WO2021141608A1

WO2021141608A1 - Digest tract imaging kit and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021141608A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/013248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wojciech PUCHAJDA
Original assignee: Puchajda Wojciech
Priority date: 2020-01-11
Filing date: 2020-01-11
Publication date: 2021-07-15

Abstract

The digestive tract imaging kit of the present invention is made or assembled from essentially two components which are synchronized, interconnected, related, and work together to send and store photographic images of the digestive tract to electronic data storage external to the body. These two components of the digestive tract imaging kit are an endoradiosonde, imaging camera in capsule component, and its companion software application component. The endoradiosonde is an internally powered wirelessly networked swallowable photographic or videographic imaging camera in capsule. The companion software application is an 'app' that is downloaded to and installed on a smartphone or other computing device which is then used to synchronize with the endoradiosonde to be swallowed in order to receive, store, and/or arrange storage of the image data sent by the endoradiosonde during its operation from time of swallowing until elimination or internal power is exhausted.

Description

TITLE: Digest Tract Imaging Kit and Method of Use Thereof

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to the field of medical imaging. More specifically it relates to imaging camera in capsules for internal body imaging of a human or animal. In particular it relates to a pill or capsule endoscopes for imaging.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Pill or capsule endoscopes are small mostly capsule type cameras, usually swallowed for minimally invasive visual documentation of the gastroenterologic tract.

[0003] Today, swallowable internally operable pill imaging cameras exist but the process of using them is very inconvenient. The presently available pill imaging camera process requires that the person make an appointment and go to a medical office to have an imaging camera in capsule receiver system installed on the body. This device is then worn around the person's waist and is present to receive data electronically from the camera in capsule during its use: its trip through the user's intestinal tract. Once the pill passes out of the person’s body, the process then requires another appointment back to the medical office to get the receiver system removed from the person’s body.

[0004] The whole process is very inconvenient and costly because it requires the involvement of other people and multiple medical office visits.

PRIOR ART

[0005] The devices available currently often include combinations with miniaturized on-board diagnostic or therapeutic tools in addition to the camera and wireless networking components needed to communicate with a receiver system.

[0006] For example, a system and method for obtaining images of a subject using a capsule type medical device is disclosed in publication United States Patent Number 7,704,205 B2 to Mizuno on April 27, 2010 for System and Method of Obtaining Images of a Subject Using a Capsule Type Medical Device. An example of a capsule including a sensor for recording the inner condition of a gastrointestinal tract is disclosed in United States Patent to Poon et al. Patent Number 10,064,544 B2, September 4 , 2018, for Endoscopic Capsule and Endoscopic System. An example of an endoscopy capsule which can wirelessly transmit images to an external receiver is disclosed in publication United States Patent Application Publication Number 2019/0281258 Al to Makino et al. on September 12, 2019, for Endoscope System, Receiving Device, Workstation, Setting Method, and Computer Readable Recording Medium.

[0007] In light of the foregoing prior art, there is a need for digestive tract imaging system and method which operates conveniently with a receiver network and can save additional medical clinic appointments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a digestive tract imaging kit comprised of a swallowable camera in capsule comprised of a central control unit, an on-board internal power supply, a wireless computer network connectivity device, a plurality of photographic image capture cameras, and a plurality of light emitting diodes; and a companion software application installed on a computing device with wireless computer network connectivity wherein said companion software application receives and stores or forwards for storage photographic images captured by said camera in capsule.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, there is a digestive tract imaging kit comprising an endoradiosonde in the form of a swallowable pill having at least one camera to take images of a digestive tract area, at least one LED to illuminate the area, a wireless computer network connectivity first device, and a control unit to coordinate activity of the camera(s), LED(s) and first device, and a power supply to operate the pill; and an external body component including a companion software application installable on a computing device with a wireless computer network connectivity second device wirelessly connectable to the first device, characterized in that the external body component is arranged to automatically operate with the endoradiosonde to receive the images.

[0010] Preferably the external body component operates with a storage media to store the received images.

[0011] Preferably the companion software application is arranged to automatically operate on the computing device when installed. Preferably wherein the companion software application is arranged to instruct the control unit to coordinate the activity.

[0012] Preferably the external body component comprises a smartphone on which the companion software application is installed. An advantage of the digestive tract imaging kit is that the camera in capsule is wirelessly networkable. It can communicate directly with only the local smartphone or other mobile device application without the involvement of medical personnel and a medical office and/or other devices.

