JP2005073884A - Protector of wireless device for acquiring internal information of subject - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control unnecessary electric wave radiation in connection with a communication between a wireless device for acquiring internal information of a subject before being introduced in the body of the subject and an external device. <P>SOLUTION: The unnecessary electric wave emitted from a transmission antenna 16 of a pill 1 is covered to control the unnecessary electric wave radiation into unrelated environment before the pill 1 is introduced in the subject 10 by enclosing the pill 1 with an enclosure member 21 which is formed integrally with a shield member 24 and composes a protection cap 20 and by holding the pill 1 with a pawl member 23 which is disposed at the end part 22 of the enclosure member 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-subject information acquisition apparatus introduced into a subject, for example, a protection apparatus for a wireless in-subject information acquisition apparatus that protects a swallowable capsule endoscope.

  In recent years, in the field of endoscopes, capsule endoscopes equipped with an imaging function and a wireless function have appeared. The capsule endoscope is swallowed by a subject who is a subject for observation (examination) and is then discharged from the living body of the subject until it is naturally discharged from the living body of the subject. This is a configuration in which (inside the body cavity) is moved along with the peristaltic motion, and images are sequentially captured using an imaging function.

  Also, during this period due to movement in these organs, image data captured in the body cavity by the capsule endoscope is sequentially provided outside the subject based on a preset sequence by a wireless function such as wireless communication. Sent to the external device and stored in the memory. When the subject carries an external device with this wireless function and memory function, the subject can act without inconvenience during the period from swallowing the capsule endoscope until it is discharged. Is possible. After the image data is acquired by the external device, a doctor or a nurse can make a diagnosis by displaying an image in the body cavity on a display means such as a display based on the image data stored in the memory of the external device. .

  As this type of capsule endoscope, for example, there is a swallow type as shown in Patent Document 1. The capsule endoscope is housed in a package including a magnet before being swallowed, and an imaging device, a wireless device, and the like from a power supply device such as a battery by the magnet and a magnet inside the capsule endoscope. The power supply to the electric parts is suppressed, and the battery is prevented from being consumed. When the capsule endoscope is swallowed, the capsule endoscope is removed from the package, so that the capsule endoscope is not affected by the magnetic force away from the magnet, and the suppression of power supply is released. Thus, power is supplied from the battery to the above-described electrical components in the capsule endoscope, and an image is captured and transmitted.

International Publication No. 01/35813 Pamphlet

  However, in such an apparatus, power is supplied to each electrical component before the capsule endoscope is introduced into the subject, and in particular, power is supplied to the wireless device before introduction into the subject. As a result, radio waves may be inadvertently emitted to the outside from the transmission antenna installed in the capsule endoscope.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and suppresses inadvertent radio wave radiation related to communication between a wireless in-vivo information acquiring device and an external device before being introduced into the subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide a protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides at least one wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus that is introduced into a subject and configured to be able to wirelessly communicate information in the subject. A surrounding member, a gripping member that grips the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus at an end of the surrounding member, and a shielding member that is integrated with the surrounding member and shields radio waves. In addition, the introduction of the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus by the gripping member at the time of introduction into the subject is released.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the protection device is provided inside the surrounding member and inside the shielding member, and is connected to a communication means outside the protection device to obtain the wireless in-vivo information. An antenna for performing data communication between the apparatus and the communication means is further provided.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the protection device further comprises a chart for adjusting the white balance of the imaging means of the wireless in-vivo information acquiring device on the inner wall of the surrounding member. To do.

  The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the protection device further comprises a chart for adjusting the brightness of the imaging means of the wireless in-vivo information acquiring device on the inner wall of the surrounding member. To do.

  In the invention of claim 5, the protection device further includes a magnetic body in the surrounding member, suppresses power supply to an electrical component of the gripped wireless in-vivo information acquiring device, and The release of the power supply to the electrical component is released when the release is performed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the protection device further includes a rotation support member that is provided at an end of the surrounding member, and that rotates the surrounding member with the gripping member as a fulcrum. Then, at least different parts of the gripped wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus are sequentially surrounded.

