The present invention generally relates to maneuvering of a magnet in a magnetic field and more specifically to magnetic field based maneuvering system and methods for maneuvering a swallowable in-vivo device, and to a ternary coil assembly serving as a building block of the magnetic maneuvering system.
In-vivo measuring systems are known in the art. Some in-vivo devices/systems, which may traverse the gastrointestinal (“GI”) system, or other body organs/systems, may include an imaging sensor, or imager, for imaging (e.g., capturing images of) the interior of the GI system. An in-vivo device may include one or more imagers. Other in-vivo devices may alternatively or additionally include a medication container and means for administering medication in the GI system. Other in-vivo devices may include means for performing surgical operations in vivo, and so on.
Autonomous in-vivo devices are devices that traverse the GI system by being pushed through the GI system by peristaltic force exerted by the digestive system. Autonomous in-vivo devices may also spasmodically move in the intestinal tract in ‘fits and starts’. Moving a device in vivo by using a peristaltic force has drawbacks. For example, the in-vivo device may get stuck somewhere in the GI system for an unknown period of time; the device may capture images in one direction while a nearby area, which may be clinically more interesting, is not imaged sufficiently or at all. In addition, due to the length of the intestinal tract (several meters), it takes an in-vivo device several hours to traverse the entire GI system. In order to minimize discomfort to a patient and to allow her/him to have as normal life as possible during that time, the patient is asked to wear a data recorder for recording the images captured in vivo, in order for them to be analyzed at a later stage (e.g., after the in-vivo device is finally pushed out of the GI). When a physician reviews the images, or a selection thereof, s/he cannot be certain that all the clinically interesting, or intended, areas of the GI system were imaged.
Due to the anatomically-inhomogeneous nature of the GI system—it has anatomically distinct sections such as the small bowel and the colon—and/or to different susceptibility of its various sections to diseases, indiscriminately handling large number of images and frames by the in-vivo device is oftentimes superfluous. In part, this is because relatively less susceptible areas of the intestinal tract are overly imaged. More susceptible areas of the intestinal tract, on the other hand, may be imaged sparingly. The number of images captured from susceptible areas of the intestinal tract may be smaller than clinically desired. It may often be desirable to examine only one specific part of the GI tract, for example, the small bowel (“SB”), the colon, gastric regions, or the esophagus.
There exist magnetic maneuvering systems for maneuvering in-vivo devices magnetically. A device may be maneuvered magnetically by incorporating a magnet in it. Such maneuvering systems typically generate a magnetic field that aligns or moves the magnetic moment of the device magnet in the direction of the applied magnetic field, and moves the in-vivo device in a direction of a magnetic gradient whose direction is also aligned or positioned in the same direction as the direction of the magnetic field. With both the magnetic field and magnetic gradient aligned in the direction of the magnetic field, maneuverability of devices is limited.
While moving an in-vivo device through the GI is beneficial, there are some drawbacks associated with autonomous in-vivo devices in the GI tract. It would be beneficial to have a full control over such movement, including maneuvering the in-vivo device to a desired location and/or orientation and/or angular position or state in the GI system, or other body organ, and maintaining the location/orientation/angular position or state for as long as required or needed, for example to take additional pictures of a site and/or to release medication(s) in the site, or to move the in-vivo device in a wanted path/route.
A ternary coil assembly (“TCA”) is provided, which may include an anterior coil, a posterior coil adjacently mounted side by side with respect to, and electrically isolated from, and forming a plane with, the anterior coil, and an ancillary coil that may be attached to, or encircle, and electrically isolated from, the anterior and posterior coils. (The term “ternary coil assembly” refers herein to a magnetic coil structure including three coils which are tightened together.) A magnetic field generating coils setup, or magnetic system, may include a number N of TCAs that may be positioned circularly. The circularly positioned TCAs, by manipulating their electrical current, may be operated to generate a magnetic field maneuvering pattern (“MMP”) such that a magnetic field, which is part or component of the MMP, may be generated in a first direction to orient a magnetic device in that direction, and a magnetic field gradient, which is another part or component of the MMP, to generate magnetic force in a second direction to apply a magnetic force in a direction different than the first direction (e.g., in the second direction). The direction of the magnetic field (the first direction) and the direction of the magnetic field gradient (e.g., the second direction) may differ, as they may be controlled independently.
Some embodiments may include optimization of an electrical power that may be provided to the N ternary coil assemblies, where the optimization process may include selecting TCAs, and/including their currents, such that the selected TCAs jointly generate the required MMP with as minimal power as possible.
Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures with the intent that these examples not be restrictive. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements shown in the figures referenced below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Also, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate like, corresponding or analogous elements. Of the accompanying figures:
The description that follows provides various details of exemplary embodiments. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the claims but instead to explain various principles of the invention and the manner of practicing it.
