초록 ▼

An improved endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein. In a first embodiment, the probe utilizes a miniature charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a fiber optic/diode illumination system for inspection of the intesti

An improved endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein. In a first embodiment, the probe utilizes a miniature charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a fiber optic/diode illumination system for inspection of the intestine wall. The CCD camera operation is supported by data processing electronics and an inductive data transfer circuit located within the probe which facilitate the real-time transfer of the acquired image data out of the probe to an external monitoring and control device. Power is supplied to the probe inductively from an external power source. The probe is completely sealed so as to be protected against damage by gastric acids or other potentially damaging substances residing within the patient. A second embodiment of the probe incorporates a miniature diode laser which is used in conjunction with the CCD array to produce autofluorescence spectra of the interior of the intestinal wall. In another aspect of the invention, an improved endoscopic device useful for implanting the aforementioned endoscopic smart probe is disclosed. A method for inspecting and/or treating the interior regions of the intestinal tract using the aforementioned smart probe is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a secon

What is claimed is: 1. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; a mass data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device; and a dissolvable covering for at least a portion of said probe; wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 2. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering comprises a substance which is substantially transparent to at least some wavelengths of visible light. 3. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering comprises a substantially gelatin-like substance. 4. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering is configured to provide a timed dissolution within said human being. 5. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering is configured to mitigate the distortion of at least some wavelengths of visible light passing therethrough before dissolution thereof. 6. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering is configured to filter at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough. 7. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering comprises a covering which substantially dissolves upon exposure to electric current. 8. The probe of claim 1, wherein said dissolvable covering comprises a covering which substantially dissolves upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. 9. Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a human being, comprising: means for collecting data in a first form; means, operatively connected to said means for collecting, for converting said data from said first form to a second form; processor means having at least one means adapted for processing at least a portion of said data of said second form; means, operatively connected to said processor means, for storing at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; means for powering at least said sensor, said processor, and said means for storing; and means for dissolvably covering at least a portion of said apparatus; wherein said apparatus traverses said at least portion of said intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering comprises a substance which is substantially transparent to at least some wavelengths of visible light. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering comprises a substantially gelatin-like substance. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering is configured to provide a timed dissolution within said human being. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering is configured to mitigate the distortion of at least some wavelengths of visible light passing therethrough before dissolution thereof. 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering is configured to filter at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough. 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering comprises a covering which substantially dissolves upon exposure to electric current. 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for covering comprises a covering which substantially dissolves upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. 17. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; a data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device; and a housing comprising at least one aperture, said aperture being controlled at least in part by a shutter; wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 18. Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; data conversion apparatus operatively connected to said sensor, said data conversion apparatus converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; means for storing operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said means for storing; and a housing comprising at least one aperture, said aperture being controlled at least in part by a means for selectively occluding said aperture; wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 19. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processing device having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; a data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; and a power supply for powering at least said sensor, said processor, and said storage device; at least one light source; a fiber-optic bundle adapted to transmit light from said at least one light source to illuminate portions of said intestine; wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 20. The probe of claim 19, further comprising a lens adapted to distribute light incident on an inner surface thereof into said intestine. 21. The probe of claim 19, further comprising a lens adapted to focus light incident on said lens onto at least a portion of said sensor. 22. The probe of claim 19, wherein said fiber optic bundle comprises at least one single-mode optical fiber. 23. The probe of claim 19, wherein said at least one light source comprises a white light LED. 24. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; means, operatively connected to said digital processor, for storing at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; and a power supply for powering at least said sensor, said processor, and said storage device; at least one illuminating means; fiber means for transmitting light from said at least one illuminating means to portions of said intestine; wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 25. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the small intestine of a human being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form, said sensor comprising interleaved visual band and autofluorescence band sensing elements; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processing device having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; a mass data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; and a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device; wherein said probe is configured to traverse said at least portion of the small intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 26. The probe of claim 25, wherein said interleaved elements comprise two sub-arrays. 27. The probe of claim 25, wherein said visual band elements and said autofluorescence band elements are disposed in a row-column fashion, with said columns containing only elements from one of said bands. 28. The probe of claim 25, wherein said visual band elements and said autofluorescence band elements are disposed in a row-column fashion, with said rows containing only elements from one of said bands. 29. Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestinal tract of a living being, comprising: means for collecting data in a first form, said means comprising first means for collecting visual band radiation and second means for collecting autofluorescence band radiation in an interleaved fashion; a data converter operatively connected to said means for collecting, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processor having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; a mass data storage device operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; and a power supply for powering said sensor, said processor, and said storage device; wherein said probe traverses said at least portion of the intestinal tract due to the peristaltic action thereof. 30. Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a living being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; data conversion apparatus operatively connected to said sensor, said data conversion apparatus converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processing device having at least one algorithm running thereon adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form; means for storing operatively connected to said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; a power supply for powering at least portions of said apparatus; and a housing comprising at least one aperture, said aperture being controlled at least in part by a means for selectively occluding said aperture; wherein said probe traverses said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 31. A probe adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a living being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processor adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form according to at least one algorithm; means, operatively connected to said digital processor, for storing at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; a power supply for electrically powering at least portions of said probe; at least one illuminating means; and fiber means for transmitting light from said at least one illuminating means to portions of said intestine; wherein said probe traverses said at least portion of the intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 32. Apparatus adapted for use within at least a portion of the intestine of a living being, comprising: a sensor for collecting data in a first form; a data converter operatively connected to said sensor, said data converter converting said data from said first form to a second form; a digital processing device adapted to process at least a portion of said data of said second form according to at least one algorithm; a data storage device in data communication with said digital processor which stores at least a portion of said processed data in said second form; a power supply providing electrical power to at least portions of said apparatus; and a dissolvable covering disposed on at least a portion of said probe; wherein said probe is able to traverse said at least portion of said intestine due to the peristaltic action thereof. 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said data storage device comprises an embedded memory, said embedded memory being embedded substantially within said processing device. 34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a housing, wherein at least a portion of said housing comprises a fluoropolymer. 35. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a housing, wherein at least a portion of said housing comprises an encapsulant. 36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein at least two of said digital processing device, data converter and storage device are disposed on one or more circuit boards. 37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said processing device comprises a microcontroller incorporating internal memory. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said data storage device comprises an embedded memory, said embedded memory being embedded substantially within said microcontroller.