JP2008080149A - Medical device guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical device guide system which can guide a medical device body inserted into a body cavity smoothly. <P>SOLUTION: A capsule main body 3 which is inserted into a body cavity and forms a spiral projection 12 on the outer peripheral surface contains a magnet 16 magnetized in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. When the operation instruction of an operation input device 8 is input, a control circuit inside a processor 6 generates a rotary magnetic field of the direction indicated by a rotary magnetic field generator 4 arranged outside the body through a magnetic field control device 5. The information on the direction of the rotary magnetic field and so on is memorized in a memory circuit inside the processor 6. When an operation input for changing the traveling direction of the capsule main body 3 is performed, the control circuit can perform a change of the traveling direction of the capsule main body 3 and so on smoothly from the information memorized in the memory circuit by changing the state of the rotary magnetic field continuously. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical device guidance system that guides a medical device body that is inserted into a body cavity while propelling it while being rotated by means such as magnetism.

  As a first conventional example for magnetically guiding the inside of a subject, there is a medical device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3017770.

  In this conventional example, a guided portion that is magnetically guided is provided in at least a part of the insertion portion that is inserted into the subject, and the direction of the guided portion is balanced from the magnetic force generating means provided outside the subject. In addition, moving means for moving the magnetic force generating means in a direction in which the balance is not controlled is provided.

  Here, a method of magnetically guiding a normal endoscope insertion portion or a capsule endoscope is disclosed. Further, a method is disclosed in which an endoscope insertion portion is vibrated by an alternating magnetic field or guided while rotating a capsule endoscope.

  As a second conventional example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-179700 discloses a magnetic field generator that generates a rotating magnetic field, a robot main body that receives the rotating magnetic field and obtains thrust, and a rotating magnetic field surface in a three-dimensional space. What is changeable in a predetermined direction is disclosed.

In this publication, the thrust generation unit is suitable for propulsion in a fluid, such as a screw provided with mechanical means such as a screw on the robot body, and can move even if a solid or gel-like body exists in the direction of travel. Discloses a robot body provided with drill portions at the front and rear ends.
Japanese Patent No. 3017770 JP 2001-179700 A

  In the above-described conventional example, when the magnetic guidance of the capsule endoscope or the medical device main body inserted into the body cavity is stopped, it is difficult to guide magnetically and smoothly next. It was.

  In addition, no means for avoiding instructing the current direction of the capsule endoscope or the main body of the medical device inserted into the body cavity and the direction of travel significantly deviated is disclosed, and smooth guidance cannot be performed. There was a possibility.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medical device guidance system that can smoothly guide a medical device body inserted into a body cavity.

A first medical device guidance system according to the present invention includes:
A medical device body having a substantially cylindrical outer shape insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity;
A thrust generating mechanism for generating a thrust in a cylindrical axis direction, comprising: a helical structure provided on a side surface of the medical device main body; and a rotation driving unit configured to rotate the helical structure around a cylindrical axis of the medical device main body. ,
Storage means for storing the state of the thrust generating mechanism;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
A traveling direction input means for inputting a change amount of the traveling direction of the medical device body;
Have
The state of the thrust generating mechanism is continuously changed based on the information input by the traveling direction input means and the information of the storage means or the information of the direction detection means.

The second medical device guidance system of the present invention is:
A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure;
Storage means for storing the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
A traveling direction input means for inputting a change amount of the traveling direction of the medical device body;
A control device that continuously changes the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input by the traveling direction input means and the information of the storage means or the information of the direction detection means;
It is characterized by having.

According to a third medical device guidance system of the present invention, in the second medical device guidance system,
A traveling speed input means for inputting a traveling speed of the medical device body;
And a control unit that continuously changes the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input to the traveling direction input unit, the information input to the traveling speed input unit, and the information stored in the storage unit.

A fourth medical device guidance system of the present invention is the third medical device guidance system,
At least one of the advancing direction input means and the advancing speed input means returns to a position where the operation amount becomes zero when the operation is stopped.

According to a fifth medical device guidance system of the present invention, in the second and third medical device guidance systems,
The operation amount of the traveling direction input means corresponds to changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field.

A sixth medical device guidance system of the present invention is the third to fifth medical device guidance system,
The operation amount of the traveling speed input means corresponds to the rotational frequency of the rotating magnetic field.

A seventh medical device guidance system of the present invention is the first to sixth medical device guidance system,
The medical device main body is a capsule medical device.

The eighth medical device guidance system of the present invention is the first to seventh medical device guidance system,
Imaging means provided in the medical device main body, and display means for displaying the captured image,
The operation direction of the traveling direction input unit is assigned to the top, bottom, left, and right of the image displayed on the display unit.

A ninth medical device guidance system of the present invention is the eighth medical device guidance system,
The medical device body is a capsule endoscope,
An image rotation unit that cancels the rotation of the image that occurs when the capsule endoscope is rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and the image processed by the image rotation unit is displayed on the display unit.

According to a tenth medical device guidance system of the present invention, in the second medical device guidance system,
Rotation state input means for inputting the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator,
When the rotation state input means is operated, the direction of the rotating magnetic field is controlled to be generated and rotated with a declination with respect to the traveling direction of the medical device body.

The eleventh medical device guidance system of the present invention is the tenth medical device guidance system,
The direction of the rotating magnetic field is generated with a declination with respect to the advancing direction of the medical device body, and the rotation speed for rotation can be arbitrarily set.

A twelfth medical device guidance system of the present invention includes:
A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure;
Storage means for storing the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
A traveling direction input means for inputting a change amount of the traveling direction of the medical device body;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
A control device that continuously changes the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input by the traveling direction input means and the information of the storage means or the information of the direction detection means;
It is characterized by having.

The thirteenth medical device guidance system of the present invention is:
Means for reading out the state of the thrust generation mechanism from the storage unit;
Means for reading out the direction signal of the thrust generation direction;
Means for obtaining a control signal of the thrust generation mechanism until an arbitrary time;
Means for writing the state of the thrust generation mechanism after the arbitrary time into a storage unit;
Means for transmitting the control signal to the thrust generating mechanism to drive the thrust generating mechanism;
It is characterized by having.

A fourteenth medical device guidance system of the present invention includes:
Means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
Means for reading an input signal from the input unit;
Means for obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator from the direction of the medical device main body and the input signal from the input unit;
Means for transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generator to drive the magnetic field generator;
It is characterized by having.

The fifteenth medical device guidance system of the present invention is:
Means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
Means for detecting the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet provided in the medical device body;
Means for reading an input signal from the input unit;
Means for obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator from the direction of the medical device body, the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet provided in the medical device body, and the input signal from the input unit;
Means for transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generator to drive the magnetic field generator;
It is characterized by having.

