Array system and method for locating an in vivo signal source

Abstract

A system and method for localizing an in vivo signal source using a wearable antenna array having at least two antenna elements. The signal is received and a signal strength is measured at two or more antenna elements. An estimated coordinate set is derived from the signal strength measurements.

1 . A method for localizing an ingestible in-vivo capsule 
 within a body lumen within a body, said method comprising the steps of:    positioning at least two antenna elements on the body, at least one of the antenna elements positioned above the navel,    receiving a signal at two or more of said antenna elements;    measuring the received signal strength; and    estimating the location of the capsule based on the signal strength measurements.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising positioning at least one of the antenna elements in a position within the group consisting of: 
 the intersection of the right 7th intercostal space and right mid clavicular line,    the xiphoid process,    the intersection of the left 7th intercostal space and left mid clavicular line,    the right lumbar region at umbilical level,    the left lumbar region at umbilical level,    the right mid-linguinal region, and    the left mid-linguinal region.    
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of calculating a distance value associated with a received signal.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of correlating the location of the capsule using the distance values associated with two or more antenna elements.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the capsule's estimated location.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising displaying the capsule's estimated location graphically as a pointer with a figure of a body.  
   
   
       7 . A method for receiving a signal from an ingestible in-vivo capsule, said capsule being within a body lumen, the method comprising: 
 positioning a first antenna element at the intersection of the right 7th intercostal space and right mid lavicular line,    positioning a second antenna element at the xiphoid process,    positioning a third antenna element at the intersection of the left 7th intercostal space and left mid clavicular line,    positioning a fourth antenna element at the right lumbar region at umbilical level,    positioning a fifth antenna element at the left lumbar region at umbilical level,    positioning a sixth antenna element at the right mid-linguinal region,    positioning a seventh antenna element at the left mid-linguinal region, and    positioning an eighth antenna element above the navel.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the antenna elements are included in a wearable antenna array.