JP2007068895A - Inspection method of disconnection - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily inspect the state of a receiving device to determine whether the receiving device can normally receive radio signals or not, and to easily detect the disconnection of a receiving antenna having caused the abnormal state of the receiving device when it is determined that the receiving device is in the abnormal state. <P>SOLUTION: The inspection method of disconnection of the receiving antenna of the receiving device for obtaining image data based on the radio signals from a capsule type endoscope, comprises a monitor device connection process for connecting a portable monitor device 9 for displaying image data obtained by the receiving device 3 one after another to the receiving device 3, a test signal transmitting process for transmitting test radio signals including prescribed test image data to the receiving antenna 4a to be inspected, and a disconnection determining process for determining that the receiving antenna 4a to which the test radio signals included undisplayed test image data are transmitted is in the disconnection state if the test image data are not displayed by the monitor device 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a disconnection inspection method for inspecting whether or not a receiving antenna of a receiving apparatus that receives a radio signal transmitted by a capsule endoscope introduced into a subject is in a disconnected state.

  In recent years, in the field of endoscopes, a capsule endoscope that is a swallowable endoscope provided with an imaging function and a wireless communication function has been proposed, and a subject imaged by the capsule endoscope has been proposed. An in-subject information acquisition system that acquires image data in a sample has been developed. In this in-subject information acquisition system, the capsule endoscope is swallowed from the subject's mouth for observation (examination) and then is naturally discharged from the subject. For example, the inside of an organ such as the stomach or the small intestine moves in accordance with the peristaltic motion, and functions to image the inside of the subject at a predetermined interval, for example, an interval of 0.5 seconds.

  While the capsule endoscope moves within the subject, the image data captured by the capsule endoscope is sequentially transmitted to the outside by wireless communication, and via the receiving antennas distributed and arranged outside the subject. Received by the receiving device. The receiving apparatus demodulates the radio signal received via the receiving antenna into an image signal, and performs predetermined image processing on the obtained image signal to generate image data. Thereafter, the receiving apparatus sequentially stores the image data generated in this way (that is, image data captured by the capsule endoscope) in the storage unit. A user such as a doctor or a nurse loads the image data stored in the receiving device into a workstation and displays an image in the subject on the display of the workstation to diagnose the subject. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, in order to diagnose the subject accurately and in detail, the doctor or nurse needs to observe as many images in the subject taken by the capsule endoscope as possible. Therefore, the above-described receiving device reliably receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope introduced into the subject and acquires as much image data in the subject as possible contained in the radio signal. Is required. For this reason, when performing capsule endoscopy in which a capsule endoscope is introduced into a subject and an image in the subject is acquired, a normal state in which the receiving device can acquire image data from the capsule endoscope It is inspected beforehand whether it is.

  Specifically, a test apparatus that transmits a test radio signal is used, and a test radio signal is transmitted to each of a plurality of reception antennas connected to the reception apparatus. Thereafter, the receiving apparatus is connected to the workstation via a cable or the like, and the data stored in the storage unit of the receiving apparatus is taken into the workstation. The receiving device is determined to be in the normal state described above when a test image based on a test radio signal is displayed on the display of the workstation.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-19111

  On the other hand, the above-described receiving apparatus is in an abnormal state in which it is difficult to successfully acquire image data from the capsule endoscope when a test image based on a test radio signal is not displayed on the display of the workstation. It is judged. The receiving device determined to be in such an abnormal state is in a state where it is difficult to receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope introduced into the subject, and is thus captured by the capsule endoscope. There is a risk that the acquired image data may be missed. If such a receiving device is in an abnormal state due to a disconnection of the receiving antenna it possesses, it can be easily returned to the normal state described above by replacing the disconnected receiving antenna with a normal one. it can.

  However, in the conventional inspection method described above, a series of processes from transmitting a test radio signal to each receiving antenna of the receiving apparatus until the data stored in the receiving apparatus is taken into the workstation is performed. The normal state / abnormal state of the receiving apparatus is determined based on whether or not a test image based on the test radio signal is displayed on the display of the workstation. For this reason, it is possible to determine whether the receiving device is in a normal state or an abnormal state. However, if it is determined that the receiving device is in an abnormal state, the abnormal state of the receiving device is caused by a disconnection of the receiving antenna. There is a problem in that it is difficult to determine whether or not it is a thing. Due to this, it takes a great deal of time and labor to restore the receiving apparatus that has become abnormal due to the disconnection of the receiving antenna to the normal state described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily check whether or not the receiving device is in a state of being able to normally receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope, and in an abnormal state. An object of the present invention is to provide a disconnection inspection method that can easily detect a disconnection state of a receiving antenna that has caused an abnormal state of the receiving apparatus when it is determined that there is an error.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a disconnection inspection method according to claim 1 is a method for receiving a radio signal including image data captured by a capsule endoscope introduced into a subject. Acquired in the receiving apparatus in a disconnection inspection method that has an antenna and inspects whether there is a disconnection between the receiving apparatus and the receiving antenna that acquires the image data based on the radio signal received through the receiving antenna A monitor device connecting step of connecting a portable monitor device that sequentially displays the image data to the receiving device; a test signal transmitting step of transmitting a test radio signal including predetermined test image data to the receiving antenna; If the monitor device does not display the test image data, the test radio signal including the test image data not displayed is transmitted. Characterized in that it contains a disconnection determination step of determining that the disconnection state the receiving antenna.