The magnetic field maneuvering system described herein is capable of determining the direction of the magnetic field independently of the direction of the magnetic field gradient. That is, depending on the circumstances (e.g., intended/next device's location and/orientation vis-a-vis the current device's location and/orientation), the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field gradient can differ to maximize maneuverability of the maneuvered device (e.g., in-vivo device). Separation between the two directions may be done, for example, by ‘bending’ the magnetic field, for example, by using conjugated coils that are adjacently positioned side by side on the same plane, as shown in the drawings, for example in
The direction of the magnetic field (some lines of which are shown at ‘L1’, ‘L2’, ‘L3’, and so on) at any particular spatial point within an operating region/space 106 may controllably be changed as a function of the strength and direction of electrical currents I1 and I2 (I1 and I2 are respectively shown at 116 and 118) that respectively flow through coils 112 and 114. The magnetic field gradient and the direction of the magnetic field gradient may also depend on the strength and direction of electrical currents I1 and I2. By way of example, a permanent magnet 120 is shown located at point 130, where the magnetic field (magnetic line L4) is aligned in direction 140 (coinciding with direction Z) and the magnetic field gradient is aligned in direction 150 that is perpendicular to the direction 140 of the magnetic field at that point. Permanent magnet 120 has a ‘north’ pole 122 and a ‘south’ pole 124, and the magnetic moment of permanent magnet 120 is aligned by the magnetic field at point 130 in the Z direction.
Posterior coil 114 and anterior coil 112 create magnetic field in the Z direction that has a non-zero magnetic field gradient
as illustrated by the changing density in magnetic lines L1-L5 (e.g., the gradient becomes denser in direction Y. The field gradient creates force 180 on magnet 120 in the Y direction, and this magnetic force may counteract gravity force 190. The strength and direction of electrical currents I1 and I2 in the anterior coil and posterior coil, respectively, may be manipulated, for example, such that magnet 120 may be moved upwards/vertically (e.g., in direction 150), or slantingly (at an angle) with respect to the parallel axes of anterior coil 112 and posterior coils 114 (or with respect to the Z direction).
CCA 210 and CCA 220 may structurally be parallel (e.g., planes 202 and 204 may be parallel) or at an angle with respect to each other. By saying that CCA 210 and CCA 220 are structurally parallel is meant, in some embodiments, that anterior coil 212 is parallel to anterior coil 222 and posterior coil 214 is parallel to posterior coil 224. CCA 210 and CCA 220 may structurally overlap partly or completely. For example, anterior coil 212 may completely overlap anterior coil 222 but posterior coil 214 may only partly overlap posterior coil 224, or vice versa, or both anterior coil 212 and posterior coil 214 may respectively overlap anterior coil 222 and posterior coil 224 only partly.
Anterior coils 212 and 222 and posterior coils 214 and 224 may be configured to individually generate a magnetic field in a direction aligned with the respective axis, and jointly in a direction that may be (but not necessarily) perpendicular to the anterior and posterior axes (250,260). For example, the magnetic field jointly generated by coils 212, 214, 222 and 224 may be in the Z direction or in any direction which is at an angle relative to the Z direction.
The direction of the magnetic field at a particular spatial point within an operating region/space 206 may change as a function of the strength and direction of electrical currents I1_1, I1_2, I2_1 and I2_2 that respectively flow through coils 212, 214, 222 and 224. The magnetic gradient, including its direction, may also depend on the strength and direction of these currents. By way of example, a permanent magnet 230 is shown included in an example in-vivo device 240 that is located at spatial point 208. Permanent magnet 230 may have a ‘north’ (N) pole and a ‘south’ (S) pole, with a magnetic moment, M, that is in the Z direction.
Assuming that the magnetic field generated by CCA 210 and CCA 220 in the operating region/space 206 is symmetrical, which means that the intensity of the magnetic field at the center (e.g., at point 208) is theoretically zero. This means that there is no net force (F) on magnet 230 in any direction. Therefore, magnet 230, and therefore in-vivo device 240, does not move from (it is retained to) point 208.
As explained above in connection with
The strength and direction of electrical currents I1_1, I1_2, I2_1 and I2_2 may controllably be manipulated such that magnet 230, hence in-vivo device 240, may be moved upwards/vertically (e.g., in the ‘Y’ direction), or slantingly (at an angle) with respect to axes 250 and 260 (or with respect to the Z direction). (Moving magnet 230 in the Z direction may be obtained or received by generating magnetic field gradient in the Z direction, but this may be implemented using different coils whose normal line coincides with the Z direction, as shown, for example, in
CCA 210 and CCA 220 enable to controllably generate a magnetic field maneuvering pattern (MMP) for maintaining or controlling a current location and/or orientation of magnet 230 in operating region 260, and, if required, for moving magnet 230 in any intended, desired, new or next direction and/or to any intended, desired, new or next orientation in operating region 260. A MMP may generally refer to the strengths and directions of the magnetic field and magnetic gradient at a point or region in an operating space, which is, or that coincides with the current location of the permanent magnet, or with the location of an a device (e.g., swallowable in-vivo device) containing the magnet. Changing an MMP may include or may mean, for example, changing a direction of the magnetic field or magnetic field gradient (or changing both directions) and/or changing their strength/intensity/gradient. A MMP may be controlled by controlling the intensity and direction of magnetic fields 216, 218, 226 and 228 by controlling the magnitude and direction of the respective electrical currents I1_1, I1_2, I2_1 and I2_2.