[0013] Preferably the camera in capsule component is the overall approximate size of a large vitamin tablet. Preferably the power supply is internal to the pill. Preferably the companion software application component may be run (executed, and/or operated) while installed on a smartphone or other mobile computing device to capture photos of the digestive tract after the camera in capsule is swallowed and until it is expelled or its internal power supply has been consumed.

[0014] Preferably digestive tract imaging kit of the present invention is made or assembled from essentially two components which are synchronized, and/or interconnected, related, and work together to send and store photographic images of the digestive tract electronic data storage external to the body. Preferably a first one of the two components of the digestive tract imaging kit is an endoradiosonde, imaging camera in capsule component. Its companion software application component is preferably the second one of the two components.

[0015] The endoradiosonde first component may be an internally powered, wirelessly networked swallowable photographic or videographic imaging camera in capsule.

[0016] The companion software application second component may be an 'app' that is downloaded too and installed on a smartphone or other computing device. Preferably the companion software application may be used to synchronize with the endoradiosonde first component before and/or after it is swallowed. Preferably the companion software application second component is arranged to receive, store, and/or arrange storage of the image data sent by the endoradiosonde during its operation from time of swallowing until elimination or internal power is exhausted.

[0017] The first component of the digestive tract imaging kit, the endoradiosonde, may be a swallowable camera in capsule with wireless computer network connectivity. Preferably the camera in capsule comprises a central control unit. Preferably it comprises an on-board internal power supply. Preferably it comprises a wireless computing network broadcast sending and receiving device/unit. Preferably it comprises a plurality of photographic imaging cameras. Preferably it comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

[0018] The central control unit may comprise computer hardware components and software code/applications used to control the use, and timing of the use, of the other installed components. The on-board internal power supply may be any electricity power supply device, battery pack or device, electric power storage unit, and said power supply may or may not include an optional power resupply charging assemblies or connections as needed for recharging of said power supply.

[0019] Preferably operation and control of the camera in capsule is accomplished with an on board central control unit comprised of hardware and software components. The hardware and/ or software components may be utilized in combination with the camera in capsule component. The camera in capsule component may be activated/enabled by synchronization and/or wireless connection with the companion software application to start, stop, and control the camera in capsule's operation during use. Preferably the companion software application is arranged to instruct the control unit to start or stop the camera taking the images.

[0020] The central control unit of the camera in capsule component may control the periodicity of image capture. The central control unit may use or also use the wireless connection within the camera in capsule component to send the captured image data to the wirelessly connected smartphone or other computing device where the camera in capsule component will send image data.

[0021] Preferably the camera in capsule includes an on-board internal power source to provide power to the components of the camera in capsule during its use. The camera in capsule passes through the digestive tract at its usual rate of motility which typically takes between six and twelve hours. The on-board power source may be arranged to provide sufficient power during use while taking and sending images throughout the period of operation. This may include as many as two or four or eight or ten or twenty or fifty images per second during the operational period of use of the camera in capsule component. The operational period may be up to six to twelve hours to endure the travel time in the digestive tract until internal power is consumed or exhausted.

[0022] The camera in capsule on-board internal power source may optionally include a charging connection comprised of a set of electrically conductive charging pads to facilitate and enable the passing of an externally applied electric current into the on-board (internal) power supply or battery pack, device, unit, or system.

[0023] The camera in capsule component may include a wireless computing network broadcast device capable of sending and receiving electronic data communications signals such as, but not limited to the Bluetooth™ technologies. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Delaware, Suite 350, 5209 Lake Washington Boulevard, Kirkland, Washington 98033. The wireless broadcasting device of the camera in capsule component may be used to send the images that are captured by the imaging cameras of the camera in capsule component to the companion software application component.

[0024] The present best mode version of the camera in capsule is a photo (still image) only imaging camera device. The camera in capsule may alternatively be a video (moving image) only, or a combination photo and video imaging camera unit, depending on the intended application and/or availability of said imaging camera unit in camera in capsule (endoradiosonde) form. Image frame focusing is accomplished by the camera unit in the present best mode, but it may alternatively be provided by any other available combination of technologies used for image focus installed within the camera in capsule device as a whole for such purpose.

