JP4980212B2 - In vivo imaging apparatus and method of assembling the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is an apparatus useful for in vivo imaging, more specifically, it relates to in vivo imaging device and how to assemble it.

  Devices useful for in vivo imaging are well known in the art. For example, an autonomous in vivo imaging device, such as a swallowable capsule or other device, can image while moving through a body lumen. In vivo imaging may require, for example, one or more LEDs or other suitable illumination source located in the in vivo imaging device. Typically, the illumination needs to be directed to a body lumen that images outward from the imaging device.

  In some in-vivo devices, such as ingestible imaging capsules, some components, such as the illumination source within the capsule, are on a support, such as one or more boards, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). Can be placed. In some cases, proper alignment or positioning of components such as illumination light sources can be difficult.

  Some embodiments of the present invention provide an in-vivo imaging device having an illumination subsystem. According to one embodiment, the illumination subsystem may comprise a base or support for supporting, for example, one or more light sources, such as LEDs or other suitable illumination light sources.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support may have a conductive ring and / or other components for holding the illumination source at a selected angle.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a support, such as a PCB, or a support set may constitute a structure in which an illumination light source can be placed. For example, the support set can be designed in a “top hat” shape or other suitable structure so that an illumination light source disposed on the structure can be directed at a selected angle, eg, outward.

In another embodiment, the support can be manufactured according to various designs so that the support can be adapted to variously shaped devices.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the in vivo imaging device may comprise a sheet of circuit board. According to one embodiment, the substrate may have at least one leaf (eg, a tongue-like component). Other numbers of sheets or leaves may be used. Due to the unique shape of the leaf and its ability to bend in various ways, the components attached to the flexible circuit board can be folded or positioned, for example, at a predetermined angle.

In one embodiment, various components within the imaging device, such as an image sensor or illumination light source, for example, can be disposed on various flexible circuit board portions, such as on a flexible leaf.
According to one embodiment, the circuit boards can be folded and placed vertically stacked.

  Further, when the flexible circuit board is folded and inserted into the imaging device, the leaf is bent at an angle required for the illumination light source mounted on the leaf to provide illumination as needed. For example, a plurality of illumination light sources mounted on the leaf can be folded so that panoramic illumination is performed outward.

In another embodiment, the various components of the system can be mounted on a substrate and folded as needed.
In another embodiment, the flexible circuit board can be folded according to various designs such that the board can be adapted to devices having various shapes and / or sizes.

Further, the apparatus and method of some embodiments of the present invention allows easy access to the main parts of the apparatus even after the apparatus is installed and incorporated into the system.
Also, the apparatus and method of some embodiments of the present invention allows for accurate and fine assembly, finishing, and performance while minimizing part maintenance and cost.

Also, embodiments of the present invention could implement components to create various shapes.
Furthermore, the devices of the embodiments of the present invention are lightweight and flexible and can quickly change or adjust shape and function according to specific needs and requirements for the procedure being performed.

  The system, apparatus, and method of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the drawings and the following description, which are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting.

  It should be noted that the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for simplicity and clarity of illustration. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, the same reference numerals will be used in the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements in the drawings throughout the series.

  The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention in accordance with the description relating to the particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

  Illumination light sources used in embodiments of the present invention include, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), incandescent light sources, or other suitable light sources that can enable in vivo illumination, and further include the visible spectrum. Among them, there is an apparatus that supplies electromagnetic waves outside the visible spectrum, and a combination of visible electromagnetic waves and invisible electromagnetic waves.

  Embodiments of the present invention can typically be autonomous and self-contained. For example, some embodiments of the apparatus include a capsule or other unit in which all components are substantially contained within a container or shell and does not require wiring or cables for power reception or information transmission, for example. It can be. The device may communicate with an external receiving and display system to provide data display, control or other functions. The power can be supplied, for example, via a built-in battery or a wireless power receiving system. Other embodiments may have other forms and capabilities. In some cases, the components may be distributed over a plurality of parts or units, and control information may be received from an external source.

  Some embodiments of the present invention generally relate to swallowing in-vivo devices that can be used to record and transmit in-vivo data, for example, from the full length of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to the receiving and / or processing device. Other embodiments need not be swallowing or autonomous, but may have other shapes or forms. According to some embodiments, the in-vivo device may comprise an image sensor, although other sensors may be used. The apparatus of embodiments of the present invention can be similar to the embodiments described in International Patent Application No. WO 01/65995 and / or US Pat. No. 5,604,531. Both of the above patent applications and patents are assigned to the common assignee of the present invention and are incorporated herein in their entirety. Further, the reception, storage, processing and / or display systems suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention are similar to those described in WO 01/65995 and / or US Pat. No. 5,604,531. obtain. Of course, the devices, systems, structures, functions, and methods described herein may have other forms, component sets, processes, and the like.