  The disconnection inspection method according to claim 2 further includes a reception antenna that receives a radio signal including image data captured by a capsule endoscope introduced into a subject, and receives the signal through the reception antenna. In a disconnection inspection method for inspecting presence / absence of disconnection between a receiving device that acquires and displays the image data based on the wireless signal and the receiving antenna, a test wireless signal including predetermined test image data is transmitted to the receiving antenna. A test signal transmission step for transmitting to the receiver, and when the receiver does not display the test image data, the reception antenna to which the test radio signal including the test image data not displayed is transmitted is disconnected. And a disconnection determination step for determining that it is.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the disconnection inspection method according to the above invention, wherein whether or not the monitor device connected to the receiving device in the monitoring device connecting step displays the image data acquired via the receiving device. It is characterized by including an operation confirmation step for confirmation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described invention, the disconnection inspection method includes a reception antenna selection step of selecting a reception antenna to be subject to disconnection inspection from the plurality of reception antennas, and the test signal transmission step includes the antenna The test radio signal is transmitted to the reception antenna selected by the selection step.

  According to the present invention, the reception device can normally receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope without connecting the reception device to a workstation that displays an image captured by the capsule endoscope. In addition to being able to easily check whether or not there is an abnormal state, it is possible to easily detect the disconnection state of the receiving antenna that caused the abnormal state of the receiving device.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a disconnection inspection method according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  First, an in-subject information acquisition system that introduces a capsule endoscope into a subject and acquires image data in the subject will be described, and then, from the capsule endoscope in the in-subject information acquisition system A reception antenna disconnection inspection method (that is, an example of a disconnection inspection method according to the present invention) included in a reception apparatus that receives a wireless signal will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of this in-vivo information acquisition system. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-subject information acquisition system includes a capsule endoscope 2 that moves along a passage path in the subject 1 and images the inside of the subject 1, and a capsule endoscope 2. Receiving device 3 that receives a radio signal including image data imaged by the camera, a workstation 6 that displays an image in the subject 1 based on the image data imaged by the capsule endoscope 2, and a receiving device 3 and a portable recording medium 7 for transferring data between the workstation 6 and the workstation 6. The in-vivo information acquiring system includes a portable monitor device 9 that is connected to the receiving device 3 via the cable 8 and sequentially displays the image data acquired by the receiving device 3 on the monitor.

  The capsule endoscope 2 has a capsule-type housing structure that is easily introduced into the subject 1, and has an imaging function for imaging the inside of the subject 1 and an image obtained by imaging the inside of the subject 1. And a wireless communication function for transmitting data to the external receiving device 3. Specifically, the capsule endoscope 2 passes through the esophagus in the subject 1 by being swallowed by the subject 1 and advances in the body cavity by the peristalsis of the digestive tract cavity. At the same time, the capsule endoscope 2 sequentially captures images of the body cavity of the subject 1 and sequentially transmits wireless signals including the obtained image data in the subject 1 to the receiving device 3.

  The receiving device 3 receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 introduced into the subject 1 and acquires image data from the capsule endoscope 2 based on the radio signal. is there. Specifically, the receiving device 3 performs various processes for sequentially acquiring image data with the antenna unit 4 to which a plurality of receiving antennas 4a to 4f that receive radio signals from the capsule endoscope 2 are connected. This is realized using the apparatus main body 5. The receiving device 3 receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 via any one of the receiving antennas 4a to 4f, demodulates the radio signal into an image signal, and encapsulates based on the obtained image signal. Image data obtained by the mold endoscope 2 is acquired. In this case, the receiving device 3 sequentially stores the image data obtained by the capsule endoscope 2 in this manner in a portable recording medium 7 that is detachably attached to the device body 5.

  The receiving antennas 4a to 4f are realized using, for example, a loop antenna, and receive a radio signal transmitted by the capsule endoscope 2. The receiving antennas 4a to 4f are dispersedly arranged at predetermined positions on the body surface of the subject 1, for example, at positions corresponding to the passage route of the capsule endoscope 2, as shown in FIG. The receiving antennas 4a to 4f may be arranged at predetermined positions of a jacket to be worn by the subject 1. In this case, the receiving antennas 4a to 4f are arranged at predetermined positions on the body surface of the subject 1 when the subject 1 wears this jacket. Further, the subject 1 may be provided with one or more receiving antennas, and preferably a plurality of receiving antennas are arranged in a distributed manner. In this case, the number of receiving antennas is not particularly limited to six.

  The workstation 6 is for displaying an image in the subject 1 imaged by the capsule endoscope 2 and is based on image data obtained through the portable recording medium 7. An image of an organ or the like in 1 (that is, an image captured by the capsule endoscope 2) is displayed. Further, the workstation 6 has a processing function for a doctor or a nurse to observe the image of an organ or the like in the subject 1 by the capsule endoscope 2 to diagnose the subject 1. Further, the workstation 6 has an initialization processing function for initially setting the receiving device 3 as a receiving device for performing a capsule endoscopy on the subject 1.

  The portable recording medium 7 is a portable recording medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark). The portable recording medium 7 is detachable from the apparatus main body 5 and the workstation 6 of the receiving apparatus 3 and has a structure capable of outputting and recording data when being inserted into both. Specifically, when the portable recording medium 7 is inserted into the receiving device 3, the portable recording medium 7 sequentially accumulates image data and the like from the capsule endoscope 2 acquired by the receiving device 3. The portable recording medium 7 is taken out from the receiving device 3 and inserted into the workstation 6 after the capsule endoscope 2 is ejected from the subject 1. In this case, the workstation 6 can capture various data such as image data in the subject 1 stored in the inserted portable recording medium 7.

