Capsule and method for treating or diagnosing the intestinal tract

A system for treating or diagnosing the intestinal tract of a patient comprising:

• first capsule means for passing through the intestinal tract of a patient;
• means for tracking the first capsule means, the means for tracking located external to the patient's body;
• an acoustic signal means for transmitting a signal between the first capsule means as it is passing through the intestinal tract of a patient, and the means for tracking;
• and
• a location determining means for determining the location of the first capsule on a coordinate system, wherein the location determining means comprises a time differential means for determining the transmission time of the acoustic signal means between the external means and the capsule means.

A system for treating or diagnosing the intestinal tract of a patient comprising:

• a capsule means for emitting a detectable acoustic signal as it passes through at least a portion of the intestinal tract;
• and
• receiver means for receiving the acoustic signal external to the patient, the receiver means comprising at least one acoustic sensor;
• processor means for determining the location of the capsule on a coordinate system based on the acoustic signal received at the receiver means;
• and reference means for determining the time lag between emitting the detectable acoustic signal and receiving the acoustic signal at the at least one acoustic sensor.