  Of course, although the devices, systems and methods of some embodiments of the present invention may be used, for example, within the human body, the present invention is not limited in this respect. For example, some embodiments of the invention can be used or inserted in close proximity to non-human bodies, such as dogs, cats, rats, cows, or other animals, pets, laboratory animals, and the like.

  Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of an in-vivo imaging device 10 with an illumination subsystem 13 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The device 10, which can be a swallowable capsule, can comprise, for example, a housing or housing tube 21, a power source 11, a transmitter 12, an imaging device 14, and optionally a receiver 19. The illumination subsystem 13 includes a base 17 such as a printed circuit board (PCB), board or other suitable illumination source 15 having one or more illumination sources 15 such as, for example, LEDs, OLEDs or other suitable illumination sources. A support may be included. Base 17 may comprise one or more components, such as conductive rings and / or conductive steps 16. The base 17 may comprise an illumination light source 15 arranged at a selected angle, for example, a selected angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the device 10. Usually, the imaging device 14 is generally oriented in the direction of the axis L. Thus, the imaging direction, which may be the direction the imaging device is facing, coincides with the axis of the device 10 (eg, axis L), and the illumination direction may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees with respect to the imaging direction. For example, the illumination element can be arranged at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to an axis, for example the longitudinal axis of the device, so that the illumination is at a constant angle with respect to the imaging direction. The illumination direction can be, for example, the direction in which most of the light from the light source is projected. The light is projected as one or more expanded beams, but each beam can have a center that can be used to define the illumination direction. However, other arrangements are possible. For example, the illumination light source does not need to make a fixed angle with respect to a specific axis, and does not need to make a fixed angle with respect to the viewing direction or the imaging direction. Illumination light source 15 may be disposed, for example, on base 17 and / or on a conductive ring or step 16 and / or on a stepped support or substrate (eg, as described with respect to FIG. 2D). The stepped substrate is designed in a “top hat” shape or other suitable structure so that, for example, a stepped PCB, eg, an illumination light source such as an LED disposed on the structure, is directed outward at a selected angle Or a set of substrates, such as a printed PCB, or may include such a substrate. Other designs, parts, elements, etc. may be used. For example, other orientation directions can be selected to illuminate a selected field of view, for example, resulting in various illumination angles of the illumination light source 15. Other structures may be used in addition to or instead of rings, steps, etc.

The device 10 according to one embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially capsule shape, is easy to swallow and can be pushed through, for example, a natural peristaltic motion and passively pass through the entire GI tract. However, it will be appreciated that the device 10 has any shape and size suitable for insertion and passage through a body lumen or cavity, such as, for example, a sphere, oval, cylinder, or other suitable shape. Can do. Furthermore, the various embodiments that may comprise the device 10 or at least some components of the device 10 are mounted on a body lumen and a device that inserts into the cavity, such as on an endoscope, laparoscope, needle, catheter, etc. Or can be affixed.

  According to one embodiment, the device 10 has a convex window 23. According to some embodiments, the one or more illumination light sources 15 may be arranged in a ring shape or in close proximity to the convex window 23. In general, the structure formed by the subsystem 13 of the embodiment of the present invention usually includes an illumination light source 15 such as a convex window portion in order to avoid a phenomenon (such as backscattering) associated with illumination from within the window. Near the curved window, so as to match the shape of the window and / or the device.

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as seen with reference to FIG. 2A, a PCB or other suitable support 30 has a groove or indentation 31 for holding one or more illumination light sources, eg, LEDs. Can be formed or cut. For example, angled grooves or cuts in one or more PCBs can be used to hold one or more illumination sources. In order to obtain an illumination light source connection, a conductive pad 32, for example a metal pad, may be placed or molded in the groove 31. In FIG. 2B, which is a schematic bottom view, a conductive ring 33, for example, at the bottom of a PCB or other support 30 is provided with pads 32 to provide conductivity between all pads and provide a base for illuminating light source placement. Can be connected to. The illumination light source 34 has the one end 30 </ b> A in contact with the conductive ring 33 and the other end 30 </ b> B in contact with the back of the groove 31, so that the illumination light source 34 faces the angle determined by the conductive ring and the back of the groove 31. Can be placed on top. Any suitable angle may be used for the placement of the illumination source.

