Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/42—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems
  • A61B5/4222—Evaluating particular parts, e.g. particular organs
  • A61B5/4255—Intestines, colon or appendix
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
  • A61B1/041—Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/06—Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies ; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body of the patient
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/06—Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies ; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body of the patient
  • A61B5/061—Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/06—Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies ; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body of the patient
  • A61B5/061—Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body
  • A61B5/064—Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body using markers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/07—Endoradiosondes
  • A61B5/073—Intestinal transmitters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/41—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the immune or lymphatic systems
  • A61B5/411—Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/42—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/42—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems
  • A61B5/4222—Evaluating particular parts, e.g. particular organs
  • A61B5/4238—Evaluating particular parts, e.g. particular organs stomach
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
  • A61B5/683—Means for maintaining contact with the body
  • A61B5/6831—Straps, bands or harnesses
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
  • A61B1/00011—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission
  • A61B1/00016—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission using wireless means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a non-invasive ambulatory exploration method allowing the assessment of digestive motility and / or transit, and a corresponding system.
• the aim of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and to propose a non-invasive method and system of exploration capable, at low cost, of assessing the function of each organ involved in digestion (stomach, small intestine, colon), and more particularly to simultaneously appreciate digestive motor skills and transit.
• the present invention also provides a corresponding system, characterized by:
• - frequency reception means comprising at least three frequency receivers intended to be placed around the trunk of said subject, each receiver being adapted to measure at a given time the phase shift of said transmission frequency with respect to a reference phase;
• a transmitter circulates in the digestive system, while the collection of data is done on an outpatient basis by means of at least three receivers distributed for example on the periphery "i of the abdominal belt.
• the basic principle is to measure at a given time the phase shift which is created between two identical frequencies when the distance of the emitting source is varied relative to its reference position (corresponding for example to the emitter in the mouth) .
• a high frequency transmission is chosen since it makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the measurements. From three measurements of phase shifts performed substantially simultaneously, we can then determine by triangulation the position in a three-dimensional frame of reference from the transmitter and deduce a characteristic relating to motor activity and / or digestive transit (for example using software including interpretation data).
• the solution proposed by the invention is indeed: - ambulatory and no longer invasive: only the emitting element is ingested, but in the same way as a drug capsule or the like; the receivers are carried by the subject, for example mounted on a conventional belt; the patient is free to move, his relative position has no influence; - non-toxic: there are materials which can constitute an envelope for the transmitter which are suitable in terms of consistency and non-toxic, for example plastics (non-digestible); the emitting element is for single use, eliminated by natural means (the risk of cross-infection is eliminated); - it makes it possible to assess the function of an organ involved in digestion: from monitoring the position of the emitting element, we can measure:
• the manufacturing cost of the receiving element is low: conventional miniature electronic components can be implemented in a sealed envelope; the doctor's necessary equipment is limited (belt and analysis software); moreover, in a single examination, information is obtained which was previously obtained by different explorations; it should be noted here that the invention can respond in a simple and inexpensive manner to a real need of doctors: the number of diagnoses of constipation / diarrhea was estimated in 1990 at 300,000 for 500 gastroenterologists surveyed (Dorema figures).
• the number of frequency receivers can be greater than three to refine the triangulation and increase the accuracy of the system and also to be able to discard a manifestly erroneous measurement.
• memory means which may be common to the receivers, will be used to store the measurements made by the frequency receivers on an outpatient basis, the analysis and processing of the data which can then be performed by subsequently connecting these memory means a central unit, for example a personal computer, equipped with appropriate analysis and processing software.