The sixteenth medical device guidance system of the present invention is
Means for reading out the state of the magnetic field generator from the storage unit;
Means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
Means for detecting the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet provided in the medical device body;
Means for reading an input signal from the input unit;
Means for obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator from the direction of the medical device body, the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet provided in the medical device body, and the input signal from the input unit;
Means for storing the state of the magnetic field generator after an arbitrary time in the storage unit;
Means for transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generator to drive the magnetic field generator;
It is characterized by having.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the medical device body can be smoothly guided.

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

  FIGS. 1 to 13 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of the capsule medical device guidance system of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows a side view and a front view of the capsule body. 4 shows a schematic configuration and modification of the operation input device, and FIG. 5 shows the normal vector of the rotating magnetic field in the coordinate system and the propulsion direction of the capsule body when the joystick is tilted. FIG. 6 shows a stick in a modification, the capsule body propelling direction by its tilting operation, and an explanatory diagram showing the capsule body in a three-dimensional coordinate system, and FIG. 7 shows the magnetic field when applying and stopping the rotating magnetic field. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing how the rotating magnetic field changes when a rotating magnetic field is applied. FIGS. 9 and 10 show image display in a specific direction even when the capsule body rotates. In the set state FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation method using the GUI, and FIG. 13 is a time lapse of the operation performed by the control device. The flowchart explaining later is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capsule medical device guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a body cavity of a patient (not shown) and functions as a capsule endoscope that images the inside of the body cavity. Type medical device main body 3 (hereinafter abbreviated as capsule main body), a rotating magnetic field generating device 4 that is arranged around the patient, that is, outside the body, and that applies a rotating magnetic field to the capsule main body 3, and a rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generating device 4 A magnetic field control device (or power supply control device) 5 that controls the supply of the drive current that generates the signal, and a process of performing wireless communication with the capsule body 3 that is disposed outside the patient's body, and controls the magnetic field control device 5 A processing device 6 that performs processing for controlling the direction and magnitude of the rotating magnetic field applied to the capsule main body 3, and a table that is connected to the processing device 6 and displays an image captured by the capsule main body 3. A direction that generates an instruction signal in the direction of a magnetic field, for example, as an operation input unit 8 that is connected to the apparatus 7 and the processing apparatus 6 and that is operated by an operator such as an operator to input an instruction signal corresponding to the operation. An input device 8a, a speed input device 8b that generates a rotating magnetic field instruction signal having a rotation frequency corresponding to the operation, an instruction signal corresponding to a set function, such as the generation of an eccentric rotating magnetic field corresponding to the operation And a function button 8c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule main body 3 is provided with a spiral projection (or screw portion) 12 serving as a thrust generating structure portion that generates thrust by rotation on the outer peripheral surface of a capsule-shaped outer container 11. In addition to the inside sealed by the exterior container 11, in addition to the objective optical system 13, the imaging element 14 disposed at the imaging position thereof, and the illumination element 15 (see FIG. 1) that illuminates for imaging. The magnet 16 is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the objective optical system 13 includes a tip cover 11 a made transparent, for example, hemispherically in the outer container 11 so that its optical axis coincides with the central axis C of the cylindrical capsule body 3. Arranged inside, the central portion of the tip cover 11a becomes an observation window 17 as shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the illumination element 15 is disposed around the objective optical system 13.

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

  Further, the magnet 16 disposed in the vicinity of the center in the longitudinal direction in the capsule body 3 has an N pole and an S pole disposed in a direction orthogonal to the central axis C as shown in FIG. In this case, the center of the magnet 16 is arranged so as to coincide with the center of gravity of the capsule body 3, and the center of the magnetic force acting on the magnet 16 when a magnetic field is applied from the outside is the center of gravity of the capsule body 3. Thus, the capsule body 3 can be easily magnetically propelled smoothly.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the image sensor 14 is arranged so as to coincide with a specific arrangement direction.

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

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

  In addition, in this way, when the capsule body 3 including the magnet 16 is controlled by an external magnetic field, it is determined which direction is the upward direction of the image captured by the capsule body 3 from the direction of the external magnetic field. I want to know.

  In the capsule body 3, in addition to the objective optical system 13, the image sensor 14, and the magnet 16 described above, as shown in FIG. 1, a signal processing circuit 20 that performs signal processing on a signal imaged by the image sensor 14, and a signal A memory 21 that temporarily stores a digital video signal generated by the processing circuit 20, and a video signal read from the memory 21 is modulated with a high-frequency signal and converted into a signal to be transmitted wirelessly, or a control signal transmitted from the processing device 6 A radio circuit 22 for demodulating the signal, a capsule control circuit 23 for controlling the capsule body 3 such as the signal processing circuit 20, and a battery 24 for supplying power for operation to the electric system inside the capsule body 3 such as the signal processing circuit 20. It is stored.

  Further, the processing device 6 that performs wireless communication with the capsule body 3 includes a wireless circuit 25 that performs wireless communication with the wireless circuit 23, an image display for image data transmitted from the capsule body 3, and the like. Of the rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generator 4 via the power control device 5 and the data processing circuit 26 for performing the data processing, the control circuit 27 for controlling the data processing circuit 26, the power control device 5 and the like. State, more specifically, the direction of the normal vector of the rotating magnetic field (abbreviated as the direction of the rotating magnetic field) and the memory circuit 28 for storing information on the direction of the magnetic field forming the rotating magnetic field, and the function setting by the function button 8c, etc. And a setting circuit 29 for performing the above. A display device 7 is connected to the data processing circuit 26, and an image or the like captured by the image sensor 14 and processed by the data processing circuit 26 via the wireless circuits 22 and 25 is displayed. The display device 7 is also connected to the control circuit 27 and can display the current state of the rotating magnetic field and the function setting state.

  An instruction signal corresponding to the operation is input to the control circuit 27 from the direction input device 8a, the speed input device 8b, and the function button 8c constituting the operation input device 8, and the control circuit 27 performs a control operation corresponding to the instruction signal. .

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

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

  Each of the three electromagnets 33a, 33b, and 33c is composed of a pair of opposed air-core coils, and the electromagnets are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. Since a uniform magnetic field can be generated in the space between the opposing coils, a magnetic field can be generated in an arbitrary direction by this configuration. Preferably, each counter coil forms a Helmholtz coil.

  In this case, the electromagnets 33a, 33b, and 33c are arranged so as to generate magnetic fields in three orthogonal directions as shown in FIG. Preferably, each of the electromagnets 33a, 33b, and 33c is composed of a pair of opposed air-core coils, and the electromagnets are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. Since a uniform magnetic field can be generated in the space between the opposed coils, a magnetic field can be generated in an arbitrary direction by this configuration. More preferably, each of the opposed coils forms a Helmholtz coil.