The magnetic force, F, applied to magnet 230, which depends on the spatial derivative of the magnetic field, may be set to be in a direction of, or at any angle relative to, the magnetic moment, M. Using only one pair of coils (upper coils 212 and 214, or lower coils 222 and 224) may result in a ‘basic’ (Impure′, asymmetric) type of gradient field and a ‘basic’ homogenous (symmetric) magnetic field, BO. However, using the other (opposite) pair of coils enables to cancel the symmetric part of the magnetic field, thus leaving only magnetic force F. Using a coils' system that includes opposite pairs of coils, such as coils pairs 210 and 220, can create magnetic stability (by applying multiple magnetic field gradients that are constant in the space accommodating magnet 230) while superimposing a homogenous magnetic field, BO, that is sufficiently strong to align the magnetic momentum, M, in a desired direction within the space accommodating magnet 230.
A counter ternary coils assembly similar to ternary coils assembly 300 may be positioned opposite ternary coils assembly 300 with respect to the circle formed by the TCAs, to avoid the instability problem mentioned above in connection with
Each TCA may include for example three coils: two, conjugated and adjacently positioned side by side, internal coils (one anterior coil and one posterior coil), and a third coil (an ancillary coil) that may encircle the internal coils. For example, TCA 410 may include two internal coils—anterior coil 412 and posterior coil 414—and an ancillary coil 416 that encircles them; TCA 420 may include two internal coils—anterior coil 422 and posterior coil 424—and an ancillary coil 426 that encircles them; TCA 430 may include two internal coils—anterior coil 432 and posterior coil 434—and an ancillary coil 436 that encircles them; TCA 450 may include two internal coils—anterior coil 452 and posterior coil 454—and an ancillary coil 456 that encircles them; TCA 460 may include two internal coils—anterior coil 462 and posterior coil 464—and an ancillary coil 466 that encircles them; TCA 470 may include two internal coils—anterior coil 472 and posterior coil 474—and an ancillary coil 476 that encircles them, and so on. The two internal coils and the ancillary coil of each TCA may electrically be isolated from each other.
Formed as a circle, the TCA assembly including TCA-1 through TCA-8 may function in pairs, meaning that each TCA-i may have a conjugated, oppositely positioned (on the formed circle), TCA-j (j≠i; e.g., j=i+4) with which it may jointly operate. For example, TCA-1 and TCA-5, which is opposite TCA-1 (on the formed circle) and is the conjugated TCA of TCA-1, form a first pair of TCAs; TCA-2 and the opposite TCA (TCA-6), is the conjugated TCA of TCA-2, form a second pair of TCAs; TCA-3 and opposite TCA-7 form a third pair of TCAs, and TCA-4 and opposite TCA-8 form a fourth pair of TCAs. A pair of TCAs, or a combination of pairs of TCAs, or a combination of pair(s) and single TCAs, may jointly generate a wanted MMP to maneuver a permanent magnet, for example a permanent magnet incorporated in an in-vivo device.
TCA-1 through TCA-8 may be operated in various ways (e.g., by the pairs), by individually manipulating the magnitude and direction of the electrical current flowing in each coil of each TCA, to thereby obtain or receive a MMP required to maneuver the in-vivo device to a next location and/or next orientation, or to maintain the in-vivo device's current location and/or current orientation. By way of example, all three currents of TCA-1 (an example TCA) are shown flowing in a counterclockwise (CCW), as shown by arrows 418, 419 and 417 (all three currents of TCA-5, which is TCA-1's conjugated/opposite TCA, are shown flowing in a clockwise, as shown by arrows 458, 459 and 457). Causing all three currents to flow in the same direction enables generating a strong magnetic field in a direction that may be perpendicular to the page's plane. (The magnetic fields resulting from current 418, which flows in anterior coil 412 of TCA-1, and from current 419, which flows in posterior coil 414 of TCA-1, emerge from the page, as shown by the two black dots. The magnetic fields resulting from current 458, which flows in anterior coil 452 of TCA-5, and from current 459, which flows in posterior coil 454 of TCA-5, go through the page, as shown by the two “Xs”.)
According to another example, a magnetic field of a smaller magnitude, and in an opposite direction relative to the direction of the magnetic field generated by TCA-1, may be generated by TCA-2 and its conjugated TCA (e.g., TCA-6), for example, by passing an electrical current only in the pertinent ancillary coil, and in the clockwise (CW) direction. The electrical current flowing in ancillary coil 426 is shown at 428, and the electrical current flowing in ancillary coil 466 is shown at 468. (In this example, the electrical currents flowing in anterior coil 422, posterior coil 424, anterior coil 462 and posterior coil 464, may be zero.
According to another example, a magnetic field having a maneuvering pattern similar to the magnetic field pattern shown in
TCAs 510 through 580 may functionally be divided into four pairs of conjugated TCAs, where each pair may include a first TCA and a second TCA that may be positioned opposite the first TCA. The TCAs may equidistantly be distanced from the coordinate's origin 504 and equidistantly spaced apart on circle 502, with the same angle separating any two adjacent TCAs. A pair of TCAs may individually and jointly function or operate in a similar way as TCAs 210 and 220 in
One example TCA pair (shown at 506) may include two TCAs, designated as 510 and 550, on the Y axis; two TCAs, designated as 520 and 560, in a direction 590 that may be at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the Y axis; two TCAs, designated as 530 and 570, on the X axis; and two TCAs, designated as 540 and 580, in a direction that may be at an angle of −45 degrees with respect to the X axis.
