JP2005058430A - Medical device and medical device guiding system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical device and a medical device guiding system which can improve the function of inserting the medical device into the coelom and smoothly passing the medical device along the hollow viscera, . <P>SOLUTION: The longitudinal direction of a capsule 3 to be inserted into the body is defined as an insertion axis, a magnet 8 magnetized in the direction orthogonal to the insertion axis is arranged at the center position, and the vibration (ON/OFF) switch 8f of an operation input device 8 is turned ON for a magnetic field generator 4 arranged outside the body. Thus, the magnetic field generator 4 generates a vibration magnetic field in the direction parallel to the insertion axis of the capsule 3, a couple having the line of action parallel to the insertion axis is made to act on the capsule 3, and the capsule 3 is made to perform a swinging operation around the insertion axis and smoothly advanced along the hollow organ. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical device inserted into a body cavity and a medical device guidance system suitable for propelling and guiding a medical device while rotating it.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2001-179700 and 2002-187100 are conventional examples of propelling the inside of a subject by a rotating magnetic field. In these conventional examples, a magnetic field generator that generates a rotating magnetic field, a robot body that receives this rotating magnetic field and rotates to obtain thrust, a position detector that detects the position of the robot body, and this position detector Disclosed is a movable micromachine movement control system comprising magnetic field changing means for changing the direction of a rotating magnetic field by a magnetic field generation unit to direct the robot main body in a direction to reach a destination based on the detected position of the robot main body. ing.
JP 2001-179700 A JP 2002-187100 A

  In the above-described conventional example, when the width and diameter of the lumen in which the micromachine proceeds is reduced, narrowed, or the lumen is meandering, a phenomenon such as inability to smoothly guide the micromachine occurs. There was a thing.

  On the other hand, when the lumen is larger than the size of the micromachine, the contact between the spiral structure portion provided on the outer periphery of the micromachine and the lumen is reduced, and it may not be guided as intended.

(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when guiding a medical device body to be inserted into a body cavity in the body cavity, the medical device and the medical device that can improve the passing function of the medical device are allowed to pass smoothly. An object of the present invention is to provide a medical device guidance system capable of performing guidance suitable for the above.

In a medical device having an insertion portion to be introduced into a body cavity,
By providing a couple generating means for generating a couple having a line of action parallel to the insertion axis, the body cavity can be moved more smoothly than when no couple is generated.

According to the present invention, in a medical device having an insertion portion introduced into a body cavity,
Since the couple generating means for generating a couple having a line of action parallel to the insertion axis is provided, the body can be moved more smoothly in the body cavity than when no couple is generated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIGS. 1 to 18 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of the capsule medical device guiding system of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the capsule body. 4A and 4B show an image display screen that displays the configuration of the operation input device and information corresponding to the operation, and FIG. 5 shows the rotating magnetic field when the rotating magnetic field is applied. 6 shows the state of the couple received by the capsule medical device when an oscillating magnetic field is applied, and FIG. 7 shows the capsule when the frequency and intensity of the rotating magnetic field and the oscillating magnetic field are changed. 8 shows a locus drawn by the tip of the medical device, FIG. 8 shows a locus when the frequency of the rotating magnetic field is equal to the frequency of the oscillating magnetic field, and FIG. 9 shows a case where the rotating magnetic field and the oscillating magnetic field are applied using a sample. Fig. 1 shows the measurement results of the propulsion speed. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the case of propelling a bent luminal organ or a wide luminal organ, and FIG. 11 shows a case where a rotating magnetic field is applied in a coordinate system in which the central axis of the capsule medical device is set in the x ′ direction. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of calculation of the direction of the capsule and the direction of the rotating magnetic field when a direction input instruction for changing the direction of the capsule medical apparatus is given, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the capsule medical apparatus. FIG. 14 is an arrangement diagram of the internal structure of the capsule medical device, and FIG. 15 is an arrangement diagram of a modified example in which the magnet is arranged on the rear end side in FIG. 16 shows a layout of a modification in which the magnet is arranged on the observation window side in FIG. 14, and FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when an oscillating magnetic field is applied to the arrangement of FIG. Figure 18 shows Shows the difference in motion when performing the induction in case of arranging each net and near the center and near the end of the capsule medical device main body.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capsule medical device guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment of the medical device guidance system of the present invention is inserted (introduced) into a body cavity of a patient (not shown), Capsule type medical device 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as “capsule”) that functions as a capsule type endoscope for imaging, and is arranged around the patient, that is, outside the body. , A magnetic field control device (or power supply control device) 5 for controlling the supply of drive current for generating a rotating magnetic field in the rotating magnetic field generating device 4, and a capsule 3 disposed outside the patient's body. Personal communication for performing processing for controlling the direction and magnitude of the rotating magnetic field applied to the capsule 3 by controlling the magnetic field control device 5 in accordance with the operation of the operator. A processing device 6 composed of a computer and the like, a display device 7 connected to the processing device 6 and displaying an image taken by the capsule 3, and connected to the processing device 6 and operated by an operator such as an operator. The operation input unit 8 inputs an instruction signal corresponding to the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the operation input unit 8 includes a direction input device 8a that gives an input instruction in a direction for propelling the capsule 3 inserted into the body, and a rotating magnetic field having a rotation frequency corresponding to the operation. Rotational frequency input device 8b for generating an instruction signal, rotating magnetic field strength adjusting device 8c for adjusting the strength of the rotating magnetic field, vibration (or couple generation) magnetic field strength adjusting device 8d, vibration (for couple generation) ) Vibration (or couple generation) ON, which is provided at, for example, the top of the joystick 9 constituting the magnetic field frequency adjusting device 8e and the direction input device 8a and turns on / off the application of the vibration (or couple generation) magnetic field. / OFF switch (abbreviated as vibration switch) 8f. In the following, an oscillating (couple generation) magnetic field is described as (almost) an oscillating magnetic field.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape or a capsule shape and forms a thrust generation structure portion that converts rotation into thrust (propulsion force) on the outer peripheral surface of the outer container 11 that also serves as an insertion portion into the body. A protrusion (or screw part) 12 is provided in a spiral shape.

  The spiral protrusion 12 has a substantially hemispherical cross-sectional structure in which the outer peripheral surface of the outer container 11 is rounded, and smoothly contacts the inner wall surface of the body.

  In addition, an image pickup means including an objective lens 13 and an image pickup device 14 disposed at the image forming position is housed in the inside sealed by the outer container 11. In addition, in the exterior container 11, a magnet (permanent magnet) used for more smoothly propelling the capsule 3 in addition to the illumination element 15 (see FIG. 2) that illuminates that is necessary for imaging. 16 is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the objective lens 13 has, for example, a hemispherical transparent tip cover in the outer container 11 such that its optical axis coincides with a central axis C that can be said to be an insertion axis in the cylindrical capsule 3. It is arrange | positioned inside 11a and the center part of the front-end | tip cover 11a becomes the observation window 17 as shown in FIG.3 (B). Although not shown in FIG. 3, the illumination element 15 is disposed around the objective lens 13.