  Then, by operating the direction input device 8a constituting the operation input device 8 shown in FIG. 4A, rotation corresponding to the operation is generated by generating an instruction signal in the magnetic field direction or operating the speed input device 8b. An instruction signal for a frequency rotating magnetic field can be generated, and an eccentric rotating magnetic field can be generated by operating the function button 8c (see FIG. 9).

  Specifically, the operation input device 8 includes a direction input device 8a formed by a joystick Sa protruding upward from the upper surface of the operation box, a speed input device 8b formed by a stick Sb, and, for example, two buttons Ta and Tb. And the function button 8c formed in the above.

  Then, when an orthogonal coordinate system is set as shown in FIG. 5A to represent the direction of the normal vector N of the rotating surface of the rotating magnetic field, the direction of the normal vector N is the propulsion of the capsule body 3. This direction can be set by tilting the joystick Sa.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the propulsion direction can be changed to the lower side, the upper side, the left side, and the right side by tilting the joystick Sa toward the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side. . The amount of tilting in this case corresponds to the speed of angle change. In addition, if it inclines in an intermediate direction (for example, a lower left direction or an upper right direction), naturally a propulsion direction can be changed to that direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, by tilting the stick Sb to the front side and the rear side, the rotation direction can be set to the front side and the rear side, respectively, and the rotation frequency can be changed at the tilt angle. .

  Further, the button Ta is generated so as to decenter the direction of the rotating magnetic field (that is, the direction of the rotating magnetic field changes to a conical shape by decentering the rotating magnetic field from a certain direction by an eccentric angle). An instruction signal for starting the eccentricity of the rotating magnetic field is generated, and the magnet 16 incorporated in the capsule main body 3 starts so-called jiggling (rotates so that the rotating mandrel of the rotating drum is shaken) by the eccentricity of the rotating magnetic field. Become.

  Accordingly, the button Ta functions as an instruction signal for starting jiggling, and the button Tb generates an instruction signal for stopping eccentricity of the rotating magnetic field, and thus an instruction signal for stopping jiggling. It should be noted that the setting of the value of the jiggling angle (angle φ described later) when instructing the magnetic field strength and the jiggling and the frequency when performing the jiggling can be set in advance by the function of the setting circuit 29. Further, this setting may be configured so that the operator can arbitrarily change it while checking the display device 7.

  Further, as a modification of the operation input device 8 shown in FIG. 4 (A), as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the operation input device 8 can be tilted to the top side of the joystick Sc, and by changing the rotation frequency of the rotating magnetic field according to the amount of declination. A lever La for changing the rotation speed of the capsule body 3, a button Tc for instructing the rotation direction of the rotating magnetic field by ON / OFF, and a function button Td as an eccentric function of the rotating magnetic field (in one case, from OFF to ON) In the case of ON, a function from ON to OFF may be provided.

  In this way, it can be operated with one hand, and operability can be improved as compared with the case where it is necessary to operate with both hands in FIG.

  In FIG. 4A, for example, a foot switch F shown in FIG. 4C may be adopted instead of the stick Sb, and the rotation frequency may be changed by the amount of depression. Further, the operation input unit 8 may be configured not only with a joystick and a foot switch but also with a personal computer or the like, and may be operated using a mouse, a keyboard, a GUI (graphical user interface), or the like.

  Further, in this case, if the GUI is displayed on the display device 7, the operability is improved. For example, the cursor may be placed on the image acquired by the capsule body, and the direction in which the capsule body is to be pointed is used to indicate the direction of movement of the capsule.

  In this case, the operability can be further improved by making the distance of the cursor from the center position of the image correspond to the speed of changing the direction of the capsule body. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows an image 71 acquired by the capsule body, and a cursor 72 is arranged at the center of the image 71.

  At this time, if the operator wants to change the orientation of the capsule body in the direction A shown in the figure, the same signal as when the joystick Sc is operated is moved by moving the cursor 72 in the A direction with a mouse (not shown). Is generated by a personal computer (not shown) and transmitted to the control circuit 27.

  FIG. 6 shows an explanatory diagram of the operation function and the like when the joystick Sc shown in FIG. 4B is employed. 6A shows an example of the configuration excluding the function button Td in FIG. 4B, FIG. 6B shows the function of changing the propulsion direction by the tilting operation of the joystick Sc, and FIG. The operation | movement explanatory drawing which actually changes a propulsion direction etc. with respect to the capsule main body 3 is shown.

  In this case, FIG. 6B shows a function of changing the propulsion direction of the capsule body 3 by changing the direction in which the rotating magnetic field is generated by tilting the joystick Sc shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B (or FIG. 5B), the direction in which the rotating magnetic field is generated is controlled so that the capsule body 3 can be propelled in the direction of tilting the joystick Sc. I have to.

  In addition, the rotation frequency is changed by the amount by which the lever La is tilted, and a rotating magnetic field that causes the button Tc to move forward in the Off state and a rotating magnetic field that causes the button Tc to move backward (reverse to forward) is generated. To control.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in order to smoothly change the propulsion direction, it is necessary to constantly grasp the state of the capsule body 3 or the state of the rotating magnetic field. In this embodiment, the state of the rotating magnetic field (specifically, the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field) is always stored in the storage circuit 28.

  Specifically, an operation instruction signal in the operation input unit 8 which is the first operation input means in FIG. 1 is input to the control circuit 27, and the control circuit 27 generates a control signal for generating a rotating magnetic field corresponding to the instruction signal. In addition to outputting to the magnetic field control device 5, information on the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field is stored in the storage circuit 28.

  A more specific operation will be described using the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 13, the vertical direction is the passage of time. Steps S21 to S25 represent operation steps of the control circuit 27. The control circuit 27 first reads the state of the storage circuit 28 in step S21. Next, the control circuit 27 reads the state of the operation input unit 8 (S22). Then, the control circuit 27 calculates the direction after the set time of the capsule body from the state of the storage circuit 28 and the state of the operation input unit 8 (S23). After the calculation, the control circuit 27 generates waveform data as a control signal for continuously moving the capsule body until the set time (S24). Further, the direction of the capsule body after the set time is recorded in the storage circuit 28, and the generated waveform data is transmitted to the alternating current generation & control unit 31 (S25).

  The alternating current generation & control unit 31 adds the (new) waveform data transmitted from step S25 following the end of the old waveform data transmitted last time, and drives the generation of the magnetic field via the driver unit 32. The waveform data is output to the rotating magnetic field generator 4 (S26). Note that the processing in step S26 is 0 when processing for the first time because there is no old waveform data transmitted last time. When waveform data is next input to the alternating current generation & control unit 31, it is added following the end of the waveform data already input.

  After the process of step S26, the control circuit 27 returns to the process of step S21. As described above, the closed loop processing of the processing steps S21 to S26 is repeated at a predetermined control cycle. In this way, the control circuit 27 changes the orientation of the capsule body in real time while continuously outputting (magnetic induction) waveform data for controlling the generation of the rotating magnetic field. In addition, since the control period at this time is 1 second or less (more preferably, 100 mS or less), the capsule body can be guided smoothly.