  Further, the invention of claim 7 is a housing member that is partially opened and in which the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus is housed, a shielding member that is integrated with the housing member and shields radio waves, It is provided with.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the protection device further includes a solvent which is accommodated in the inside and has a characteristic of shielding the radio wave.

  The protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention forms a shielding member that integrally shields radio waves in a surrounding member that surrounds at least a part of the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus, Since the radio wave emitted from the transmission antenna installed in the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus is shielded, the communication between the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus and the external apparatus before being introduced into the subject is involved. There is an effect that inadvertent radio wave radiation can be suppressed.

  A protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a shielding member that is partially opened and integrally shields radio waves in a housing member that houses the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus. Formed and shielded from radio waves emitted from the transmission antenna installed in the wireless in-vivo information acquiring device, so that the wireless in-vivo information acquiring device and the external device before being introduced into the subject There is an effect that inadvertent radio wave radiation related to communication can be suppressed.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings of FIGS. In the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience of explanation. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system conceptual diagram showing a concept of a capsule endoscope system using a power supply device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, this capsule endoscope system is arranged outside the subject 10 and a capsule endoscope called a pill (wireless subject introduction device) 1 that is introduced into the body cavity of the subject 10. Thus, the external device 2 is an external device that wirelessly communicates various information with the pill 1. The external device 2 is disposed on clothing worn by the subject, and receives a receiving antenna that receives the above-described RF signal from the pill, and a transmitting antenna that transmits the various control signals to the pill with an RF signal, It is comprised from the extracorporeal unit for communicating with the pill 1 via this receiving and transmitting antenna (not shown).

  For example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the pill 1 is formed of a substantially cylindrical capsule having both ends spherical, and an optical dome 11a made of a transparent optical material provided on the front side of the pill, and a body cavity. An imaging mechanism unit that captures images to obtain image data and a wireless mechanism unit that transmits various types of information including the image data.

  The imaging mechanism unit captures a plurality of light sources (LEDs) such as light emitting elements (LEDs) that irradiate a body cavity test site of the subject 10 and an image of the reflected body light in the body cavity to generate an image signal. The imaging device 13 includes a coupling element (CCD) and a CMOS type imaging camera, and an optical system component 14 that forms an image on the imaging device 13. The illumination source 12 illuminates the body part to be examined through the front optical dome 11a, and the imaging device 13 captures the reflected light and images the inside of the body cavity. In the present embodiment, an explanation will be given using an LED as the illumination source 12 and a CCD as the imaging device 13.

  The wireless mechanism unit includes a transmitter 15 that modulates and transmits an image signal output from the imaging device 13 to an RF signal, and a transmission antenna 16 that emits radio waves of the RF signal toward the outside of the subject 10. And provided in a dome portion 11 b formed on the rear end side of the pill 1. The pill 1 also includes a power source 18 such as a silver oxide battery that supplies power to internal electrical components such as the illumination source 12, the imaging device 13, the transmitter 15, and the transmitting antenna 16. Furthermore, if the pill 1 includes, for example, a receiver and a receiving antenna, it is possible to control the driving of the illumination source, the imaging device, and the like described above based on various control signals from the external device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transmitting antenna 16 radiates a strong level of radio waves in the longitudinal direction of the pill 1, and conversely, radiates weak levels of radio waves in the circumferential direction of the pill 1 and emits radio waves in the front direction. It has a predetermined pattern 16a having directivity (arrow part) with respect to a predetermined direction that does not radiate.

  In this embodiment, the protective cap 20 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided so that unnecessary radio waves having such directivity patterns are not inadvertently emitted outside the subject 10 before swallowing. For example, at least a part of the pill 1 including the transmitting antenna 16 and the dome portion 11b provided on the rear surface side of the pill 1 is surrounded and the pill 1 is protected by being gripped.

