Device and method for examining a body lumen

Abstract

An in vivo examining device and method are described. The in vivo examining device has two operational phases; an initial phase in which the device is of initial dimensions and a final phase in which the device is of final dimensions. In the initial phase the device can pass freely through a normally configured body lumen whereas it may not be able to pass freely through an abnormally configured lumen. In the final phase the device can pass freely through a body lumen even if it is abnormally configured.

1 . A method for controlled release of a substance in a gastrointestinal tract, the method comprising: 
 ingesting a device, said device comprising: 
 the substance;  
 a dissolvable body;  
 a dissolvable plug affixed to the body, said body and plug defining a closed receptacle; and  
 an essentially impermeable outer coating enclosing the plug and the body, said coating covering less than the entire plug.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance is a medicament.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the substance is a market.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising releasing said substance in a specific site.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said site is a stricture.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising monitoring said device.  
     
     
         7 . An in vivo device for controlled release of a substance in a gastrointestinal tract, the device comprising: 
 the substance;    a dissolvable body;    a dissolvable plug affixed to the body, said body and said plug defining a closed receptacle; and    an essentially impermeable outer coating enclosing the plug and said body, said coating covering less than the entire plug.    
     
     
         8 . The in vivo device according to  claim 7 , wherein the substance is enclosed in the receptacle.  
     
     
         9 . The in vivo device according to  claim 7  wherein the dissolvable body includes the substance.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein at least a first substance is dispersed within the plug and at least a second substance is enclosed in the receptacle  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the substance is a medicament  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the substance is a marker.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 7 , comprising a monitoring device.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the monitoring device is a passive device.  
     
     
         15 . A method for controlled release of a substance in a gastrointestinal tract, the method comprising: 
 introducing into the gastrointestinal tract a device, said device comprising: 
 a dissolvable filling mixed with the substance;  
 a coating, partially coating said dissolvable filling, wherein the coating has initial dimensions that ate changeable to final dimensions; and  
 a monitoring device.  
   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , comprising releasing said substance during a transition of said coating from said initial dimensions to said final dimensions.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , comprising externally controlling a transition of said coating from said initial dimensions to said final dimensions.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , comprising releasing said substance after a predetermined period.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance is a medicament.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the substance is a marker.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the monitoring device is an electronic ID tag.