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

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

  Further, in this embodiment, when the application of the rotating magnetic field is started and stopped, or when the direction of the rotating magnetic field (in other words, the direction of the capsule body in the traveling direction) is changed, a sudden force acts on the capsule body 3. The rotating magnetic field is controlled so as to continuously change so as to operate smoothly.

  Specifically, the direction in which the rotating magnetic field is generated is the Z direction, and in order to generate this rotating magnetic field, the magnetic field component generated by the rotating magnetic field generator 4 along the X and Y directions on a plane perpendicular to the Z direction. Is Hx, Hy (represented as X and Y in FIG. 7 for simplification), the intensity of the rotating magnetic field is continuously increased as shown in FIG. When the application of the magnetic field is stopped, control is performed so that the strength of the rotating magnetic field is continuously reduced as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a state when a rotating magnetic field is applied, for example. When a rotating magnetic field is applied to the capsule body 3, the magnitude of the rotating magnetic field is continuously increased from zero. ing.

  By controlling in this way, the operation of the capsule body 3 can be maintained smoothly even when the application of the rotating magnetic field is started and when the application of the rotating magnetic field is stopped.

More preferably, not only the strength of the rotating magnetic field but also the rotational frequency of the rotating magnetic field is continuously changed at the start of the addition of the rotating magnetic field. Specifically, control is performed so as to gradually increase the frequency of the rotating magnetic field at the start of applying the rotating magnetic field. Thereby, since the rotational speed of the capsule body gradually increases, the rotation of the capsule body can be started smoothly. Further, when the rotation magnetic field addition is stopped, control is performed so that the frequency of the rotation magnetic field is gradually lowered. Thereby, since the rotational speed of the capsule body gradually decreases, the rotation of the capsule body can be smoothly stopped.
Of course, a continuous change in frequency and a continuous change in magnetic field strength may be performed simultaneously.

  In this embodiment, when the capsule body 3 as the medical device body is guided using the rotating magnetic field, information on the state of the rotating magnetic field that determines the current traveling direction of the capsule body 3 is stored in the storage circuit 28. When changing the advancing direction, the medical device main body is guided by controlling the rotating magnetic field continuously so as to advance in the next advancing direction with reference to the information stored in the storage circuit 28. It is characterized by enabling natural operations.

The operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.
When examining the inside of a body cavity with the capsule body 3, the patient swallows the capsule body 3. When the capsule body 3 inserted into the body cavity passes through the esophagus or the like, it is illuminated by the illumination element 15, and an image captured by the imaging element 14 is wirelessly transmitted to the processing apparatus 6 outside the body via the wireless circuit 22.

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

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

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

  Further, the operator presets the magnitude of the rotating magnetic field (the magnitude (amplitude) of the magnetic field whose direction in the magnetic field rotation plane in FIG. 8 rotates) by the setting circuit 29 and does not generate a rotating magnetic field greater than this value. It can also be set as follows. Setting information by the setting circuit 29 is stored in the storage circuit 28. In addition, the surgeon similarly sets the maximum rotation frequency of the rotating magnetic field, the maximum value of the direction change speed of the capsule body, and the like.

  Then, by turning off the stick Sb in FIG. 4A or the button Tc in FIG. 4B of the operation input device 8 and tilting the lever La, the lower side along the patient's height is a rotating magnetic field. The control circuit 27 reads and controls the information stored in the storage circuit 28 so that the rotating magnetic field is generated so as to be in the direction of. That is, the rotating magnetic field generator 4 generates the rotating magnetic field via the magnetic field controller 5 based on the information read from the storage circuit 28.

  In this case, for example, when the lower side along the height of the patient is the Z direction, the magnetic field components that form the rotating magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic field generator 4 are X and Y shown in FIG. Thus, when the component becomes continuously larger from the state of 0 and reaches a predetermined value (+ Limit and -Limit in FIG. 7), the amplitude is maintained.

  When the lever La is tilted, a rotating magnetic field having a frequency corresponding to the tilted operation amount is generated. In FIG. 7, for simplification, the magnitude (amplitude) of the rotating magnetic field generated (applied) changes to reach a predetermined rotating magnetic field in response to the operation when the lever La is tilted to a certain angle. It shows the state up to. Further, when the lever La is tilted, a rotating magnetic field having a shorter period, that is, a rotating magnetic field frequency becomes large.

  Here, as described above, the frequency may be gradually changed so that the rotational frequency of the capsule body does not change suddenly at the time of start and stop. Alternatively, both amplitude and frequency may be gradually changed.

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

  When the lever La is released and the operation by the lever La is stopped, the lever La automatically returns to the neutral position (the operation amount is 0), and the component of the rotating magnetic field at that time is as shown in FIG. Continuously decreases to zero. That is, even when the application of the rotating magnetic field is stopped, the rotating magnetic field continuously changes, so that the operation of the capsule body 3 can be controlled smoothly or in a nearly natural state.

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

  Then, when an operation for applying the rotating magnetic field again is performed next, a rotating magnetic field similar to that when the rotating magnetic field is stopped is generated based on the information stored in the storage circuit 28. Of course, in this case as well, the rotating magnetic field is controlled so as to increase continuously as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, when the rotating magnetic field is applied or stopped, the magnitude of the rotating magnetic field is continuously changed. Therefore, the force acting on the capsule body 3 when the rotating magnetic field is applied or stopped. The capsule body 3 can be smoothly propelled at a higher speed by applying a rotating magnetic field, and can be guided to the target site in a short time.

  In the above description, a rotating magnetic field is applied in the esophagus part to increase the moving speed. However, when the capsule body 3 has advanced from the stomach to the duodenum, a rotating magnetic field is applied. Also good.

  Also in this case, it can be confirmed from the captured image that the capsule body 3 has entered the duodenum from the stomach, and can be advanced faster by applying a rotating magnetic field so as to advance in the direction of travel of the duodenum. it can. Also in this case, when the traveling direction of the duodenum is the Z-axis direction, a rotating magnetic field is applied as shown in FIG. Further, when the vehicle is stopped, it is changed as shown in FIG.

  In a more general case, it is assumed that the capsule body 3 is in a three-dimensional space as shown in FIG. 6C, and the front side in the longitudinal direction (viewing direction side) of the capsule body 3 is the y ′ direction ( In FIG. 6C, an orthogonal coordinate system (x ′, y ′, z ′) is set so that the front side in the longitudinal direction of the capsule body 3 is in the y ′ direction). In order to propel the main body 3 by the rotating magnetic field, the rotating magnetic field is applied in a state in which the direction of the rotating magnetic field to be applied (in the normal direction) is set to the y ′ direction.