  4 is a perspective view of the protective cap 20, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a cross section AA of the protective cap 20 shown in FIG. 4 and a capsule endoscope. In these drawings, the protective cap 20 is appropriately disposed on a dome-shaped surrounding member 21 surrounding the part of the pill 1 and an end portion 22 of the surrounding member 21, and is in contact with the peripheral surface of the pill 1. A plurality of claw members 23 that are gripping members that grip the pill 1 and a shield member 24 that is integrally formed inside the surrounding member 21 and is a shielding member that shields radio waves.

  The surrounding member 21 is formed of a soft and elastic elastic member such as rubber that can be easily processed. The inner wall 25 of the surrounding member 21 is formed in a hemispherical shape, and a gap is formed between the dome 11b of the pill 1 and the inner wall 25 by making the diameter larger than the diameter of the dome 11b on the rear surface of the pill 1. The Due to this gap, the protective cap 20 can be elastically deformed by external pressure, and the pill 1 can be easily taken out by the subject.

  In this embodiment, four claw members 23 arranged at the end 22 of the surrounding member 21 are provided so as to face the four sides of the inner wall 25, and the tip of each claw member is pinpointed from four directions. 1 is held. The claw members 23 are not limited to the four in the embodiment, and for example, two or more claw members that can grip the pill 1 can be disposed.

  Before the pill 1 is introduced into the subject 10 by surrounding and holding the pill 1 with the protective cap 20 configured as described above, the transmitting antenna is provided by the shield member 24 provided on the protective cap 20. The radio wave emitted from 16 is shielded and is prevented from being released to the outside, so that the radio-type in-vivo information acquiring apparatus before introduction into the subject and the external apparatus are not affected by the radio wave. Prepared radiation can be prevented. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the protective cap 20 holding the pill 1 is held by the subject who is the subject 10 by hand, and is brought close to the mouth to apply pressure (arrow direction) to the protective cap 20 to deform it. Then, the grip of the pill 1 by the claw member 23 of the protective cap 20 is released, and the pill 1 is easily introduced into the mouth of the subject.

  The pill 1 may have a configuration in which, for example, the transmitting antenna 16 is provided in or near the optical dome 11a on the front surface where the imaging mechanism unit is provided. In this case, an optically determined white white balance adjustment chart 26 for adjusting the white balance of the imaging device 13 may be attached to the inner wall 25 of the surrounding member 21 as shown in FIG. Is possible. By adopting such a configuration, in the pill 1, the chart 26 is imaged by the imaging device 13, and compared with the original white balance image, by adjusting the balance, it is possible to obtain a good body cavity. Images can be obtained.

  In the present invention, instead of the white balance adjustment chart 26, a brightness adjustment chart for adjusting the brightness variation of the illumination source 12, CCD or CMOS type imaging camera is attached to the inner wall 25. Is also possible. Also in this case, as described above, it is possible to capture an image in the body cavity with a desired brightness by adjusting the brightness as compared with the original image.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, instead of these charts or in combination, a magnetic body such as a magnet is attached to the inner wall 25 to suppress the power supply to each electrical component of the pill 1 held by the protective cap 20 and protect it. When the pill 1 is taken out from the cap 20 and the grip is released, it is also possible to cancel the suppression of power supply to these electric components.

(Embodiment 2)
7 is a diagram showing a cross section AA of the protective cap according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and a capsule endoscope. 7 differs from FIG. 5 in that a receiving antenna 27 is provided in the surrounding member 21 and inside the shield member 24 (on the side of the pill 1 to be gripped), and the receiving antenna 27 is connected to the signal line 3. This is the point where the external device 2 is connected. In this embodiment, for example, after a predetermined initialization operation at power-on, an initial image captured based on a sequence inside the pill 1 is transmitted from the wireless mechanism unit of the pill 1 and received by the receiving antenna 27 to be externally transmitted. The initial image captured by the external device 2 is checked.