  Therefore, in this case, the visual field direction of the objective lens 13 is the optical axis direction of the objective lens 13, that is, the direction along the cylindrical central axis C of the capsule 3.

  Further, the magnet 16 disposed near the center in the longitudinal direction in the capsule 3 is disposed such that the N pole and the S pole are formed in a direction orthogonal to the central axis C as shown in FIG. In this case, the center of the magnet 16 is arranged so as to coincide with the center of gravity of the capsule 3, and the center of the magnetic force acting on the magnet 16 when a magnetic field is applied from the outside becomes the center of gravity of the capsule 3. The capsule 3 is configured to be easily magnetically propelled smoothly.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the magnets 16 are arranged such that the magnetization direction, that is, the dipole direction coincides with a specific arrangement direction of the image sensor 14.

  That is, the upward direction when the image captured by the image sensor 14 is displayed is set to the direction from the south pole to the north pole of the magnet 16.

  Then, by applying a rotating magnetic field to the capsule 3 by the rotating magnetic field generator 4, the magnet 16 is magnetically rotated, and the capsule 3 having the magnet 16 fixed inside is rotated together with the magnet 16. The spiral projection 12 provided on the outer peripheral surface is rotated in contact with the inner wall of the body cavity so that the capsule 3 can be propelled.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 (A) and FIG. 6 (B), the basic function (action) is outlined (by rotating the vibration switch 8f), a rotating magnetic field is generated. The apparatus 4 can apply an oscillating magnetic field (couple generating magnetic field) Hm whose magnetic field direction changes in the direction of the central axis C of the capsule 3 to the capsule 3. As shown by the arrows in FIGS. 6A and 6B, it is characterized in that a force (that is, a couple) that is parallel to the central axis C and equal to the opposite direction can be applied.

  In this case, the couple is parallel to the central axis C at the positions of the two magnetic poles on the line connecting the two magnetic poles of the magnet 16 and the magnitude of the force is equal and the directions are opposite to each other so that the capsule 3 is rotated. Act on.

  In this embodiment, a couple acts on the magnet 16 by a magnetic field from the outside. However, as described in a second embodiment described later, the capsule 3 is inserted into the longitudinal insertion shaft. A tilting (swinging) mechanism that swings or swings the direction or a structure of a pseudo couple generating means that changes the position of the center of gravity may be used (corresponding to one of forming a couple). Such a force may be generated or applied).

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the capsule 3 containing the magnet 16 is controlled by an external magnetic field, it is known which direction is the upward direction of the image captured by the capsule 3 from the direction of the external magnetic field. To be able to.

  In the capsule 3, in addition to the objective lens 13, the image sensor 14, the illumination element 15, and the magnet 16 described above, a signal processing circuit 20 that performs signal processing on a signal imaged by the image sensor 14, as shown in FIG. The memory 21 that temporarily stores the digital video signal generated by the signal processing circuit 20, and the video signal read from the memory 21 is converted into a signal that is wirelessly transmitted by being modulated with a high-frequency signal, or transmitted from the processing device 6. A radio circuit 22 that demodulates the control signal, a capsule control circuit 23 that controls the capsule 3 such as the signal processing circuit 20, and a battery 24 that supplies power for operation to the electrical system inside the capsule 3 such as the signal processing circuit 20 It is stored.

  The processing device 6 that performs wireless communication with the capsule 3 is connected to the wireless circuit 25 that performs wireless communication with the wireless circuit 22 and data such as image display for image data sent from the capsule 3. A data processing circuit 26 that performs processing, a control circuit 27 that controls the data processing circuit 26, the power supply control device 5 and the like, and a state of a rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generation device 4 via the power supply control device 5 And a storage circuit 28 for storing information and setting information by the direction input device 8a and the like.

  A display device 7 is connected to the data processing circuit 26, and an image or the like captured by the image sensor 14 and processed by the data processing circuit 26 via the wireless circuits 22 and 25 is displayed. Further, since the data processing circuit 26 captures an image while the capsule 3 is rotated, the data processing circuit 26 performs processing for correcting the orientation of the image when displayed on the display device 7 to a certain direction, and displays an image that is easy for the operator to view. Image processing is performed so as to be possible (described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-105493).

  An instruction signal corresponding to the operation is input to the control circuit 27 from the direction input device 8a, the rotation frequency input device 8b and the like constituting the operation input device 8, and the control circuit 27 performs a control operation corresponding to the instruction signal.

  Further, the control circuit 27 is connected to the storage circuit 28 so that the storage circuit 28 always stores information on the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generating device 4 via the magnetic field control device 5. . After that, even when an operation for changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field or the direction of the magnetic field is performed, the direction of the rotating magnetic field or the direction of the magnetic field is continuously changed so that the rotating magnetic field can be smoothly changed. Yes. Note that the memory circuit 28 may be provided inside the control circuit 27.

  The magnetic field control device 5 connected to the control circuit 27 generates an alternating current, and also includes an alternating current generation and control unit 31 including three alternating current generation and control circuits that control the frequency and phase thereof, A driver unit 32 including three drivers each amplifying an alternating current, and the output currents of the three drivers are supplied to the three electromagnets 33a, 33b, and 33c constituting the rotating magnetic field generator 4, respectively. .

  In this case, the electromagnets 33a, 33b, and 33c are arranged so as to generate magnetic fields in three orthogonal axes. As an example of the rotating magnetic field generator 4, 33a, 33b, and 33c are Helmholtz coils, and three-axis Helmholtz coils and the like in which the respective magnetic field generation directions are orthogonal can be considered.

  Then, by operating the direction input device 8a constituting the operation input device 8 shown in FIG. 4A, an instruction signal in the magnetic field direction is generated, or the rotation frequency input device 8b is operated to cope with the operation. A rotating magnetic field instruction signal is generated, or a vibrating (ON / OFF) switch 8f is operated to generate a vibrating magnetic field (alternating current or periodic) set by the vibrating magnetic field intensity adjusting device 8d or the like. Thus, it is possible to generate a couple with respect to the magnet 16 of the capsule 3 so as to rotate the central axis C itself around the central point of the central axis C in the longitudinal direction of the capsule 3. In this case, the capsule 3 is tilted or vibrated because it is applied alternatingly or periodically so as to change the direction of the oscillating magnetic field (acting as a couple) in the reverse direction before completely rotating the central axis C itself. become.

  In FIG. 4A, in the direction input device 8a, the joystick 9 is tilted in a desired direction so as to generate a rotating magnetic field so as to move the capsule 3 in that direction.