  Note that the subject 1 is connected to the receiving device 3 and the workstation 6 by a communication cable or the like by transferring data between the receiving device 3 and the workstation 6 using the portable recording medium 7. Unlike the capsule endoscope 2, even when the capsule endoscope 2 is moving inside the subject 1, it can act freely with the receiver 3 being carried.

  The monitor device 9 is for monitoring and displaying the image data acquired from the capsule endoscope 2 by the receiving device 3 in real time. Specifically, the monitor device 9 is connected to the device main body 5 via the cable 8 and receives the image data acquired by the receiving device 3 from the receiving device 3. The monitor device 9 sequentially displays the image data received from the receiving device 3 in this way. That is, the monitor device 9 acquires image data obtained by the capsule endoscope via the receiving device 3, and sequentially displays the acquired image data on the monitor. The monitor device 9 has a wireless communication function for receiving a radio signal from the capsule endoscope without going through the receiving device 3, and image data from the capsule endoscope 2 based on the received radio signal. To get. In this case, the monitor device 9 sequentially displays and displays the image data obtained by the capsule endoscope 2 without going through the receiving device 3.

  Next, each configuration of the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 connected via the cable 8. With reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the receiver 3 is demonstrated first, and the structure of the monitor apparatus 9 is demonstrated next.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving device 3 is formed by connecting the antenna unit 4 and the device main body 5 via a connector 30. As described above, the antenna unit 4 is connected to the plurality of receiving antennas 4a to 4f, and the antenna switching unit 31 that switches from the receiving antennas 4a to 4f to a receiving antenna suitable for receiving a radio signal, and the receiving antennas 4a to 4f. The radio signal received via any one of 4f is demodulated into an image signal, and the antenna is switched based on the reception circuit 32 for detecting the reception electrolysis strength of the radio signal and the reception electric field strength detected by the reception circuit 32. And a switching control circuit 33 that controls the antenna switching operation of the unit 31.

  On the other hand, the apparatus body 5 receives a signal processing circuit 34 that generates image data from the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 32, and image data generated by the signal processing circuit 34. A storage unit 35 to be stored, an input unit 36 for inputting instruction information for instructing activation or various operations of the receiving device 3, and a display unit 37 for displaying information on the subject 1 and the like. In addition, the apparatus body 5 includes a communication interface (I / F) 38 for transmitting image data and the like to the monitor device 9 via the cable 8, and a control unit 39 that controls driving of each component of the receiving device 3. And a power supply unit 40 that supplies driving power to each component of the receiving device 3.

  The antenna switching unit 31 functions to perform an antenna switching operation for electrically connecting the reception circuit 32 to the one switched from the plurality of reception antennas 4a to 4f. In this case, the antenna switching unit 31 performs an antenna switching operation based on the control of the switching control circuit 33, and the receiving circuit 32 and any one of the receiving antennas 4 a to 4 f suitable for receiving an unrelated signal from the capsule endoscope 2. And electrically connect. The antenna switching unit 31 outputs a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 received via the reception antenna selected from the reception antennas 4a to 4f to the reception circuit 32.

  The reception circuit 32 has a demodulation processing function for demodulating the radio signal input from the antenna switching unit 31 into a baseband signal, and a reception intensity detection function for detecting the reception electric field intensity of the radio signal. Specifically, the receiving circuit 32 performs demodulation processing or the like on the radio signal input from the antenna switching unit 31, and demodulates the radio signal into an image signal that is a baseband signal. This image signal is a baseband signal including image data captured by the capsule endoscope 2. The receiving circuit 32 outputs the obtained image signal to the signal processing circuit 34. On the other hand, the receiving circuit 32 detects the received electric field strength of the radio signal, and outputs a signal indicating the detected received electric field strength, for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) to the switching control circuit 33.

  The switching control circuit 33 is for controlling the antenna switching operation by the antenna switching unit 31 described above. Specifically, the switching control circuit 33 uses the signal (for example, RSSI signal) indicating the received electric field strength input from the receiving circuit 32 to receive the received electric field strength of the radio signal from the plurality of receiving antennas 4a to 4f. Is selected, and the antenna switching operation of the antenna switching unit 31 is controlled so that the reception antenna thus selected and the reception circuit 32 are electrically connected.

  The signal processing circuit 34 is for generating image data based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 32. Specifically, the signal processing circuit 34 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 32, and generates image data by the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal. The signal processing circuit 34 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 39.

  The storage unit 35 can removably insert the portable recording medium 7 described above, and sequentially stores data instructed to be stored by the control unit 39, for example, image data generated by the signal processing unit 34, in the portable recording medium 7. To do. The storage unit 35 may include a memory IC such as a RAM or a flash memory so that the storage unit 35 itself stores various information such as image data.

  The input unit 36 is realized by using an input button for inputting instruction information to be instructed to the control unit 39, and various instruction information such as an instruction to display information on the subject 1 on the display unit 37 according to an input operation by the user. Is input to the control unit 39. The display unit 37 is realized by using a thin display such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL panel, and displays information instructed to be displayed by the control unit 39, for example, information on the subject 1. The display unit 37 may have an information input function such as a touch panel, and may be configured to input instruction information to the control unit 39 instead of the input unit 36. In this case, the receiving device 3 may not have the input unit 36.

