Intra-lumen polyp detection

摘要

An apparatus and a method for detecting clinically-relevant features of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule to be swallowed by a subject and passing through the GI tract of the subject, a capsule housing, a radiation source emitting radiation, a rotatable collimator configured to rotate with respect to the housing and to collimate the radiation emitted by the radiation source, and a radiation detector configured to detect particles, such as photons, gamma radiation, beta radiation and electrons photons generated responsive to the emitted radiation. The apparatus also includes a control unit configured to analyze data regarding the photons. Movement of the capsule in the GI tract can be detected. The radiation source, radiation detector and control unit may advantageously be integrated inside a single housing.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting a polyp or cancer in a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject, comprising:
a capsule with a capsule housing, said capsule adapted to be swallowed by a subject, said capsule comprising: at least one radiation source emitting X-ray or gamma radiation and having at least one collimator configured to collimate radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source; and at least one radiation detector configured to detect in a first energy window X-ray fluorescence radiation from a contrast agent composition consisting essentially of a stable and non-radioactive isotope and being excited by the emitted and collimated X-ray or gamma radiation, and to detect in a second energy window or additional energy windows, Compton-backscattered radiation from the contrast agent and the wall of the GI tract produced in response to the emitted and collimated X-ray or gamma radiation; an accelerometer that is used to determine if the capsule is stationary or moving and determine a tilt angle of the capsule relative to the earth center of gravity; the apparatus further comprising a control unit configured to distinguish between a gas bubble in the GI tract and a polyp or cancer at the specific location based on identifying one or more of the following: a. a reduction in the count rate of Compton backscattered radiation at the location in all energy windows; b. a reduction in the count rate of Compton backscattered radiation at the location in all energy windows and smaller changes in the difference between the count at high and low energies; c. a reduction in the count rate of X-ray fluorescence radiation at the location; d. the tilt angle of the capsule relative to center of gravity information to ascertain a relative location of the gas bubble or polyp or cancer; and e. the surface of the detected gas bubble or polyp or cancer to determine if it is a gas bubble with a flat bottom surface or a polyp or cancer with bulging anatomical abnormalities.