Encapsulated image acquisition devices having on-board data storage, and systems, kits, and methods therefor

An image acquisition device kit comprising:

• a capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device having an internal memory, the internal memory of the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device capable of storing a sequence of images acquired by the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device, wherein the image acquisition device kit is received by a patient without a visit to a physician's office;
• a pre-addressed return device, the pre-addressed return device pre-addressed with an address of an analysis facility that is to analyze images obtained by the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device, wherein the analysis facility is to analyze the images obtained by the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device in order to detect whether or not features of interest are in the images;
• instructions to return the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device after use to the analysis facility in the pre-addressed return device;
• wherein the internal memory is a nonvolatile memory, and the images from the internal memory are transferred to an external memory for a first time after the analysis facility receives the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device that was returned;
• and
• wherein the image acquisition device kit includes a conductive lining surrounding the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device at least in part to protect circuitry in the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device from static electricity, wherein the image acquisition device kit includes a pouch with the conductive lining including a metal foil so that the capsular and hermetically sealed image acquisition device is at least in part surrounded by the metal foil, and wherein the pouch also includes a padding disposed on inner walls of the pouch.

A method of analyzing images comprising:

• receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory, the internal memory of the encapsulated image acquisition device storing images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device, wherein the image acquisition device is received by a patient without a visit to a physician's office;
• transferring the images from the internal memory of the encapsulated image acquisition device to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device, wherein the internal memory is coupled to a data output port to output transfer the images, and wherein the data output port is coupled to the external memory;
• selecting an image analysis station from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images;
• and
• analyzing the images with the selected image analysis station, the selected image analysis station having a processor and an image display device, the processor operable to cause the images to be displayed on the image display device.