connecting the second circuit board to the power-output nodes.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed for receiving data from a capsule device and providing inductive power to the capsule device wirelessly, where the capsule endoscopic system incorporates a feature to automatically protect the capsule device and the docking device from damage if the capsule device is docked in a backward orientation. In one embodiment, the docking device comprises a current sense circuit to detect the current flowing through the primary coil or primary drive circuit. The occurrence of wrong orientation can be detected from the current. A detection/control circuit can be used to provide the needed control in order to prevent damage to the system. In another embodiment, a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor and the primary coil is used to provide the needed protection when the capsule device is docked with a wrong orientation.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying images captured by an in vivo imaging device are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention display image sequence data in a first display area. When a first bookmarked image with annotation information is displayed in the first display area, a first thumbnail image in a second display area corresponding to the first bookmarked image is replaced to indicate an occurring correspondence between the first bookmarked image and the first thumbnail image corresponding to the first bookmarked image being displayed. In one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying the first thumbnail image in the second display area when one other image of the image sequence data is displayed in the first display area after the first bookmarked image is displayed.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed for receiving data from a capsule device and providing inductive power to the capsule device wirelessly, where the capsule endoscopic system incorporates a feature to automatically protect the capsule device and the docking device from damage if the capsule device is docked in a backward orientation. In one embodiment, the docking device comprises a current sense circuit to detect the current flowing through the primary coil or primary drive circuit. The occurrence of wrong orientation can be detected from the current. A detection/control circuit can be used to provide the needed control in order to prevent damage to the system. In another embodiment, a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor and the primary coil is used to provide the needed protection when the capsule device is docked with a wrong orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and structures providing accurate and easy to use size measurement of physiological features identified from endoscopic examination. In sharp contrast to the prior art, systems, methods, and structures according to the present disclosure employ structured light that advantageously enables size and/or distance information about lesions and/or other physiological features in a gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Advantageously, systems, methods, and structures according to the present disclosure are applicable to both capsule endoscopes and insertion endoscopes.

Abstract: A method of reducing ghost in images captured using a capsule endoscope while travelling in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The captured images contain ghost caused by reflections of multiple light sources by capsule housing of the capsule endoscope. The method derive, from the plurality of images, a ghost model comprising multiple ghost coefficients for relating light energies from the multiple light sources for a given image with ghost signals at multiple pixel locations for the given image. De-ghosted images are generated by compensating the plurality of images using estimated ghost signals based on derived ghost coefficients and the light energies from the multiple light sources. The process of deriving, from the plurality of images, the ghost model comprises removing any sensor gamma or any other non-linearity in pixel values of the plurality of images associated with the light energy.

Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed for receiving data from a capsule device and providing inductive power to the capsule device wirelessly, where the capsule endoscopic system incorporates a feature to automatically protect the capsule device and the docking device from damage if the capsule device is docked in a backward orientation. In one embodiment, the docking device comprises a current sense circuit to detect the current flowing through the primary coil or primary drive circuit. The occurrence of wrong orientation can be detected from the current. A detection/control circuit can be used to provide the needed control in order to prevent damage to the system. In another embodiment, a resonant circuit comprising a capacitor and the primary coil is used to provide the needed protection when the capsule device is docked with a wrong orientation.

Abstract: An integrated image sensor for capturing a mixed structured-light image and regular image using an integrated image sensor are disclosed. The integrated image sensor comprises a pixel array, one or more output circuits, one or more analog-to-digital converters, and one or more timing and control circuits. The timing and control circuits are arranged to perform a set of actions including capturing a regular image and a structured-light image. According to the present invention, the structured-light image captured before or after the regular image is used to derive depth or shape information for the regular image. An endoscope based on the above integrated image sensor is also disclosed. The endoscope may comprises a capsule housing adapted to be swallowed, where the components of integrated image sensor, a structured light source and a non-structured light source are enclosed and sealed in the capsule housing.

Abstract: A method of reducing ghost in images captured using a capsule endoscope while travelling in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The captured images contain ghost caused by reflections of multiple light sources by capsule housing of the capsule endoscope. The method derive, from the plurality of images, a ghost model comprising multiple ghost coefficients for relating light energies from the multiple light sources for a given image with ghost signals at multiple pixel locations for the given image. De-ghosted images are generated by compensating the plurality of images using estimated ghost signals based on derived ghost coefficients and the light energies from the multiple light sources. The process of deriving, from the plurality of images, the ghost model comprises removing any sensor gamma or any other non-linearity in pixel values of the plurality of images associated with the light energy.

Abstract: A method and device for capturing a mixed structured-light image and regular image using an integrated image sensor are disclosed, where the structured-light image is captured using a shorter frame period than the regular image. In order to achieve a shorter frame period for the structured-light image, the structured-light image may correspond to an image captured with reduced dynamic range, reduced spatial resolution, or a combination of them. The capturing process comprises applying reset signals to a pixel array to reset rows of pixels of the pixel array, reading-out analog signals from the rows of pixels of the pixel array and converting the analog signals from the rows of pixels of the pixel array into digital outputs for the image using one or more analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying images captured by an in vivo imaging device are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention display image sequence data in a first display area. When a first bookmarked image with annotation information is displayed in the first display area, a first thumbnail image in a second display area corresponding to the first bookmarked image is replaced to indicate an occurring correspondence between the first bookmarked image and the first thumbnail image corresponding to the first bookmarked image being displayed. In one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying the first thumbnail image in the second display area when one other image of the image sequence data is displayed in the first display area after the first bookmarked image is displayed.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the accuracy of depth information derived from a structured-light image for a regular image are disclosed. In one example, an additional structured-light image is captured before a first structured-light image or after a regular image. The depth information for the regular image can be derived from the first structured-light image and corrected by incorporating depth information from the additional structured-light image. A model for depth information can be used to predict or interpolate depth information for the regular image. In another example, two regular sub-images may be captured with a structured-light image in between. If substantial frame differences or substantial global motion vector/block motion vectors are detected, the two regular sub-images will not be combined in order to avoid possible motion smear. Instead, one of the two sub-images will be selected and scaled as the output regular image.

Abstract: A method and device for capturing a mixed structured-light image and regular image using an integrated image sensor are disclosed, where the structured-light image is captured using a shorter frame period than the regular image. In order to achieve a shorter frame period for the structured-light image, the structured-light image may correspond to an image captured with reduced dynamic range, reduced spatial resolution, or a combination of them. The capturing process comprises applying reset signals to a pixel array to reset rows of pixels of the pixel array, reading-out analog signals from the rows of pixels of the pixel array and converting the analog signals from the rows of pixels of the pixel array into digital outputs for the image using one or more analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying images captured by an in vivo imaging device are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention display image sequence data in a first display area. When a first annotated image is displayed in the first display area, a first thumbnail image in a second display area corresponding to the first annotated image is replaced to indicate an occurring correspondence between the first annotated image and the first thumbnail image corresponding to the first annotated image being displayed. In one embodiment, the method further comprises displaying the first thumbnail image in the second display area when one other image of the image sequence data is displayed in the first display area after the first annotated image is displayed.

Abstract: A capsule device with density control is disclosed, where the density of the capsule device is set to desired specific gravities when it travels to designated regions of the gastrointestinal track. The density control means will cause at least two specific gravities of the capsule device for at least two designated regions of the gastrointestinal track respectively, wherein each of said at least two specific gravities is selected from a first group consisting of a greater-than-one state and a less-than-one state. In one embodiment, the greater-than-one state correspond to the specific gravity of about 1.1 or larger and the less-than-one state corresponds to the specific gravity of about 0.94 or smaller.