JP2004065971A - Guidance sytem for capsule endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a guidance system for placing a capsule endoscope in a first application site that a user desires in a condition desired by the user. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic endoscope is provided with a flexible scope 101 having a front end part that can be operated and guided into a desired site within the body cavity. Forceps 121 of capusule endscope holding forceps 120 are projected from the front end of a body inserting part of the scope 101, and the capsule endscope 10 is held by the forceps 121 attachably and detachably. The capsule endscope 10 thus held is then transferred to a desired site and can be left on the site. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a guidance system for guiding a capsule endoscope to a desired position.

い わ ゆ る The so-called capsule endoscope developed in recent years captures an image with an image sensor such as a built-in CMOS image sensor while illuminating the lumen with a light source built in the capsule, and wirelessly transmits the captured image signal. The transmitted image signal is received by a capsule observation processor installed outside the body, and is displayed on a monitor television or the like (Patent Document 1). The user observes and examines the condition in the body cavity of the patient by watching the monitor television. Electronic components such as a light source and an imaging device in the capsule endoscope operate using a battery built in the capsule as a power source.

カ プ セ ル Such a capsule endoscope is orally inserted by the swallowing action of the patient himself, and moves from the esophagus to the stomach, duodenum and small intestine. In the body cavity, it moves by peristaltic motion of the small intestine and the like, and in the process of moving, an image is taken by the image sensor under illumination by the light source, and the image signal thus taken is wirelessly transmitted.

However, with a capsule endoscope without a self-propelling function and a posture control function, after entering a patient's body cavity, the user cannot control which direction and how to proceed. For example, as shown in the human body diagram in FIG. 7, when the first application site to be imaged, observed, examined, and the like by the capsule endoscope is away from the mouth, in what direction and state does the application site reach the application site? It was unknown and could not be reliably reached in the state desired by the user. In addition, when the first application site is far from the mouth, the built-in battery is wasted by useless imaging and transmission before reaching the application site, so the capacity of the internal battery must be increased as much as possible.
JP 2001-245844 A

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional capsule endoscope, and provides a capsule endoscope guidance system that can arrange the capsule endoscope in a state desired by the user at an initial application site desired by the user. The purpose is to do.

The present invention that achieves this object is an endoscope provided with a flexible tube that can guide and operate a distal end portion to a desired position in a body cavity. The present invention is characterized in that a capsule endoscope holding means for detachably holding the capsule endoscope is provided.
According to this configuration, the capsule endoscope can be guided to a desired application site by the endoscope, so that the user can quickly reach the site where the capsule endoscope is to be applied or to the vicinity thereof, and furthermore, the user desires. Can be guided in a state.

The capsule endoscope holding means is preferably a forceps that is inserted from outside the body of the flexible tube and protrudes from the distal end of the body insertion portion to hold the capsule endoscope. The member having an elongated flexible portion which can be guided to a desired position in the body cavity by bending the distal end from the other end can be constituted by an endoscope such as an electronic endoscope.
The capsule endoscope includes an imaging unit, a driving signal output unit that outputs a driving signal for driving the imaging unit, an illumination unit that illuminates an imaging target of the imaging unit, and an imaging unit that captures an image in the sealed capsule. Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a video signal to be output to the outside of the capsule, and a power supply for supplying driving power to these means.
Capsule endoscope holding means, when holding the capsule endoscope, a power supply means for supplying power to the capsule endoscope, an image sensor drive signal output means for supplying an image sensor drive signal, It is preferable to include any or all of the video signal transmitting means for receiving the video signal output from the capsule endoscope.
If the capsule endoscope holding means is provided with a power supply means and an image pickup device drive signal output means, it is not necessary to use a power supply built in the capsule endoscope while the capsule endoscope holding means holds the power. If such a video signal transmitting means is provided, the video signal picked up by the image capturing means incorporated in the capsule endoscope can be output to, for example, an external monitor television by this video signal transmitting means and can be visualized on the monitor television. Therefore, the capsule endoscope can be more accurately guided to a target site.