  When a rotating magnetic field is applied, as shown in FIG. 7A, the magnetic field components constituting the rotating magnetic field change so as to increase continuously. That is, the rotating magnetic field gradually increases as shown by a thick spiral on the upper side of FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the direction of the moving direction of the capsule body 3 is changed from the y ′ direction to the y ″ direction which is the upper side of the direction (in FIG. 6C, the capsule body 3 The direction input device 8a is operated. For example, the joystick Sa or the stick Sc is operated. In the coordinate system (x ″, y ″, z ″) orthogonal to the front side of the longitudinal direction of y ″ is set). By performing an operation of tilting toward the hand side, the direction of the rotating magnetic field can be changed in the y ″ direction which is the upper side of the y ′ direction.

  In this case, by rotating the stick Sc toward the hand side and tilting the lever La, the rotating magnetic field can be continuously changed, and the traveling direction of the capsule body 3 can be smoothly or naturally applied by applying the rotating magnetic field. Can be changed.

  The rotating magnetic field in this case is controlled by the control circuit 27. Specifically, based on information on the rotating magnetic field in the y ′ direction stored in the storage circuit 28, the rotating magnetic field is generated by the direction input device 8a such as the stick Sc. Referring to the input information, the rotating magnetic field is generated basically as shown in FIG. 7A so that the y ″ direction is the direction of the rotating magnetic field (FIG. 7A shows the traveling direction). Is the Z direction, the magnetic field component is different from that in FIG. 7A).

  When the stick Sc is tilted toward the hand side while the lever La is tilted, the control circuit 27 controls the direction of the rotating magnetic field to be continuously changed from the y ′ direction to the y ″ direction. .

  Specifically, the control circuit 27 is after a certain time from the information on the rotating magnetic field stored in the storage circuit 28 and the operation information of the direction input device 8a (the certain time here corresponds to the control cycle described above). The direction of the capsule body (y ”direction) is calculated. Next, a rotating magnetic field waveform that changes continuously from the y ′ direction to the y ″ direction so that the capsule body moves smoothly calculate. The control circuit 27 transmits the waveform data obtained by the calculation to the alternating current generation & control unit 31. As a result, the electromagnets 33a, 33b, and 33c are controlled by continuously changing waveforms, and the rotating magnetic field changes smoothly or naturally in the y "direction. Therefore, the capsule body also changes smoothly or naturally in the y" direction. be able to.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the traveling direction of the capsule body 3 is changed, the rotating magnetic field is continuously changed with reference to the information on the rotating magnetic field stored in the storage circuit 28. 3 can be smoothly changed.

  In this embodiment, the surgeon can also generate a so-called jiggling rotating magnetic field so that the direction of the rotating magnetic field is periodically eccentric by operating the function button 8c. When the function button 8c is operated, information on the eccentric angle preset by the setting circuit 29 is stored in the storage circuit 28, and the control circuit 27 reads the information on the eccentric angle, and changes the direction of the rotating magnetic field. A rotating magnetic field is generated by decentering only the core angle.

  For example, when the capsule body 3 exists in a lumen portion larger than the maximum outer diameter including the spiral projection 12, only a part of the spiral projection 12 contacts the inner wall of the lumen. It may be difficult to proceed smoothly.

  In such a case, the surgeon can jig the capsule body 3 by generating a magnetic field in which the direction of the rotating magnetic field is decentered (hereinafter referred to as “jiggling magnetic field”). As a result, the outer diameter of the capsule body 3 during the jiggling operation can be substantially increased (virtually), the spiral projection 12 can be brought into contact with a wider inner wall of the lumen, and compared with a normal rotating magnetic field. The capsule body 3 can be efficiently and smoothly propelled smoothly and stably.

  For example, referring to FIG. 8, in the case where the y ′ direction in FIG. 8 is set as the propulsion direction, when the button Ta (or Td) of the function button 8c is operated, the rotation is performed with the direction as the direction of the rotating magnetic field. The control circuit 27 performs control so as to generate a jiggling magnetic field that deviates from this direction and, for example, an angle φ with respect to the magnetic field. In FIG. 8, the direction yz ′ having the angle y with the y ′ direction changes with time. In this case, the angle between the direction yz ′ and the y ′ direction is φ (however, as described below, the angle It gradually increases from a smaller angle until it reaches φ).

  Even in this case, when generating a jiggling magnetic field, the angle is gradually increased from the rotating magnetic field whose direction is y 'direction and the magnitude is 0, that is, at an angle gradually increasing from the jiggling magnetic field at a small angle. A jiggling magnetic field is generated and maintained at the angle φ.

The capsule body 3 is changed from a small angle jiggling operation to a large angle jigging operation so that the mandrel gradually shakes from a small rotational shaking state just like the operation just before the rotating topper falls. The state changes continuously, and when the jiggling operation state at a predetermined angle φ is reached, the state is maintained.
When the direction input device 8 is configured by a PC or the like, it can be configured to arbitrarily set various parameters of jigging.

  By performing the jiggling operation as described above, for example, the capsule body 3 can be stably driven in a lumen portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the capsule body 3. In addition, by performing jiggling in this manner, the imaging range can be substantially widened, and the inner wall of the lumen can be imaged in a wider range.

  When the button Tb or the like for stopping the jiggling operation on the function button 8c is operated, the jiggling magnetic field gradually decreases from the jiggling magnetic field at the angle φ, and the magnitude of the magnetic field gradually decreases.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the jiggling magnetic field can also be generated. Therefore, in order to generate such a jiggling magnetic field, the operation means corresponding to the direction input operation device 8a is manually jigged. Or it can generate | occur | produce stably even if it does not perform "pist" operation, and operativity can be improved significantly.

  In the above description, the function button 8c is operated to generate a jiggling magnetic field after the rotating magnetic field is stopped. However, when the function button 8c is operated while the rotating magnetic field is applied. The angle gradually increases from the state of the rotating magnetic field, and a jiggling magnetic field that maintains the state at the angle φ is generated. In addition, when the jiggling stop button is operated in this state, the reverse operation is performed.

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

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 for correcting the rotated image to a stationary image is performed (more specifically, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-105493). Explaining).

  First, the capsule body 3 sequentially captures images in time series and stores a digital video signal in the memory 21. Under the control of the control circuit 27 of the processing device 6, the digital video signal is stored as image data in, for example, an internal memory of the data processing circuit 26 via the radio circuits 22 and 25. At this time, the control circuit 27 of the processing device 6 also stores magnetic field data including the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field when the image data is captured in association with the image data stored in the internal memory.

  As a result, a plurality of image data, first image data, second image data,..., N-th image data are sequentially stored in the internal memory, and a plurality of magnetic field data, first magnetic field associated with these image data are stored. Data, second magnetic field data,..., N-th magnetic field data are also stored sequentially.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the control circuit 27 of the processing device 6 initializes the parameters θ (total image rotation angle) and n (image number) in step S1, and θ = 0 and n = 1. And In step S2, the control circuit 27 reads the nth image data (in this case, the first image data) stored in the internal memory. In step S3, the control circuit 27 includes the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field. The n magnetic field data (in this case, the first magnetic field data) is read from the internal memory.

