# US 9,872,613 B2 · Monitoring disposition of tethered capsule endoscope in esophagus

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- Number: US 9,872,613 B2
- Document ID: US9872613B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/850,896
- Filed: 2015-09-10
- Published: 2016-01-07
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2005-02-28
- Assignees: University of Washington
- Applicants: University of Washington
- Inventors: Eric J. Seibel; Richard S. Johnston
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872613B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/00148: {using anchoring means}
- A61B 1/000094: {extracting biological structures}
- A61B 1/00055: {for alerting the user}
- A61B 1/0008: {characterised by distal tip features}
- A61B 1/00087: {Tools (A61B17/00234 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/00172: {with means for scanning}
- A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation
- A61B 1/041: {Capsule endoscopes for imaging}
- A61B 1/043: {for fluorescence imaging}
- A61B 1/0638: {providing two or more wavelengths}
- A61B 1/0661: {Endoscope light sources}
- A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
- A61B 1/2733: {Oesophagoscopes}
- A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/1455: using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
- A61B 5/4233: {oesophagus}
- A61N 5/0603: {for treatment of body cavities}
- A61N 5/062: {Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent}
- A61B 1/00097: {Sensors}
- A61B 5/0068: {Confocal scanning}
- A61B 5/0071: {by measuring fluorescence emission}
- A61B 5/0075: {by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy (A61B5/0071 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/14556: {by fluorescence (A61B5/14555 takes precedence)}
- A61N 2005/0609: {Stomach and/or esophagus}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A system for imaging a body lumen includes a scanning capsule with a scanning device, a flexible tether coupled to the scanning capsule, a reel coupled to the flexible tether, and one or more processors. The scanning capsule is sized to be introduced into the body lumen of the patient by swallowing and advanced along the body lumen with normal peristalsis. The one or more processors are configured to scan light onto a portion of the body lumen using the scanning device, detect light from the portion of the body lumen using a light sensor, generate one or more images of the portion of the body lumen in response to the detected light, determine a rate for withdrawing the scanning capsule from the body lumen based on the one or more images, and withdraw the scanning capsule from the body lumen using the reel according to the determined rate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for imaging a body lumen of a patient, the method comprising:
providing an imaging apparatus comprising a scanning capsule coupled to a flexible tether, the scanning capsule comprising a scanning device disposed within a capsule housing;
introducing the scanning capsule and at least a portion of the flexible tether into the body lumen of the patient by swallowing, wherein the scanning capsule advances along the body lumen with normal peristalsis;
scanning light onto a portion of the body lumen using the scanning device;
detecting light from the portion of the body lumen using a light sensor;
generating one or more images of the portion of the body lumen in response to the detected light;
determining a rate for withdrawing the scanning capsule from the body lumen based on the one or more images; and
withdrawing the scanning capsule from the body lumen according to the determined rate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising stitching the one or more images together so as to generate a panoramic image of the portion of the body lumen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the stitching is performed using automated image stitching software.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising determining a location of the scanning capsule relative to the body lumen based on the panoramic image.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the rate is determined based on one or more of quality or content of the one or more images.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the determining and withdrawing steps are performed using an automated computer system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the light scanned onto the portion of the body lumen comprises a fluorescence excitation wavelength.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the detected light comprises both light reflected from the portion of the body lumen and light emitted from the portion of the body lumen in response to the fluorescence excitation wavelength.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the fluorescence excitation wavelength is configured for photodynamic therapy.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively transmitting a pulse of fluid into the body lumen through a fluid lumen coupled to the flexible tether, the fluid lumen comprising a proximal end coupled to a source of pressurized fluid and a distal opening positioned in or near the scanning capsule.

### Claim 11

A system for imaging a body lumen of a patient, the system comprising:
an imaging apparatus comprising a scanning capsule coupled to a flexible tether, the scanning capsule comprising a scanning device disposed within a capsule housing, wherein the scanning capsule is sized to be introduced into the body lumen of the patient by swallowing and advanced along the body lumen with normal peristalsis;
a reel coupled to the flexible tether; and
one or more processors configured to:
scan light onto a portion of the body lumen using the scanning device,
detect light from the portion of the body lumen using a light sensor,
generate one or more images of the portion of the body lumen in response to the detected light,
determine a rate for withdrawing the scanning capsule from the body lumen based on the one or more images, and
withdraw the scanning capsule from the body lumen using the reel according to the determined rate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to stitch the one or more images together so as to generate a panoramic image of the portion of the body lumen.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine a location of the scanning capsule relative to the body lumen based on the panoramic image.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, further comprising a display operably coupled to the one or more processors and configured to display the location of the scanning capsule relative to the body lumen.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the rate is determined based on one or more of quality or content of the one or more images.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the light scanned onto the portion of the body lumen comprises a fluorescence excitation wavelength.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the detected light comprises both light reflected from the portion of the body lumen and light emitted from the portion of the body lumen in response to the fluorescence excitation wavelength.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the fluorescence excitation wavelength is configured for photodynamic therapy.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the scanning device comprises an optical fiber configured to be driven in a scanning pattern.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, further comprising:
a source of pressurized fluid; and
a fluid lumen coupled to the flexible tether and comprising a proximal end coupled to the source of pressurized fluid and a distal opening positioned in or near the scanning capsule.