According to the present invention, it is possible to guide the capsule endoscope to a desired application site by the endoscope, so that the user wants the user to reach a site where the capsule endoscope is to be applied or to the vicinity thereof. Can be quickly guided in the state.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows a basic system configuration of a capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied. The capsule endoscope guidance system includes a capsule endoscope 10, a capsule observation processor 50 installed outside the patient, and a monitor TV TV1 for observation.

In the capsule endoscope 10, a CMOS image sensor 13 as an image pickup means, an image pickup device drive circuit 15 for driving the CMOS image sensor 13 to perform an image pickup operation, and a CMOS image sensor 13 take an image in an oval hermetic capsule container 11. A signal transmission unit 17 for wirelessly transmitting an image signal, a light source (illumination unit) 19 such as an LED for illuminating an imaging target, and a built-in power supply 21 for supplying power to these electronic members are provided. The CMOS image sensor 13 and the light source 19 are arranged on the short side of the sealed capsule container 11, and two or three or more light sources 19 are provided around the CMOS image sensor 13. As the light source 19, a light emitting diode (LED) is usually used, and as the built-in power supply 21, a primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or the like is used.
The capsule endoscope 10 is inserted into the body cavity with the end provided with the CMOS image sensor 13 and the light source 19 facing forward.

On the other hand, the capsule observation processor 50 includes a signal receiving unit 53 for receiving an image signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 17 and a capsule observation image processing circuit 55 in the processor cabinet 51. The visualized video signal is visualized on the monitor TV TV1.

The above is the configuration of the basic capsule endoscope and the capsule observation processor of the capsule endoscope guidance system. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the capsule endoscope guiding system shown in FIG. The embodiment of the present invention uses an electronic endoscope as a member having an elongated flexible portion that can guide and operate the capsule endoscope 10 to a desired position in a body cavity by bending the distal end from the other end. The user grasps the tip of the insertion portion of the body of the electronic endoscope with the forceps and operates the electronic endoscope while observing the image captured by the capsule endoscope or the electronic endoscope on the monitor while holding the forceps. It is characterized in that the configuration is such that it can be guided to the application section. Note that members having the same functions as those of the capsule endoscope and the capsule observation processor shown in FIG.

This capsule endoscope guidance system includes a scope unit 100 and an endoscope processor unit 200, in addition to the capsule endoscope 10 and the capsule observation processor 50. The scope section 100 includes a flexible scope 101, an operation section 103, and a connection cable section 105 connected to the endoscope processor section 200. An electronic camera 107 as an imaging unit, an end face of a light guide 109 for illumination, and a forceps port 111a are provided at a distal end of the insertion portion of the body of the scope 101.

The electronic camera 107 includes a photographic lens as an imaging optical system and a CCD image sensor as an image sensor, as is well known, though not shown in detail. The electronic camera 107 operates by a drive signal transmitted from the endoscope processor unit 200 via the image sensor drive signal line 113, and the captured video signal is transmitted to the endoscope processor unit via the video signal line 115. Output to 200. In addition, the light guide 109 guides the illumination light emitted from the light source 209 incorporated in the endoscope processor unit 200 to the body insertion portion, and emits the illumination light from the body insertion portion side distal end surface.

The forceps port 111a communicates with a forceps insertion port 111b provided outside the body of the scope 101. The capsule endoscope 10 is grasped by the forceps 121 of the capsule grasping forceps 120 which is inserted from the forceps insertion opening 111b and whose tip projects from the forceps opening 111a.
The gripping structure between the forceps 121 and the capsule endoscope 10 is, for example, a mechanical engagement structure in which a claw is provided on the forceps 121 and the claw is engaged with the closed capsule container 11, or a distal end portion of the forceps 121. A structure such as a magnetic attraction structure in which an electromagnet is provided on the rear end surface of the sealed capsule container 11 and a magnetic material that is adsorbed by the electromagnet is provided on the rear end face of the sealed capsule container 11 to attract by a magnetic force can be applied.
The operation of grasping and releasing the capsule endoscope 10 by the forceps 121 is performed by operating the handle 123 outside the body.