FIG. 2C, which is a schematic top view, shows the addition of a resistor 35 adjacent to the illumination source 34, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Another embodiment of the present invention may provide a PCB or other substrate having a surface located in more than one plane, for example as can be seen with reference to FIG. 2D. The outer ring 36 in the first plane may be connected to the inner ring 37, the inner ring 37 having a smaller diameter than the outer ring 36, for example, located on a plane parallel to the first plane and higher than the outer ring 36. Narrow. The conductive pad 32 can be disposed on the outer ring 36 and the inner ring 37 so that the illumination light source 34 leans on both the outer ring 36 and the inner ring 37 so that the illumination light source 34 can be disposed obliquely. To. According to one embodiment of the present invention, any suitable angle may be used for the placement of the illumination light source. According to other embodiments of the invention, any suitable number of PCB planes may be used.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a support including ceramic can be used as the illumination light source arrangement base. The ceramic may comprise grooves and pads for placing light sources. In one embodiment, a ceramic cone may be used so that the light source disposed therein propagates light at an angle formed by a conical ceramic ramp.

Reference is made to FIG. 3A illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a deployed one-sheet flexible circuit board 10 prior to folding and insertion into an in-vivo device, such as a capsule, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A device having a form other than a capsule may be used. According to some embodiments, the flexible circuit board 310 can be, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) made of silicone or plastic. Other suitable materials may be used. In one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board 310 is interconnected, for example, with one or more battery terminals 312 disposed at each end via a narrow strip 318 of the flexible circuit board. One or more (eg, two) wide portions 314, 316 may be included. Under each of the flexible portions 314 and 316, for example, rigid portions 324 and 326 that stabilize components held by the respective portions can be attached. According to one embodiment, a portion or area of the substrate may have a component set mounted or disposed thereon. According to one embodiment, for example, the substrate portion 316 includes a switch 334, a transmitter, a processor or controller, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 336, a silicon timer 322, and an antenna 332. Parts can be provided. On the other hand, the other portion 314 of the substrate 310 may have an imaging system for obtaining an image from within the body lumen, for example, mounted on this portion. Other parts and parts sets may be used. The imaging system may include one or more illumination units 309, an image sensor 315 such as an imaging camera, and one or more capacitors 317, for example. The lighting unit 309 may include an illumination light source 313, such as a white LED or OLED, and one or more registers 319. According to one embodiment, circuit board components may be arranged on one side of the circuit board 310 to facilitate access during the manufacturing process of the device. In alternative embodiments, other component layouts may be placed on flexible circuit boards having different shapes.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, as can be seen, for example, with reference to FIG. 3A, the flexible leaves 342, 340 can be formed from circuit board portions 314, 316, respectively, with different components. According to one embodiment, the flexible leaf 340 protruding from the flexible portion 316 is provided with a test point 341, for example, and one flexible leaf 342 protruding from the flexible circuit board 314 is one. The above lighting unit 309 may be provided. Each lighting unit 309 may include at least one illumination light source 313 and a register 319, for example. The flexible leaf 342 protruding from the portion 314 can be folded inward at the required angle. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the angle of the flexible leaf 342 to be folded may depend on the angle or shape of the imaging device housing tube 21 (eg, as described with reference to FIG. 3B). The shape and size of the imaging device housing can determine the exact angle at which each flexible leaf 342 bends when the substrate is inserted. According to one embodiment, the illumination unit 313 can be mounted on the leaf 342 to form the specific illumination field and angle required by the angle thus formed.

  Further, the flexible leaf 340 protruding from the portion 316 can also be folded inward at the angle required when the flexible circuit board 310 is inserted into the housing tube 21 of the imaging device, for example.

  According to one embodiment, the length of the flexible circuit board 310 in the deployed configuration is, for example, about 36.5 mm or less (measured between the centers of the battery terminals 312), and the width of the board 310 is ( For example, it may be about 13 mm (measured between the edges of the flexible portions 314 and 316). Such flexible circuit boards may be suitable for use in devices having a length of about 20-30 mm. The flexible circuit board and microtechnology of embodiments of the present invention are similar to the flexible board manufactured by AI-tech of Petach-Tikva, Israel. obtain. Other dimensions and sizes may be used.

Reference is made to FIG. 3B showing an exemplary embodiment of the shape of the flexible circuit board 350 after being folded and inserted into an in-vivo device, such as a capsule. Although the present invention is shown for a capsule, other in-vivo devices can accommodate embodiments of the present invention, and devices having other forms (eg, spherical, circular, endoscope, etc.) are also used. obtain. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board portions 314, 316 may be folded into a “C” shape, for example, facing each other upon insertion. According to one embodiment, in this folded state, imaging devices such as antenna 332 and imaging camera 315 face outward, but battery terminal 312 may be, for example, rigid portions 324, 326 in some embodiments of the invention. Can be folded under the flexible part 316, 314 to which it is attached, so that it can contact a battery set that can be sandwiched between the part 316 and the part 314 of the substrate. According to one embodiment, the flexible leaf 342 that holds the illumination light source 313 and the resistor 319 can be formed, for example, at various angles outside when the flexible circuit board is inserted into a device housing such as the housing tube 21. It can be bent at various angles to allow illumination. The illumination angle can depend, for example, on the shape of the housing or housing tube. In another embodiment of the present invention, the test points 341 located on the flexible leaf 340 can be folded inward to facilitate use of space in the device. In some embodiments of the present invention, various components may be sandwiched or placed between circuit board portions.