  The communication I / F 38 is for transmitting the image data acquired by the receiving device 3 to the monitor device 9. Specifically, the communication I / F 38 is connected to the monitor device 9 via the cable 8 and monitors image data generated by the signal processing unit 34 (that is, image data captured by the capsule endoscope 2). Transmit to device 9.

  The control unit 39 is realized using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores the processing program in advance, and a RAM that stores calculation parameters or input information to the control unit 39. Control the driving of the components. In this case, the control unit 39 performs input / output control of information with each component unit, and also performs a data storage operation and a data read operation for the storage unit 35 (specifically, the portable recording medium 7), a display unit. The display operation by 37 and the image data transmission operation to the monitor device 9 via the communication I / F 38 are controlled. Such a control unit 39 performs various processes based on the instruction information input by the input unit 36.

  Further, the control unit 39 includes an operation confirmation unit 39a. The operation confirmation unit 39a performs, for example, self-diagnosis processing that uses the instruction information input from the input unit 36 as a trigger to confirm whether each component of the reception device 3 operates normally. In this case, the operation confirmation unit 39a includes an antenna switching unit 31, a receiving circuit 32, a switching control circuit 33, a signal processing circuit 34, a storage unit 35, an input unit 36, a display unit 37, a communication I / F 38, a control unit 39, and It is determined whether or not the connection state between the power supply units 40 is normal, and a diagnosis is made as to whether or not each of these components is in a normally operable state. Further, the operation check unit 39a displays whether the monitor device 9 connected via the cable 8 performs a monitor display operation normally, that is, the monitor device 9 displays the image data generated by the signal processing circuit 34. Diagnose if you can. The control unit 39 causes the display unit 37 to display the diagnosis result from the operation confirmation unit 39a.

  The power supply unit 40 supplies driving power to each component of the receiving device 3 when a power switch (not shown) provided in the device main body 5 is switched to an on state. Examples of the power supply unit 40 include a dry battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or a nickel metal hydride battery. The power supply unit 40 may be rechargeable.

  Next, the configuration of the monitor device 9 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitor device 9 includes a receiving antenna 90 for receiving a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 and a receiving circuit that demodulates the radio signal received via the receiving antenna 90 into an image signal. 91 and a signal processing circuit 92 that generates image data by the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 91. In addition, the monitor device 9 includes a connection detection unit 93 that detects the connection between the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9 via the cable 8, and a communication I for receiving image data from the reception device 3 via the cable 8. The image data from the communication I / F 94 is output to the control unit 98 when the / F94, the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 are connected, and the signal is received when the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 are not connected. And a switch circuit 95 that outputs image data from the processing circuit 92 to the control unit 98. The monitor device 9 further includes an input unit 96 for inputting instruction information for instructing the control unit 96, a display unit 97 for monitoring and displaying image data and the like, and a control unit 98 for controlling driving of each component of the monitor device 9. And a power supply unit 99 that supplies driving power to each component of the monitor device 9.

  The reception antenna 90, the reception circuit 91, and the signal processing circuit 92 receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 when the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9 are not connected, and also receive this radio signal. In addition, image data obtained by the capsule endoscope 2 is acquired. Specifically, the reception antenna 90 receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 and outputs the received radio signal to the reception circuit 91. The receiving circuit 91 demodulates the radio signal received via the receiving antenna 90 into an image signal, and outputs the obtained image signal to the signal processing circuit 92. The signal processing circuit 92 generates image data by the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 91, and outputs the obtained image data to the switch circuit 95.

  By having such a receiving antenna 90, a receiving circuit 91, and a signal processing circuit 92, the monitor device 9 can acquire image data from the capsule endoscope 2 without going through the receiving device 3, and this image data can be acquired. A monitor can be displayed on the display unit 97.

  The connection detection unit 93 is for detecting the connection between the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9. Specifically, the connection detection unit 93 detects the electrical continuity associated with the connection between the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9 via the cable 8, thereby connecting the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9. Detect the effect. When the connection detection unit 93 detects the connection between the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9, the connection detection unit 93 outputs a detection result indicating that the connection is detected to the control unit 98.

  The communication I / F 94 is for receiving image data transmitted from the receiving device 3 via the cable 8. Specifically, the communication I / F 94 is connected to the communication I / F 38 of the receiving device 3 via the cable 8, and the image data output from the communication I / F 38, that is, the image data acquired by the receiving device 3. Enter. The communication I / F 94 outputs the obtained image data to the switch circuit 95.

  The switch circuit 95 performs a switching operation for electrically connecting either the signal processing circuit 92 or the communication I / F 94 and the control unit 98 according to the connection / non-connection between the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9. Specifically, when the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 are connected, the switch circuit 95 electrically connects the communication I / F 94 and the control unit 98 based on the control of the control unit 98, and the receiving device 3 3 and the monitor device 9 are not connected, the signal processing circuit 92 and the control unit 98 are electrically connected based on the control of the control unit 98. That is, when the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 are connected, the switch circuit 95 outputs the image data (image data acquired by the receiving device 3) from the communication I / F 94 to the control unit 98, and the receiving device 3 3 and the monitor device 9 are not connected, the image data generated by the signal processing circuit 92 is output to the control unit 98.