  Next, in step S4, the control circuit 27 sets the nth image data ′, which is the first corrected image data, and the “nth image data,” which is the second corrected image data, as image data equal to the nth image data. In step S 5, the control circuit 27 controls the data processing circuit 26 to display a display image based on the “nth image data” on the display device 7.

  Subsequently, in step S6, the control circuit 27 increments n by 1 and reads n-th image data (in this case, second image data) stored in the internal memory in step S7. The n-th magnetic field data (in this case, the second magnetic field data) including the direction of the rotating magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field is read from the internal memory. Next, in step S9, the control circuit 27 calculates a rotation angle Δθ between the nth image and the n−1th image. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the direction of the rotating magnetic field of the first magnetic field data, which is the magnetic field data of the first image data, is B1 (x1, y1, z1), and the normal direction of the rotating magnetic field is R1. (X1, Y1, Z1), the direction of the rotating magnetic field of the second magnetic field data that is the magnetic field data of the second image data is B2 (x2, y2, z2), and the normal direction of the rotating magnetic field is R2 (X2, Y2) , Z2).

  Since the advancing direction of the capsule body 3 changes every moment, if the angle between B1 and B2 is simply set as the rotation angle, the actual rotation angle may not match. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the angle formed by the normal vectors N1, R2, and B2 of R1 and B1, and the angle of the normal vector N2 of R1 and B1, is set so that the change in the traveling direction of the capsule body 3 is also considered in the rotation angle. The rotation angle is Δθ. The rotation angle Δθ is obtained as follows. N1 = (y1Z1-Y1z1, z1X1-Z1x1, x1Y1-X1y1) N2 = (y2Z2-Y2z2, z2X2-Z2x2, x2Y2-X2y2) Since N1 and N2 are unit vectors, Δθ1 · 2 = cos−1 {(y1Z1 -Y1z1) (y2Z2-Y2z2)

  By calculating Δθ1 · 2, Δθ2 · 3, Δθ (n-2) · (n-1), Δθ (n-1) · n in order with the passage of time, the rotation angle can be calculated. it can.

  Then, the total rotation angle θ only needs to take the above-mentioned sum, and is expressed as θ = ΣΔθ (k−1) · k. Therefore, in step S10, the control circuit 27 sets θ = θ + Δθ as the total rotation angle. . Therefore, for example, the second image is an image obtained by rotating the first image in the direction of the drawing by the rotation angle θ + error. Here, the error is a rotation angle error between the rotation angle of the capsule body 3 due to the rotation load between the helical projection 12 of the capsule body 3 and the body wall and the rotation angle of the magnetic field forming the rotating magnetic field.

  Therefore, first, in step S11, the control circuit 27 sets the nth image data ', which is the first corrected image data, as image data obtained by rotating the nth image data by an angle (-θ). As a result, for example, a second image ', which is a first corrected image that does not consider the error, can be obtained.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 10. In step S12, the control circuit 27 performs a known correlation calculation between the nth image data and the n−1th image data, and has a correlation with the rotation angle correction amount (φn). In step S13, it is determined whether the correlation coefficient is higher than a predetermined threshold value. Based on this determination, it is determined whether or not the rotation angle error is ignored.

  If the correlation coefficient is not higher than the predetermined threshold value, in step S14, the control circuit 27 sets the nth image data “2nd corrected image data” as the nth image data ′ as the first corrected image data. When the correlation coefficient is not higher than the predetermined threshold value, that is, when the image changes greatly, the correlation processing result is not adopted and the processing of step S11 is performed (first corrected image data). At the time when the n-th image data is set to image data obtained by rotating the n-th image data by an angle (−θ), the rotation correction of the image is completed.

  When the correlation coefficient is higher than the predetermined threshold value, in step S15, the control circuit 27 determines the nth image data that is the second corrected image data “= the nth image data that is the first corrected image data” as an angle ( −φn) Rotated image data, whereby a second corrected image, for example, a second image ”can be obtained. In step S16, the total rotation angle θ is set to θ + φn, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the control circuit 27 controls the image processing circuit 32 to display the display image on which the rotation correction based on the “nth image data” has been completed on the display device 5. Then, the process returns to step S6 in FIG.

  The image displayed on the display device 7 can be displayed without making the user aware of the image rotation process by making the image have a circular outline.

  Further, when the capsule drive frequency and the capsule image acquisition and display frequency are substantially the same, the image rotation is theoretically almost eliminated, and therefore the image rotation correction step described above may be omitted.

  Further, in this case, the image displayed on the display device 7 may not be circular. When a rectangle, square, octagon, or the like is used, it is possible to display using pixels of the image sensor effectively.

  According to the present embodiment, the rotating magnetic field is continuously changed when the rotating magnetic field is applied and stopped, and the direction of the rotating magnetic field is changed. Can be made.

  Instead of swallowing the capsule body 3, it may be inserted into the rectum like a suppository from the patient's anus, and then magnetically guided to perform a test from the ileum side of the large intestine or small intestine to the jejunum.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 14, the capsule medical device guidance system 1B of the present embodiment is similar to the capsule medical device guidance system 1 of FIG. 1, further includes an oscillator 41 in the capsule body 3 and an alternating current around the output signal of the oscillator 41. The capsule body 3B is provided with a coil 42 for generating a magnetic field.

  Further, outside the capsule body 3B, the capsule body 3B includes a direction / position detection device 43 that detects the orientation (direction) of the capsule body 3B in the longitudinal direction from the alternating magnetic field of the coil 42 and also detects the position. A magnetic pole sensor 44 for detecting the direction (direction) of the magnet 16, and a (magnet) direction detecting device 45 for detecting the direction of the magnet from the output of the magnetic pole sensor 44.

  FIG. 15 shows the capsule body 3B in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the capsule main body 3B is the same as the capsule main body 3 shown in FIG. Is wound in a solenoid shape and stored in a state in which the direction is set to the longitudinal direction of the capsule body 3B.

  The direction / position detection device 43 includes, for example, a plurality of sense coils that detect an alternating magnetic field, and detects the orientation and position of the coil 42 from signals detected by the sense coils. The magnetic pole sensor 44 includes a plurality of magnetic pole sensors 44 and detects the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet 16 from the output signals of the plurality of magnetic pole sensors. The orientation of the capsule body 3 in the longitudinal direction can also be detected by the arrangement state of the coil 42 and the magnet 16 arranged in the capsule body 3. The magnet 16 may be disposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the capsule body 3.

Note that an antenna may be employed instead of the coil 42, and radio waves radiated from the antenna may be received by the direction / position detector 43 to detect the longitudinal direction and position of the capsule body 3B.
Information detected by the direction / position detection device 43 and the direction detection device 45 is input to the control circuit 27 of the processing device 6.

