US20070118012A1 - Method of assembling an in-vivo imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

An in-vivo imaging device having a closed housing containing internal components including two optical heads located on rigid portions of a circuit board connected by a flexible portion. The housing consists of a connecting sleeve located between two domes. The in-vivo imaging device is assembled by positioning at least part of the circuit board inside the connecting sleeve and folding the circuit board so that the optical heads cover ends of the connecting sleeve. The domes are placed over the optical heads and joined to the connecting sleeve.

Description

PRIOR APPLICATION DATA
• The present application claims benefit from prior US Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/738,972, entitled, “IN-VIVO IMAGING DEVICE AND OPTICAL SYSTEM THEREOF”, filed on Nov. 23, 2005, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a method of assembling an in-vivo imaging device for capsule endoscopy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Such in-vivo sensing devices, may be in the form of swallowable or ingestible capsules which may move through a body lumen. The in-vivo sensing device may include, for example, an imaging system for obtaining images from inside the body lumen, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as it moves through it. The imaging system may include, for example, an illumination unit, such as a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs), or other suitable light sources, an imaging sensor and an optical system, which focuses the images onto the imaging sensor. A transmitter and antenna may be included for transmitting the images signals to an external data recorder. A power source, such as one or more batteries, may also be included for powering the various electrical and electronic components. Typically, the imaging system, transmitter, antenna, batteries and other components are assembled in the in-vivo sensing device's housing in a compact and secure manner, which takes into account the cooperation between the electrical and electronic components and the required optical properties of the in-vivo sensing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling an in-vivo imaging device comprising the steps of:
• • (i) providing two optical heads and a circuit board having two rigid portions connected by a flexible portion;
  • (ii) attaching the optical heads to the rigid portions;
  • (iii) providing a first sleeve having two opposing open ends;
  • (iv) folding the circuit board so that the optical heads are positioned over the open ends;
  • (v) placing domes over the optical heads; and
  • (vi) bringing the domes into abutment with the first sleeve so that the first sleeve and the domes form a closed housing enclosing the circuit board and the optical heads.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the comprises the further steps of:
• • (a) placing at least one battery in a second sleeve having two opposing open ends; and
  • (b) placing the second sleeve in the first sleeve.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the step of placing at least one battery in a second sleeve is performed prior to the step folding the circuit board.
• In accordance with some embodiments, at least one battery is placed in the first sleeve.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the first sleeve is placed between the two optical heads with the flexible portion passing between the two opposing open ends prior to folding the circuit board; and at least one battery is placed in the first sleeve after positioning one of the optical heads over one of the open ends.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the domes are joined to the first sleeve by a process chosen from the following group: gluing, fraction fitting, press fitting, snap fitting, laser welding, laser melting, spin welding, and ultra sonic welding.
• In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method for assembling an in-vivo imaging device comprising:
• • (i) attaching optical heads to a circuit board;
  • (ii) folding the circuit board so that the optical heads are positioned over the open ends of a connecting sleeve;
  • (iii) placing domes over the optical heads; and
  • (vi) bringing the domes into abutment with the first sleeve so that the connecting sleeve and the domes form a closed housing enclosing the circuit board and the optical heads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an in vivo imaging system and device according to some embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an in vivo imaging device according to some embodiments of the present invention in a body lumen;
• FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a longitudinal cross section of an in vivo imaging device according to some embodiments of the present invention;
• FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a top view and a bottom view, respectively. of a circuit board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5A schematically illustrates a connecting sleeve, according to some embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 5B schematically illustrates a side view, of a battery contact, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 6A is a schematic flow-chart of a method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;
• FIGS. 6B-6F schematically illustrate a method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;
• FIG. 6G is a schematic flow-chart of a method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;
• FIG. 7A is a schematic flow-chart of another method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and
• FIG. 7C schematically illustrates a perspective view of the in vivo imaging device shown inFIG. 7B in an assembled state.
• It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
• It is noted that some embodiments of the present invention may be directed to an autonomous, typically ingestible in-vivo device. Other embodiments need not be ingestible. Devices or systems according to embodiments of the present invention may be similar to embodiments described in International Application WO 01/65995 and/or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,531, each of which are assigned to the common assignee of the present invention and each of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference. Furthermore, a receiving and/or display system suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention may also be similar to embodiments described in WO 01/65995 and/or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,531. Devices and systems as described herein may have other configurations and other sets of components.
