JP2005288085A - Capsule endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capsule type intra-organism information detector, which has been difficult to control the position after dosing to the organism, simultaneously realizing facilitation of position control and large-amount and high-speed bi-directional information communication and energy supply. <P>SOLUTION: An optical communication cable is fitted to the capsule type intra-organism information detector, thereby facilitating position control and performing bi-directional information communication and energy supply. Further, completely fine and flexible optical cable is used to reduce load on the organism as compared with a conventional endoscope. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device that is placed in a living body and detects information in the living body.

  As a conventional example of a capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device that is placed in a living body and detects information in the living body, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-49756 can be cited. Here, a special holder is used to hold the capsule endoscope at a target position in the living body. However, the configuration is not always simple.

  On the other hand, for the purpose of improving noise resistance, there is one that employs an optical signal as a communication means of a capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-225996, in which case bidirectional communication is not considered.

  In this specification, a capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device that includes an imaging unit and can obtain in-vivo video information is called a capsule endoscope. The present invention is intended for general capsule-type in-vivo information detecting devices. It is not intended to focus on the capsule endoscope.

  In this specification, the capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device refers to an in-vivo information detecting device having a diameter of 10 mm or less and a length of 30 mm or less. Usually, it has a smooth shape. Moreover, the existing capsule-type in-vivo information detection apparatus usually does not have a cable as a means for communication with the outside.

  In endoscopes other than the capsule type, a soft part is attached behind the tip detection part, and a cable for control or communication is included in the soft part. The diameter x of the soft part is often about the same as the diameter d of the tip detection part, and at most x = 0.9d.

Endoscopes other than the capsule type have a thick flexible part, so that position control and surgery using the endoscope are easy, but this places a burden on the patient to be examined in the examination.
Patent Publication 2004-49756 Patent Publication 11-225996

  A capsule-type in-vivo information detecting apparatus requires a simple position control means and a large amount of high-speed bidirectional communication.

  In endoscopes other than the capsule type, there is a demand for an endoscope that has a sufficiently thin flexible portion and reduces the burden on the patient during examination.

  The present invention is intended to solve the problems of such a conventional treatment apparatus, and enables simple position control and a large amount of high-speed bidirectional communication, and is sufficiently thin and flexible. The purpose is to realize a flexible part.

Means to solve the problem

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention achieves simple position control and a large amount of high-speed bidirectional communication by attaching an optical communication cable to a capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device. Realize.

Action

    By connecting an optical communication cable to the capsule in-vivo information detecting device, the position can be easily controlled by pushing and pulling the cable.

    By using the optical communication cable, bidirectional high-speed communication is possible.

The invention's effect

    By attaching an optical communication cable to the capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device, simple position control and a large amount of high-speed bidirectional communication are possible.

  1, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. These figures are examples, and are not limited to these examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a capsule endoscope, FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the internal configuration of the capsule endoscope, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of usage.

  As shown in the external view of FIG. 1, the capsule endoscope 1 has an in-vivo illumination light source window 2, an imaging port 3, an in-vivo information sensor 4, and a flexible portion 5 on the outer surface of the capsule endoscope 1. Although it is cylindrical in FIG. 1, it is desirable that it has a smooth shape so that the resistance is reduced upon administration into the living body.

  The flexible part is made of an optical communication cable. There may be one optical fiber constituting the optical communication cable, or a combination of a plurality of optical fibers. Usually, it consists of 1 to 10 optical fibers, but 1 to 4 is particularly preferable.

  The diameter x of the soft part is preferably from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, particularly preferably from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. In order not to damage the living body and to increase the strength, the optical fibers are gathered and the outside is covered with resin.

  The capsule endoscope 1 and the flexible part 5 may be detachable.

  As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2, the capsule is made up of a plurality of parts.

  An LED 7 is usually used for the illumination light source window 2. The LED 7 is generally an LED that emits white light, but monochromatic light may be used depending on requirements such as reflection and absorption of light from the object. Further, it is possible to use light supplied from an optical fiber without using an LED.

  A solid-state image sensor 9 is placed inside the imaging port 3 as means for capturing an in-vivo image. The in-vivo image obtained by the solid-state imaging device 9 is input to the control circuit 8 as an electrical signal. The signal input to the control circuit 8 is digitized and converted into an optical signal by the LED 6. This optical signal is transmitted to the receiver via the optical fiber 13.

  Energy supply and control are performed by optical signals. The optical signal propagated by the optical fiber 14 is converted into an electrical signal by the receiver (photosensor) 11, and then the control signal is transmitted to the control circuit 8 and controlled. In addition, light is propagated through the optical fiber 12 for energy supply, and the light is converted into electric energy by using a light-power converter 10 such as a solar cell to supply electric power.

  In FIG. 2, three optical fibers are collectively used as an optical communication cable. That is, one optical fiber has one function and three optical fibers are used. However, a single optical fiber can have a plurality of functions by adding a switching function or using light of multiple wavelengths. It is.

  In general, communication capability is increased by using an optical signal as compared with the case of using an electrical signal such as a high frequency. In addition, noise resistance is improved in each stage. In the present invention, by transmitting an optical signal through an optical communication cable, it is possible to improve noise resistance and perform a large amount of high-speed bidirectional communication.

  In FIG. 2, the optical communication cable has three functions, but can be limited. FIG. 3 shows an example limited to data output only.

  An example in the case of using for a human body digestive system in FIG. 4 is shown as a conceptual diagram. The optical communication cable is extended from the nose. Capsule position can be controlled by pushing and pulling the optical communication cable.

  For these reasons, by connecting the optical communication cable to the capsule in-vivo information detecting device, noise resistance can be improved, a large amount of high-speed bidirectional communication is possible, and position control is also facilitated.

    Position control of the capsule-type in-vivo information detection device is simplified, and a large amount of high-speed bidirectional information communication is possible. Therefore, it can be applied to an inspection device inside a living body.

It is an example of the external view of the capsule in-vivo information detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of an internal structure of the capsule in-vivo information detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of an internal structure of the capsule in-vivo information detection apparatus of this invention. It is an example of use of the capsule in-vivo information detection device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1. 1. In vivo information detection apparatus 2. Light source window for illumination Imaging port 4. 4. In vivo information sensor 5. Optical communication cable LED
7). LED
8). Control circuit 9. Solid-state image sensor 10. Solar cell 11. Photo sensor 12. Optical fiber 13. Optical fiber 14. Optical fiber 15. Battery 16. human body

Claims (1)

  A capsule-type in-vivo information detecting device having an optical communication cable.

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