  That is, when power is supplied to each internal electrical component in the pill 1, a predetermined initialization operation is performed, and the imaging mechanism unit, for example, an arbitrary image in the examination room before being introduced into the subject 10 or An image of a predetermined subject is taken, and radio waves of this image are transmitted from the transmitting antenna 16. Although this radio wave is shielded by the shield member 24 of the protective cap 20 and is not emitted to the outside, in this embodiment, since the receiving antenna 27 is provided inside the shield member 24, the radio wave of the image is The signal is received by the receiving antenna 27 and taken into the external device 2 through the signal line 3.

  The external device 2 displays an image captured using a display device or the like, and a doctor or nurse can check the image in real time and confirm the operating state of the pill 1 from the check result. .

  Thus, in this embodiment, the pill is surrounded and gripped by the protective cap provided with the shield member, and an image received from the pill is provided to the external device by providing the receiving antenna inside the shield member. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the radiation of inadvertently generated radio waves related to communication between the wireless in-subject information acquisition device and the external device before being introduced into the subject, and the pill operation in real time The state can be confirmed.

  In the present invention, the combinations shown in Embodiment Mode 1 and Embodiment Mode 2 can be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the dome 11a on the front side of the pill 1 is surrounded by the protective cap 20 shown in the first embodiment, and the dome 11b on the rear side is covered by the protective cap 20 shown in the second embodiment. While surrounding, the end part 22 of each surrounding member 21 is contact | abutted, and the pill 1 whole is covered.

  As described above, since the entire pill is covered using the two protective caps, communication between the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus and the external apparatus before being introduced into the subject as compared with the first and second embodiments. Inadvertent radiation of radio waves related to the can be prevented more efficiently, white balance adjustment and confirmation of the pill operating state can be performed simultaneously, and the inspection time can be shortened.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cross section of a protective cap according to a third embodiment and a capsule endoscope. In the figure, a protective cap 30 is disposed on a dome-shaped surrounding member 31 that surrounds a part of the pill 1, an arm member 32 provided opposite to the surrounding member 31, and an end 33 of the arm member 32. The claw member 34 is provided, and the shield member 34 is integrally formed inside the surrounding member 31 and the arm member 32 and shields radio waves.

  The surrounding member 31 is configured to surround the longitudinal end portion of the pill 1 that emits a strong level of radio waves, and the arm member 32 is a rotational support that rotates the surrounding member 31 with the claw member 34 as a fulcrum. It has the function of a member. During this rotation, a part of the surrounding member 31 comes into contact with the tip portion of the pill 1 (for example, the leading end portion of the dome portion 11b), but the surrounding member 31 is made of flexible rubber. The surrounding member 31 can easily get over the tip portion and rotate to a position surrounding the tip portion on the opposite side (tip portion of the optical dome 11a). Of course, the surrounding member 31 can be provided with the charts and receiving antennas shown in the first and second embodiments.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the protective cap surrounds the tip portion of the pill and is provided with a rotation mechanism using the claw member as a fulcrum, and thus has the same effect as in the first and second embodiments. By simply rotating the protective cap 30, different tip portions of the pill can be sequentially surrounded by the surrounding member, and the pill initialization operation and the initial image can be checked efficiently with one protective cap.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a cross section and a capsule endoscope according to the fourth embodiment of the protection device. In the figure, the protection device 40 is formed of a cylindrical container-shaped accommodation member 41 that is open at the top and accommodates the pill 1, and a shield member 42 that is formed integrally with the accommodation member 41 and shields radio waves. Yes. Even with this configuration, it is possible to suppress inadvertent radiation of radio waves related to communication between the pill 1 and the external device 2 before being introduced into the subject. However, the accommodating member 41 absorbs radio waves. Alternatively, a solvent 43 having a property of scattering, for example, physiological saline that absorbs radio waves can be accommodated to further suppress inadvertent radiation of radio waves.