• Reference is made toFIG. 1, which shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an in-vivo imaging device40 and anexternal receiver90 and transmitter/receiver31 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the system may include adevice40 having animager36 and/or36′ (such as for example a CMOS, a CCD, etc.), an optical system which may includelens holder32 and/or32′, lenses and other optical elements andillumination sources34 such as one or more LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), and/or OLEDs (Organic LED) or other suitable illumination sources. According to one embodiment the imager, optical system and light source are positioned behind aviewing window30.Viewing window30 may be a transparent elongated dome. The device may include a power source such as silver oxide batteries, lithium batteries, other suitable electrochemical cells having a high energy density, or the like. Other power sources may be used. For example, instead of internal power source or in addition to it, an external power source may be used to transmit power todevice40. In some embodiments, an additional sensor may be included in the device, for example, pH, temperature, pressure or other physiological parameter sensors. Other components or sensors may also be included. A processor may be included in the device which may be for example capable of processing signals that are received bydevice40 into for example command or control signals that may control, activate, deactivate or otherwise alter an operative state of components that may be included indevice40. Thetransceiver31 may be a transmitter or a receiver or both that may be capable of receiving wireless signals and transmitting wireless signals; in some embodiments only transmission (for example, transmission of image data fromimagers36 and/or36′) may occur.Transceiver31 may also have other functions. In some embodiments,transceiver31 and the processor may be or may be included in a single integrated circuit.Device40 may include antenna that may be operably attached totransceiver31. In some embodiments, the antenna may be used for, or in the performance of, both the receipt and transmission of wireless signals bytransceiver31. In other embodiments there may be more than one antenna. In some embodiments,device40 may transmit but not receive signals. An additional sensor or other components need not necessarily be included.
• According to one embodiment of the present invention,device40 may include two optical units. Each optical unit may include, for example, the transparentelongated dome30 behind which are situatedillumination sources34,lens holders32,32′ andimager36,36′. According to some embodiments of the present invention,device40 is capable of simultaneously obtaining images of the body lumen, for example, the GI tract, from two ends of the device. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention,device40 may be a cylindrical capsule having a front end and a rear end, which is capable of passing the entire GI tract. The front and rear ends may define a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal axis of thedevice40. Thelens holders32,32′ andimagers36,36′ may be located along the longitudinal axis. Theimagers36,36′ may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The system in a cylindrical capsule can image the GI tract in the front and in the rear of the capsule. The images may be transmitted simultaneously or serially and may be displayed separately or as a single combined image.
• When used herein, terms like top, bottom, front, rear, over, above, etc., are considered relative terms descriptive of, for example, when theimaging device40 is in a specific orientation relative to the viewer or the relative position of components of the device.
• According to some embodiments of the present invention, thedevice40 may include one or more light blockers such aslight blockers33 and33′ which may include a suitable structure to reduce backscatter. In some embodiments, the light blocker may be formed and/or shaped such that it blocks stray light from reaching and/or flooding the imagers, such asimager36 andimager36′.
• According to some embodiments the optical system in thedevice40 may enable a wide field ofview37.
• External todevice40 may be thereceiver90 and possibly a transmitter.Receiver90 and a possible transmitter (typically including or associated with an antenna or antenna array) may be housed or included in the same housing or unit, or may be housed in one or more separate units. For example, a transmitter and receiver may be housed in a portable unit that may be carried or worn by a patient and/or may be integrated into a transceiver.
• Receiver90 may be connected to and/or in electrical communication with aprocessor92 which may process, for example, data signals such as, for example, sensory or image data signals that are received fromdevice40 and/or control data received fromdevice40. In some embodiments,receiver90 may be operably connected to a monitor/display93 and/or astorage system91 that may display and/or store the image or other sensory data collected and transmitted bydevice40.Processor92 may analyze data received byreceiver90 and may be in communication withstorage system91, transferring image data (which may be stored and transferred as for example frame data) or other data to and fromstorage system91.Processor92 may also provide the analyzed data to display93 where a user may view the images.Display93 may present or display the data such as, for example, image frame data or video data of, for example, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or other body lumen. In one embodiment,processor92 may be configured for real time processing and/or for post processing to be performed. Other monitoring and receiving systems may be used.