• the transmitting element may also include an integrated and / or induced power supply with, for example, a standby mode and an active mode.
• induction means can be placed on the abdominal periphery, for example on the same belt as that carrying the receptors. Means may also be provided for monitoring the transmission at time intervals chosen for the measurements, allowing appropriate monitoring of the transmitting element.
• the system comprises a belt 1, with conventional attachment means 2, on which are provided three frequency receivers R1, R2 and R3, distributed at a distance each one of the other on the belt, at approximately the same distance.
• Each receiver, respectively R1, R2, R3, consists of a reception antenna, respectively A1, A2 and A3, adapted to pick up a given high frequency emitted by a transmitter element E intended to be ingested by the subject.
• R2 and R3 are connected by wire (symbolized by F in Figures 2 and 3) to a buffer card 3 also arranged on the belt 1 (see Figures 2 and 3).
• the card 3 comprises power supply means 4, a multiplexer MUX, an analog / digital converter CAN and memory means 5 adapted to store the measurements made by the three receivers R1, R2 and R3 at a given time or given time intervals and an output 6 for a USB connection cable 7 for example.
• the cable 7 is used to transfer the digital data stored in the card 3 to data analysis and processing means, for example a personal computer 8 equipped with appropriate software for interpreting the transmitted data, for viewing, etc.
• the system comprises the emitting element E, represented in three positions in the human digestive system shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1.
• Element E comprises transmission means at a given frequency. It may be an oscillator controlled by a resonator, the output being on an antenna for transmission.
• the emitter element E also comprises integrated means for supplying energy to the emission means, for example a metal oxide type battery and means for controlling said supply means making it possible to switch from standby mode to a mode active.
• the emission frequency is preferably chosen to be high, for example 868 MHz, for, as we saw above, to increase the accuracy of the measurements. It is also chosen from the frequencies authorized in the medical field.
• the dimensions of the components must be compatible with the fact that the emitting element must be ingested. Electronic components such as miniature components
• Standard CMS can be used. Furthermore, these various components are placed in a sealed envelope made of a non-digestible material, rigid enough to pass in particular the pylorus at the outlet of the stomach, non-toxic and non-allergenic.
• This can for example be an envelope made of plastic material in the form of a capsule, capsule or the like.
• the transmitter element will include a corresponding sensor.
• the transmission of the measurements made by this sensor will be transmitted to the receiving means in the form of a modulation of the amplitude of the frequency emitted by the transmitter corresponding to the amplitude of the signal supplied by said sensor.
• the system works as follows.
• Belt 1 is installed around the subject's waist.
• the emitting element is placed in the mouth of the subject and a reference phase is determined and recorded in the card 3 at this location for the emitting frequency of the emitter.
• the emitting element E then moves naturally in the digestive system, while the subject is free to move.
• the receivers R1, R2 and R3 simultaneously pick up the frequency emitted by the element E.
• Each signal received is collected and stored in the memory card 3.
• the belt is removed from the subject and the card 3 can be connected at the desired time via the cable 7 to the computer 8, where the digital data of the card 3 will be able to be analyzed by the data analysis and processing software.
• the software will determine the phase shift relative to the reference position, then by triangulation determine the 3D position of the receiving element and, using programmed interpretation instructions, provide results on transit time in an organ, distance traveled, length of digestive segment and depending on the weight of the transmitting element provide results on the activity of an organ, for example its propulsive force.
• the emitter element E is for single use, eliminated by natural means.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Endocrinology (AREA)
• Gastroenterology & Hepatology (AREA)
• Physiology (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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ID=30011460

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

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Family Cites Families (15)

• 2002
  • 2002-07-25 FR FR0209420A patent/FR2842721B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-07-22 AU AU2003273462A patent/AU2003273462A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-07-22 US US10/522,055 patent/US20060122494A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-07-22 WO PCT/FR2003/002314 patent/WO2004010869A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2003-07-22 EP EP03755622A patent/EP1524936A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-07-22 CA CA002493150A patent/CA2493150A1/fr not_active Abandoned
• 2005
  • 2005-01-23 IL IL166440A patent/IL166440A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2010
  • 2010-09-10 US US12/879,629 patent/US20110071385A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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