  FIG. 5 shows, for example, a state when a rotating magnetic field is applied. By applying a rotating magnetic field to the capsule 3, the magnet 16 built in the capsule 3 can be rotated. It can be moved forward or backward.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a rotating magnetic field in which the direction of the pole of the rotating magnetic field changes on the rotating magnetic field plane perpendicular to the direction of the central axis C in the longitudinal direction of the capsule 3 (y ′ in FIG. 5) is applied. The capsule 3 is rotated around the longitudinal direction together with the magnet 16 fixed in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction inside the body 3, and the inner wall of the body cavity is engaged by the spiral projection 12 shown in FIG. 3 according to the rotational direction. It can be moved forward or backward.

  In the present embodiment, an oscillating magnetic field (couple generating magnetic field) that acts to oscillate (vibrate) the magnet 16 around the direction y ′ of the longitudinal central axis C in FIG. I can do it. When the oscillating magnetic field is applied, the longitudinal direction can be changed (vibrated) from the state indicated by the solid line to the state indicated by the dotted line (the central axis direction is indicated by yz ′).

As a result, the capsule 3 is rotated about the central axis C in the longitudinal direction, and is eccentric so that the direction of the central axis C of the rotation is inclined. In other words, the rotational torque of the spinning top is reduced, and an operation in which the mandrel is shaken by the action of gravity (hereinafter, this operation is called a jiggling operation) can be performed.

  In this way, when the capsule 3 is advanced or retracted along the longitudinal direction of the lumen in a lumen that is substantially the same as the diameter of the capsule 3, the capsule 3 is moved around the longitudinal direction. By applying a rotating magnetic field to rotate, it can be moved smoothly.

  On the other hand, when the capsule 3 hits the bent portion at the portion where the lumen is bent (see FIG. 10A) and is simply rotated around the longitudinal direction, the capsule 3 is smoothly bent. It may be difficult to move to.

  In such a case, as described above, an oscillating magnetic field is applied around the center axis C in the longitudinal direction of the capsule 3 so that a force that rotates the center axis C acts. Thus, the capsule 3 is caused to perform a jiggling operation, and when the longitudinal direction at the time of the jigging operation is in a bending direction of the lumen, the capsule 3 can be smoothly moved in that direction (FIG. 10). (See below with reference to (A)).

  In addition, by tilting the joystick 9, the state of the capsule 3 or the state of the rotating magnetic field is always grasped so that the direction of the rotating magnetic field can be controlled in the desired direction from the current traveling direction. In the present embodiment, the state of the rotating magnetic field (specifically, the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field) is always stored in the storage circuit 28.

  Specifically, an operation instruction signal in the operation input unit 8 in FIG. 2 is input to the control circuit 27, and the control circuit 27 outputs a control signal for generating a rotating magnetic field corresponding to the instruction signal to the magnetic field control device 5. The information on the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field is stored in the storage circuit 28.

  Therefore, the storage circuit 28 always stores information on the rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generator 4 and the direction of the periodically changing magnetic field forming the rotating magnetic field.

  The storage circuit 28 is not limited to storing information corresponding to the control signal of the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field from the control circuit 27, and is output from the control circuit 27 to the magnetic field control device 5. Information for determining the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field that are actually output to the rotating magnetic field generating device 4 through the alternating current generating & controlling unit 31 and the driver unit 32 in the magnetic field controlling device 5 according to the control signal is provided. It may be sent from the side to the control circuit 27 and stored in the storage circuit 28.

  In the present embodiment, when the rotation magnetic field application is started and stopped, or when the direction of the rotation magnetic field (in other words, the direction of movement of the capsule) is changed, a rapid force acts on the capsule 3. The rotating magnetic field is controlled so as to continuously change so as to operate smoothly.

  In the present embodiment, the image picked up by the image pickup device 14 is also rotated by the rotation of the capsule 3. Therefore, when this is displayed on the display device 7 as it is, the displayed image is also a rotated image. Therefore, since the operability of the instruction operation to the desired direction by the direction input device 8b is lowered, it is desirable to stop the rotation of the display image.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-105493, the data processing circuit 26 and the control circuit 27 perform the process of correcting the rotated image to an image whose rotation is stationary.

  Note that, based on the magnetic field direction information, the image may be rotated and the capsule 3 may be canceled to be displayed (the image correlation processing or the like is performed to display a still image in a predetermined direction). You may do it).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, on the display screen 7a of the display device 7, for example, a still image captured by the image sensor 14 is displayed in a circular display area 7b, and the operation direction of the joystick 9 and the arrow 7c are displayed. The operation amount is represented by the size of the arrow 7c. The display color of the arrow 7c indicates forward / reverse.

  In addition, the frequency of the rotating magnetic field is displayed in the rotating magnetic field frequency display area 7d at the lower corner of the display screen 7a, for example.

  First, typical actions of the rotating magnetic field and the oscillating magnetic field, which are the features of the present embodiment having such a configuration, will be described.

  6A and 6B show a state in which the oscillating magnetic field Hm is applied. In FIG. 6 (A), the couple force that rotates the magnet 16 fixed inside the capsule 3 in the counterclockwise direction by the oscillating magnetic field Hm acts as an action line indicated by an arrow. This couple acts in a direction parallel to the central axis C of the capsule 3.

  In this way, the capsule 3 receives a force (couple) that is rotated from the state indicated by the solid line in the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line by the oscillating magnetic field Hm.

  Further, by generating an oscillating magnetic field Hm opposite to that in FIG. 6A, a couple force that rotates the magnet 16 fixed in the capsule 3 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6B works. The capsule 3 is rotated from the state indicated by the solid line in the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line.

  FIG. 7A shows the front end side of the capsule 3 in a state where the relationship between the frequency fr of the rotating magnetic field Hr and the frequency fm of the oscillating magnetic field Hm is fr <fm and the rotating magnetic field Hr and the oscillating magnetic field Hm are applied. A locus Tr (at the center position of the capsule tip) as seen from FIG.

  FIG. 7B shows the locus Tr of the capsule 3 in the state where the intensity of the oscillating magnetic field Hm is halved with respect to the intensity of the rotating magnetic field Hr in FIG. Compared to the case of FIG. 7A, the angle of swinging from the center of rotation is ½ of that.

  FIG. 8A shows the locus Tr of the capsule 3 in FIG. 7A in a state in which the frequency fr of the rotating magnetic field Hr is equal to the frequency fm of the oscillating magnetic field Hm, that is, fr = fm. Yes.

  Under this condition, the operation state (trajectory Tr) is such that one side (left side in FIG. 8A) is eccentric and swings.

  For this reason, it is effective when it is desired to spread on one side.

  FIG. 8B shows the capsule in FIG. 7A in a state where the frequency fr of the rotating magnetic field Hr is ½ of the frequency fm of the vibration generating magnetic field Hm, that is, fr = fm / 2. 3 locus Tr is shown.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the container 31 is filled with water 32, the capsule 3 is inserted into the silicon tube 33 on the bottom side thereof, and the capsule is inserted into the duct in the body cavity. A state simulating the state in which 3 is inserted is set.