  The input unit 96 is realized by using an input button for inputting instruction information for instructing the control unit 98. For example, instruction information for instructing driving start of each component unit is input to the control unit 98 according to an input operation by the user. To do. The display unit 97 is realized by using a thin display such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL panel, and information indicated by the control unit 98, for example, image data received from the receiving device 3 via the cable 8 or the receiving device 3 The image data etc. acquired without going through is displayed on the monitor. The display unit 97 has an information input function such as a touch panel, and inputs instruction information for instructing the control unit 98 to the control unit 98.

  The control unit 98 is realized using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores the processing program and the like, and a RAM that stores calculation parameters or input information to the control unit 98. Control the driving of the components. In this case, the control unit 98 performs input / output control of information with each component unit, and controls the monitor display operation by the display unit 97 and the detection operation of the connection detection unit 93.

  The control unit 98 controls the switching operation of the switch circuit 95 described above. Specifically, when the control unit 98 receives from the connection detection unit 93 a detection result indicating that the connection between the reception device 3 and the monitor device 9 has been detected, the communication I / F 94 and the control unit 98 are electrically connected. When the switching operation of the switch circuit 95 is controlled so as to be connected, and the detection result indicating that the connection between the receiving device 3 and the monitor device 9 is detected is not received from the connection detecting unit 93, the control is performed with the signal processing circuit 92. The switching operation of the switch circuit 95 is controlled so that the unit 98 is electrically connected.

  The power supply unit 99 supplies driving power to each component of the monitor device 9 when a power switch (not shown) provided in the monitor device 9 is turned on. Examples of the power supply unit 99 include a dry battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or a nickel metal hydride battery. The power supply unit 99 may be rechargeable.

  The monitor device 9 adopting such a configuration receives the image data from the capsule endoscope 2 via the receiving device 3 by connecting to the receiving device 3 via the cable 8, and this received image data That is, the image data acquired by the receiving device 3 functions to sequentially display and monitor in real time.

  Next, a disconnection inspection of the receiving antennas 4a to 4f provided in the receiving device 3 of the in-vivo information acquiring system described above will be described. Below, the disconnection inspection apparatus used for the disconnection inspection of the receiving antennas 4a to 4f will be described first, and then the disconnection inspection method of the reception antennas 4a to 4f using the disconnection inspection apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a disconnection inspection apparatus for performing a disconnection inspection of a receiving antenna based on the disconnection inspection method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the disconnection inspection device 10 includes an input unit 11 for inputting various instruction information, an imaging unit 12 for capturing a natural image to be transmitted for performing a disconnection inspection of the receiving antenna, An image processing unit 13 that generates an image signal including a natural image captured by the imaging unit 12 and a pattern image generation unit 14 that generates an image signal including a pattern image of a predetermined pattern set in advance are included. Further, the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 includes a switch circuit 15 for outputting an image signal from the image processing unit 13 or an image signal from the pattern image generation unit 14 to the transmission circuit 16, and an image input via the switch circuit 15. It has a transmission circuit 16 that modulates a signal to generate a test radio signal (hereinafter referred to as a test radio signal), and a transmission antenna 17 that outputs the test radio signal generated by the transmission circuit to the outside. Furthermore, the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 includes a control unit 18 that controls driving of each component of the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 and a power supply unit 19 that supplies driving power to each component of the disconnection inspection apparatus 10.

  The input unit 11 is realized by using an input button for inputting instruction information instructed to the control unit 18, and is output by, for example, an instruction to start outputting a test radio signal to the outside or a test radio signal according to an input operation by the user. An instruction to switch the test image to the above-described natural image or pattern image is input to the control unit 18. Note that this test image is one of the natural image and the pattern image described above.

  The imaging unit 12 is for capturing a natural image transmitted as a test image for performing a disconnection inspection of the receiving antenna. Specifically, the imaging unit 12 is realized by using a light emitting element such as an LED, an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS, and an optical system such as a lens. In this case, the imaging unit 12 receives reflected light from the subject due to illumination light applied to a desired imaging field, and captures a desired natural image by photoelectrically converting the received reflected light. The imaging unit 12 outputs the obtained natural image data to the image processing unit 13.

  The image processing unit 13 is for generating an image signal including image data of a natural image captured by the imaging unit 12. Specifically, the image processing unit 13 performs predetermined signal processing on the image data input from the imaging unit 12 to generate an image signal including image data of a natural image. The image processing unit 13 outputs the obtained image signal to the switch circuit 15.

  The pattern image generation unit 14 is for generating an image signal including a pattern image of a predetermined pattern set in advance as image data. Specifically, the pattern image generation unit 14 generates a pattern image having a pattern instructed by the control unit 18 from a plurality of preset patterns, and an image including image data of the generated pattern image Generate a signal. The pattern image generation unit 14 outputs the obtained image signal to the switch circuit 15. Examples of the pattern image include a color bar formed with a predetermined color, a gray scale, a gradation gray scale based on a predetermined ramp waveform, a white image, and a black image.

  The switch circuit 15 is for switching the test image included in the test radio signal transmitted to the outside to either the natural image or the pattern image described above. Specifically, the switch circuit 15 electrically connects either the image processing unit 13 or the pattern image generation unit 14 and the transmission circuit 16 under the control of the control unit 18 based on the instruction information input by the input unit 11. Perform switching operation to connect. In this case, the switch circuit 15 performs an image signal (that is, a natural image signal) from the image processing unit 13 and an image signal (that is, a pattern) from the pattern image generation unit 14 by a switching operation based on the control of the control unit 18. Any one of the image signals of the image is output to the transmission circuit 16.

