Method and Apparatus for Detecting Information about the Three-Dimensional Structure of the Inner Surface of a Body Cavity

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This patent describes a method and device for capturing three-dimensional structural information of the inner surface of a body cavity (such as the gastrointestinal tract) using an endoscope capsule. The invention utilizes controlled lighting and strategic camera placement within the capsule to illuminate one part of the internal surface and record images of another, indirectly lit area. From the intensity and other parameters in these images, the system calculates detailed 3D structural data about the illuminated surface, enhancing diagnostics and navigation of the capsule, especially in tight anatomical spaces.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Non-invasive endoscopic examination of gastrointestinal tract (e.g., colon, stomach).
• Navigation and positioning of capsule endoscopes for targeted diagnostic procedures.
• 3D mapping of internal organ cavities for early disease detection (e.g., tumors, lesions).
• Assisting robotic or magnetically controlled capsule movement within the body.
• Evaluation and monitoring of changes in tissue over time via 3D surface analysis.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables 3D imaging in small body cavities where traditional stereoscopic cameras cannot be used due to space constraints.
• Improves diagnostic accuracy by providing more comprehensive surface information than standard 2D capsule endoscopy.
• Supports automation and improved navigation of untethered, freely moving endoscopic capsules.
• Reduces the need for invasive procedures, improving patient comfort and safety.
• Allows for enhanced visualization and detection of abnormalities that may be missed in conventional imaging.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for detecting information about the three-dimensional structure of the inner surface of a body cavity (2) of a patient, having an endoscope capsule (4) inserted in the body cavity (2), wherein a first partial region (30) of the inner surface of the body cavity (2) is illuminated by means of at least one light source (16) disposed in the endoscope capsule, and an image of a second partial region (36) illuminated by the first partial region (30) and different therefrom is recorded by means of at least one camera (18) disposed in the endoscope capsule (4), the three-dimensional structure thereof being known. Using the intensity values present in said image, information about the three-dimensional structure of the first partial region (30) is derived.