  Then, the container 31 is disposed in the rotating magnetic field generator 4 shown in FIG. 1, and the rotating magnetic field generator 4 advances (advances) to the right side in the longitudinal direction of the silicon tube 33 (left and right in FIG. 9A). ) And a rotating magnetic field that advances (reverses) to the left side, and an oscillating magnetic field is applied while changing the frequency thereof, and the moving speed is calculated by measuring the time when the capsule 3 moves 2 cm.

  In this case, a rotating magnetic field having a frequency of 1 Hz, a magnetic field strength of 100 Oe, an oscillating magnetic field strength of 50 Oe, a water level of 20 cm, and a formation angle of the spiral projection 12 of the capsule 3 of 45 ° was used. In the present embodiment, the silicon tube 43 is tilted slightly to the right (that is, the left side becomes higher). That is, the right side is forward (down) and the left side is backward (up).

  The measurement result was as shown in FIG. 9B in the case of reverse, and as shown in FIG. 9C in the case of forward. From the results of FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, it is effective when the frequency of the oscillating magnetic field is made higher than the frequency of the rotating magnetic field, particularly when moving backward and moving upward.

  Further, under the conditions of the present embodiment, approximately 2 to 10 Hz is considered to be effective for the propulsion speed as the frequency of the oscillating magnetic field. Further, a vibration frequency that is approximately 2 to 10 times the frequency of the rotating magnetic field is data that is considered effective for the propulsion speed.

  Next, the overall operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  When examining the body cavity with the capsule 3, the patient swallows the capsule 3. When the capsule 3 inserted into the body cavity passes through the esophagus or the like, it is illuminated by the illumination element 15, and an image captured by the imaging element 14 is wirelessly sent to the processing apparatus 6 outside the body via the wireless circuit 22.

  The processing device 6 receives the image data demodulated by the wireless circuit 25 and stores the demodulated image data in an image storage device (such as a hard disk) provided inside the data processing circuit 26 and performs display processing. The images output and sequentially captured by the capsule 3 are displayed.

  The operator can estimate the approximate position of the capsule 3 in the current body cavity from the image displayed on the display device 7. For example, if it is determined that the esophagus is being imaged and the part to be examined is on the deeper side, such as the small intestine, it is better to advance the part in the middle more quickly. The initial setting is performed so that the direction of the rotating magnetic field generated in the rotating magnetic field generator 4 (the direction of the normal direction) is on the lower side along the height of the patient. In this case, it is assumed that the spiral protrusion 12 provided on the capsule 3 is formed in a right-handed screw shape, for example, with the visual field direction imaged by the image sensor 14 as the front side.

  In order to generate a rotating magnetic field, for example, when the direction input device 8a is first operated, information corresponding to the state of the rotating magnetic field immediately before is not stored in the storage circuit 28. The setting circuit 29 is activated to display an initial setting screen on the display device 7 or the like so that the operator can select and set the direction of the rotating magnetic field generated by the initial setting. Then, the surgeon first performs an instruction operation to generate the direction in which the rotating magnetic field is generated downward along the height of the patient, whereby the initial generation information of the rotating magnetic field is stored in the storage circuit 28.

  In addition, the setting circuit 29 can set the magnitude (amplitude) of the rotating magnetic field in advance so that a rotating magnetic field greater than this value is not generated. Setting information by the setting circuit 29 is stored in the storage circuit 28.

  Then, by rotating the joystick 9 and the operation lever 8b of the operation input device 8 shown in FIG. 4A, a rotating magnetic field is generated so that the lower side along the patient's height becomes the direction of the rotating magnetic field. Thus, the control circuit 27 reads and controls the information stored in the storage circuit 28. That is, the rotating magnetic field generator 4 generates the rotating magnetic field via the magnetic field controller 5 based on the information read from the storage circuit 28.

  In this way, by applying a rotating magnetic field from outside the body, a magnetic torque is applied to the magnet 16 built in the capsule 3 inserted into the body cavity, and the capsule 3 is rotated. The screw can be rapidly driven by rotating the screw with the provided spiral projection 12 in contact with the inner wall of the body cavity.

  The storage circuit 28 always stores information on the state of the rotating magnetic field (the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field), and also stores information on the state of the rotating magnetic field when the application of the rotating magnetic field is stopped.

  Then, when an operation for applying the rotating magnetic field again is performed next, a rotating magnetic field similar to that when the rotating magnetic field is stopped is generated based on the information stored in the storage circuit 28.

  In this way, the capsule 3 can be propelled along the duct in the body cavity. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a narrower bent portion 42 exists in a relatively narrow lumen 41. In the case of bending, it may be difficult to efficiently advance along the bent portion 42 only with a rotating magnetic field.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7A and the like, an oscillating magnetic field is applied together with the rotating magnetic field, and a couple is further applied to the capsule 3, thereby causing the capsule 3 to rotate around its longitudinal axis. The swing jiggling action can be performed.

  As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10 (A), the swinging action can spread the lumen portion of the bent portion 42 and propel it in that direction when the bent portion 42 faces the bending direction. .

  FIG. 10B shows the operation when the lumen 41 wider than the outer diameter of the capsule 3 is efficiently propelled.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (B), when the capsule 3 is to be propelled in the lumen 41 wider than the outer diameter of the capsule 3, simply by applying a rotating magnetic field to the capsule 3, FIG. As shown in FIG. 10D, since the outer peripheral surface of the capsule 3 (the spiral projection 12 provided on the capsule 3) has few engaging portions (hooked portions) with the inner surface of the lumen 41, the capsule 3 easily rotates and the traveling speed tends to be slow. Note that FIG. 10D shows a state viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 10C, and when it is simply rotated, the change in the posture is small, and the function of traveling idlely decreases.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7 (A) and the like, by applying an oscillating magnetic field as well as a rotating magnetic field, the capsule 3 is swung as shown in FIG. 10 (B). The effective outer diameter of the capsule 3 in the swinging operation state is increased, and the engaging portion with the inner wall is enlarged also in the case of the wide lumen 41 so that the traveling direction is periodically changed. Can be promoted efficiently.

  In addition, by swinging as shown in FIG. 10B (jiggling operation), the capsule 3 can be efficiently propelled stably and stably in the portion of the lumen 41 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the capsule 3. By the jigling operation, the imaging range can be substantially widened, and the inner wall of the lumen 41 can be imaged in a wider range.

  Further, as described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation direction and the like of the joystick 9 are displayed by the arrow 7c, and an instruction as to which direction the capsule 3 is advanced in the captured image. I can do it. Then, the rotating magnetic field generator 4 generates a rotating magnetic field that causes the capsule 3 to travel in that direction corresponding to the indicated direction.

  In this case, the control circuit 27 performs processing for calculating the generation direction of the rotating magnetic field, and the rotating field generator 4 generates a rotating magnetic field corresponding to the indicated direction via the magnetic field control circuit 5.

  The operation of generating the rotating magnetic field in this case will be described in detail below.

  Here, the rotating magnetic field strength, the oscillating magnetic field strength, etc. depending on the input time t are expressed as Hr (t), Hm (t), and the like as follows.