• A transmitter may typically be connected to and/or in electrical communication withprocessor92.Processor92 may function, at least partially as a controller and/or include, for example, a controller to process, for example, control commands todevice40 via the transmitter. In other embodiments of the present invention, signals other than control commands may be processed byprocessor92 with, for example, the controller and transmitted via the transmitter. In yet other embodiments, the controller and processor may be separate units that may be in electrical communication with each other. In some embodiments of the present invention, control commands generated, for example, by the controller may be based on data received by thereceiver90 and processed byprocessor92. In other embodiments, control commands generated, by the controller may be based on, user input data, for example, a patient or external operator may for example, initiate the transmission of a wireless signal and/or command from, for example, the transmitter totransceiver31. In yet other embodiments, control commands may be based on both user input data and data receiver and/or processed byprocessor92.
• In some embodiments,transceiver31 may be a half duplex transceiver where thetransceiver31 alternates from transmitting to receiving, e.g. via time division multiple access (TDMA). Typically, the transmission rate to theexternal receiver90 may be significantly higher than the transmission rate from external transmitter to thetransceiver31. For example,device40 may transmit, e.g. image frame data toexternal receiver90 at a rate of 1-10 Mbits/s, e.g. 2.7 Mbits/s, while the external transmitter may transmit control commands to thetransceiver31 that may be at rate of 10-30 Kbits/sec.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of in-vivo imaging device40 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention,device40 may be partially or entirely transparent. For example,device40 may include areas, such as a front and rear transparentoptical domes230 and230′, which may allow components insidedevice40 to have an un-obstructed field-of-view of the environment external todevice40. Other shaped transparent areas may be used. The front and rear transparentoptical domes230 and230′ may define a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal axis of thedevice40.
• According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of thetransparent domes230 and230′ may, respectively, includeviewing windows240 and240′. According to some embodiments of the present invention theviewing windows240 and240′ may for example be transparent to the light emitted byillumination sources234 that is reflected back off of, for example, an endo-luminal wall todevice40. According to some embodiments of the present invention, thetransparent domes230 and230′ may be configured such that an appropriate field of view and/or field of illumination of the body lumen walls may be achieved with a reduced risk of stray light or backscatter fromillumination sources234 ontoimagers236 and236′. Theimagers236,236′ may be located along the longitudinal axis and may be perpendicular thereto. According to some embodiments of the present invention the twoviewing windows240 and240′ may be configured such that a field ofview241 in the range of between 80-150 degrees is enabled; other suitable fields of view may be used. According to one embodiment of the present invention the effective focal distance (also referred to as the effective focal length), of thedevice40 may typically be between 0 to 40 mm; however, other suitable distances may be used.
• In one embodiment, asdevice40 traversesbody lumen270,device40 may capture images substantially simultaneously of one or more areas ofbody lumen270, such aslocations271 and273. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention illumination sources234 may illuminatelocations271 and273 ofbody lumen270. The light fromilluminated locations271 and273 may be reflected, focused and/or transferred using the optical system which may includelens holders232 and232′, and received byimagers236 and236′, which may thereby capture an image oflocations271 and273. Thelens holders232,232′ may be located along the longitudinal axis.
• Reference is made toFIG. 3, which shows a schematic representation of a longitudinal cross-section of adevice300 according to embodiments of the present invention. Thedevice300 may include twooptical domes302 and302′. According to one embodiment of the present invention eachoptical dome302 and302′ may be an integral part of two elongated ends of a capsule, such as a transparentfront end304 and a transparentrear end304′. According to one embodiment of the present invention the front andrear ends304 and304′ may be attached to a connecting sleeve, for example anopaque sleeve305 having two opposing open ends. According to some embodiments of the present invention behind the transparent ends304 and304′ may be, respectively, situated forexample illumination sources342,lens holder344 and344′,imagers319 and319′ a transmitter/receiver such as anASIC320 and aswitch321 such as a MEMS switch or a reed switch RI-80 SMD. Thelens holders344,344′ contain various optical components (not shown), such as optical lenses, for focusing light on theimagers319,319′. Eachlens holder344,344′ along with its associated optical components is referred to herein as an optical head. Thedevice300 may further include one ormore power sources345, such as E370 or E399 or GP370 batteries, which may provide power to the entirety of electrical elements of the device, and anantenna317 for transmitting and/or receiving, for example, image signals from theimagers342 and342′. According to some embodiments of the present invention,device300 is capable of simultaneously obtaining images of the body lumen, for example, the GI tract, from two ends of the device. For example, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention device300 may be a floatable capsule having a front end and a rear end, which is capable of passing the entire GI tract.
• According to one embodiment of the present invention thedevice300 may include two battery contacts, such asbattery contact330 which may be located at the sides of thebatteries345, andbattery contact340 which may be located beneath thebatteries345.