Any combination of TCAs, including any combination of current magnitudes and current directions, may be used to generate any wanted/desired MMP). As explained herein, a MMP may include a magnetic field whose direction may be in any desired direction, including only the X axis/direction, or in the Y axis/direction, or in the Z axis/direction, or in any intermediate/intervening directions (e.g., at any angle with respect to any axis). An example MMP is shown at 508. Example MMP 508 has magnetic field whose direction(s) is/are in the X-Y plane but not in the Z direction. (Other MMPs may have magnetic field in other directions, including in the Z direction, as explained herein.) MMP 508 may be generated, for example, by using only ancillary coils of TCAs 520, 540, 560 and 580. However, the same, or similar, MMP may be obtained, for example, by jointly operating only anterior coils and their respective posterior coils, or by operating all three coils—ancillary coils, anterior coils and posterior coils, as described above in connection with
The magnetic field generation schemes shown in
Example Mechanical Dimensions and Electrical Parameters of TCA Components
Example specifications of some embodiments are presented below; other specifications may be used with embodiments of the present invention.
In general, the angular spacing (a) between each two adjacent TCAs may be equal to 360/N, where N is the number of TCAs in the circular electromagnets setup. Referring to
Electromagnets setup 700 may enable controllably generating an MMP for maintaining or controlling a current location and/or an orientation of a magnet, or of an in-vivo device containing a magnet or attached to a magnet, in an operating region 706. If required, a corresponding MMP may be applied to the magnet in order to move the magnet, or the device containing or attached to the magnet, in any intended (e.g., by a user/operator, or by a system outputting a signal embodying the intention), desired, new or next direction and/or to any intended, desired, new or next orientation within operating region 706.
Magnetic maneuvering control system 805 may include a maneuvering coils system 810, which may be identical or similar to maneuvering coils system, or magnetic system, 705 of
In operation, a subject having ingested in-vivo device 860 lies on bed 850. In-vivo device 860 may wirelessly transmit image data pertaining to images acquired in the subject's GI system, and possible data of other type(s), to data recorder/receiver 870. (Recorder/receiver 870 may be incorporated into or attached to a gantry containing coils 810.) Recorder/receiver 870 may transfer image data, and possibly other types of data, to controller 840. Controller 840 may display transferred images to a display device, and use them, for example, to navigate or maneuver in-vivo device 860 in the subject's GI system.
P&O system 880 may transmit localization signals (882) in proximity to the subject's GI system, and a localization signal sensor (e.g., sensing coil(s)) residing in in-vivo device 860 may sense the localization signals and transmit raw, pre-processed or fully processed P&O data, which are related to the in-vivo device's current P&O, to data recorder 870. Data recorder 870 may transfer the P&O data pertaining to the current device's P&O to P&O system 880, and P&O system 880 may process the P&O data and transfer P&O information to controller 840.
A user (e.g., a physician) may use an input system 890 to transfer P&O data to controller 840 regarding a desired P&O or a next or intended P&O of in-vivo device 860. Controller 840 may analyze the next/intended P&O vis-a-vis the current P&O information and, based on the analysis, controller 840 may determine the magnitude and/or direction of the electrical current that should be provided to each one of coils (electromagnets) 810. Controller 840 may, then, output/transfer (832) a corresponding signal, or signals, to amplifiers 830 to accordingly adjust an electrical parameter of one or more of amplifiers 830. The adjusted electrical currents, then, may be fed or provided to coils 810 to maneuver in-vivo device 860 to the intended/new P&O. Controller 840 may monitor (834), for example it may get feedback regarding, the state of amplifiers 830, and use the feedback information, in conjunction with the P&O data/information, to control the state of amplifiers 830. Controller 840 may also control (822) power supply 820, for example, to change the electrical currents' dynamic range. That is, controller 840 may control the various electrical currents coarsely by controlling the electrical state of power supply 820, and fine-tune the electrical currents by using amplifiers 830.
Controller 840 may be configured to operate, or by operating, N ternary coil assemblies to generate a MMP at a location of in-vivo device 860 within an operating region, such that the magnetic field subject of the MMP may be in a first direction (to orient the device in that direction), and a magnetic gradient of the magnetic field may be in a second direction (to apply movement force on the device in that, second, direction). The direction of the magnetic field gradient (the second direction) may be, for example, parallel to the first direction (the direction of the magnetic field), or the second direction may be at angle alpha (a) with respect to the first direction. For example, alpha (a) (the angle between the first and second directions) may have a value within the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees (e.g., alpha may be an acute angle or an obtuse angle). The direction of the magnetic field (the first direction), or magnetic field gradient, or both, may be parallel to, or perpendicular to, or at an angle beta ((3) with respect to the normal of the plane of, or formed by, the N ternary coil assemblies.
