Patents by Inventor Rafi Sommer

Rafi Sommer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9872656
    Abstract: An imaging capsule with a fail-safe radiation mechanism includes a first rotatable disk with a radiation source mounted thereon and having a collimator structure allowing emission of radiation from radiation source from a few locations on the first disk. A second rotatable disk surrounds the first disk, is rotatable relative to first disk, and includes areas that block radiation and areas that are transparent to emission of radiation. In a rest position, second disk is situated relative to first disk such that areas that block radiation are blocking the emission of radiation from the locations on the circumference of the disk that allow the emission of radiation. A motor is activated to rotate one of the disks and allow emission of radiation. A connector is configured to automatically return first disk and second disk to the rest position when the motor is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: CHECK-CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Rafi Sommer
  • Patent number: 9844354
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting clinically-relevant features of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule to be swallowed by a subject and passing through the GI tract of the subject, a capsule housing, a radiation source emitting radiation, a rotatable collimator configured to rotate with respect to the housing and to collimate the radiation emitted by the radiation source, and a radiation detector configured to detect particles, such as photons, gamma radiation, beta radiation and electrons photons generated responsive to the emitted radiation. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to analyze data regarding the photons. Movement of the capsule in the GI tract can be detected from a comparison between at least two images acquired with the apparatus. The radiation source, radiation detector and control unit may advantageously be integrated inside a single housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: CHECK-CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Yitzak Klein, Gideon Baum, Rafi Sommer
  • Patent number: 9826945
    Abstract: An aspect of an embodiment of the invention, relates to an imaging capsule for scanning inside a living body with a fail-safe radiation mechanism that prevents the emission of radiation from the imaging capsule until the imaging capsule is instructed to emit radiation and power is available to activate a motor to unblock the emission of radiation. Optionally, when power is not available the imaging capsule automatically, blocks the emission of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: CHECK-CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Rafi Sommer
  • Patent number: 9392961
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting clinically-relevant features of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule to be swallowed by a subject and passing through the GI tract of the subject, a capsule housing, a radiation source emitting radiation, a rotatable collimator configured to rotate with respect to the housing and to collimate the radiation emitted by the radiation source, and a radiation detector configured to detect particles, such as photons, gamma radiation, beta radiation and electrons photons generated responsive to the emitted radiation. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to analyze data regarding the photons. Movement of the capsule in the GI tract can be detected. The radiation source, radiation detector and control unit may advantageously be integrated inside a single housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: CHECK-CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Yitzak Klein, Gideon Baum, Rafi Sommer
  • Publication number: 20140037069
    Abstract: An imaging capsule with a fail-safe radiation mechanism includes a first rotatable disk with a radiation source mounted thereon and having a collimator structure allowing emission of radiation from radiation source from a few locations on the first disk. A second rotatable disk surrounds the first disk, is rotatable relative to first disk, and includes areas that block radiation and areas that are transparent to emission of radiation. In a rest position, second disk is situated relative to first disk such that areas that block radiation are blocking the emission of radiation from the locations on the circumference of the disk that allow the emission of radiation. A motor is activated to rotate one of the disks and allow emission of radiation. A connector is configured to automatically return first disk and second disk to the rest position when the motor is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Check-Cap Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav KIMCHY, Rafi Sommer
  • Publication number: 20130172740
    Abstract: An aspect of an embodiment of the invention, relates to an imaging capsule for scanning inside a living body with a fail-safe radiation mechanism that prevents the emission of radiation from the imaging capsule until the imaging capsule is instructed to emit radiation and power is available to activate a motor to unblock the emission of radiation. Optionally, when power is not available the imaging capsule automatically, blocks the emission of radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CHECK-CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Rafi Sommer
  • Publication number: 20100303200
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting clinically-relevant features of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule to be swallowed by a subject and passing through the GI tract of the subject, a capsule housing, a radiation source emitting radiation, a rotatable collimator configured to rotate with respect to the housing and to collimate the radiation emitted by the radiation source, and a radiation detector configured to detect particles, such as photons, gamma radiation, beta radiation and electrons photons generated responsive to the emitted radiation. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to analyze data regarding the photons. Movement of the capsule in the GI tract can be detected. The radiation source, radiation detector and control unit may advantageously be integrated inside a single housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CHECK CAP LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Yitzak Klein, Gideon Baum, Rafi Sommer
  • Publication number: 20100174184
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting clinically-relevant features of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule to be swallowed by a subject and passing through the GI tract of the subject, a capsule housing, a radiation source emitting radiation, a rotatable collimator configured to rotate with respect to the housing and to collimate the radiation emitted by the radiation source, and a radiation detector configured to detect particles, such as photons, gamma radiation, beta radiation and electrons photons generated responsive to the emitted radiation. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to analyze data regarding the photons. Movement of the capsule in the GI tract can be detected from a comparison between at least two images acquired with the apparatus. The radiation source, radiation detector and control unit may advantageously be integrated inside a single housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Yoav Kimchy, Yitzak Klein, Gideon Baum, Rafi Sommer