Device, system and method for selective activation of in vivo sensors

Abstract

A device, system and method for selectively activating or altering the operational mode of an autonomous in vivo device in response to in vivo conditions. The system includes an in vivo sensing device with a condition tester, and a controller. The in vivo sensing device may be in communication with an external receiver.

1 . A system for in vivo sensing, said system comprising: 
 an in vivo sensing device, said device comprising a condition tester; and    a controller to control an operational mode of said in vivo sensing device;    wherein said condition tester is operatively linked with said controller.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising an image sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein the image sensor is selected from a group consisting of: CCD and CMOS.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein the image sensor comprises one subgroup of pixels said one subgroup being sensitive to a first range of colors, and another subgroup of pixels, said other subgroup of pixels being sensitive to a second range of colors.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4  comprising a spectral analyzer.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the condition tester is selected from a group consisting of: a pH tester, a blood detector, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, a biosensor, a spectral analytic image sensor, an image sensor, and a counter.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the condition tester is to test in vivo conditions.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is incorporated in the in vivo sensing device.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is an external controller.  
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller comprises a counter.  
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is selected from a group consisting of: mechanical switch, software, and circuitry.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is a circuit, said circuit comprising an amplifier and a comparator.  
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the condition tester is a thermistor.  
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising an in vivo transmitter.  
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising an in vivo illumination source.  
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising a photodiode.  
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the in vivo sensing device is an autonomous device.  
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the in vivo sensing device is a capsule.  
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the in vivo sensing device comprises an ASIC wherein said ASIC is operatively connected to a component of the in vivo sensing device.  
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of: an in vivo transmitter, an in vivo illumination source, an in vivo power source, a controller, an in vivo image sensor, a condition tester, an in vivo receiver, and an ASIC wherein said ASIC is operatively connected to the in vivo receiver.  
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the controller is an integral part of the ASIC.  
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising an in vivo receiver.  
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising an external receiver.  
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said external receiver includes a processing unit and a storage unit.  
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising a monitor and a data processor.  
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25  wherein said data processor comprises a storage unit and a processor.  
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the condition tester includes a color-changing material.  
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein the color-changing material is selected from a group including: temperature sensitive material, pH sensitive material, and a blood sensitive material.  
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the condition tester includes a layer of pH sensitive and/or time sensitive dissolvable material.  
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the in vivo sensing device comprises a compartment coated with a pH sensitive and/or time sensitive dissolvable material.  
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the in vivo sensing device comprises a sampling inlet coated with a pH sensitive and/or time sensitive dissolvable material.  
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the in vivo sensing device comprises a switch coated with a pH sensitive and/or time sensitive dissolvable material.  
     
     
         33 . A method for controlling an in vivo imaging device said method comprising: 
 sensing a condition in vivo; and    triggering an event in said in vivo imaging device based on said sensing.    
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein sensing a condition in vivo is selected from a group consisting of: time sensing, pH sensing, temperature sensing, pressure sensing, blood sensing, and biosensing.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the triggering is by a controller.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the triggering is by an external receiver.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the event comprises a change in an operational mode of the in vivo imaging device.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37  wherein the change in operational mode is selected from a group consisting of: activating a sensor, deactivating a sensor, altering data capture rate; altering signal format and frequency range of transmission; altering processing of sensory data; altering frame capture rate of an in vivo image sensor, altering illumination intensity, altering image plane of an in vivo image sensor, activating in vivo sample collection, releasing a drug, altering power consumption mode, and altering floatation mode.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 33  comprising delaying triggering of an event.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 33  comprising ingesting a volume of cold or hot water.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 33  wherein the triggering is by a pH sensitive and/or time sensitive dissolvable material.