Rotating magnetic field strength: Hr (t) → oscillating magnetic field strength set by 8c: Hm (t) → rotating magnetic field frequency set by 8d: fr (t) → oscillating magnetic field frequency set by 8b: fm ( t) → Sampling cycle set by 8e: Ts → The system switches the magnetic field strength or reads the input amount such as joystick time interval Current rotation phase: β (t)
Current phase of couple: α (t)
Parameter that determines the amount of change in direction: C
Vy ′ (t): Input amount in the y ′ direction of the joystick 8a at time t Vz ′ (t): Input amount in the z ′ direction of the joystick 8a at time t FIG. 11 sets the central axis direction of the capsule 3 to x ′. The coordinate system (x ′, y ′, z ′) is shown. In this coordinate system (x ′, y ′, z ′), since the central axis direction of the capsule 3 is set to x ′, the capsule 3 is advanced in the direction of the central axis x ′, and the central axis x The magnetic field when an oscillating magnetic field is applied in the ′ direction is as follows.

Hx ′ (t + Ts) = Hm (t) cos (α (t) + 2πTsfm (t))
Hy ′ (t + Ts) = Hr (t) cos (β (t) + 2πTsfr (t))
Hz ′ (t + Ts) = Hr (t) sin (β (t) + 2πTsfr (t))
Hy ′ and Hz ′ are rotating magnetic fields, and Hx ′ corresponds to an oscillating magnetic field.

  Here, the current phase in the trigonometric function is expressed as follows, and this is used in the following.

α (t + Ts) = α (t) + 2πTsfm (t)
β (t + Ts) = β (t) + 2πTsfr (t)
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of calculation of the new direction of the capsule 3 when the direction instruction of the capsule 3 is input.

  In the state shown in FIG. 12, as indicated by an arrow, a capsule instruction direction (an angular direction formed by an angle γ with respect to the y ′ axis) for changing the traveling direction of the capsule 3 (having the central axis direction x ′) is set. To do.

  In this case, the direction of the new x ′ axis when the coordinate system is rotated about the rotation center axis p orthogonal to the capsule designation direction becomes the direction of the rotating magnetic field.

This rotation calculation is
(1) -γ rotation about the x 'axis (arrow (1) in Fig. 12)
(2) δ rotation around the z 'axis (arrow (2) in FIG. 12)
(3) γ rotation around the x 'axis (arrow (3) in FIG. 12)
It is realized with.

Here, δ is the input amount Vy ′ (t), Vz ′ (t) of the joystick 9.
V (t) = ((Vy ′ (t) ² + (Vz ′ (t) ² ) ^1/2
δ (t) = C × V (t)
γ = sin ⁻¹ (Vz ′ (t) / V (t))
Therefore, the transformation matrix rotated by δ (t) around the rotation center axis p is the rotation matrix R _γ ^{x ′} , R _{δ (t)} ^{z ′} , R corresponding to the operations of (1), (2), (3). _-Γ ^{x '}
R _{δ (t)} ^p = R _γ ^{x ′} R _{δ (t)} ^{z ′} R _−γ ^{x ′}
It becomes.

  here,

Formula 1

となり各軸周りでの回転行列である。

And the rotation matrix around each axis.

  Therefore, the magnetic field to be newly added can be obtained by using these rotation matrices.

Formula 2

となる。但しＨx′(ｔ＋Ｔｓ)｜_{Ｖ（ｔ）＝０},Ｈy′(ｔ＋Ｔｓ)｜_{Ｖ（ｔ）＝０},Ｈz′(ｔ＋Ｔｓ)｜_{Ｖ（ｔ）＝０} はＶ(t)=0 とした場合のｔ＋Ｔｓにおけるｘ′ｙ′ｚ′方向それぞれの磁界である。

It becomes. However, Hx ′ (t + Ts) | _{V (t) = 0} , Hy ′ (t + Ts) | _{V (t) = 0} , Hz ′ (t + Ts) | When _{V (t) = 0} , V (t) = 0 Magnetic fields in the x′y′z ′ direction at t + Ts.

On the other hand, the magnetic field generated by the 3-axis Helmholtz coil is
(Hx (t) Hy (t) Hz (t))
It becomes.

  Moreover, when the direction of the capsule 3 is expressed using ψ (t) and θ (t), it is as shown in FIG. Further, when the magnetic field side is also converted from x ′, y ′, z ′ to this x, y, z coordinate system, at time t + Ts

Formula 3

となる。ここで、式３におけるＲ_ψ（ｔ） ^ｚ、Ｒ_θ（ｔ） ^ｙは図１３のｚ軸の回りの角ψ（ｔ）、ｙ軸の回りの角θ(ｔ)の回転操作に対応する回転行列を示す。

It becomes. Here, R _{ψ (t)} ^z and R _{θ (t)} ^y in Equation 3 correspond to the rotation operation of the angle ψ (t) around the z axis and the angle θ (t) around the y axis in FIG. Indicates the rotation matrix.

  By repeating these calculations, the magnetic field generated from the outside can be calculated.

Generally, the magnetic field generated by a coil is
H = I / N
H: Magnetic field N: Coefficient I: Expressed by current, current I, that is, I = NH
Control is sufficient.

  When the coefficients N of the triaxial Helmholtz coil are Nx, Ny, and Nz, respectively, currents Ix (t), Iy (t), and Iz (t) that flow through the coil are

Formula 4

で表せる。

It can be expressed as

For information on capsule orientation,
(1) When there is a position / direction detection means, θ (t) and ψ (t) are used according to the detection result of the position detection means. As the position direction means (sensor) at this time, AURORA made by NDI or the like can be used.

(2) If there is no position detection,
This is performed by inputting θ (0), ψ (0) (initial value).

When the subsequent orientation of the capsule 3, X (t), Y (t), Z (t) is obtained

Formula 5

をカプセル３の向きとして規定すれば良い。

May be defined as the orientation of the capsule 3.

  In addition, the capsule (medical device) 3 shown in FIG. 3 has a magnet 16 disposed at the center of the medical device main body. FIG. 14 shows an internal layout of the capsule 3.

  The objective lens 13, the illumination element 15, and the imaging element 14 attached to the (objective lens frame 51) are disposed at the observation window end. Further, a signal processing circuit 20 (here, the memory 21 is built-in) and a radio circuit 22 are arranged, and a magnet 16 is arranged behind them. A battery 24 and a switch circuit 71 are arranged on the opposite side of the observation window side with the magnet 16 interposed therebetween. Each unit is wired by a flexible substrate 56 as a wiring means, and constitutes the capsule medical device 3 that realizes the operation described above. By arranging in this way, the magnet 16 can be arranged in the central part of the capsule medical device 3 main body. In this arrangement, the position of the magnet 16 is close to the position of the center of gravity of the capsule medical device 3.

  Thereby, the rotational driving force of the capsule medical device 3 main body generated by applying a magnetic field from the outside is generated near the center of gravity of the capsule medical device 3 main body.