  The pill 1 is housed inside the protection device 40 configured as described above, and is released from the transmitting antenna 16 by the shield member 42 provided in the protection device 40 before the pill 1 is introduced into the subject 10. The emitted radio wave is shielded and is prevented from being released to the outside. This causes inadvertent radiation of radio waves related to communication between the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus and the external apparatus before being introduced into the subject. Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since physiological saline that absorbs radio waves is accommodated in the accommodating member and the pill 1 is immersed in the physiological saline, communication between the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus and the external apparatus is further performed. It is possible to increase the effect of preventing inadvertent radiation of radio waves related to.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the pill 1 is introduced, the subject can swallow the pill together with the physiological saline, so that the pill can be swallowed easily and the physiological saline is adversely affected. The pill 1 can be introduced satisfactorily without any problems.

  In these embodiments, the shield member is formed integrally with the surrounding member or the housing member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shield member can be formed separately from the surrounding member or the housing member. is there.

It is a system conceptual diagram which shows the concept of the capsule endoscope system using the electric power supply apparatus concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the capsule type endoscope shown in FIG. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the directivity pattern of a capsule type | mold endoscope. It is a perspective view of the protection device concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section and capsule type endoscope of Embodiment 1 of the protection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement at the time of introduce | transducing into a subject the capsule endoscope hold | gripped by the protective device. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section and capsule type endoscope of Embodiment 2 of the protection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross section at the time of combining the protective device shown in Embodiment 1 and 2, and a capsule type | mold endoscope. It is a figure which shows the cross section of Embodiment 3 of a protective device, and a capsule type | mold endoscope. It is a figure which shows the cross section of Embodiment 4 of a protective device, and a capsule type | mold endoscope.

Explanation of symbols

1 Wireless in-vivo information acquisition device (pill)
2 External device 3 Signal line 10 Subject 11a Optical dome 11b Dome part 12 Illumination source (LED)
13 Imaging Device 14 Optical System Parts 15 Transmitter 16 Transmitting Antenna 18 Power Supply Unit (Battery)
20, 30 Protective cap 21, 31 Enclosure member 22, 33 End 23, 34 Claw member 24, 34, 42 Shield member (shield member)
25 inner wall 26 chart 27 receiving antenna 32 arm member 40 protective device 41 housing member 43 solvent (physiological saline)

Claims (8)

A surrounding member that surrounds at least a part of the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus that is introduced into the subject and configured to be able to wirelessly communicate information in the subject;
A gripping member for gripping the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus at an end of the surrounding member;
A shielding member configured integrally with the surrounding member and shielding radio waves;
A wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus protection device that releases the holding of the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus by the gripping member when introduced into the subject.   The protection device is provided inside the surrounding member and inside the shielding member, and is connected to communication means outside the protection device, and data communication between the wireless in-vivo information acquiring device and the communication means The protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna that performs the following.   The said protection apparatus is further equipped with the chart for the white balance adjustment of the imaging means which the said wireless type in-vivo information acquisition apparatus has on the inner wall of the said surrounding member, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. A protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring device.   The said protective device is further equipped with the chart for the brightness adjustment of the imaging means which the said wireless type in-vivo information acquisition apparatus has on the inner wall of the said surrounding member, The one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The protection apparatus for the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to one.   The protective device further includes a magnetic body in the surrounding member, suppresses power supply to the electrical component of the gripped wireless in-vivo information acquiring device, and releases the grip to the electrical component. The protection apparatus for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the suppression of power supply is canceled.   The protection device further includes a rotation support member that is provided at an end of the surrounding member and rotates the surrounding member with the grasping member as a fulcrum, and the grasped wireless subject is rotated along with the rotation. 6. The apparatus for protecting a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the internal information acquiring apparatus is sequentially surrounded. A housing member that is partially opened and in which the wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus is housed;
A shielding member that shields radio waves integrally formed with the housing member;
A device for protecting a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus, comprising:   8. The protection device for a wireless in-vivo information acquiring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the protection device further includes a solvent contained in the inside and having a characteristic of shielding the radio wave.

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