• According to one embodiment of the present invention, the various components of thedevice300 may be disposed on acircuit board350 including rigid and flexible portions; preferably the components are arranged in a stacked vertical fashion. For example,rigid portion351 of thecircuit board350 may hold animager319, an antenna342 alens holder344 and alight blocker333, whilerigid portion361 may hold alens holder344′, animager319′ and alight blocker333′. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the other side of therigid portion351 may include, for example, a transmitter/receiver320 and aswitch321, while the other side ofrigid portion361 may hold abattery contact340 for battery or power source(s)345. According to one embodiment of the present invention,rigid portions351 and361 of thecircuit board320 may include, for example, an illumination source, such as one ormore LEDs342 or other illumination sources. According to some embodiments of the present invention, each rigid portion of the circuit board may be connected to another rigid portion of the circuit board by aflexible connector portion322 of thecircuit board350. According to one embodiment of the present invention, each rigid portion of the circuit board may include two rigid sections; sandwiched between the rigid sections is a flexible connector portion of the circuit board for connecting the rigid boards. In alternate embodiments, other arrangements of components may be placed on a circuit board having rigid portions connected by flexible portions.
• Arrangements of components as described above may be included in other capsule shaped devices., for example, a device having only one transparent dome and one imager for imaging from only one end of the device.
• According to one embodiment components may be arranged in an in vivo autonomous imaging device on an array of chips using flip chip bonding.
• In alternate embodiments, a circuit board having rigid portions and flexible portions may be used to arrange and hold components in other in vivo sensing devices, such as a swallowable capsule measuring pH, temperature or pressure, or in a swallowable imaging capsule having components other than those described above. Such circuit boards may be similar to embodiments described in U.S. application No. 10/879,054 entitled IN VIVO DEVICE WITH FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT BOARD AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY THEREOF, and U.S. application No. 60/298,387 entitled IN VIVO SENSING DEVICE WITH A CIRCUIT BOARD HAVING RIGID SECTIONS AND FLEXIBLE SECTIONS, each incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
• According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or more components ofdevice300, for example thelens holders344 and344′, theimagers319 and319′, thetransmitter320 and theswitch321 may be packaged and may be further attached and/or interconnected for example, to thecircuit board350 using three dimensions (3D) chip scale packaging techniques. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the lens bolder344, theimager319, thetransmitter320 and thecircuit board320 may be interconnected to one another by using, for example a bonding layer such as a Solder Bumps layer.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of acircuit board400 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments,circuit board400 may be an example ofcircuit board350 ofFIG. 3. In some embodiments,circuit board400 may be used in conjunction withdevice40 ofFIG. 1, or with other suitable devices and systems for in vivo sensing or in vivo imaging, for example, in a capsule having only one transparent dome and one imager for imaging from only one end of the capsule.
• According to some embodiments of the present invention,circuit board400 may include, for example, one or more rigid portions and one or more flexible portions. For example,circuit board400 may includerigid portions451 and461, which may be interconnected usingflexible portion422. Although two rigid portions and one flexible portion are shown, embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this regard, and may include other numbers, orders or combinations of rigid portions and/or flexible portions.
• In some embodiments,rigid portion451 and/orrigid portion461 may include, for example, one ormore illumination sources442 such as LEDs and/or OLEDs, and optionally one ormore resistors431 andcapacitors432 to regulate or control the power provided toillumination sources442. Although tworigid portions451 and461 havingillumination sources442 are shown, embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard; for example, in one embodiment,circuit board400 may includerigid portion451 and may not includerigid portion561.
• In some embodiments,rigid portion451 may include afirst imager419 an antenna417 a transmitter/receiver such as anASIC420, aswitch421 and one or morebattery contact pads443 for connecting the electrical components of the in-vivo device300 to thebattery345.
• In some embodiments,rigid portion461 may include abattery holder440, e.g., a spring able to hold a battery, such asbattery345, or other power source in place.
• According to some embodiments the present invention,rigid portion461 may optionally include asecond imager419′. Although twoimagers419 and419′ are shown, embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard; for example, in one embodiment,circuit board400 may include one imager, or another suitable number of imagers.
• According to some embodiments of the present invention, the one or more flexible portions ofcircuit board400 may allow bending, folding, twisting or positioning ofcircuit board400 into certain shapes. For example,circuit board400 may have a “C” shape as shown inFIG. 3 or other suitable shapes.
• Reference is now made toFIG. 5A which schematically illustrates a connectingsleeve500 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, connectingsleeve500 may be used in conjunction withdevice40 ofFIG. 1, or with other suitable devices and systems for in vivo sensing or in vivo imaging.
• According to one embodiment of the present invention the connectingsleeve500 may include for example threebattery contacts551. According to one embodiment of the present invention the battery connects551 may be placed, for example in the inside section of the connectingsleeve500. Thebattery contacts551 may be reed shaped and may be inserted, for example on threeprotrusions552 from the sleeve inner wall. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the threeprotrusions552 may be integral to the connectingsleeve500 inner wall.