  For this reason, the capsule medical device 3 can be stably controlled. However, in the following cases, the controllability may be improved if the magnet 16 is not disposed near the center of the capsule medical device.

  FIG. 15 shows a capsule 3 ′ of a modified example in which the arrangement of the magnet 16, the battery 24, and the switch circuit 71 is changed with respect to FIG. 14 and the magnet 16 is arranged at the end opposite to the observation window side.

  This configuration is advantageous when guiding the inside of a relatively wide lumen such as the large intestine.

  When the operation shown in FIG. 18B is performed, if the magnet 16 is arranged near the center of the capsule 3 as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. Oscillates as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the magnet 16 is arranged as shown in FIG. 15, when an oscillating magnetic field is applied, the capsule body vibrates so as to increase the amplitude of the end portion on the observation window side of the capsule body as shown in FIG. Since it can be operated in this way, a portion where the inner wall of the lumen and the capsule 3 'engage can be secured (increased) even in a larger lumen.

  Therefore, the capsule 3 'can be guided even in a larger lumen.

  In FIG. 16, the magnet 16 has a hollow structure and is inserted through the objective lens frame 51 and fixed. With such a structure, the magnet 16 can be disposed in the vicinity of the end of the capsule 3 ″ on the observation window side.

  The difference in motion when the capsule 3 ″ of FIG. 16 is guided (operation to change the direction) will be described in comparison with the capsule 3 of FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the capsule 3 shown in FIG. 3 or 14 performs an operation of changing the direction around the center of the capsule 3 (position of the magnet 16). When the travel of the lumen is bent suddenly, there is a case where it is difficult to secure a radius for rotation along the lumen, and in this case, the inductivity may be reduced.

  In contrast, the capsule "of FIG. 16 operates as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 18 (B), the direction of the capsule 3 ″ changes around the vicinity of the observation window of the capsule 3 ″, so that it is easy to secure a turning radius.

  Therefore, the inductivity of the capsule 3 ″ can be improved.

  According to the present embodiment described above, even when the lumen through which the capsule 3 or the like is to be passed is wider than the outer diameter of the capsule 3 or the like, the capsule 3 or the like is narrowed or bent. Etc. can be smoothly passed, and the capsule 3 etc. can be guided to the target site in a short time.

  Further, since the capsule 3 and the like can be moved in the lumen at a higher speed than in the conventional example, the capsule 3 and the like can be guided to the target site in a short time.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 shows a capsule 3B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19A shows the internal configuration of the capsule 3B, and FIG. 19B shows the pager motor 57 portion viewed from the rear end side. In the first embodiment, the capsule 3 incorporates a magnet 16, and an oscillating magnetic field in a direction orthogonal to the rotating magnetic field is applied together with a rotating magnetic field from the outside, so that the capsule 3 is passively centered. In this embodiment, a tilting force or a vibration force that actively tilts the central axis C of the capsule 3B is applied to the capsule 3B. It is.

  A capsule 3B shown in FIG. 19 is provided with a spiral protrusion 12 on the outer peripheral surface of a capsule-like outer container 11 as in the capsule 3 of FIG. Further, an observation window 17 formed of a transparent member is provided on the distal end side of the outer container 11.

  A cylindrical lens frame 51 to which the objective lens 13 is attached is disposed on the inner side facing the observation window 17, and an image sensor substrate 52 to which the image sensor 14 is attached is disposed at the imaging position. A lighting element 15 is arranged around the.

  A control board 53 for performing signal processing and control and a communication board 54 having functions such as the radio circuit 22 are disposed adjacent to the image pickup element board 52, and an antenna 55 is connected to the communication board 54. Further, the illumination element 15, the imaging element substrate 52, and the like are electrically connected by a flexible substrate 56.

  A magnet 16 is disposed on the central axis C in the longitudinal direction of the capsule 3B so that the direction perpendicular to the central axis C is the longitudinal direction at the central position, and is fixed with an adhesive (not shown). Yes.

  Further, the battery 24 is accommodated adjacent to the magnet 16 and connected to the flexible substrate 56 via a switch (not shown). Further, a storage section near the rear end of the capsule 3B adjacent to the battery 24 stores a pager motor 57 for vibrating the capsule 3B eccentrically or swinging from the direction of the central axis C. And is connected to the control board 53 and the like.

  The pager motor 57 includes, for example, an ultrasonic motor 58 and a weight 59 provided on the ultrasonic motor 58.

  As shown in FIG. 19B, a substantially conical or fan-shaped weight 59 is attached to the rotating shaft 58a of the ultrasonic motor 58, and the weight 59 rotates as the rotor of the ultrasonic motor 58 rotates. By forming a center-of-gravity position changing mechanism in which the position of the center of gravity changes depending on the position of the weight 59, the capsule 3B swings (vibrates) as the weight 59 rotates.

  In addition, the capsule 3B has communication means for communicating with the processing apparatus 6 outside the body, as described in the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, when the vibration switch 8f of the operation input device 8 is turned on, the control circuit 27 in the processing device 6 controls the magnetic field generator 4 to generate the oscillating magnetic field. However, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 27 transmits the instruction signal to the capsule 3B side via the wireless circuit 25.

  When the capsule 3B receives the instruction signal and decodes the instruction, the capsule control circuit 23 (see FIG. 2, control board 53 in FIG. 19) operates the pager motor 57. Further, when an operation to turn off the vibration switch 8f is performed, the capsule 3B stops the operation of the pager motor 57. It should be noted that the rotating magnetic field is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the operation for rotating the capsule 3B is the same as in the first embodiment. Then, for example, when it is desired to promote the bent hollow organ more smoothly, the vibration switch 8f provided in the operation input device 8 is pressed as shown in FIG. Then, the vibration ON information is transmitted to the wireless circuit 25 through the control circuit 27.

  The vibration ON information is transmitted to the capsule 3B by wireless communication. The capsule control circuit 23 of the capsule 3B receives this signal and turns on the rotation of the pager motor 57.

  As a result, the capsule 3B actively vibrates a force (pseudo-pseudo) that tilts or swings the central axis C of the capsule 3B by a pseudo couple (that is, a force corresponding to one of the forces that forms the couple). Couple), and the capsule 3B can be vibrated or swung. A method for obtaining a propulsive force by adding a rotating magnetic field is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Note that the vibration frequency can be changed by setting a signal indicating the rotation speed of the pager motor 57 by wireless communication.

  According to the present embodiment, the capsule 3B can be vibrated or swung by a simple operation without applying an oscillating magnetic field from the outside.

  Even in a state where no rotating magnetic field is applied to the capsule 3B, the capsule 3B may be propelled while being rotated by the peristaltic movement of the luminal organ in the body by the spiral projection 43B provided on the capsule 3B. Even in the case of a small-scale system configuration that does not use the magnetic field generator 4 to be generated, according to the present embodiment, it can be vibrated, and a smoothly bent portion can be passed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 shows a capsule 3C according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 shows an electromagnetic solenoid device portion.

