# US 8,540,623 B2 · Apparatus, system and method to indicate in-vivo device location

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- Number: US 8,540,623 B2
- Document ID: US8540623B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/480,765
- Filed: 2012-05-25
- Published: 2012-09-20
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2003-12-31
- Assignees: Given Imaging Ltd.
- Applicants: Alex Blijevsky
- Inventors: Alex Blijevsky
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540623B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/041: {Capsule endoscopes for imaging}
- A61B 1/0676: {at distal tip of an endoscope}
- A61B 1/0684: {using light emitting diodes [LED]}
- A61B 5/065: {Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A system, apparatus and method may indicate in-vivo device location within a body utilizing for example illumination irregularities for calculation of location. There may be provided with an in-vivo imaging device a set of dedicated illumination source and a set of detectors located on an in-vivo device, such as a swallowable capsule.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An in-vivo system comprising:
an autonomous in vivo device, the device comprising:
a primary light source, to illuminate a body lumen for imaging, positioned behind an optical window;
an imager, positioned behind the optical window;
a dedicated light source, not positioned behind the optical window, to illuminate the body lumen; and
a processor to, based on signals from the imager generated based on reflection of light emitted by the dedicated light source, determine an indication of movement from a first lumen having a first diameter to a second lumen having a second diameter based on the imager detecting less light in the lumen where the lumen walls are closer to the outer shell.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the lumen walls are closer to the outer shell when the device is in one of the first lumen and the second lumen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the first diameter is a relatively small diameter and the second diameter is a relatively large diameter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, comprising a controller to receive signals from the imager and to trigger an event to occur within the in-vivo device.

### Claim 5

A method for operating an in-vivo system, the method comprising:
in an autonomous in vivo device:
via a primary light source positioned behind an optical window,
illuminating a body lumen for imaging;
capturing images via an imager positioned behind the optical window;
illuminating the body lumen for locating the in vivo device using a dedicated light source, not positioned behind the optical window; and
collecting reflected light using a detector; and
indicating a movement from a first lumen having a first diameter to a second lumen having a second diameter based on the detector detecting less light in the lumen where the lumen walls are closer to the outer shell.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the detector is configured to receive light from a body lumen wall.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the lumen walls are closer to the outer shell when the device is in one of the first lumen and the second lumen.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the detector is selected from the group consisting of: a CMOS, a CCD and a photodiode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the imager comprises the detector.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, comprising triggering an event to occur within the in-vivo device based on signals from the detector.

### Claim 11

An in-vivo system comprising:
an autonomous in vivo device, the device comprising:
a primary light source, to illuminate a body lumen for imaging, positioned behind an optical window;
a dedicated light source, not positioned behind the optical window, to illuminate the body lumen for locating the in vivo device; and
a detector, not positioned behind the optical window, to collect reflected light; and
a processor to, based on signals from the detector indicating a movement from a first lumen having a first diameter to a second lumen having a second diameter based on the detector detecting less light in the lumen where the lumen walls are closer to the outer shell.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system according to claim 11, wherein an event is triggered to occur within the in-vivo device based on signals from the detector.