• FIG. 5B schematically illustrates a side view, of a battery contact, for example thebattery contact551, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention one edge of thebattery contact551, forexample edge560, may have a shape of, for example, a plate, and may include aconnection point561 which may be used as a connection point between thebattery250 and thebattery contact551. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the other edge of the battery contact, forexample edge570 may be shaped for example as a boomerang, and may include a connection point (e.g.571) between thebattery contact551 and the battery contact pads443 (shown inFIG. 4B).
• A battery contact such as described above may be used in other in vivo imaging device, such as in a capsule having only one transparent dome and one imager for imaging from only one end of the capsule. Thebattery contact551 is only one illustrative example of a battery contact that may be used with the present invention. Other types of battery contacts may also be used with the present invention.
• FIG. 6A is a schematic flow-chart of a method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, such asdevice300 ofFIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. As indicated atbox600, the method may optionally include folding an electric circuit board, such as a rigid-flex circuit board602, and attaching or connecting theelectric circuit board602 to an optical unit, for example a front elongated transparentoptical unit604, as shown inFIG. 6B.
• As indicated atbox610, the method may optionally include attaching or connecting a connecting sleeve, such as, according to one embodiment, a nontransparent connectingsleeve606 to the front elongated transparentoptical unit604 as shown inFIG. 6C.
• As indicated atbox620, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may optionally include attaching or connecting the electric circuit board to thesleeve606 as shown inFIG. 6D. For example, aflexible portion612 of theelectric circuit board602 may be located in a groove (not seen) of the connectingsleeve606.
• As indicated atbox630, the method may optionally include inserting one or more batteries, such asbatteries642 into the connectingsleeve606, as shown inFIG. 6E.
• As indicated atbox640, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may optionally include, folding thecircuit board602 and attaching a rear optical unit to the connectingsleeve606. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, as shownFIG. 6F, a transparent opticalrear unit605 may be attached or connected to the connectingsleeve606.
• The method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, such asdevice300 ofFIG. 3, as described above with respect toFIG. 6A, may be carried out in any desired order and is not restricted to the order of the steps as shown inFIG. 6A.
• FIG. 6G is a schematic flow-chart of another method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, such asdevice300 ofFIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. As indicated inbox650, the method may optionally include the step of providing two optical heads (as mentioned above, an optical head is referred to herein aslens holder344,344′ along with its associated optical components). As indicated inbox652, the method may optionally include the step of attaching the optical heads to the circuit boardrigid portions602. As indicated inbox654, the method may optionally include the step of providing the connectingsleeve606. The connectingsleeve606 is generally cylindrical in form, having two opposing open ends. As indicated inbox656, the method may optionally include the step of folding the circuit board so that the optical heads are positioned over the open ends. As indicated inbox658, the method may optionally include the step of placingdomes302,302′ (or, equivalently, elongated ends304,304′ of the device300) over the optical heads. As indicated inbox660, the method may optionally include the step of bringing thedomes302,302′ (or, equivalently, elongated ends304,304′ of the device300) into abutment with the connectingsleeve606 so that the connectingsleeve606 and thedomes302,302′ form a closed housing. The closed housing defines the boundary surface of the in-vivo device300.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the method may comprise the optional step of placing at least onebattery345 in a holding sleeve (not shown) prior to being placed in the connectingsleeve606. The holding sleeve may aid in holding a number of batteries together as a single battery pack. The holding sleeve may have two opposing open ends. In accordance with some embodiments step of placing at least onebattery345 in the holding sleeve is performed prior to the step of folding the circuit board so that the optical heads are positioned over the open ends.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the method may comprise the optional step of placing the at least onebattery345 in placing at least one battery in the connectingsleeve606.
• In accordance with some embodiments, the method may comprise placing the connectingsleeve606 between the two optical heads with theflexible portion612 passing between the two opposing open ends prior to the step of folding the circuit board; and the at least one battery is placed in the connectingsleeve606 after positioning one of the optical heads over one of the open ends of the connectingsleeve606.
• FIG. 7A is a schematic flow-chart of another method of assembling an in vivo imaging device, such asdevice300 ofFIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. As indicated atbox700, the method may optionally include folding an electric circuit board. For example folding a rigid-flex circuit board around a battery.
• As indicated atbox710, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may optionally include inserting the rigid-flex circuit board and the battery to a connecting sleeve for example to a nontransparent connecting sleeve.
• As indicated atbox720, the method may optionally include connecting two optical units to the connectingsleeve606, for example connecting two transparent elongated front and rearoptical units604 and605, to the nontransparent connectingsleeve606 as shown inFIGS. 7B and 7C.
• According to some embodiment of the present invention, the in vivo imaging device components, such as the front and rear transparentoptical units604 and605 and the connectingsleeve606 may be joined together by using one or more of the following methods: fraction fitting, press fitting, snap fitting, laser welding, laser melting, spin welding, and ultra sonic welding.
• While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A method for assembling an in-vivo imaging device comprising the steps of:

(i) providing two optical heads and a circuit board having two rigid portions connected by a flexible portion;

(ii) attaching the optical heads to the rigid portions;

(iii) providing a first sleeve having two opposing open ends;

(iv) folding the circuit board so that the optical heads are positioned over the open ends;

(v) placing domes over the optical heads; and

(vi) bringing the domes into abutment with the first sleeve so that the first sleeve and the domes form a closed housing enclosing the circuit board and the optical heads.

2. The method according toclaim 1, comprising the further steps of:

(a) placing at least one battery in a second sleeve having two opposing open ends; and

(b) placing the second sleeve in the first sleeve.

3. The method according toclaim 2, wherein step (a) is performed prior to step (iv).

4. The method according toclaim 1, comprising the further step of placing at least one battery in the first sleeve.

5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the first sleeve is placed between the two optical heads with the flexible portion passing between the two opposing open ends prior to step (iv); and at least one battery is placed in the first sleeve after positioning one of the optical heads over one of the open ends.

6. The method according toclaim 1, comprising the further step of joining the domes to the first sleeve.

7. The method according toclaim 6, wherein the domes are joined to the first sleeve by a process chosen from the following group: gluing, fraction fitting, press fitting, snap fitting, laser welding, laser melting, spin welding, and ultra sonic welding.

8. A method for assembling an in-vivo imaging device comprising:

(i) attaching optical heads to a circuit board;

(ii) folding the circuit board so that the optical heads are positioned over the open ends of a connecting sleeve;

(iii) placing domes over the optical heads; and

(vi) bringing the domes into abutment with the first sleeve so that the connecting sleeve and the domes form a closed housing enclosing the circuit board and the optical heads.

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