  A capsule 3C shown in FIG. 20 has a built-in electromagnetic solenoid device 64 that electromagnetically moves a weight 66 in place of the pager motor 57 in the capsule 3B of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, an electromagnetic solenoid 61 or the like that can magnetize the capsule 3C in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the central axis C is built in the storage portion near the rear end of the capsule 3C adjacent to the battery 24. An electromagnetic solenoid device 64 including a magnetic shield frame 62 that covers the magnetic shield frame 62 so as not to be affected by an external magnetic field and an oscillator 63 that drives the electromagnetic solenoid 61 is housed.

  Then, as described with reference to FIG. 19, when a vibration ON / OFF signal generated by the operation of the vibration switch 8 f of the external operation input device 8 is sent to the capsule 3 </ b> C, the signal is received and capsule control of the control board 53 is performed. The circuit 23 demodulates the ON / OFF signal and sends it to the oscillator 63 to oscillate the oscillator 63. The oscillator 63 generates a current that drives the electromagnetic solenoid 61 in a frequency range from DC to several tens of Hz.

  The driving condition of the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 63 may be preset, or may be configured to be able to input a frequency signal in addition to the ON / OFF signal so that it can be controlled from the outside.

  When the output signal of the oscillator 63 is energized to the electromagnetic solenoid 61 as a drive signal, the electromagnetic solenoid 61 is magnetized (generates a magnetic field).

  A weight 66 made of, for example, a magnet that is movably held by the guide member 65 according to the magnetization direction of the electromagnetic solenoid 61 is attached to one end of the guide member 65 (upward in FIGS. 20 and 21). The weight 66 can be reciprocated in the axial direction of the guide member 65 against the elastic force of the spring 67. As the weight 66 reciprocates, the capsule 3C is vibrated in the axial direction of the guide member 65.

  FIG. 21 is an enlarged view showing a more detailed structure of the electromagnetic solenoid device 64 portion. The electromagnetic solenoid 61 and the guide member 65 arranged in parallel to the electromagnetic solenoid 61 are connected and fixed by holding members 68a and 68b, respectively.

  A weight 66 provided with a hole through which the guide member 65 is passed is attached to the guide member 65 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide member 65, and the weight 66 is moved upward by a coiled spring 67 disposed on the lower side thereof. Energized.

  A stopper 69 is provided on the side of the holding member 68b, and the weight 66 is restricted by the stopper 69 from moving further downward than a predetermined position.

  In the present embodiment, the restraining member 68a is formed of a non-magnetic material, and the restraining member 68b is formed of a magnetic material. The electromagnetic solenoid 61 is controlled by a capsule control circuit in the capsule 3C.

  Further, the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 61 can be controlled by the operation input device 9 of the treatment device 6 outside the body.

  Similarly to the case of FIG. 19, the signal by the operation input from the operation input device 8 is transmitted to the capsule 3 </ b> C through the radio circuit 25 and is transmitted to the capsule control circuit 23. The capsule control circuit 23 controls the electromagnetic solenoid 61 based on this signal.

  When the electromagnetic solenoid 61 is energized with an alternating drive signal, the magnetization direction changes, and the weight 66 formed of a magnet reciprocates in the vertical direction.

  For this reason, the center of gravity of the capsule 3C shifts, and a force that rotates (or tilts) the capsule 3C about the longitudinal axis acts.

  Thereby, when the propulsion of the capsule 3C is difficult, the passability can be improved.

  Instead of driving the electromagnetic solenoid 61 in an alternating manner with the output of the oscillator 63, ON / OFF of energization may be repeated. In this case, the weight 66 can be formed of a magnetic material without being formed of a magnet. That is, an operation of moving downward (returning) by the elastic force of the spring 67 when the switch is OFF is repeated when the switch is OFF.

  That is, a force for periodically swinging the head can be generated in the same manner as driving with the output of the oscillator 63. The effect in this case is almost the same as that of the pager motor 57.

  In the present embodiment, the weight 66 is moved by the electromagnetic solenoid 61. However, for example, an ultrasonic linear motor is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the insertion axis direction of the capsule medical device, and the ultrasonic linear motor is used. You may make it the structure which attaches a weight to the drive part of a motor.

  Embodiments configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Appendix]
1. A medical device having an insertion portion introduced into a body cavity, comprising: a couple generating means for generating a couple having an action line parallel to the insertion axis.

2. The medical device according to appendix 1, wherein the couple generated by the couple generating means changes periodically.

3. The medical device according to appendixes 1 and 2, further comprising couple generating means characterized in that the action line rotates with the insertion axis as a central axis.

4). The medical device according to appendices 1, 2, and 3, further comprising a thrust generator that generates a propulsive force in the insertion axis direction.

5). A medical device having an insertion portion inserted into a body cavity having a substantially cylindrical outer shape;
A thrust generating mechanism for generating a thrust in a cylindrical axis direction comprising a spiral structure portion provided on a side surface of the medical device main body, and a rotation driving means for rotating the spiral structure portion around a cylindrical axis of the medical device main body;
A medical device comprising a couple generating means for generating a couple having a line of action parallel to the cylindrical axis.

6). The medical device according to appendix 5, wherein the couple generated by the couple generating means changes periodically.

7). The medical device according to appendix 5, wherein a magnet having a magnetic pole direction arranged perpendicular to a thrust generation direction of the thrust generation mechanism is disposed inside the medical device.

8). A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field and a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotating plane of the rotating magnetic field;
A medical device main body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity; and a thrust generating structure provided in the medical device main body;
A medical device guidance system comprising: a magnet provided in the medical device main body and disposed with a magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure.

9. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 8, wherein the thrust generation structure is a spiral structure provided on an outer periphery of the medical device body.

10. The medical device guidance system according to appendices 8 and 9, wherein the magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the rotating magnetic field is an alternating magnetic field.

11. The medical device guidance system according to appendices 8, 9, and 10, further comprising a control unit that controls the magnetic field generator.

12 The medical device guidance system according to appendix 11, wherein the control unit has a function of switching presence / absence of a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotation plane of the rotating magnetic field.

13. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 11, wherein the control means has a function of varying the strength of the magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the rotating magnetic field.

14 The medical device guidance system according to appendix 11, wherein the control unit has a function of changing a frequency of a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotation plane of the rotating magnetic field.

15. The medical device guidance system according to appendices 10 and 14, wherein a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotation plane of the rotating magnetic field is an alternating magnetic field, and a frequency of the alternating magnetic field is 2 Hz to 10 Hz.

16. The medical device guidance system according to appendices 10 and 14, wherein the frequency of the alternating magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the rotation plane of the rotating magnetic field is higher than the rotating frequency of the rotating magnetic field.

17. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 16, wherein the frequency of the alternating magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the rotation plane of the rotating magnetic field is 2 to 10 times the rotating frequency of the rotating magnetic field.