The scope unit 100 is connected to the endoscope processor unit 200 via the connection cable unit 105. An endoscope processor unit 200 is input into a processor cabinet 201 via a system controller 203 that controls the entire endoscope system, a timing controller 205 that generates a timing signal, and a video signal line 115. A video signal processing circuit 207 that performs color adjustment and contour emphasis processing on the obtained video signal, and converts the video signal into a video signal that can be visualized by the monitor TV TV2 and a video signal that can be processed by a data system, etc .; a light source 209; A power supply unit 211 that supplies power to members and electronic components of the entire system is provided.

The system controller 203 controls the operations of the electronic camera 107, the video signal processing circuit 207, and the like based on the timing signals (clock, pulse) generated by the timing controller 205. For example, an image pickup device drive signal is generated based on a timing signal, and the image pickup operation of the electronic camera 107 is controlled by the image pickup device drive signal.

The light generated by the light source 209 is incident on the end face of the light guide 109, exits from the end face of the light guide 109 located at the end of the scope 101, and illuminates the body cavity. The electronic camera 107 is driven under this illumination, and a video signal captured by the electronic camera 107 is input to the endoscope processor unit 200 via the video signal line 115. The light source 209 of the endoscope processor unit 200 includes a shutter 209S for turning on / off the illumination without turning on / off the light source.

映像 The video signal output from the video signal processing circuit 207 is input to the video input terminal of the monitor television TV2, and is visualized by the monitor television TV2.

カ プ セ ル The capsule endoscope guiding system according to the first embodiment is used as follows. The scope unit 100 is connected to the endoscope processor unit 200, and the forceps 121 are inserted from the forceps insertion port 111b and protruded from the forceps port 111a, and the forceps 121 are gripped. In this gripping state, the capsule observation processor 50 and the monitor television TV 1 are turned on, the CMOS image sensor 13 captures an image, and the capsule observation processor 50 receives a video signal wirelessly transmitted from the signal transmission unit 17. Display on the monitor TV TV1.

The user operates the scope unit 100 to insert the capsule endoscope 10 from the subject's mouth, and operates the scope unit 100 while observing the image projected on the monitor television TV 1 to operate the capsule endoscope 10. Guide to the target application site.
When it is confirmed that the capsule endoscope 10 has reached the application site, the handle 123 is operated to release the capsule endoscope 10 from the forceps 121, and the capsule endoscope 10 is left at the application site. After that, the operator can view the inside of the body cavity captured by the electronic camera 107 and projected on the screen of the monitor TV TV2. Therefore, the operator operates the operation unit 103 while watching the monitor TV TV2 to move the scope 101 from the subject's body. It can be safely extracted.
Thereafter, the capsule endoscope 10 continues to transmit the image of the inner surface of the lumen captured by the CMOS image sensor 13 to the capsule observation processor 50 via the signal transmission unit 17 while moving by the peristaltic motion of the small intestine and the like.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by utilizing the existing scope unit 100, the endoscope processor unit 200, and the capsule grasping forceps 120, the capsule endoscope 10 is securely moved to the target application site. Therefore, the state of the application site can be reliably observed.

Note that, in the first embodiment, the capsule endoscope 10 is not observed by the monitor television TV2 while observing the image captured by the electronic camera 107 of the scope unit 100 instead of the image obtained by the CMOS image sensor 13 of the capsule endoscope 10. It is also possible to reliably guide the patient to a target application site such as the small intestine away from the subject's mouth.

で は In the first embodiment, the electronic endoscope is used as the endoscope for guiding the capsule endoscope 10, but an optical endoscope can be used. In short, it suffices if the capsule endoscope 10 can be guided by grasping the capsule endoscope 10 to a target site in the lumen.

