OPTICAL CAPSULE AND SPECTROSCOPIC METHOD FOR TREATING AND DIAGNOSING THE INTESTINAL TRACT

摘要

A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating disorders or other diseases, disorders or conditions (e.g., bleeding, ischemic or necrotic tissue, and presence of certain chemicals or substances) of the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract and sensing optical characteristics as the capsule passes through. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of optical characteristics may be derived from the pass of a capsule to diagnose the disorder or disease. The capsule or subsequently passed capsules may treat, further diagnose or mark the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length.

主权项

1. A system for diagnosing a gastrointestinal condition comprising:
an autonomous capsule sized to pass through the intestinal tract of a patient, the capsule comprising: a light source configured to emit light from the capsule; and a sensor configured to sense light at least one predetermined wavelength at a first location within the intestinal tract and to output a signal representative of light sensed by the sensor at the at least one predetermined wavelength; a processor coupled to the sensor to receive a signal representative of light of the at least one predetermined wavelength sensed by the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one condition of: a presence of a substance, an absence of a substance, and a condition of tissue of the intestinal tract based at least in part on the signal representative of light sensed by the sensor; and a capsule tracking system configured to track location of the capsule within an intestinal tract.