  The transmission circuit 16 is for modulating an image signal including image data of a test image into a test radio signal. Specifically, the transmission circuit 16 performs modulation processing, power amplification processing, and the like on the image signal received from the image processing unit 13 or the pattern image generation unit 14 via the switch circuit 15, and uses the image signal as a test wireless signal. Modulate to signal. The transmission circuit 16 outputs the obtained test radio signal to the transmission antenna 17. The transmission antenna 17 outputs the test radio signal generated by the transmission circuit 16 to the outside. Note that the transmission antenna 17 desirably transmits a test radio signal having a frequency band substantially similar to the radio signal transmitted by the capsule endoscope 2.

  The control unit 18 is realized using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores the processing program in advance, and a RAM that stores calculation parameters or input information to the control unit 98. The drive of each component is controlled. In this case, the control unit 18 performs input / output control of information with respect to each component and controls driving of each component based on instruction information from the input unit 11. For example, the control unit 18 controls the imaging operation of the imaging unit 12 based on an imaging start instruction from the input unit 11 and controls the image signal generation operation of the image processing unit 13. On the other hand, the control unit 18 controls the pattern image generation operation and the image signal generation operation of the pattern image generation unit 14 based on the pattern image generation instruction from the input unit 11. Further, the control unit 18 controls the switching operation of the switch circuit to electrically connect the image processing unit 13 and the transmission circuit 16 based on the natural image transmission instruction from the input unit 11, and the image processing unit 13. The transmission circuit 16 is controlled so as to modulate the image signal generated by the above to a test radio signal and transmit it to the outside. On the other hand, the control unit 18 controls the switching operation of the switch circuit to electrically connect the pattern image generation unit 14 and the transmission circuit 16 based on the pattern image transmission instruction from the input unit 11, and generates the pattern image. The transmission circuit 16 is controlled so that the image signal generated by the unit 14 is modulated into a test radio signal and transmitted to the outside.

  The power supply unit 19 supplies driving power to each component of the disconnection inspection device 10 when a power switch (not shown) provided in the disconnection inspection device 10 is turned on. Examples of the power supply unit 19 include a dry battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or a nickel metal hydride battery. The power supply unit 19 may be rechargeable.

  The disconnection inspection apparatus 10 adopting such a configuration can transmit a test radio signal including a desired test image as image data. By using the disconnection inspection device 10 that transmits such a test radio signal, the disconnection inspection of the plurality of reception antennas 4a to 4f provided in the reception device 3 described above can be performed.

  Next, a method for inspecting a disconnection of a receiving antenna according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for inspecting a disconnection of a receiving antenna according to the present invention. In addition, the receiving apparatus 3 in which the disconnection inspection of the receiving antenna is performed by the disconnection inspection method according to the present invention sets the battery or the like so that the power supply unit 40 can supply the driving power, and performs the above-described self-diagnosis processing. It is confirmed in advance that the device operates normally.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, initialization processing by the workstation 6 is performed on the receiving device 3 having the receiving antennas 4 a to 4 f to be subjected to the disconnection inspection, and the capsule endoscope inspection for the subject 1 is performed. The receiver 3 is initialized as a receiver (step S101). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the antenna unit 4 is detached from the receiving device 3, and the receiving device 3, that is, the device body 5 with the antenna unit removed is placed on the cradle 22. The cradle 22 is connected to the workstation 6 via the cable 21. The workstation 6 is in a state in which an application for performing initialization processing on the receiving device 3 is started in advance, and the receiving device 3 is initialized based on this application.

  Next, the apparatus main body 5 that has undergone such initialization processing is removed from the cradle 22, and the antenna unit 4 is connected to the apparatus main body 5 to form the receiving apparatus 3 (step S102). The receiving apparatus 3 is in a state where the above-described initialization process has been performed, and information related to the subject 1 (patient name, patient ID, examination date, etc.) is registered, for example.

  Thereafter, the monitor device 9 is connected to the receiving device 3 via the cable 8 (step S103), and the operation of the connected monitor device 9 is confirmed (step S104). Specifically, the control unit 39 of the receiving device 3 is instructed to operate the input unit 36 to check the operation of the monitor device 9. In this case, the above-described operation confirmation unit 39a diagnoses whether or not the display unit 97 of the monitor device 9 can display the image data generated by the signal processing circuit 34, and the control unit 39 performs the operation. The diagnostic result of the monitor device 9 by the confirmation unit 39a is displayed on the display unit 37. The user can confirm whether or not the monitor device 9 can display the image data acquired by the receiving device 3 by monitoring the diagnosis result of the monitor device 9 displayed on the display unit 37. In addition, in the operation confirmation process of this step S104, while confirming the operation of the monitor apparatus 9, you may perform the self-diagnosis process of the receiver 3 mentioned above.

  Next, the receiving device 3 connected to the monitor device 9 that has been confirmed to operate normally (monitor display) in the operation confirming step in step S104 is inspected for the presence or absence of disconnection of the receiving antenna. Specifically, a reception antenna subject to disconnection inspection is selected from the plurality of reception antennas 4a to 4f connected to the antenna unit 4 of the reception device 3 (step S105), and the selected reception antenna subject to disconnection inspection is selected. On the other hand, a test radio signal from the disconnection inspection device is transmitted (step S106). In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 is brought close to the reception antenna 4a selected as the disconnection inspection target, and the test radio signal from the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 is received only by the reception antenna 4a that is the disconnection inspection target. Put it in a state. The disconnection inspection apparatus 10 transmits a test radio signal including a desired test image specified in advance by an input operation of the input unit 11 to the reception antenna 4a for a predetermined time.