The capsule endoscope 10 usually includes a primary battery or a rechargeable secondary battery as a built-in power supply. In addition, since the capsule endoscope 10 is very small, the size of the battery is limited, and the capacity cannot be sufficiently increased. For this reason, the capacity of the battery may be exhausted while the capsule endoscope 10 is inserted and discharged.
Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention provides a capsule endoscope guiding system that does not require the use of a built-in power supply of the capsule endoscope 10 as much as possible while guiding the capsule endoscope 10 to a target site. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The same members as those of the first embodiment and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The capsule grasping forceps 120 includes a drive power supply line 125, an image sensor drive signal line 127, and a video signal line 129 that connect the capsule observation processor 50 and the capsule endoscope 10. When the capsule grasping forceps 120 is connected to the capsule observation processor 50, the lines 125, 127, and 129 are connected to corresponding circuits included in the capsule observation processor 50, and when the forceps 121 grasps the capsule endoscope 10. , 125, 127, and 129 are connected to corresponding circuits included in the capsule endoscope 10. That is, the corresponding circuits of the capsule observation processor 50 and the capsule endoscope 10 are connected via the respective lines 125, 127, 129.

The capsule observation processor 50 includes a system controller 57 for controlling the capsule endoscope guidance system, a timing controller 59, and a capsule drive power supply 61 in addition to the basic circuit shown in FIG. The system controller 57 generates an image sensor drive signal based on the timing signal generated by the timing controller 59, and drives the CMOS image sensor 13 of the capsule endoscope 10 via the image sensor drive signal line 127. The capsule drive power supply 61 transmits the capsule drive power to the capsule endoscope 10 via the drive power supply line 125 to operate each circuit of the capsule endoscope 10.

The video signal captured by the CMOS image sensor 13 of the capsule endoscope 10 is input to the capsule observation image processing circuit 55 via the video signal line 129. The capsule observation image processing circuit 55 performs a predetermined correction on the input signal, converts the signal into a video signal corresponding to the input of the monitor TV TV2, and outputs the video signal to the image switching device 301 via the capsule video signal line 208.

The image switching device 301 performs a switching operation in response to an image switching signal output from the system controller 57 via the image switching signal line 305. The system controller 57 receives a system control signal from the system controller 203 of the endoscope processor unit 200 via the system control signal line 303, and outputs a video signal (video from the electronic camera 107) output from the endoscope processor unit 200. Signal) or a video signal from the CMOS image sensor 13 is controlled.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed configuration of the capsule endoscope 10 which is a second example applied to the second embodiment. The same members and members having the same functions as those of the capsule endoscope 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The capsule endoscope 10 includes a power supply switching circuit 23 for switching between an internal power supply 21 and an external power supply for an internal circuit, and an operation for switching the operation mode of the internal circuit between the internal power supply mode and the external power supply mode. A switching circuit 25 is provided.

Here, the built-in power supply mode is, for example, a mode that operates with a power supply supplied from the built-in power supply 21, and intermittently activates the image pickup device drive circuit 15 and outputs a CMOS signal through the image pickup device drive signal switching circuit 27. In a mode in which the image sensor 13 is operated intermittently, a video signal output from the CMOS image sensor 13 is sent to the signal transmission unit 17 via the video signal output switching circuit 29, and the signal transmission unit 17 modulates and outputs a wireless signal. is there. That is, the built-in power supply mode is also the normal operation mode of the capsule endoscope 10.

The external power mode is a mode that operates when driving power (external power) is supplied via the driving power line 125. For example, when the supplied external power is input to the power switching circuit 23 and the operation switching circuit 25, the operation switching circuit 25 switches from the internal power operation to the external power operation, and the power switching circuit 23 Is turned off, and the mode is switched to a mode in which the external power is supplied to the built-in members and circuits. Further, the image sensor drive signal switching circuit 27 switches to the external image sensor drive signal operation, the image sensor drive signal input via the image sensor drive signal line 127 is input to the CMOS image sensor 13, and the CMOS image sensor 13 Operate. The video signal output from the CMOS image sensor 13 is output to the external video signal line 129 (capsule observation image processing circuit) via the video signal output switching circuit 29. That is, the external power supply mode is an operation mode in a state where the capsule endoscope 10 is held by the forceps 121.

