Method for activating an image collecting process

The present application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 11/905,677, filed on Oct. 3, 2007, and entitled “METHOD FOR ACTIVATING AN IMAGE COLLECTING PROCESS”, which in turn is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 10/130,326, filed on May 15, 2002, and entitled “METHOD FOR ACTIVATING AN IMAGE COLLECTING PROCESS”, which in turn is a national phase application of International Application Serial No. PCT/IL00/00752, entitled “METHOD FOR ACTIVATING AN IMAGE COLLECTING PROCESS”, filed on Nov. 15, 2000, which in turn claims priority from Israel application 132944, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The present invention generally relates to a method for the activation of an image collecting process. More specifically, the method of the present invention can be applied to an image collecting process meant for imaging the inside of body lumens.

Single chip imaging devices such as charge coupled devices (CCD) and CMOS type image sensors can operate using small power sources and relatively little energy. Such imaging devices are implemented in applications as diverse as star tracking applications and imaging the inside of the gastrointestinal tract.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,531, assigned to the common assignee of the present invention, describes a swallowable capsule for imaging the full length of the gastrointestinal tract. The swallowable capsule includes a camera system, an optical system for imaging an area of interest onto the camera system and a transmitter which transmits the video output of the camera system.

In some instances the imaging devices are inaccessible to an operator at the appropriate time for activation, such as for reasons of sterility, and must be activated by remote control such as by IR or radio.

A method for activating a battery, though not a battery of an imaging device, is exemplified in PED Incs swallowable temperature pill. PED Inc. advertises a swallowable temperature pill for tracking core body temperature. The temperature pill is powered by a silver oxide battery. The battery is kept turned off during storage by a small magnet that is taped to the pill package and is activated by removing this magnet.

The present invention relates to a method for activating an image collecting process, comprising the step of releasing the power source of a component essential to the image collecting process from an inhibition imposed by an external magnet. The method enables facile and sterile activation of the image collecting process, since activation of the process does not require directly handling any component participating in the process and does not require a third party, such as a remote control operator.

An image collecting process is a process in which images are obtained and components essential to the image collecting process are those power source driven components whose operation is necessary for obtaining an image. Components essential to the image collecting process may be an imaging device, such as low energy imaging devices, i.e., a CCD camera or a CMOS type image sensor, a light source for illuminating the target to be imaged, etc.

The term power source of a component essential to the image collecting process includes a motor or an engine which utilize a power source for operating the component.

The term “external magnet” in the present invention refers to a magnet positioned relatively to the component or components essential to the image collecting process, such that it is capable of inhibiting the essential component or components power source.

In an embodiment of the invention the image collecting process is designed to image the insides of a body lumen. The essential components can be a part of or attached to a medical device that is inserted into the body lumen, such as a needle, stent, endoscope or a swallowable capsule. The external magnet is part of or attached to the medical device package and is removed once the device package is removed.

The present invention further relates to a packaging suitable for storing therein an imaging system, said package comprising a magnet. The imaging system comprises components essential to an image collecting process, said components operable in accordance with the invention.

The present invention still further relates to a method for imaging a body lumen comprising the steps of:

a) providing an imaging system inserted in a balancing cup, said imaging system comprising a camera system having video output; an optical system for imaging an area of interest onto said camera system; a transmitter which transmits the video output of said camera system;

b) activating within the imaging system an image collecting process;

c) releasing the imaging system from the balance cup; and

d) inserting the imaging system into a body lumen.