  The time for transmitting the test radio signal is sufficient for the monitor device 9 to display the test image on the monitor when the receiving device 3 acquires the test image via the receiving antenna without disconnection. In addition, the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 may be the natural image and the pattern image described above as the desired test image if the user recognizes what display content of the test image is transmitted by the test wireless signal. Any of these may be transmitted.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the test image transmitted by the disconnection inspection device 10 is displayed on the monitor device 9 (step S107). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the test radio signal from the disconnection inspection device 10 transmitted to the reception antenna 4a to be inspected for disconnection is not disconnected between the reception antenna 4a and the reception device 3. The signal is received by the receiving device 3 via the receiving antenna 4a. In this case, the receiving device 3 demodulates the received test radio signal into an image signal, acquires the image data of the test image based on the obtained image signal, and transmits the image data via the cable 8. Is transmitted to the monitor device 9. The monitor device 9 displays the test image P on the display unit 97 based on the image data received from the receiving device 3. Therefore, the user confirms that the test image P is displayed on the display unit 97 of the monitor device 9 in this way (step S107, Yes), and the reception antenna 4a to be inspected for disconnection is not disconnected. The determination can be made in real time (step S108).

  On the other hand, the test radio signal from the disconnection inspection apparatus 10 transmitted to the reception antenna 4a to be disconnected is not received by the reception apparatus 3 if the reception antenna 4a and the reception apparatus 3 are disconnected. In this case, the receiving device 3 cannot acquire the test image included in the test radio signal. For this reason, the monitor device 9 does not display this test image on the display unit 97. Therefore, the user confirms that the test image is not displayed on the display unit 97 of the monitor device 9 in this way (step S107, No), so that the receiving antenna 4a to be inspected for disconnection is disconnected (disconnected state). It can be determined in real time (step S109).

  Thereafter, if the disconnection inspection has not been completed for all the reception antennas 4a to 4f included in the reception device 3 (No at Step S110), the processing steps after Step S105 described above are repeated. In this case, a receiving antenna subject to disconnection inspection is selected from the remaining receiving antennas 4b to 4f excluding the receiving antenna 4a that has been subjected to disconnection inspection, and the above-described processing steps after step S106 are repeated for the selected receiving antenna. . In this way, the disconnection inspection described above for all the reception antennas 4a to 4f of the reception device 3 is completed (step S110, Yes), and the presence or absence of disconnection can be inspected for each of the reception antennas 4a to 4f.

  If the receiving antennas 4a to 4f subjected to the disconnection inspection in this way are not disconnected, the receiving device 3 having the receiving antennas 4a to 4f can normally transmit the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 to the normal state. It is possible to determine that the receiving apparatus 3 is in a normal state that can be received immediately, and then the capsule endoscope examination can be started immediately by carrying the receiving apparatus 3 in the normal state in the subject 1.

  On the other hand, when one of the receiving antennas 4a to 4f is disconnected, the receiving apparatus 3 having the receiving antennas 4a to 4f can cause the capsule endoscope 2 due to the disconnection of the receiving antenna. Therefore, it can be determined that the radio signal from is not in an abnormal state. In this case, it can be determined that the abnormal state of the receiving device 3 is caused by the disconnection of the reception antenna, and the reception antenna in the disconnection state can be easily identified. Therefore, by replacing the receiving antenna in the disconnected state with a normal receiving antenna without disconnection, or by exchanging the antenna unit 4 for a normal one without disconnecting, the receiving device 3 in the abnormal state is set to the normal state described above. Can easily return to the state. As a result, the receiving device 3 that has returned to the normal state can be carried by the subject 1 and the capsule endoscopy can be started immediately.

  In the disconnection inspection method according to the present invention, the test image P included in the test radio signal from the disconnection inspection device 10 may be displayed on the display unit 37 of the reception device 3 instead of the monitor device 9. In this case, it is not necessary to connect the monitor device 9 described above to the reception device 3, and the reception antenna 3 can be inspected for disconnection using the reception device 3 and the disconnection inspection device 10. In this case, the processing steps after step S105 may be performed on the receiving apparatus 3 on which the above-described self-diagnosis processing and the processing steps of steps S101 and S102 have been performed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the disconnection inspection device 10 is brought close to the reception antenna 4a selected as the disconnection inspection target from among the plurality of reception antennas 4a to 4f, and the test radio signal from the disconnection inspection device 10 is transmitted. It transmits to this receiving antenna 4a for a predetermined time. Here, when the test image P acquired by the receiving device 3 based on the test radio signal is displayed on the display unit 37, the reception antenna 4a to which the test radio signal is transmitted is not disconnected. If the test image P is not displayed on the display unit 37, it can be determined that the receiving antenna 4a to which the test radio signal is transmitted is in a disconnected state. By repeating such disconnection inspection for the remaining reception antennas 4b to 4f, disconnection inspection for all the reception antennas 4a to 4f can be achieved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, information related to the subject 1 is registered and initially set in the receiving apparatus 3 in order to perform a disconnection inspection of the receiving antenna. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, dummy subject information set for disconnection inspection, for example, dummy patient name, dummy patient ID, disconnection inspection date, etc. may be registered in the receiving device 3 and initialized.