The operation of guiding the capsule endoscope 10 to the application site using the capsule grasping forceps 120 will be described.
When the capsule endoscope 10 is gripped by the forceps 121, it receives a supply of drive power (external power supply) via a drive power supply line 125 and a supply of an image sensor drive signal via an image sensor drive signal line 127. The operation is started in the external power supply mode, and a video signal captured by the CMOS image sensor 13 is output to the capsule observation processor 50 via the video signal line 129.

The capsule observation processor 50 supplies a driving power supply from the capsule driving power supply 61 to the driving power supply line 125 to the connected capsule grasping forceps 120, and a timing controller 59 from the timing controller 59 to the imaging device driving signal line 127. Supply signal. The video signal output from the video signal line 129 is input to the capsule observation image processing circuit 55, output to the image switching signal line 305 as a capsule observation video signal, and input to the monitor TV TV2 via the image switching device 301. And project it on the screen.

The user operates the scope unit 100 while watching the observation image displayed on the monitor TV TV2, and guides the capsule endoscope 10 to the application site. When the capsule endoscope 10 is guided to the application site, the handle 123 is operated to release the capsule endoscope 10 from the forceps 121, and the capsule endoscope 10 is left at the application site.
When the capsule endoscope 10 is left unattended, the user causes the image switching device 301 to perform a switching operation so that the image captured by the electronic camera 107 is displayed on the screen of the monitor television TV2. Thus, the user can safely pull out the scope 101 from the body cavity of the subject by operating the operation unit 103 while watching the inside of the body cavity displayed on the screen of the monitor TV TV2.
When the user pulls out the scope 101 from the body cavity of the subject, the user causes the image switching device 301 to perform a switching operation so that the image captured by the capsule endoscope 10 is displayed on the screen of the monitor TV TV2.

On the other hand, the capsule endoscope 10 released from the forceps 121 is switched to the built-in power supply 21 because the supply of the external drive power is stopped, and the operation switching circuit 25 is switched to the built-in power supply operation mode, so that the original capsule endoscope is operated. Start operation. With this operation, the video signal captured by the CMOS image sensor 13 of the capsule endoscope 10 is displayed on the screen of the monitor TV TV2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main circuit of a third embodiment of the capsule endoscope 10. The capsule endoscope 10 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which the operation switching circuit 25 detects that the driving power is supplied, and switches the power switching circuit 23 from the internal power operation mode to the external power operation mode. In the third embodiment, the mode switching is detected by the forceps connection monitoring circuit 31, and the power switching circuit 23 switches.

6A and 6B show an example of an insulated connection structure between the drive power supply line 125, the image pickup device drive signal line 127, the video signal line 129, and the capsule endoscope 10. FIG.
The power transmission system is configured to use the electromagnetic induction action of the coil. For example, the power transmission system brings the primary coil C1 built in the distal end of the drive power line 125 and the secondary coil C2 built in the capsule endoscope 10 close to each other. In this configuration, an induced electromotive current is generated in the secondary coil C2 by the alternating current flowing through the primary coil C1. In the present embodiment, it is used as an insulating structure for transmitting a driving power and an image sensor driving signal.
The video signal transmission system is configured to use optical communication using a light emitting diode LED on the output side and a phototransistor Tr on the input side. In the present embodiment, the light emitting diode LED is incorporated in the capsule endoscope 10 and used as an insulating structure for transmitting the video signal output from the video signal output switching circuit 29 to the video signal line 129.