[0025] The present best mode is the application and use of two photo imaging camera units within the camera in capsule device, one placed at each of the opposing ends of an elongated tubular shaped swallowable pill. Preferably the device includes two photo imaging camera units within the camera in capsule device, one placed at each of opposing ends of the pill. This two camera configuration provides forward facing and rearward facing photo imaging capability within the camera in capsule. Provided the user's digestive tract was emptied and/or cleansed sufficiently, the camera in capsule with imaging at both the forward facing end as well as the rearward facing end can provide well lit, clearly focused images.

[0026] Preferably the at least one LED includes an LED within each camera. The present best mode includes the application and use of a camera in capsule wherein there are light emitting diodes installed within the camera in capsule to provide lighting for the imaging cameras that are located at each of both ends of an elongated tube shaped camera in capsule. So preferably the at least one LED includes LED’s placed at each of opposing ends of the pill. The light emitting diodes provide a light source that is used to light up the visual field during photography when synchronized with the use of the imaging camera units.

[0027] The camera in capsule control system may take a plurality of still images every second of time that passes while it is in operation. Preferably operation for the camera in capsule is that period of time after the camera in capsule has been synchronized with and/or activated by connection with/to the companion software application until it completes its travel through the digestive tract or unless or until the available power from the on-board internally installed power source is exhausted. Preferably the endoradiosonde is arranged to operate automatically with the external body component after the pill is swallowed. Operation for the camera in capsule may endure for a period of time between swallowing the camera in capsule and when it is eliminated from the colon through the anus.

[0028] The camera in capsule component may be the disposable and/or reusable variety. Preferably the reusable camera in capsule component variety can be washed and reused. Preferably it may be washed and reused where the on-board internal power source of the selected model camera in capsule to be implemented as the camera in capsule component in the kit has external charging connectivity or capability included.

[0029] The second component of the kit may be the companion software application component. The companion software application may be downloaded and installed on a smartphone or other computing device. The companion software application is then used to synchronize with and to activate the camera in capsule component to enable its operation for use.

[0030] Preferably the operation of the camera in capsule component in combination with the companion software application may be used to receive, store, and/or arrange storage of the image data that is broadcast by the wireless network device of the camera in capsule component. Preferably the computing device is arranged to interact with the wireless computer network connectivity second device under the control of the companion software application. Preferably the computing device is arranged to forward the images to a cloud computing electronic data storage location. So advantageously the image data that is wirelessly sent from the camera in capsule component may be either stored in the electronic media memory available on the smartphone where the companion software application is installed or it may be sent or forwarded on to a connected cloud computing electronic data storage location or website electronic data storage location.

[0031] Alternatively the companion software application may run on a smartphone or other computing device that can acquire by upload or download the companion software application component and run (execute) said companion software application component. The smartphone or other device may have or operate via the companion software application with an available portable or exchangeable electronic data storage device or unit such as, but not limited to, any user exchangeable solid state or other electronic data storage memory device or unit. Then, the image data can be saved to a portable electronic data storage device or unit in addition or instead of storing said image data on said smartphone or other computing device.

[0032] The digestive tract imaging kit may be used to image the digestive tract in a simple and convenient method. The camera in capsule is supplied by mail order or in-store purchase and the application is downloaded directly from a website. The resulting images (data) may be viewed on the smartphone or other computing device, and/or sent or forwarded electronically, and/or printed for viewing.

[0033] Advantageously the digestive tract imaging kit is convenient, easy, and simple to use. To get best results, it is recommended that the user first empty or cleanse the digestive tract prior to swallowing the camera in capsule component. Images of the digestive tract may not be practical if the user does not, prior to use, empty or cleanse the digestive tract. There are natural solutions available as well as over the counter and prescribed medical solutions available for emptying and cleansing the colon. Any of these means used appropriately will likely be sufficient to get good imaging results. It is noted that the more completely and thoroughly that the colon and digestive system is emptied and cleansed, the better the resulting images are likely to be.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, there is a method of using the digestive tract imaging kit wherein the digestive tract is emptied and cleansed and said pill is swallowed and said companion software application receives and stores or forwards for storage the image data captured by said camera in capsule to obtain a visual record of the internal appearance of the digestive tract.

[0035] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is an illustration of an operable arrangement of the first and second components of a digestive tract imaging kit according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0037] Referring to the Figures, there is shown in Figure 1 a digestive tract imaging kit. The kit comprises an endoradiosonde including a camera in capsule. The kit also comprises an external body component including a software app which executes on a smart phone.