18. The medical device guidance system according to appendices 8, 10, and 13, wherein a magnetic field strength of a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotating plane of the rotating magnetic field is smaller than a magnetic field strength of the rotating magnetic field.

19. A medical device having an insertion portion introduced into a body cavity, comprising a vibration generating means for periodically changing the direction of an insertion axis.

20. The medical device according to appendix 19, wherein the vibration generating means is a gravity center position changing mechanism.

21. The medical apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the means for generating a couple is a center-of-gravity position changing mechanism that moves the center-of-gravity position of the medical apparatus relative to the insertion axis of the medical apparatus.

22. The medical apparatus according to appendix 20, wherein the center-of-gravity position changing mechanism is a pager motor.

23. The medical apparatus according to appendix 20, wherein the center-of-gravity position changing mechanism includes a linear drive mechanism and a weight.

24. A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A center-of-gravity position changing mechanism for moving the center-of-gravity position of the medical device provided in the medical device body with respect to the insertion axis of the medical device;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure;
A transmission means for transmitting a control signal for controlling the gravity center position changing mechanism to the medical device body;
A medical device guidance system characterized by comprising:

25. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 24, wherein the center-of-gravity position changing mechanism is a pager motor.

26. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 24, wherein the center-of-gravity position changing mechanism includes a linear drive mechanism and a weight.

27. The medical device guidance system according to any one of appendices 24, 25, and 26, wherein control means for controlling at least one of the rotating magnetic field generation device and the gravity center position changing mechanism is provided separately from the medical device.

28. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 27, wherein the control means has a function of switching presence / absence of operation of the gravity center position changing mechanism.

29. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 27, wherein the control means has a function of changing an operating frequency of the gravity center position changing mechanism.

30. The medical device guidance system according to appendices 24 and 27, wherein an operating frequency of the gravity center position changing mechanism is 2 Hz or more and 10 Hz or less.

31. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 24 or appendix 7, wherein the operating frequency of the gravity center position changing mechanism is higher than the frequency of the rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generator.

32. The medical device guidance system according to supplementary note 31, wherein the operating frequency of the gravity center position changing mechanism is 2 to 10 times the frequency of the rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generator.

33. A capsule medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device body, with a magnetic pole direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure and disposed near the center in the thrust generation direction of the capsule medical device body. Capsule type medical device.

34. A capsule medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body, with a magnetic pole direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to a thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure, and a magnet disposed near an end in the thrust generation direction of the capsule medical device main body. Capsule type medical device.

35. The medical device main body has an imaging system for acquiring an image in a body cavity, the imaging system is provided in the vicinity of one end of the capsule medical device main body in the thrust generation direction, and the magnet is the imaging The capsule medical device according to appendix 34, which is disposed in the vicinity of the system.

36. The medical device main body has an imaging system for acquiring an image in a body cavity, the imaging system is provided in the vicinity of one end of the capsule medical device main body in the thrust generation direction, and the magnet is the imaging 34. The capsule medical device according to appendix 34, wherein the capsule medical device is disposed in the vicinity of an end opposite to the system.

37. The capsule medical device of appendix 33 to additional appendix 36;
A medical device guidance system comprising a rotating magnetic field and magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotating plane of the rotating magnetic field.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram mainly showing a rotating magnetic field generator of a capsule medical device guidance system including a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of each part in the capsule type medical device guidance system provided with the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view and front view of a capsule main body. The figure which shows the structure of an operation input device, and the image display screen which displays the information corresponding to the operation. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of a change of a rotating magnetic field, etc. when applying a rotating magnetic field. Schematic which shows the mode of the couple which a capsule type medical device receives when an oscillating magnetic field is applied. The figure which shows the locus | trajectory which the front-end | tip of a capsule type medical device draws when the frequency and intensity | strength of a rotating magnetic field and an oscillating magnetic field are changed. The figure which shows the locus | trajectory in the case where the frequency of a rotating magnetic field and the frequency of an oscillating magnetic field are made equal. The figure which shows the measurement result etc. of the propulsion speed at the time of applying a rotating magnetic field and an oscillating magnetic field using a sample. Operation | movement explanatory drawing in the case of propelling the inside of the bent luminal organ and the wide luminal organ. Explanatory drawing in the case of applying a rotating magnetic field etc. by the coordinate system which set the center axis | shaft of the capsule type medical device to x 'direction. Explanatory drawing of calculation of the direction of a capsule and the direction of a rotating magnetic field when the direction input instruction | indication which changes the direction of a capsule type medical device is instruct | indicated. Explanatory drawing which showed the new direction of the capsule type medical device by the polar coordinate system. The layout of the internal structure of a capsule type medical device. In FIG. 14, the layout of the modification which has arrange | positioned the magnet to the rear end side. In FIG. 14, the layout of the modification which has arrange | positioned the magnet to the observation window side. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement at the time of applying an oscillating magnetic field with respect to the case of arrangement | positioning of FIG. Explanatory drawing of the difference in the exercise | movement at the time of performing the guidance in the case where the magnet is disposed near the center and near the end of the capsule medical device main body, respectively. The figure which shows the capsule type medical device and pager motor part of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the capsule type medical device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of an electromagnetic solenoid apparatus part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Capsule type medical device guidance system 3 ... Capsule 4 ... Rotating magnetic field generator 5 ... Magnetic field control device 6 ... Processing device 7 ... Display device 8 ... Operation input part 8a ... Direction input device 8b ... Rotation frequency input device 8c ... Rotating magnetic field Intensity adjusting device 8d ... oscillating magnetic field intensity adjusting device 8e ... oscillating magnetic field frequency adjusting device 8f ... vibrating switch 11 ... exterior container 11a ... tip cover 12 ... spiral projection 13 ... objective lens 14 ... imaging element 15 ... illuminating element 16 ... Magnet 20 ... Signal processing circuit 22, 25 ... Radio circuit 26 ... Data processing circuit 27 ... Control circuit 28 ... Storage circuit 29 ... Setting circuit 31 ... AC current generation & control unit 32 ... Driver unit 33a-33c ... Electromagnet Agent Susumu Ito

Claims (4)

A medical device having an insertion portion introduced into a body cavity, comprising: a couple generating means for generating a couple having an action line parallel to the insertion axis. A medical device having an insertion portion introduced into a body cavity, comprising a vibration generating means for periodically changing the direction of an insertion axis. A medical device having an insertion portion having a substantially cylindrical outer shape to be inserted into a body cavity;
A thrust generating mechanism for generating a thrust in a cylindrical axis direction comprising a spiral structure portion provided on a side surface of the medical device main body, and a rotation driving means for rotating the spiral structure portion around a cylindrical axis of the medical device main body;
A medical device comprising a couple generating means for generating a couple having a line of action parallel to the cylindrical axis. A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field and a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a rotating plane of the rotating magnetic field;
A medical device main body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity; and a thrust generating structure provided in the medical device main body;
A medical device guidance system comprising: a magnet provided in the medical device main body and disposed with a magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure.

Images