  Further, the test image transmitted to the receiving device 3 by the disconnection inspection may be stored in the storage unit 35 of the receiving device 3 or displayed on the monitor device 9 or the display unit 37 and then deleted by the control unit 39. Also good.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, a receiving device and a portable monitor device are connected via a cable, and image data acquired by the receiving device is displayed on the monitor device in real time. If the test radio signal from the disconnection inspection device is transmitted to the reception antenna of the reception device for a predetermined time and the test image included in the test radio signal is not displayed on the monitor device, the test radio signal is The transmitted receiving antenna is judged to be disconnected. Therefore, whether or not the receiving apparatus is in a normal state in which the radio signal from the capsule endoscope can be normally received without connecting the receiving apparatus to a workstation that displays an image captured by the capsule endoscope. If it is determined that the receiving apparatus is in an abnormal state where the radio signal from the capsule endoscope cannot be normally received, the abnormal state of the receiving apparatus is caused by the disconnection of the receiving antenna. In addition, it is possible to realize a disconnection inspection method that can determine whether a reception antenna is disconnected and can easily detect a disconnected reception antenna from among a plurality of reception antennas.

  In addition, by transmitting a test radio signal to the receiving antenna subject to disconnection inspection, the presence or absence of disconnection of this receiving antenna can be checked in real time. It is possible to shorten the time required for the subject to carry a normal receiving device, and it is possible to easily prepare a receiving device in a normal state necessary for the capsule endoscope examination.

  Furthermore, since the disconnected receiving antenna can be easily detected and identified from among the plurality of receiving antennas of the receiving device, the disconnected receiving antenna can be easily replaced with a normal receiving antenna. The receiving device that is determined to be in an abnormal state due to disconnection can be easily restored to a normal state.

  In addition, when configured to display the image data acquired via the receiving antenna in real time on the display unit of the receiving device, by transmitting a test radio signal to each receiving antenna of the receiving device having such a display unit for a predetermined time, Even if the monitoring device described above is not connected to the receiving device, it can be determined whether or not the receiving device is in a normal state, and if it is determined that the receiving device is in an abnormal state, the abnormal state of the receiving device Can be determined to be caused by the disconnection of the reception antenna, and the reception antenna in the disconnected state can be easily detected and identified from among the plurality of reception antennas.

It is a schematic diagram which shows typically one structural example of the in-subject information acquisition system. It is a block diagram which shows typically each structural example of the receiver and monitor device which were connected via the cable. It is a block diagram showing typically one example of composition of a disconnection inspection device for performing a disconnection inspection of a receiving antenna based on a disconnection inspection method concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the disconnection test method of the receiving antenna concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method to initialize the receiving apparatus of a disconnection test object. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method to test | inspect the presence or absence of a disconnection of a receiving antenna. It is a schematic diagram explaining the modification of the disconnection inspection method concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2 Capsule endoscope 3 Receiving device 4 Antenna unit 4a-4f Receiving antenna 5 Device main body 6 Workstation 7 Portable recording medium 8 Cable 9 Monitor device 10 Disconnection inspection device 11 Input unit 12 Imaging unit 13 Image processing unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Pattern image generation part 15 Switch circuit 16 Transmission circuit 17 Transmission antenna 18 Control part 19 Power supply part 21 Cable 22 Cradle 30 Connector 31 Antenna switching part 32 Reception circuit 33 Switching control circuit 34 Signal processing circuit 35 Storage part 36 Input part 37 Display Part 38 Communication I / F
39 Control Unit 39a Operation Confirmation Unit 40 Power Supply Unit 90 Reception Antenna 91 Reception Circuit 92 Signal Processing Circuit 93 Connection Detection Unit 94 Communication I / F
95 switch circuit 96 input unit 97 display unit 98 control unit 99 power supply unit P test image

Claims (4)

A receiving antenna that receives a radio signal including image data captured by a capsule endoscope introduced into the subject, and the image data is received based on the radio signal received through the receiving antenna; In the disconnection inspection method for inspecting the presence or absence of disconnection between the receiving device to be acquired and the receiving antenna,
A monitor device connecting step of connecting a portable monitor device that sequentially displays image data acquired by the receiving device to the receiving device;
A test signal transmission step of transmitting a test radio signal including predetermined test image data to the reception antenna;
When the monitor device does not display the test image data, a disconnection determination step of determining that the reception antenna to which the test radio signal including the test image data not displayed is transmitted is in a disconnected state;
A disconnection inspection method characterized by comprising A receiving antenna that receives a radio signal including image data captured by a capsule endoscope introduced into the subject, and the image data is received based on the radio signal received through the receiving antenna; In the disconnection inspection method for inspecting the presence or absence of disconnection between the receiving device and the receiving antenna to obtain and display,
A test signal transmission step of transmitting a test radio signal including predetermined test image data to the reception antenna;
When the receiving device does not display the test image data, a disconnection determining step of determining that the receiving antenna to which the test radio signal including the test image data not displayed is transmitted is in a disconnected state;
A disconnection inspection method characterized by comprising   2. The operation confirmation step of confirming whether or not the monitor device connected to the reception device in the monitor device connection step displays image data acquired via the reception device. The disconnection inspection method described. A receiving antenna selection step of selecting a receiving antenna to be inspected for disconnection from a plurality of the receiving antennas;
The disconnection inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the test signal transmission step transmits the test radio signal to the reception antenna selected by the antenna selection step.

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