Displaying image data from a scanner capsule

Abstract

An ingestible image scanning pill captures high resolution images of the GI tract as it passes through. Images communicated externally have exact location determination. Image processing software discards duplicate information and stitches images together, line scan by line scan, to replicate a complete GI tract as if it were stretched out in a straight line. A fully linear image is displayed to a medical professional as if the GI tract had been stretched in a straight line, cut open, laid flat out on a bench for viewing—all without making any incisions in a live patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gastro intestinal (GI) tract imaging arrangement, comprising:
 an ingestible imaging pill configured to capture a plurality of images of portions of a GI tract of an animal as the ingestible imaging pill passes through the GI tract;   an interactive signal processing device configured to merge the plurality of images to provide a merged image of the GI tract for display and automatically identify a suspected area of a GI abnormality in the merged image.   
     
     
         2 . The GI tract imaging arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive signal processing device is further configured to allow manual insertion of additional suspected areas and/or comments in connection with the merged image. 
     
     
         3 . The GI tract imaging arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive signal processing device is further configured to automatically generate an alert when an emergency condition is identified. 
     
     
         4 . The GI tract imaging arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive signal processing device is further configured to display the suspected abnormality with the image detail that was selected as an abnormality of interest by the automated process. 
     
     
         5 . The GI tract imaging arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a memory that stores a database, and   wherein the interactive signal processing device is further configured to insert the merged image into the database with an index into the merged image and offset within the merged image.   
     
     
         6 . The GI tract imaging arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive signal processing device is further configured to display the suspected area of abnormality based on selection of pre-selected filters individually associated with a particular abnormality. 
     
     
         7 . The GI tract imaging arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a memory that stores a library, and   wherein the interactive signal processing device is further configured to analyze the merged image for a suspected area of abnormality based on a comparison with images stored in the library.   
     
     
         8 . A method for operating an interactive signal processing device, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the interactive signal processing device from an ingestible imaging pill, a plurality of images of portions of a GI tract of an animal as the ingestible imaging pill passes through the GI tract;   merging, by the interactive signal processing device, the plurality of images to provide a merged image of the GI tract; and   automatically identifying a suspected area of a GI abnormality in the merged image.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising manually inserting additional suspected areas and/or comments in connection with the merged image. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising automatically generating an alert when an emergency condition is identified. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising displaying the suspected abnormality with the image detail that was selected as an abnormality of interest by the automated process. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 inserting the merged image into a database with an index into the merged image and offset within the merged image.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 displaying the suspected area of abnormality based on selection of pre-selected filters individually associated with a particular abnormality.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 inserting the suspected area of abnormality and a comment by the human operator relating to the GI tract into the database.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 analyzing the merged image for a suspected area of abnormality based on a comparison with images stored in the library.   
     
     
         16 . An interactive signal processing device, comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive from an ingestible imaging pill, a plurality of images of portions of a GI tract of an animal as the ingestible imaging pill passes through the GI tract; and   a processor configured to merge the plurality of images and to automatically identify a suspected area of a GI abnormality in the merged image.   
     
     
         17 . The interactive signal processing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to allow manual insertion of additional suspected areas and/or comments in connection with the merged image. 
     
     
         18 . The interactive signal processing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to automatically generate an alert when an emergency condition is identified. 
     
     
         19 . The interactive signal processing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to insert the merged image into a database with an index into the merged image and offset within the merged image. 
     
     
         20 . The interactive signal processing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to display the suspected area of abnormality based on selection of pre-selected filters individually associated with a particular abnormality.