When the operation input device 8 is operated, the control circuit 27 generates a rotating magnetic field based on information stored in the storage circuit 28 and information detected by the direction / position detection device 43 and the direction detection device 45. Or controlling the direction of the generated rotating magnetic field.
In the present embodiment, when an image captured by the capsule body 3B is displayed on the display device 7, the display is performed as shown in FIG.

  That is, for example, an image captured by the capsule body 3B is displayed in the image display area a on the right side of the display screen, the approximate body shape 2 of the patient is displayed on the left side, and the outline of the capsule body 3B detected in the body shape 2 is displayed. An image 3c representing the outer shape is displayed at a position along with a direction cursor k indicating the front direction of the capsule body 3B in the longitudinal direction.

  Note that, in the image display area a, as in the first embodiment, an image captured by the image sensor 14 is displayed with the upper side of the image sensor 14 as an upward direction. In this case, the rotation of the capsule body 3B can be corrected and displayed by the method described in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the direction of the magnet 16 can be detected by the direction detection device 45. The detection output is used to determine the direction of image display, image rotation processing is performed, and the image is displayed as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment having such a configuration, the direction of the capsule body 3B (the vector direction with the front end cover 11a as the front side in addition to the longitudinal direction) and the magnetic pole direction of the magnet 16 can be detected. Basically, the capsule body 3B can be smoothly changed to the instructed direction even when an operation input for changing the direction of the capsule body 3B is performed without using the information of the rotating magnetic field by the storage circuit 28. it can.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, by combining these, the operation mode can be selected and operated from a plurality of modes preset by the setting circuit 29.
Hereinafter, typical operation modes will be described.
In the first mode, there is a means for measuring time by a timer (not shown). For example, the direction of the rotating magnetic field is changed at a shorter time interval with a reference time of a relatively short time interval set by the setting circuit 29 as a reference. If the application of the rotating magnetic field is instructed again after the application of the rotating magnetic field is stopped, the control circuit 27 performs a control operation corresponding to the instruction input with the information stored in the storage circuit 28.

  That is, when an instruction to change the direction of the rotating magnetic field is made within a short time interval, the capsule body 3B by the direction / position detecting device 43 is not changed from the information stored in the storage circuit 28 immediately before that. Even if this detection information is not used, the error is small and the same effect as in the first embodiment is obtained.

  On the other hand, when an instruction to change the direction of the rotating magnetic field is made after a time interval larger than the time interval of the reference time, the direction of the capsule body 3B may have changed more greatly. Therefore, the control circuit 27 uses the information on the direction and position of the capsule body 3B by the direction / position detection device 43 and the detection information on the direction of the magnet 16 by the direction detection device 45 to change the traveling direction of the capsule body 3B. Is controlled to change smoothly.

  When changing the traveling direction (thrust generation direction) of the capsule body 3B, etc., as described in the first embodiment, by continuously changing the application or change of the rotation time, the traveling direction of the capsule body 3B can be changed. Make changes smoothly.

  As described above, according to the first mode, since the detection means such as the direction of the capsule body 3B is provided, for example, after the rotation magnetic field to the capsule body 3B is stopped, the rotation magnetic field is applied again after a considerable time has elapsed. Even in such a case, even when the direction of the capsule body 3B changes after a considerable time has elapsed since the stop of the rotating magnetic field, the detection information of the detection means such as the direction of the capsule body 3B A rotating magnetic field can be applied, and propulsion and direction change can be performed smoothly.

  The operation in this case will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, the position of the capsule body 3B at the time t1 when the application of the rotating magnetic field to the capsule body 3B is stopped is indicated by a vector 51 (t1) including its direction, and at a time t2 after a certain time has elapsed from this time t1. The capsule body 3B moves to the vector 52 (t2).

  When an instruction input for applying a rotating magnetic field for propelling the capsule body 3B in the propelling direction s is performed by operating the direction input device 8a at this time t2, the control circuit 27 performs the time t2 (or a time immediately before this time t2). ) In the propulsion direction s from the rotating magnetic field in the direction corresponding to the direction of the capsule body 3B at time t2 (not in the rotating magnetic field in the direction corresponding to the direction of the capsule body 3B at time t1). The capsule body 3B can be smoothly guided by continuously changing the rotating magnetic field in the direction to be generated.

  In the second mode, information detected by the direction / position detecting device 43 and the direction detecting device 45 is sequentially stored in the storage circuit 28, and the information stored before that is updated. When the operation input is performed by the operation input device 8, the control circuit 27 performs an operation corresponding to the operation input based on the information stored in the storage circuit 28.

  In this case, the information stored in the storage circuit 28 reflects the state of the capsule body 3B almost in real time. In addition, the operability is improved by storing in the storage circuit 28 so as to correct the direction in the neutral state by the direction input device 8a corresponding to the state of the capsule body.

  The operation result in this mode is almost the same as the operation result described in the first mode, but the control operation is performed from the state corresponding to the current state of the capsule body 3B to the state corresponding to the operation input. Therefore, the operability can be improved (without considering the state change of the capsule body 3B during the time when the magnetic induction is not performed).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, smooth and stable magnetic induction can be performed even if there is a change in the state of the capsule body 3B during the time when magnetic induction is not performed.

  In the second embodiment, the means for detecting the orientation of the capsule body 3B is not limited to the one using an AC magnetic field or the like by the coil 42. For example, the orientation of the capsule body 3B is detected by an X-ray fluoroscope. Alternatively, the direction of the capsule main body 3B may be detected using ultrasonic waves by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like.

  In the above description, the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet 16 is detected together with the direction of the capsule body 3B. However, when the rotating magnetic field is continuously changed, information on the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet 16 is always necessary. (For example, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), when the rotating magnetic field (component magnetic field) is changed from 0 to continuously increase, the rotating magnetic field does not matter which direction the magnetic pole is oriented. The applied force changes so as to gradually increase from 0 at the application timing, so information on the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet 16 is unnecessary).

  Further, even when the direction of the capsule body 3B is changed, the direction of the magnet 16 provided in the capsule body 3B can be recognized from the direction of the magnetic field while the rotating magnetic field is applied, and therefore the information of the magnetic pole sensor 44 is not necessarily required. Further, even when the capsule body 3B is moved while changing the direction from the stationary state, the information of the magnetic pole sensor 44 may be omitted by starting as shown in FIG.

  Further, information on the direction of the capsule body 3B from the direction / position detection device 43 can be obtained from the direction of the rotating magnetic field while the rotating magnetic field is being applied. For this reason, the operation of the direction / position detection device 43 may be an intermittent operation, for example, OFF when a rotating magnetic field is applied and ON otherwise. Also, the magnetic pole sensor may be operated only when necessary.