Controller 840 may also be configured to selectively activate, for one or more ternary coil assemblies, a coil selected from the group consisting of: anterior coil, posterior coil and ancillary coil, in order to generate a wanted or required MMP. That is, not all coils (anterior, posterior and ancillary) of a TCA have to be activated/used; only one (e.g., ancillary coil) or two (anterior and posterior coils) may be activated/used. The number and circular position of TCA coils used, and the way they are used—in terms of current magnitude and direction—may depend on the required MMP. Controller 840 may also be configured to selectively activate a particular pair of ternary coil assemblies in order to generate (i) a magnetic field in a first direction, and (ii) a magnetic field gradient in a second direction similar to or different from the first direction; e.g., at angle alpha (a) with respect to the first direction. Control 840 may control the directions of the magnetic field and magnetic field gradient independently.
Controller 840 may simultaneously, or substantially at the same time, generate a homogeneous magnetic field to align or position an in-vivo device in a first direction, and a magnetic field gradient to exert/apply force to the in-vivo device in a second direction, to thereby manipulate the location and/or orientation of the in-vivo device.
Controller 840 may receive (e.g., from P&O system 880) a P&O data representative of a current P&O of in-vivo device 860, for example, in the GI system of a subject positioned in the circular N ternary coil assemblies (e.g., ternary coil assemblies setup 705), and it may obtain (892) data representative of an intended P&O of the in-vivo device in the GI system. Controller 840 may, then, generate a control signal (832) for the N ternary coil assemblies (e.g., a control signal for each assembly) based on the P&O data and the intended P&O. an example signal may include an instruction to change an electrical parameter of the amplifiers; e.g., an electrical parameter of an amplifier for each TCA. The gain of each of amplifiers 830 may be an example electrical parameter. The control signal may be signal that is provided to an input terminal of an amplifier.
Magnetic maneuvering control system 805 may also include 3×N amplifiers, as shown at 830′, for example one amplifier per one coil. For example, amplifier ‘Amplifier 1_1’ may drive Solenoid 1_1, amplifier ‘Amplifier 1_2’ may drive Solenoid 1_2, and so on. (Other amplifier configurations may be used.)
An in-vivo device (e.g., in-vivo device 860) may be maneuvered from one position to another by using more than one current solution. (′Current solution′ refers to a set of coil currents that jointly generate the MMP required to maneuver an in-vivo device to a next P&O.) It has been contemplated by the inventors that there can be more than one current solution to a particular MMP; namely, the same, or similar, MMP may be generated by using different sets of coils and coil currents. However, the overall electrical power consumed from the system's power supply (e.g., power supply 820) in order to drive the system's coils may vary between sets of coils and currents. That is, a particular set of coil currents may be more economical than other sets, which calls for optimization process with respect to which set of coil currents better suits a particular maneuvering requirement or MMP in terms of electrical power. Controller 840 may, in selecting coils and coils' currents, execute an optimization procedure/program to determine which set of coils and coil currents are optimal (in terms of power consumption) for any maneuvering requirement (e.g., for generating a MMP for maneuvering a device from one point to another in a three-dimensional operating region). Given a particular maneuvering requirement or MMP, the optimization process may include a step of calculating one or more sets of coil currents, and another step of selecting for operation/usage, or applying, the set of coil currents that results in the minimum electrical power consumption. Below are some non-limiting examples of coils and coil currents selections for generating example magnetic field maneuvering patterns according to embodiments of the invention.
Table-3 below pertains to a case where it is required to levitate an in-vivo device, for example, in the stomach while a field of view (FOV) of an imager of the in-vivo device is in the +Z direction. (The in-vivo device ‘looks’ in the positive direction of the Z axis and ‘floats’, or levitates, with respect to the Y axis, which coincides with the gravity force's direction.) While the direction of the magnetic field (at the in-vivo device), in this example, coincides with the Z direction in order to align or position the in-vivo device imager in the Z direction), the magnetic gradient is, in this example, in the Y direction to generate a force that counteracts the gravity force. The magnetic field strength is, in this example, 800 gauss/meter. Table-3 specifies the electrical current in each coil of each TCA. (Eight TCAs are assumed.)
Z1 (+Z)
Z1 (−Z)
Z2 (+Z)
Z2 (−Z)
Legend: (only representative examples are described below. The legend is applicable also to the other tables below. ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ are Cartesian axes of a gantry housing or enclosing the maneuvering coils, where ‘Z’ coincides with a normal of a plane of the maneuvering coils.)
Table-4 below shows a case where it is required to levitate an in-vivo device in the stomach while the imager's FOV is now in the +X direction. (The in-vivo device ‘looks’ in the positive direction of the X axis and ‘floats’, or levitates, with respect to the Y axis.) While the direction of the magnetic field (at the in-vivo device), in this example, coincides with the +X direction in order to align or position the in-vivo device imager in the +X direction), the magnetic gradient is, in this example, in the Y direction to generate a force that counteracts the gravity force. The magnetic field strength is, in this example, 800 gauss/meter. Table-4 specifies the electrical current in each coil of each TCA. (Eight TCAs are assumed.)
