Endoscopic smart probe and method

Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a human being, comprising:

• means for collecting data in a first form;
• means, operatively connected to said means for collecting, for converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• processor means having at least one means adapted for processing at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• means, operatively connected to said processor means, for storing at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• means for powering at least said sensor, said processor, and said means for storing;
• and
• means for dissolvably covering at least a portion of said apparatus;
• wherein said apparatus traverses said at least portion of said intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• a data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device;
• and
• a housing comprising at least one aperture, said aperture being controlled at least in part by a shutter;
• wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a human being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• data conversion apparatus operatively connected to said sensor, said data conversion apparatus converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• means for storing operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said means for storing;
• and
• a housing comprising at least one aperture, said aperture being controlled at least in part by a means for selectively occluding said aperture;
• wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processing device having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• a data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• and
• a power supply for powering at least said sensor, said processor, and said storage device;
• at least one light source;
• a fiber-optic bundle adapted to transmit light from said at least one light source to illuminate portions of said intestine;
• wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a human being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• means, operatively connected to said digital processor, for storing at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• and
• a power supply for powering at least said sensor, said processor, and said storage device;
• at least one illuminating means;
• fiber means for transmitting light from said at least one illuminating means to portions of said intestine;
• wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form, said sensor comprising interleaved visual band and autofluorescence band sensing elements;
• a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processing device having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• a mass data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• and
• a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device;
• wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestinal tract of a living being, comprising:

• means for collecting data in a first form, said means comprising first means for collecting visual band radiation and second means for collecting autofluorescence band radiation in an interleaved fashion;
• a data converter operatively connected to said means for collecting, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• a mass data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• and
• a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device;
• wherein said probe traverses said at least portion of the intestinal tract due to the peristaltic action thereof.

Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a living being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• data conversion apparatus operatively connected to said sensor, said data conversion apparatus converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processing device having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form;
• means for storing operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• a power supply for powering at least portions of said apparatus;
• and
• a housing comprising at least one aperture, said aperture being controlled at least in part by a means for selectively occluding said aperture;
• wherein said probe traverses said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a living being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processor adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form according to at least one algorithm;
• means, operatively connected to said digital processor, for storing at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• a power supply for electrically powering at least portions of said probe;
• at least one illuminating means;
• and
• fiber means for transmitting light from said at least one illuminating means to portions of said intestine;
• wherein said probe traverses said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.

Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a living being, comprising:

• a sensor for collecting data in a first form;
• a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form;
• a digital processing device adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form according to at least one algorithm;
• a data storage device in data communication with said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form;
• a power supply providing electrical power to at least portions of said apparatus;
• and
• a dissolvable covering disposed on at least a portion of said probe;
• wherein said probe is able to traverse said at least portion of said intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof.