JP2001231186A - Power transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power transmission system for operating an apparatus, e.g. a radio capsule, held in a living body for a long time. SOLUTION: The power transmission system comprises a plurality of antennas 29 for transmitting power toward a radio capsule 28 held in a living body in order to detect information thereof and transmitting it by radio to the outside of a body, an antenna array 12 for receiving a signal transmitted from the radio capsule 28, means 19 for locating the radio capsule 28 in the body from the receiving state of the receiving antenna array 12, and a circuit 33 for selecting a power transmission antenna 29 closest to a position located by the locating means 19, wherein power is transmitted to the radio capsule 28 from a power transmission antenna 29 selected by the selecting circuit 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power transmission system for transmitting power to a device placed inside a living body, for example, a radio capsule from outside the body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Radio capsules that are placed in a living body and wirelessly transmit biological information outside the body to perform long-term measurement and observation of physical quantities such as temperature and pH value in a body cavity. It has been known. However, conventional radio capsules are equipped with a sensor for detecting biological information, a small transmitter for transmitting the detected biological information, a battery, and the like. There was a limit to the amount of information that could be sent. Although it is conceivable to increase the amount of information that can be transmitted using a battery having a large electromotive force, the size of the battery causes an increase in the size of the radio capsule, and thus there is a limit in consideration of the pain given to the subject.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a power transmission system capable of operating a device in a living body, for example, a radio capsule for a long time.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is characterized by comprising power transmitting means for transmitting power from outside a living body to a device placed in a living body, and supplying power to the device by the power transmitted by the power transmitting means. Having. According to this configuration, it is possible to continuously transmit electric power from outside the body to a device placed inside the body in a non-contact manner, and it is possible to reliably operate the device inside the body.

This power transmitting system has a plurality of power transmitting antennas as the power transmitting means, a position specifying means for specifying a position in the body of the device, and the one nearest to the position specified by the position specifying means. Alternatively, it is preferable to include transmission control means for transmitting power by selecting a plurality of power transmission antennas, since power can be efficiently transmitted to internal devices. Further, in this power transmission system, the device is a device including a transmitter that transmits in-vivo information, the power transmission system,
A receiving antenna array having a plurality of receiving antennas for receiving a transmission signal of the device, the position specifying unit specifies a position where the device has transmitted a signal from a reception state of the receiving antenna array, and the light emission control unit includes: It is preferable that the one or more power transmission antennas closest to the specific position be selected to transmit power. According to this configuration, electric power can be transmitted from the position closest to the device inside the body, which is efficient.

In this power supply system, each of the receiving antennas of the receiving antenna array is provided in such a manner that a position in the body of the device can be detected. When the device is a device that is introduced into a living body and moves in the living body, it is preferable that the receiving antennas are arranged along a path along which the device travels in the body. Similarly, if the power transmitting antenna is arranged along a path in which the device travels in the body, power can be efficiently transmitted to the device by a small number of power transmitting antennas. Further, if the power transmission means is formed in a manner detachable from a living body, power can be transmitted to the device without restraining a subject who becomes a living body. Specifically, for example, an extracorporeal unit in which the receiving antenna array, the capsule position specifying means, the power transmitting means, and the transmission control means are integrally formed is formed as a vest type that can be worn by a subject. I just need. In this case, if the power transmission antenna is further provided so as to be position adjustable with respect to the extracorporeal unit, the position of the power transmission antenna can be adjusted according to the physique and the like of the subject, and power transmission to the device can be reliably performed. can do.

The power transmission system includes a sensor for detecting biological information, a transmitter for transmitting the biological information detected by the sensor, and a sensor for receiving the power transmitted by the power transmitting means and transmitting the power to the sensor and the transmitter. Power receiving means for supplying power, and can be used as a power transmitting system of a radio capsule which is introduced into a living body and moves in the living body.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The radio capsule 28 shown in FIG. 1 is introduced into the body of a subject at the time of measurement observation to detect biological information in a body cavity,
The detected biological information is wirelessly transmitted outside the body. The radio capsule 28 includes a sensor 28a for detecting biological information such as a ph value and a temperature in a body cavity, a transmitter 28b for transmitting biological information detected by the sensor 28a, and a power receiving antenna 28.
d, a transmission antenna 28e. Power (radio waves) wirelessly transmitted from outside the body is received via a power receiving antenna 28d, converted into a constant DC voltage via a power stabilizing circuit (not shown), and supplied to the sensor 28a and the transmitter 28b. . The biological information detected by the sensor 28a is transmitted from the transmitter 28b to the outside of the body via the transmission antenna 28e.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the extracorporeal unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The extracorporeal unit 10 is of a vest type worn by a subject. In front of the subject (FIG. 2A), a receiving antenna array 12 in which a plurality of receiving antennas 11 are arranged, a receiving module 13, a memory 14 detachable from the extracorporeal unit 10, and a power supply 15 are provided. The power supply 15 is a rechargeable battery that can be removed from the extracorporeal unit 10 and can be charged. The power supply 15 is connected to the receiving module 13 and supplies power thereto. The signal transmitted from the radio capsule 28 is received by the receiving antenna array 12, processed by the receiving module 13, and stored in the memory 14. In addition,
As the memory 14, a flash memory card or the like can be used. In addition, the inside of the back of the subject (Fig. 2
In (B)), one power transmission antenna 29 is provided so as to cover the entire rear central portion. With the power supply 15 attached to the extracorporeal unit 10, the power transmitting antenna 2
9 transmits a radio wave for power supply. The radio wave transmitted from the power transmitting antenna 29 enters the body from the back of the subject and is received by the power receiving antenna 28d of the radio capsule 28 placed inside the body.

FIG. 3 shows a main configuration of a filing system 22 having a monitor 25 and a recording device 26. The filing system 22 has a memory reading device 23, a personal computer 24, and a keyboard (input device) 27. The memory reading device 23 inserts the memory 14 removed from the extracorporeal unit 10 into the memory insertion port 23a to insert the memory 14 Can read the information written in the.

An outline of the measurement observation using the radio capsule 28 will be described based on the configuration of FIGS. At the time of measurement observation with the radio capsule 28, the subject swallows the radio capsule 28 in advance, introduces it into the body cavity, and wears the extracorporeal unit 10. A power supply 1
5 is mounted, radio waves are transmitted from the power transmission antenna 29 toward the body of the subject. The swallowed radio capsule 28 receives the radio wave transmitted from the power transmission antenna 29 via the power reception antenna 28d, receives power supply, detects biological information in the body cavity, and wirelessly transmits the information outside the body. The transmitted signal is the extracorporeal unit 10
Received by the receiving antenna array 12 provided above,
The received signals are all compressed and stored in the memory 14. When the measurement observation is completed, the memory 14 is removed from the extracorporeal module 10 and read by the memory reader 23. The read information signal is decompressed by the personal computer 24, displayed on the monitor 25, and recorded on the recording device 26. At this time, further information can be added or the information can be processed and recorded or displayed using the keyboard 27 connected to the personal computer 24. Also, the personal computer 24 can extract necessary information from the recorded information and use it.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the extracorporeal unit 10 in the first embodiment.
This control system has a function of transmitting electric waves from the power transmission antenna 29 to supply power to the radio capsule 28 and a function of receiving, processing, and storing a transmission signal of the radio capsule 28. Hereinafter, the control operation of the extracorporeal unit 10 during measurement observation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the power supply 15 is attached to the extracorporeal unit 10, the radio wave amplified by the power transmission amplifier 31 is transmitted to the radio capsule 28 inside the body via the power transmission antenna 29.
The transmitted radio wave is received by the power receiving antenna 28d, converted into a constant DC voltage by a power stabilizing circuit (not shown), and supplied to the sensor 28a and the transmitter 28b. Power transmission from the power transmission antenna 29 is performed by the extracorporeal unit 1.
Since the power supply 15 remains at 0, the radio capsule 28 in the body can continuously receive power supply.

The signal transmitted from the radio capsule 28 in the body is received by the receiving antenna array 12 provided in the extracorporeal unit 10 worn by the subject, and received via the receiver 16 provided in the receiving module 13. The signal is output to the demodulation circuit 17 and the position specifying means 19 in the module 13. The demodulation circuit 17 demodulates the input signal into biological information and outputs it to the information compression circuit 18 in the receiving module 13. The position specifying means 19 detects the strength of the input signal,
The memory 1 stores the position of the reception antenna 11 that has received a strong signal and the reception state of the reception antenna 11 located in the vicinity thereof.
4, the transmission position (the position of the radio capsule 28) is specified from the current reception state and the reception history up to the present, and the position information is output. This position information is sent to the microcomputer 20 in the receiving module 13, and the RTC (Real
It is sent to the information compression circuit 18 together with the time information of the (Time Clock) 21. Sent to the information compression circuit 18,
The biological information signal including the biological information, position information, and time information associated with each other is compressed and stored in the memory 14. Since all the measured and observed biological information signals are stored in the memory 14, the subject can act without inconvenience such as being fixed to the bed or being unable to leave the vicinity of the measuring device.

As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, radio waves are transmitted from the power transmitting antenna 29 provided in the
, Power can be continuously supplied to the radio capsule 28 without restraining the subject. For this reason, a situation in which the detected information cannot be transmitted from the radio capsule 28 to the outside of the body does not occur, and the measurement observation can be reliably performed. In this embodiment, since radio waves are transmitted from the entire back of the subject toward the body,
Power can be reliably supplied to the radio capsule 28 in the body. In the present embodiment, power is continuously supplied to the radio capsule 28 when the power supply 15 is attached to the extracorporeal unit 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible. is there. For example, a power switch member may be provided in the extracorporeal unit 10 and the microcomputer 20 may control the power transmission from the power transmission antenna 29 via the power transmission amplifier 31 when the power switch member is operated.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the radio capsule power supply system according to the present invention. The radio capsule power supply system according to the second embodiment is provided with one power transmission antenna, transmits radio waves from the entire back surface of the subject, and transmits the radio waves to the inside of the body. Unlike the first embodiment in which power is supplied to the radio capsule 28, a plurality of power transmission antennas are provided, and electric power is transmitted by transmitting radio waves from one or more power transmission antennas located near the radio capsule 28 in the body. It is something to do. FIG. 5 is a schematic external view of the extracorporeal unit 10 according to the second embodiment. This extracorporeal unit 10 is substantially the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but is provided with a power transmission unit composed of a plurality of power transmission antennas 29 on the inner side of the back of the subject (FIG. The difference is that an antenna array 30 is provided.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system of the extracorporeal unit 10 according to the second embodiment.
This block diagram is almost the same as the block diagram shown in FIG. 4, and blocks having the same reference numerals as the blocks in FIG. 4 have the same functions. The power transmission antenna selection circuit 33 is provided in the control system of FIG. 6. The power transmission antenna selection circuit 33 receives the position information from the microcomputer 20 and selects one of the positions closest to the radio capsule 28 in the body. Alternatively, a plurality of power transmission antennas 29 are selected, and the selected power transmission antenna 29 and the power transmission amplifier 31 are connected. Therefore, at the time of measurement and observation with the radio capsule 28, a radio wave is transmitted from the power transmission antenna 29 at a position close to the radio capsule 28 inside the body, and the radio capsule 28
Is supplied to the power supply.

As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, of the plurality of power transmitting antennas 29 provided in the extracorporeal unit 10, radio waves are transmitted from the power transmitting antenna 29 located closer to the radio capsule 28 inside the body. Since power is supplied to the radio capsule 28 inside the body, the power can be efficiently and reliably supplied to the radio capsule 28 inside the body without restraining the subject. For this reason, the power consumption of the power supply 15 of the extracorporeal unit 10 can be suppressed, and a situation in which the detected information cannot be transmitted from the radio capsule 28 to the outside of the body does not occur, so that the measurement observation can be reliably performed. .

In this embodiment, if the position of the receiving antenna array 12 with respect to the extracorporeal unit 10 can be adjusted according to the physique of the subject and the position of the target organ, the transmission signal can be received more reliably, and the signal transmission It is easy to specify the position and the accuracy is improved. In this embodiment, the power supply to the radio capsule 28 is continuously performed during the measurement observation of the radio capsule 28. However, the power supply is performed as necessary, or the power supply is intermittently performed. It may be.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the memory 14 and the power supply 15 are all provided on the vest type extracorporeal unit 10, but the receiving antenna array 12 and the power transmitting antenna 29 are provided on the vest. Provided only, the other components can be connected to the receiving antenna array 12 or the power transmitting antenna 29 by wire and carried by a subject as a portable unit such as a belt pouch type or a shoulder bag type, so that the weight of the vest is reduced, The behavior of the subject can be further facilitated.

In the above description, a power supply system for a radio capsule equipped with a sensor for measuring the pH value and temperature in a body cavity has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is effective for equipment placed in a living body. It goes without saying that a power supply system for a capsule endoscope using a radio capsule having an image sensor (imaging system) may be used. In this case, the radio capsule is provided with an illuminating means for illuminating the inside of the body cavity, so that the illuminated body part is imaged.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, electric power is supplied in a non-contact manner by transmitting radio waves from power transmission means provided outside the body in a device placed inside the body, for example, a radio capsule. Power can be continuously supplied to the other device, and the device can be operated for a long time. Further, if the power transmitting means is provided so as to be attachable to a subject as a living body, it becomes possible to transmit power without restraining the subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a radio capsule to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the extracorporeal unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a filing system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the extracorporeal unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic external view of an extracorporeal unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the extracorporeal unit in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Extracorporeal unit 11 Receiving antenna 12 Receiving antenna array 13 Receiving module 14 Memory 15 Power supply 19 Position specifying means 20 Microcomputer 22 Filing system 28 Radio capsule 28a Sensor 28b Transmitter 28d Power receiving antenna 28e Transmitting antenna 29 Power transmitting antenna array 30 Power transmitting antenna array 31 power transmission amplifier 33 power transmission antenna selection circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Nakamura 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Asahiko Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Fushimi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Taichi Nakanishi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Masaru Eguchi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Ohara 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo F-term in Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. 4C038 CC03 CC05 CC09

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A power transmission apparatus comprising: a power transmission unit that transmits power from outside a living body to a device placed in a living body, wherein the power is supplied to the device by the power transmitted by the power transmission unit. system. 2. The power transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of power transmission antennas as said power transmission means, a position specification means for specifying a position in the body of said device, and said power transmission antenna specified by said position specification means. Transmission control means for selecting one or more power transmission antennas closest to a position and transmitting power. 3. The power transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the device includes a transmitter that transmits in-vivo information, wherein the power transmission system receives a plurality of reception signals transmitted by the device. A receiving antenna array having an antenna, wherein the position specifying means specifies a position at which the device has transmitted a signal from a reception state of the receiving antenna array, A power transmission system for transmitting power by selecting a plurality of power transmission antennas. 4. The power transmission system according to claim 3, wherein each of the reception antennas of the reception antenna array is provided in such a manner that a position in the body of the device can be detected. 5. The power transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the device is a device that is introduced into a living body and moves in the living body, and the plurality of power transmission antennas are A power transmission system provided along a path along which a device travels in the body. 6. The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission unit is formed so as to be detachable from a living body. 7. The power transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the reception antenna array, the position specifying unit, the power transmission antenna, and the transmission control unit are integrally formed as an extracorporeal unit. A power transmission system in which the extracorporeal unit is detachably formed on a living body. 8. The power transmission system according to claim 7, wherein the position of the power transmission antenna is adjustable with respect to the extracorporeal unit. 9. The power transmission system according to claim 7, wherein the extracorporeal unit is formed as a vest that can be worn by a subject as a living body. 10. The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a sensor that detects biological information, and a transmitter that transmits biological information detected by the sensor. A power transmission system, comprising: a power receiving unit that receives power transmitted by the power transmitting unit and supplies power to the sensor and the transmitter, and is a radio capsule that is introduced into a living body and moves in the living body.