Self-stabilized encapsulated imaging system

Abstract

Wireless capsule endoscope technology has been used to image portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small bowel. However in other GI organs, especially those having larger-lumens, the capsule may become destabilized and tumble, precluding meaningful interpretation of the acquired images. The present invention describes a method and apparatus for permitting capsule imaging of organs having larger-lumens without tumbling, and includes an outer shell surrounding the capsule that targets the colon, as an example. Once the colon has been reached, the shell breaks or dissolves, and allows expansion of expandable materials attached to each end of the capsule, thereby stabilizing the capsule in the targeted organ, while permitting it to be moved by peristalsis and/or other means for locating the capsule. Imagers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are activated during the expansion process, and enable overlapping of images. The capsule is moved through the colon, taking images at chosen frame rates with data being wirelessly transmitted by means of an RF transmitter, and is eventually expelled from the body.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for imaging walls of a gastrointestinal organ, the apparatus comprising:
 a swallowable capsule;   an imager coupled to the capsule; and   an absorbent material attached to the capsule and capable of swelling due to absorption of gastrointestinal fluids;   where the expandable material is configured to swell to stabilize the capsule in the gastrointestinal organ.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the capsule has a window for passage of light radiation into the imaging system. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the expandable material comprises a first expandable material portion and a second expandable material portion. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first expandable material portion and the second expandable material portion are attached to opposed ends of the capsule. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , where the capsule has an elongated shape and the absorbent material is not coupled to or covering at least one portion of a longitudinal center of the capsule. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a controllable releasing mechanism configured to substantially prevent swelling of the absorbent material until the apparatus reaches a desired location in a patient's gastrointestinal tract.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the controllable releasing system comprises a material that is configured to release the absorbent material at the desired location. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the controllable releasing system comprises a component that dissolves in the presence of fluids at the desired location. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the controllable releasing system comprises an outer component for sealing the capsule and the absorbent material, and adapted to dissolve or break within the gastrointestinal organ, but not in other gastrointestinal organs, thereby permitting swelling of the expandable material such that the capsule is laterally stabilized within the targeted gastrointestinal organ while being able to move through the gastrointestinal organs. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a light source.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a wireless transmitter configured to transmit images of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract to a receiver.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , where the light source includes a light emitting diode adapted for illuminating a portion of the walls of the gastrointestinal organ. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to control the operation of the light source and imager.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a plurality of light sources and imagers arranged circumferentially around the capsule.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to control the operation of the light sources and imagers.   
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for imaging gastrointestinal organs, the apparatus comprising:
 a swallowable capsule having an absorbent material attached to the capsule, the absorbent material capable of swelling due to absorption of gastrointestinal fluids to stabilize the capsule in a gastrointestinal organ;   an outer component sealing the capsule and the absorbent material, the outer component adapted to dissolve or break within a targeted gastrointestinal organ, but not in other gastrointestinal organs, thereby permitting swelling of the expandable material such that the capsule is laterally stabilized within the targeted gastrointestinal organ while being able to move through the gastrointestinal organs;   at least one light source configured to illuminate a portion of the interior of the targeted gastrointestinal organ;   at least one imager for imaging the internal wall of the targeted gastrointestinal organ, and generating signals bearing the images of the internal wall;   a wireless transmitter in the capsule; and   at least one controller configured to control the operation of the at least one light source and the at least one imager.   
     
     
         33 . A method for imaging gastrointestinal organs, the method comprising:
 introducing a capsule into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the capsule including an imager configured to obtain images of the internal walls of gastrointestinal organs through which the capsule passes;   activating the imager of the capsule to capture images of the organ of interest; where, during at least activation of the imager, the capsule is stabilized by an absorbent material that is coupled to the capsule and is in expanded state due to absorption of gastrointestinal fluids.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further includes wirelessly transmitting at least one captured image from the capsule while the capsule is disposed in the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , where the absorbent material is not permitted to absorb gastrointestinal fluids until the capsule reaches the organ of interest.