Method and device for examining or imaging an interior surface of a cavity

Abstract

A method for examining an interior surface of a cavity includes the steps of capturing partial images of an interior surface of a cavity; joining the captured partial images to form a complete image of said interior surface of the cavity; and providing an warning if the joined partial images does not form a complete image of said interior surface of the cavity.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . An accessory device for a colonoscope, the device comprising:
 an imaging device configured to capture images of an interior surface of a colon;   a positioning sensor for detecting positional information of the imaging device within the colon; and   a processing device in communication with the imaging device and positioning sensor, wherein the processing device is programmed to join the images using the positional information.   
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the processing device comprises a memory capable of storing images and positional information. 
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the memory is capable of storing the order in which images are captured. 
     
     
         64 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the positioning sensor is further configured to detect orientational information of the imaging device within the colon. 
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the processing device is further programmed to join the images using the orientational information. 
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the processing device is programmed to generate a complete image of the interior surface of a segment of the colon using the joined images. 
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 66 , wherein the processing device is programmed to detect and provide a warning if the joined images do not form a complete image of the interior surface of the segment of the colon. 
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the positioning sensor comprises a magnetic positioning sensor. 
     
     
         69 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the positioning sensor comprises a RF positioning sensor. 
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the positioning sensor comprises an optical positioning sensor. 
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the processing device is further programmed to compare a newly captured image of the interior surface of the colon with the joined images. 
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the processing device is further programmed to compare a newly captured image with an old image retrieved from the memory to identify changes in the interior surface of the colon. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the processing device is further programmed to provide image and positional information to an operator so that the operator can return to a previously imaged location during a procedure. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the processing device is programmed to recognize distinctive features of a segment of the colon. 
     
     
         75 . A method of using an accessory device for a colonoscope, the method comprising:
 capturing images of an interior surface of a colon using imaging device of an accessory device for a colonoscope, wherein the accessory device further comprises a positioning sensor for detecting positional information of the imaging device within the colon, and a processing device in communication with the imaging device and the positioning sensor; and   joining the captured images using the processing device, wherein the processing device is programmed to join the captured images using the positional information.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the processing device comprises a memory capable of storing images, positional information, and the order in which the images are captured. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising clearing fluids from the colon prior to capturing images. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein an operator selects certain of the captured images to be joined by the processing device. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising comparing a newly captured image of the interior surface of the colon with the joined images. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising comparing a newly captured image with an old image retrieved from the memory to identify changes in the interior surface of the colon. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein comparing the newly captured image with the old image comprises identifying changes in polyp growth. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising generating a complete image of the interior surface of a segment of the colon using the joined images. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82 , further comprising detecting if the joined images do not form a complete image of the interior surface of the segment of the colon and generating a warning. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the positioning sensor is configured to detect orientational information of the imaging device within the colon. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the processing device is programmed to join the images using the orientational information.