In the illustrated embodiment described above, an electronic endoscope (electronic scope) is shown as an endoscope, but the present invention can also be applied to an optical fiber formed of an optical element. When applied to an optical fiber, the optical fiber can be used as an electronic endoscope using the CMOS image sensor 13 (electronic camera) of the capsule endoscope 10.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic system configuration of a capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of a capsule endoscope guiding system to which the present invention has been applied. It is a figure showing composition of a 2nd embodiment of a capsule endoscope guidance system to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the 1st Example of the capsule endoscope applied to the 2nd Embodiment of the capsule endoscope guidance system to which this invention is applied with a block. It is a figure showing the outline of the 2nd example of the capsule endoscope applied to the 2nd embodiment of the capsule endoscope guidance system to which the present invention is applied with a block. It is a figure showing an example of a power supply and signal transmission insulation structure between a capsule endoscope and a capsule endoscope grasping forceps in a capsule endoscope guidance system to which the present invention is applied. It is a human body figure which shows the use state of a capsule endoscope.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference Signs List 10 capsule endoscope 11 hermetic capsule container 13 CMOS image sensor (imaging means)
15 Image sensor driving circuit 17 Signal transmission unit 19 Light source (illumination unit)
21 Built-in power supply 23 Power supply switching circuit 25 Operation switching circuit 27 Image sensor drive signal switching circuit 29 Video signal output switching circuit 50 Capsule observation processor 51 Processor cabinet 53 Signal receiving unit 55 Capsule observation image processing circuit 57 System controller 59 Timing controller (imaging Element drive signal output means)
61 Capsule drive power supply (power supply means)
Reference Signs List 100 scope unit 101 scope 103 operation unit 105 connection cable unit 107 electronic camera 109 light guide 111a forceps port 111b forceps insertion port 113 image sensor drive signal line 115 video signal line 120 capsule grasping forceps (capsule endoscope holding means)
121 forceps (capsule endoscope holding means)
123 Handle 125 Drive power supply line (power supply means)
127 Image sensor drive signal line (image sensor drive signal output means)
129 Video signal line (video signal transmission means)
200 Endoscope processor unit 203 System controller 205 Timing controller 207 Video signal processing circuit 209 Light source 211 Power supply unit TV1 Monitor television TV2 Monitor television

Claims (11)

A member having an elongated flexible portion that can be operated to bend from the other end to the desired position in the body cavity by bending the tip,
A capsule endoscope guiding system, comprising: a capsule endoscope holding means for detachably holding a capsule endoscope at a distal end of an insertion portion of the flexible tube in the body. 2. The capsule endoscope guiding system according to claim 1, wherein the capsule endoscope holding means is forceps inserted from outside the body of the flexible tube, and protrudes from the distal end of the insertion portion in the body to hold the capsule endoscope. The capsule endoscope guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the member having an elongated flexible portion that can be guided to a desired position in a body cavity by performing a bending operation on the distal end from the other end is an endoscope. The capsule endoscope includes an imaging unit, a driving signal output unit that outputs a driving signal for driving the imaging unit, an illumination unit that illuminates an imaging target of the imaging unit, and an imaging unit that captures an image in the sealed capsule. The capsule endoscope guidance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting a video signal to be output to the outside of the capsule; and a power supply for supplying driving power to each of the units. system. 5. The capsule endoscope guidance system according to claim 4, wherein the capsule endoscope holding unit includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the capsule endoscope when the capsule endoscope is held. . 6. The capsule endoscope holding means includes an image pickup device drive signal output means for supplying an image pickup device drive signal to the capsule endoscope when holding the capsule endoscope. The capsule endoscope guiding system according to claim 1. 7. The capsule endoscope holding means includes a video signal transmitting means for receiving a video signal output from the capsule endoscope when holding the capsule endoscope. The capsule endoscope guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The capsule endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the capsule endoscope includes a switching unit that switches to an operation using an external power supplied from the power supply unit when the capsule endoscope is held by the capsule endoscope holding unit. Mirror guidance system. When the capsule endoscope is held by the capsule endoscope holding unit, the capsule endoscope includes a switching unit that switches a built-in imaging unit to driving by an imaging element driving signal input from the capsule endoscope holding unit. 7. The capsule endoscope guidance system according to claim 6, wherein: The said capsule endoscope is provided with the detection means which switches to the operation | movement by the external power supply supplied from the said power supply means, when detecting that it is hold | maintained by the said capsule endoscope holding means. 6. The capsule endoscope guidance system according to 5. When detecting that the capsule endoscope is held by the capsule endoscope holding means, the capsule endoscope drives the built-in imaging means by an imaging element drive signal input from the capsule endoscope holding means. 7. The capsule endoscope guidance system according to claim 6, further comprising: a detection unit that switches the operation mode.

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