Z1 (+Z)
Z1 (−Z)
Z2 (+Z)
Z2 (−Z)
Table-5 below shows a case where it is required to levitate an in-vivo device in the stomach while the imager's FOV is in now the +Y direction. (The in-vivo device ‘looks’ in (oriented to) the positive direction of the Y axis and ‘floats’, or levitates, with respect to the Y axis.) Since in this example the in-vivo device has to float and have its FOV directed to the Y direction, both the magnetic field (at the in-vivo device) and the magnetic field gradient coincide with the +Y direction (The magnetic field aligns the in-vivo device imager in the +Y direction and the magnetic gradient generates a force counteracting the gravity force.) The magnetic field strength is, in this example, 800 gauss/meter. (Eight TCAs are assumed.)
Z1 (+Z)
Z1 (−Z)
Z2 (+Z)
Z2 (−Z)
Table-6 below refers to a case where it is required to move an in-vivo device, for example, in the small intestine, for example in the Z direction, while the imager's FOV is oriented to the same direction. Since, in this example, the in-vivo device is suspended by the small intestine, there is no need to generate a magnetic gradient in the Y direction to counter gravity force. Therefore, only force in the movement direction (in the Z direction) is required. In addition, since the in-vivo device's FOV is aligned with the movement direction, the magnetic field, which aligns the device's FOV, and the magnetic gradient that causes the force, are in the same direction (in this example in the Z direction). The magnetic field strength is 8,000 gauss/meter. Table-6 specifies the electrical current in each coil of each TCA. (Eight TCAs are assumed.)
Z1 (+Z)
Z1 (−Z)
Z2 (+Z)
Z2 (−Z)
Table-7 below shows a case where it is required to move an in-vivo device, for example, in the small intestine, for example in the Y direction, while the imager's FOV is oriented to the same direction (to the Y direction).
Since, in this example, the in-vivo device is suspended by the small intestine, there is no need to generate a force to counter gravity force. Therefore, only movement force in the movement direction (in the Y direction) is required. In addition, since the in-vivo device's FOV is to be aligned with the movement direction (Y), the magnetic field, which aligns/orients the device's FOV, and the magnetic gradient, which applies the movement force, are in the same direction (in this example in the Y direction). The magnetic field strength is, in this example, 8,000 gauss/meter. Table-7 specifies the electrical current in each coil of each TCA. (Eight TCAs are assumed.)
Z1 (+Z)
Z1 (−Z)
Z2 (+Z)
Z2 (−Z)
An in-vivo imaging device may have or include one or more imagers. By way of example, in-vivo device 906 includes one imager (e.g., imager 912) (numbers of imagers other than one or two may be used). In-vivo device 906 may also include a light/illumination source 914 for illuminating a GI section/site/organ to be imaged, a frame generator 920 for producing an image frame for each captured image, a controller 960, which may execute steps or procedure(s) executed by controller 840, a storage unit 940 for storing data, a transmitter or transceiver 950 for transmitting (942) image frames and, optionally, for receiving (948) data and/or commands from data recorder 908, and an electrical power source for powering these components and circuits. A power source powering in-vivo device 906 may include a charge storing device (e.g., one or more batteries, which may be rechargeable or not) with an electrical circuit that jointly effect transfer of electrical power from an external power source to the in-vivo device through electromagnetic induction.
In-vivo device 906 may include a location and steering unit (LSU) 907. LSU 907 may include a sensing coil assembly (SCA) 910 for sensing localization signals generated, for example, by an external localization system (not shown). SCA 910 may include k electromagnetic sensing coils for sensing, through electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic localization fields/signals, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1 (e.g., k=2 sensing coils, or k=3 sensing coils) that may be, for example, mutually perpendicular. Each electromagnetic sensing coil may be used to sense an electromagnetic field in a different direction/orientation. For example, one coil may be used to sense an electromagnetic field in the ‘X’ direction or in the Y-Z plane; another coil may be used to sense an electromagnetic field in the ‘Y’ direction or in the X-Z plane, etc. Each localization signal generated by the external localization system may induce an electromagnetic field (EMF) signal on one or more of the k electromagnetic sensing coils of SCA 910, and the current location, and optionally the current orientation, of in-vivo device 906 may be determined based on the EMF signal(s) sensed by (induced in) the sensing coils of SCA 910.
In-vivo device 906 may also include a magnetic steering unit (MSU) 911 to facilitate magnetic maneuvering of in-vivo device 206, for example through interaction with magnetic fields which may be generated by a maneuvering system identical or similar to the magnetic maneuvering system of
Data representing, or derived from, the EMF signals induced in SCA 910 may be transmitted 942, for example, to data recorder 908 by embedding the data in image frames and/or by using frames that may be dedicated to transfer of such data. Frames generator 920 may receive (916) image data that represents a captured image, and produce a corresponding image frame (or “frame” for short) that contains image data. A frame typically includes a header field that contains information and/or metadata related to the frame itself (e.g., information identifying the frame, the serial number of the frame, the frame's generation time, the bit-wise length of the frame, etc.), and a payload field. The payload field may include an uncompressed version of the image data and/or a compressed version thereof, and a decimated image. The payload may also include additional information related to or representative of, for example, values read out from SCA 910.