[0038] In Figure 1, the smart phone comprises a computing device. However, it is not essential that the digestive tract imaging kit include a smart phone because the kit is operable with a variety of apparatus that includes a computing device. For example, the apparatus may be a personal computer, laptop computer, pad computer, or networking apparatus with a computing device.

[0039] The endoradiosonde in the form of a swallowable pill which a person swallows. The pill travels through the digestive tract and then is eliminated from the person in the normal way.

[0040] The pill has at least one camera to take images of the digestive tract area. The pill also has at least one LED to illuminate the area. The pill has a wireless computer network connectivity first device to send a signal received by the smart phone. The pill has a control unit to coordinate activity of the camera(s), LED(s) and first device.

[0041] The pill has a power supply to operate the electronic components of the pill, including the camera(s), LED(s) and wireless computer network connectivity first device.

[0042] The pill has a shell. Components inside the shell are protected and shielded from the digestive tract environment and substances. Components enclosed inside shell include the camera(s), LED(s), power supply, and wireless computer network connectivity first device.

[0043] The shell comprises a transparent material through which the camera(s) is/are arranged to peer through and the LED(s) is/are arranged to shine through. The shell is formed of non-toxic substances.

[0044] The kit includes a companion software application. The companion software application is operable in the smart phone. More specifically the companion software application is installable on a computing device in the smart phone and it runs on the computing device. Following instructions from the companion software application, the computing device transmits and receives signals via a wireless computer network connectivity second device in the smart phone.

[0045] The wireless computer network connectivity first device in the pill is arranged to transmit and receive the signals to the wireless computer network connectivity second device in the smart phone. So the first and second devices are wirelessly connectable to each other.

[0046] Following instructions from the companion software application transmitted via the first and second devices to the control unit in the pill, the camera(s) and LED(s) are activated to obtain the images of the digestive tract. The images are then transmitted via the first and second devices to image data storage electronics.

[0047] The kit comprises the image data storage electronics to store the images. The kit also comprises a display to show the image. As shown in Figure 1, the storage electronics and display may be, but are not necessarily, comprised in the smart phone. In this way the external body component including the smart phone is arranged to automatically operate with the endoradiosonde to receive the images.

[0048] The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s). Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1 claim, a digestive tract imaging kit comprising an endoradiosonde in the form of a swallowable pill having at least one camera to take images of a digestive tract area, at least one LED to illuminate the area, a wireless computer network connectivity first device, and a control unit to coordinate activity of the camera(s), LED(s) and first device, and a power supply to operate the pill; and an external body component, including a companion software application installable on a computing device with a wireless computer network connectivity second device wirelessly connectable to the first device, characterized in that the external body component is arranged to automatically operate with the endoradiosonde to receive the images.

2. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the external body component operates with a storage media to store the received images.

3. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the endoradiosonde is arranged to operate automatically with the external body component after the pill is swallowed.

4. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the companion software application is arranged to automatically operate on the computing device when installed.

5. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the companion software application is arranged to instruct the control unit to coordinate the activity.

6. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the companion software application is arranged to instruct the control unit to start or stop the camera taking the images.

7. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the external body component comprises a smartphone on which the companion software application is installed.

8. I claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the power supply is internal to the pill.

9. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the pill comprises a charging connection comprising a set of electrically conductive charging pads to pass externally applied current to the power supply.

10. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the wireless computer network connectivity device(s) include a Bluetooth™ wireless computing network broadcast device capable of sending and receiving electronic data communications.

11. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the at least one camera includes two photo imaging camera units within the camera in capsule device, one placed at each of opposing ends of the pill.

12. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the at least one LED includes an LED within each camera.

13. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 where the at least one LED includes LED’s placed at each of opposing ends of the pill.

14. 1 claim, the kit according to claim 1 wherein the computing device is arranged to interact with the wireless computer network connectivity second device under the control of the companion software application to forward the images to a cloud computing electronic data storage location.

15. 1 claim, a method of using the digestive tract imaging kit of claim 1 wherein the digestive tract is emptied and cleansed and said pill is swallowed and said companion software application receives and stores or forwards for storage the image data captured by said camera in capsule to obtain a visual record of the internal appearance of the digestive tract.