Abstract:
An imaging capsule, including a radiation source, a collimator that provides a collimated beam from the radiation source, a detector configured to detect particles resulting from X-ray fluorescence and/or Compton backscattering in response to the collimated beam, a motor to rotate the collimator and detector around an axle to scan a partial or full inner circumference of a user's colon with radiation, wherein the motor comprises a segmented commutator that is fed with a power signal via brush contacts; and wherein the motor provides a pulsed output signal based on mechanical switching of the segmented commutator on the brush contacts, providing an indication of the rotation angle of the motor as a function of time.
Abstract:
A system for polyp detection through capsule dynamics, including a capsule configured to be swallowed by a patient, a recorder configured to be worn by the patient and to receive transmission of information from the capsule, wherein the system is configured to determine position or motion information of the capsule from the information received from the capsule, analyze the position or motion information and determine a probability score representing the likelihood of the existence of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract of the patient; and wherein the system notifies the patient of further actions to be performed in response to the determined probability score.
Abstract:
A colon imaging system, including an imaging capsule, having: a. a radiation source providing X-Ray and gamma radiation with energies sufficient to induce X-Ray fluorescence from nanoparticles that adhere to cancerous tissue, and which were administered to a patient in a solution prior to examining the colon with the imaging capsule; b. a detector for detecting particle energy of particles emitted responsive to the provided radiation and forming count information disclosing a number of particles detected for each energy level; c. a transceiver for transferring the count information to an external computer for analysis, and also having a computer for constructing images of an inside of the colon based on the count information; wherein the images provide an indication of locations in the colon of which the nanoparticles adhere to.
Abstract:
A fail safe concealment mechanism for a radiation imaging capsule, including, a collimator having a first area that blocks radiation and an second area that releases radiation, a radiation source that is initially positioned inside the collimator in the area that blocks radiation, a linear mechanism that moves the radiation source inside the collimator to the area that releases radiation when power is provided to the mechanism and automatically returns the radiation source to the area that blocks radiation when power is not provided to the mechanism.
Abstract:
A system for estimating the position of an imaging capsule that examines the gastrointestinal tract of a user, including an imaging capsule for examining inside the user; and a recorder for communicating with the imaging capsule from outside the user. The imaging capsule includes a controller for controlling functionality of the imaging capsule, a transceiver for communication with the recorder and a coil for transmission of electromagnetic signals. The recorder includes a controller for controlling functionality of the recorder, a transceiver for communication with the imaging capsule and a coil for receiving electromagnetic signals from the coil of the imaging capsule. Wherein the recorder determines the location of the imaging capsule based on measurements of the amplitude of the electromagnetic signals transmitted by the coil in the imaging capsule.
Abstract:
An imaging capsule activating system includes a capsule containing a radiation source and an arrangement with the radiation source mounted thereon. The arrangement is configured to selectively allow emission of radiation from the radiation source. A blocking arrangement is configured to selectively block emission of radian from the radiation source. In a rest position, the emission of radiation from the arrangement is blocked. A movement arrangement configured to move the blocking arrangement relative to the arrangement. A controller operates the radiation source and the blocking arrangement. An activation coil is electrically coupled with the controller and has an initial configuration without current flow. An external activating coil receives the imaging capsule and is operable to inductively induce current flow in the activation coil within the capsule.
Abstract:
A capsule for traversing the gastrointestinal tract, including one or more compartments configured to sample the environment surrounding the capsule or configured to deliver content to the environment surrounding the capsule, an internal controller configured to activate the one or more compartments to sample or deliver, wherein the capsule includes a tracking system configured to identify the location of the capsule in real-time and activate a compartment when reaching a specific location in the gastrointestinal tract.
Abstract:
A method of reconstructing an image of a colon, including receiving scan data of a colon taken by an imaging capsule that traverses the colon; wherein the imaging capsule emits X-ray radiation inside the colon and includes detectors that detect photons that are returned toward the imaging capsule from X-ray fluorescence and Compton back scattering interactions responsive to the radiation; and wherein the scan data includes counts of photons detected by each detector from X-ray fluorescence and Compton back scattering interactions; defining an initial guess of a geometry of a contour of a slice of the colon; calculating count values for each detector responsive to the geometry using a forward model; comparing the calculated count values of each detector with the values from the scan data; if the results of the comparison do not indicate reaching an optimal match then adjust the defined geometry and repeat the calculating and comparing.
Abstract:
An imaging capsule configured to be swallowed to scan the gastrointestinal tract of a person from the inside, including a radiation source providing X-Ray and gamma radiation for scanning the gastrointestinal tract, a pressure sensor for measuring the internal pressure in the imaging capsule; and wherein the imaging capsule is configured to control the emission of radiation from within the imaging capsule responsive to the measurements of the pressure sensor.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a radioactive material to serve as a radiation source for an intra-lumen imaging capsule, including, receiving a radioactive substance having grains in powder form, forming a solid pellet wherein the grains of the radioactive substance are dispersed homogenously in the pellet and surrounded by less dense materials having lower radiation absorption.