Controller 960 may operate, among other things, illumination/light source 914 to illuminate areas traversed by in-vivo device 906, and schedule the images capturing times accordingly. Controller 960 may use a timer to time the operation of illumination source 914 to illuminate k times per second (e.g., k=4) to enable capturing k images per second, and the operation of transceiver 950 to concurrently transmit frames at the same rate or at a different rate. Controller 960 may temporarily store captured images and related image frames in data storage unit 940. Controller 960 may also perform various calculations and store interim calculation results in data storage unit 940. Controller 960 may also use the timer to read the EMF output of SCA 910 at an allocated sensing window(s) from which the position and/or orientation of in-vivo device 906 may be calculated or deduced (e.g., by controller 960 or by an external system; e.g., data recorder 908).
Controller 960 may also use the timer to time the writing (e.g., adding, appending, or otherwise embedding) of localization data (e.g., the sensing coils readout or a manipulated version thereof) into the corresponding frame. After frames generator 920 produces a frame for a captured image and embeds localization data in the frame, controller 960 may use transceiver 950 to wirelessly transfer 942 the frame to data recorder 908. Controller 960, by executing software or instructions, may carry out steps which are performed by any one of SSP 913 and frame generator 920, and other functions in in-vivo device 906, and thus may function as these units. For example, controller 960 may thus be configured to carry out embodiments of the present invention. Each of sensing signal processor (SSP) 913 and frame generator 920, and other functions may be implemented as a dedicated hardware unit, or may be a code or instructions executed by a controller/processor, e.g., controller 960. The code/instructions may be distributed among two or more controllers/processors.
Data recorder 908 may include a receiver or transceiver 944, a frame parser 970, and a controller or processor 990 for managing them. Processor 990 may be configured to carry out all or part of some embodiments of the present invention by for example executing software or code. Data recorder 908 may include additional components (e.g., USB interface, Secure Digital (“SD”) card driver/interface, controllers, etc.), elements or units for communicating with (e.g., transferring data frames, data, etc. to) a processing and/or displaying systems that may be configured to process images originating from in-vivo imager 912, localization data, and related data.
Transceiver 944 may receive 942 a data frame corresponding to a particular captured image, and frame parser 970 may parse the data frame to extract the various data contained therein (e.g., image data, decimated image associated with the particular captured image, localization data, etc.). In some embodiments, some data frames, which are referred to herein as “localization frames”, may be dedicated to contain and transfer only or mostly localization data. Localization frames may, for example, include localization data but not image data.
User workstation 930 may include a display or be functionally connected to one or more external displays, for example to display 902. Workstation 930 may receive frames (e.g., image frames, localization frames, etc.) or images from data recorder 908 and present them in real-time, for example as live video, or produce a video stream that also contains location and orientation information that may also be displayed on, for example, display 902. Workstation 930 may include a memory (e.g., memory 904) for storing frames transferred from data recorder 908 and possibly related metadata, and a processor (e.g., processor 905) for processing the stored frames and related data. Workstation 930 may display selected images or a video clip (e.g., a moving image stream) compiled from such images, e.g., to a human operator, health care or caregiving person, physician, etc. Processor 905 may be configured to carry out all or part of embodiments of the present invention.
Data recorder 908 may send P&O information, which pertains to or is derived from a current P&O of in-vivo device 906, to a magnetic field maneuvering control system (e.g., to controller 840 of
At step 1010, a magnetic maneuvering controller (e.g., controller 840 of
At step 1030, the controller may determine a MMP) that is required to maneuver the device to the next location and/or orientation. There may be cases where a navigation/steering accuracy can be compromised. For example, when the in-vivo device is in the stomach, small deviations or inaccuracies in the location and/or orientation of the device may be acceptable or tolerated. However, when the device is in the small intestine, deviations tolerated in the stomach (for example) may not be tolerated in the small intestine. Therefore, permitted P&O tolerances/margins may be calculated, or otherwise determined, and stored (e.g., in a memory in system 805) in advance for various locations and orientations along and in the GI system. Then, the controller (e.g., controller 840) may calculate a permissible MMP range to maneuver the device to a next location and/or orientation, where the MMP range factors in the P&O accuracy permitted for that location and/or orientation. A permissible MMP range may refer to, or include, a permissible range of magnetic field strengths, a permissible range of magnetic field gradients, a permissible range of magnetic field directions, and a permissible range of magnetic field gradient directions.
At step 1040, the controller may select one or more MMPs within the permissible range of MMPs, and determine one or more potential sets of TCAs that may be suitable to generate the selected MMP(s). At step 1050, the controller may execute an optimization procedure in order to determine which set of TCAs, if used, would result in optimal power consumption.
The optimization process may be based on, or include use of, formula (1):
P=Σ
i=1
n
I
i
2
×R
i (1)
where P is the overall electrical power expected to be consumed by the TCAs selected for participating in the generation of the MMP, n is the total number of coils participating in the generation of the MMP, Ii is the electrical current flowing through coil i (where i=1, 2, . . . n), and Ri is the electrical resistance of coil i.