  By folding the leaf 340 on which the test point 341 is mounted, the test point can be stored without wasting valuable space. This method of preserving the circuit board before it is housed in the device without disconnecting or removing the test points can save time and reduce the risk of short circuits. According to one embodiment, the flexible circuit board 350 is sensitive and has few elements that interfere with manufacturing and assembly, such as expensive parts welding and complex manufacturing protocols.

  With various arrangements, flexible circuit boards and components can be accurately bent, for example, illumination and camera rotation can be performed at various angles and ranges. By bending the flexible circuit board in various ways, more space can be secured according to the number of mounting parts and loose parts that need to be accommodated in the device shell.

  In one embodiment, the flexible circuit board may be incorporated into a device such as, for example, a panoramic field imaging device as schematically shown in FIG. Embodiments of the present invention may also use other suitable imaging or detection devices that include or do not include a panoramic display.

  According to one embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the illumination light source 15 may be disposed or mounted on the flexible circuit board leaf, tilted outward with respect to the plane of the image sensor 106. In one embodiment, the flexible circuit board leaf may be part of a flexible circuit board.

  Some embodiments of the present invention provide an in-vivo illumination method, for example as shown in FIG. 4, which illuminates an in-vivo imaging device at an angle, for example, an angle of 0-90 degrees. Step (410) comprising a light source may be included. According to some embodiments, this angle may be related to the imaging direction. According to other embodiments, this angle may be related to the longitudinal axis of the in vivo imaging device. According to one embodiment, this angle is typically less than 90 degrees with respect to the imaging direction, which may be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the imaging device, for example. The body lumen is illuminated at block 420 and an image of the body lumen is obtained at block 430.

  Embodiments of the present invention may achieve a wide field of view, for example, by using a panoramic imaging device with a reflective element for capturing a panoramic image, such as a curved mirror or other appropriately shaped mirror. According to one embodiment, a portion of the outer wall of the panoramic imaging device may be partially or wholly transparent. Illumination at the panoramic imaging device is provided by an inclined illumination source according to one embodiment of the invention. The in vivo lumen can be illuminated with a light source that can project light at a wide angle. However, the method of one embodiment can be practiced with other in-vivo devices having other suitable structures. The above steps may be performed in any combination. Furthermore, other steps or series of steps may be used.

One embodiment of a method for illuminating a living body at an angle is shown in FIG. According to one embodiment, the method may include providing an illumination light source on a flexible support (510) and inserting the support into a housing tube of an in-vivo device (520). Usually the support will take the form of a device housing. According to one embodiment, the illumination light source provided on the flexible support, when inserted into the device housing, is usually arranged at an angle determined by the shape of the housing relative to the transparent part of the housing (eg optical window). So that the outer area of the device can be illuminated for any shape of device. According to one embodiment, the support may comprise additional device parts.

  The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The above description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. In view of the above teachings, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications, variations, alternatives, modifications and equivalents are possible. Accordingly, the appended claims should be construed to include all such modifications and variations that fall within the true spirit of the invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of an in vivo imaging device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a support and structure according to some embodiments of the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a support and structure according to some embodiments of the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a support and structure according to some embodiments of the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a support and structure according to some embodiments of the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flexible circuit board according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating possible retention of a flexible circuit board according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart of a body lumen illumination method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of a body lumen illumination method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

An in vivo imaging device comprising:
A housing having a transparent portion arranged in a panorama shape and a flexible support having a plurality of flexible leaves, wherein the plurality of flexible leaves are spaced apart from each other. A flexible support disposed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral edge, and an illumination light source disposed on each flexible leaf;
A device in which each flexible leaf is folded outward from the longitudinal axis of the device toward the transparent portion, so that panoramic illumination by the illumination light source is performed through the transparent portion. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible support is at least one flexible circuit board. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible leaves are bent at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the imaging apparatus. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each flexible leaf is folded so that the illumination light source is proximate to the transparent portion, and illumination is performed at an angle according to the shape of the transparent portion. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is an autonomous in vivo imaging apparatus. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an imaging device. The apparatus of claim 1 having a convex window. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the illumination light source is proximate to the convex window. A method for assembling an in vivo imaging device comprising:
Disposing an illumination light source on each flexible leaf of a flexible support having a plurality of flexible leaves, wherein the plurality of flexible leaves are spaced apart from each other; A step arranged to protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the
A housing of an in-vivo imaging device comprising a step of inserting a flexible support into a housing comprising a transparent portion arranged in a panorama shape, the inserting step being performed by an illumination light source through the transparent portion Folding each flexible leaf outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the device toward the transparent portion so that panoramic illumination is provided.

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