The set of TCAs actually used to generate the MMP may be those for which P is minimal. Nevertheless, in some cases a less optimal set of TCAs (and electrical currents set) may be selected, for example in order to obtain a smoother transition of the maneuvered device from one position/orientation to another. The selection of TCAs and their electrical currents can be optimized because, while Maxwell's equations provide for eight degrees of freedom (DOF), the number of coils of the N TCAs, which may be equal to 3×N+4, provides for more DOF. For example, if N=8 and there are four Z-coils (as exemplified above), then there would be 3×8+4=28 coils.
The magnetic field {right arrow over (B)}=[Bx By Bz]T is to be generated by the TCAs (and by the additional ‘Z’ coils) described herein, and may be a function of the position {right arrow over (P)}=[x y z]T of the in-vivo device in the gantry supporting, including or accomodating the coils, and of the current set {right arrow over (I)}=[I1 I2 . . . IN]T, where N is the number of independent (magnet) coils.
The magnetic field {right arrow over (B)} at any position {right arrow over (P)} within the operating region may be related to, or driven from, a (pseudo linear) superposition of the coils' currents:
where fn(In) is the non-linear gain function of iron core #n (if exists), and {right arrow over (1n)} is a vector of all zeros, except for In which equals 1 A.
Since the magnetic torque {right arrow over (T)} and magnetic force {right arrow over (F)} at a given position and orientation are linear functions of the magnetic field {right arrow over (B)}, they are also (pseudo) linear over {right arrow over (I)}. So, in general, a vector {right arrow over (ν)}, which consists of a combination of elements of {right arrow over (B)}, {right arrow over (F)}, {right arrow over (T)} at a certain position {right arrow over (P)} and orientation
Therefore, the problem of finding the current set {right arrow over (I)} that achieves the desired magnetic field/force/torque vector {right arrow over (ν)} may be solved by first solving the linear equation system M {right arrow over (I)}linear={right arrow over (ν)} (which is described in the next paragraph), and then calculating In=fn−1(Ilinear
M={mk,n} is a K by N matrix, where K is the length of the target vector v, and N is the number of independent coils. mk,n=νk({right arrow over (P)}, {right arrow over (R)}, {right arrow over (1)}n). Since the number of linearly independent coils is greater than the number of the linearly independent elements of {right arrow over (ν)}, this equation set is underdetermined and its solution has N−K degrees of freedom (assuming that all coils are linearly independent and all elements of {right arrow over (ν)} are linearly independent). An electrical current solution that minimizes the required power may be found in the way in the non-limiting example shown below:
{right arrow over (I)}
p
=M
T(MMT)−1{right arrow over (ν)}
NS=ker(M)
{right arrow over (x)}=−(NST·W·NS)−1NST·W·{right arrow over (Ip)}
In case the solution (resulting current) exceeds the current limit of an individual coil, or the total power exceeds the total power limit, the linear solution may be scaled down (i.e. {right arrow over (Ilinear)}=α{right arrow over (Ilinear)}, where αε(0,1)), until the current constraints and total power constraints are met, thus preserving the direction of {right arrow over (ν)} while reducing its magnitude.
Finally, the solution may be given by using the inverse gain function of the iron cores (if exist):
I
n
=f
n
−1(Ilinear
Step 1120 may be similar to step 1040 of
The coils setup (magnetic system) of
The extending portions of coil ends 1322 and 1332 magnetically compensate for, or prevent, a magnetic field distortion due to the end conditions of housing 1304 and its side walls (e.g., side wall 1302). A drawing illustrating coil end extensions more clearly is shown in
Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “inferring”, “deducing”, “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information non-transitory storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence of steps, operations or procedures. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed at the same point in time.
The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (e.g., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article, depending on the context. By way of example, depending on the context, “an element” can mean one element or more than one element. The term “including” is used herein to mean, and is used interchangeably with, the phrase “including but not limited to”. The terms “or” and “and” are used herein to mean, and are used interchangeably with, the term “and/or,” unless context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “such as” is used herein to mean, and is used interchangeably, with the phrase “such as but not limited to”.
Different embodiments are disclosed herein. Features of certain embodiments may be combined with features of other embodiments; thus certain embodiments may be combinations of features of other or multiple embodiments. Embodiments of the invention may include an article such as a computer or processor non-transitory storage medium, such as for example a memory, a disk drive, or a USB flash memory, encoding, including or storing instructions, e.g., computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a processor or controller, carry out methods disclosed herein. For example, a system may include a non-transitory storage medium such as storage unit 940 and a controller such as controller 840. Some embodiments may be provided in a computer program product that may include a non-transitory machine-readable medium, having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer, or other programmable devices, to perform methods as disclosed above. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications of the disclosed embodiments will be within the scope of the invention. Alternative embodiments may, accordingly, include more modules, fewer modules and/or functionally equivalent modules. The present disclosure is relevant to various types of in-vivo devices (e.g., in-vivo devices with one or more imagers, in-vivo devices with no imagers at all, etc.), and to various types of receivers. Hence the scope of the claims that follow is not limited by the disclosure herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IL14/50250 | 3/11/2014 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61775977 | Mar 2013 | US | |
61917770 | Dec 2013 | US |