  In the above description, the capsule main body 3 or 3B as the medical device main body has been described in the case of the capsule endoscope incorporating the image pickup device 14, but the capsule medical device main body is treated as shown in FIG. Or you may comprise for chemical | medical agent spraying so that a treatment is possible. That is, the capsule medical device 60 is provided with a medicine container 61 in the capsule body 63 having the spiral protrusions 12 on the outer peripheral surface, so that the medicine stored in the medicine container 61 can be sprayed. Is provided with a medicine spraying opening 61a. In FIG. 18, for example, the capsule medical device 60 in the small intestine 55 is shown.

Furthermore, the capsule medical device 60 is configured to collect body fluid.
That is, the capsule medical device 60 is configured by providing a bodily fluid injection opening 62 a on the rear end side so that bodily fluid can be collected in the bodily fluid storage portion 62 in the capsule body 63. Note that opening and closing of these openings 61 a and 62 a is performed by communication control from the processing device 6. For this reason, an input device (not shown) such as an instruction operation keyboard is connected to the processing device 6 to the control circuit 27. By operating the input device, a control signal is sent to the capsule medical device 60, and the opening is opened. It can control to open and close the parts 61a and 62a.

  Thus, the capsule medical device 60 can discharge the medicine in the medicine container 61 from the medicine spraying opening 61a at the target site and spray the medicine in the body fluid storage part 62. Fluid can be collected from the body.

  In addition to the medicine, the medicine container 61 contains a hemostatic agent for stopping bleeding, a magnetic fluid that is safe for the living body to make it possible to distinguish the bleeding part from the outside, a fluorescent agent, etc., and sprays it on the target part. Of course it is good.

  In addition, the capsule medical device 60 may be configured to be able to be dispersed by mixing the drug in the drug storage unit 61 with the bodily fluid taken from the bodily fluid injection opening 62a and releasing it from the drug spraying opening 61a. Note that the capsule medical device 60 is configured such that the center of gravity substantially coincides with the longitudinal center axis of the capsule body 63.

  In the above description, the rotation driving means for rotating the capsule medical device (hereinafter simply referred to as a capsule) has been described as a magnetic field generated by an external magnetic field generating means, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other rotational drive means may be employed.

  For example, as a means for rotating the capsule, a dielectric (which polarizes like a capacitor) may be provided on the capsule, and the capsule may be rotated by applying an electric field from the outside.

  In addition, in the case of a medical device with a shaft instead of a capsule type, a tightly wound flexible shaft adopted by an ultrasonic probe or the like is rotatably inserted inside the shaft, and the hand side motor is rotated, The capsule may be rotated and propelled.

In that case, you may make it the structure which changes the advancing direction of a medical device by magnetic interaction. Further, a bending mechanism may be provided on the shaft portion, thereby changing the direction of the medical device. For jigling, an actuator for operating the bending mechanism may be provided, whereby the bending mechanism may be operated repeatedly to perform the jigging operation.
The medical device according to the present invention is not limited to the capsule type as described above, and can be widely applied to medical devices having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity.

In addition, the battery may not necessarily be built in, but may be supplied with energy by microwaves or magnetic force from outside the body to drive the circuit in the capsule, or may be supplied with power from outside the body.
Embodiments configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Appendix]
5. A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device main body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity; and a thrust generating structure provided in the medical device main body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure;
Magnetic pole detection means for detecting the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
First input means for inputting the amount of change in the traveling direction of the medical device;
A control device for continuously changing the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input by the first input means and the information of the magnetic pole detection means and the direction detection means;
A medical device guidance system comprising:

2-2. Having a third input means for inputting a traveling speed of the medical device;
The apparatus includes a control unit that continuously changes the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input to the first input unit, the information input to the third input unit, and the information stored in the storage unit. Item 2. The medical device guidance system according to Item 2.

5-2. Having a third input means for inputting a traveling speed of the medical device;
A controller for continuously changing the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input to the first input means, the information input to the third input means, and the information of the magnetic detection means and the direction detection means; The medical device guidance system according to appendix 5, characterized by comprising:

2-3 (5-3). At least one of the first input means and the third input means returns to a position (neutral position) where the operation amount becomes zero when the operation is stopped. 5, 2-2, 5-2 medical device guidance system.
2-4 (5-4). The medical device guidance system according to appendices 2-2 and 5-2, wherein the operation amount of the first input means corresponds to changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field.

2-5 (5-5). The medical device guidance system according to claim 2, wherein an operation amount of the third input unit corresponds to a rotation frequency of a rotating magnetic field.
2-6 (5-6). The medical device guiding system according to claim 2, wherein the medical device main body is a capsule medical device. 2-7 (5-7). Imaging means provided in the medical device body, display means for displaying the captured image,
Have
6. The medical device guidance system according to claim 2, wherein the operation direction of the first operation means is assigned to the top, bottom, left, and right of the image displayed on the display means.

2-8 (5-8). The medical device body is a capsule endoscope,
An image rotation unit that cancels image rotation that occurs when the capsule endoscope is rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and displays an image processed by the image rotation unit on the display unit. 7, 5-7 medical device guidance system.

2-9 (5-9). A third input device for inputting the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator,
When the third input device is operated, the direction of the rotating magnetic field is generated with a declination with respect to the advancing direction of the medical device body and rotated. -2, 5-1 medical device guidance system.

6). A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the advancing direction of the previous thrust generation structure;
An input device for inputting a state of a rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator, and when the input device is operated, the direction of the rotating magnetic field is deviated from the traveling direction of the medical device body. A medical device guidance system characterized by being generated and rotated.

6-1. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 6, further comprising setting means for arbitrarily setting the deflection angle.

6-2. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 6, characterized in that the direction of the rotating magnetic field can be generated with a declination with respect to the traveling direction of the medical device body, and the rotational speed of rotation can be arbitrarily set.

(Background of Supplementary Notes 6 to 6-2) Same as the column of the conventional technology in the text.
(Object) To provide a medical device guidance system that can be magnetically smoothly and efficiently propelled.
(Effect) The above object can be achieved.

(Other effects) (Claims 2 to 4)
Since the direction of the next rotating magnetic field is determined based on the rotating direction of the current rotating magnetic field, the direction of the rotating magnetic field continuously changes, so that the medical device can smoothly change the direction. And stable guidance can be performed.

  The orientation of the medical device can be identified even when the guiding operation of the medical device is stopped. Since a rotating magnetic field corresponding to the orientation of the medical device can be generated, the medical device can be guided smoothly and stably.

(2-7) (5-7) (2-8) (5-8)
The traveling direction can be determined based on the image obtained by the imaging device provided in the medical device.
It is possible to perform a traveling direction operation as if the operator is on the capsule medical device.

(Additional notes)
7). A medical device body inserted into a body cavity, a medical device having a thrust generating mechanism provided in the medical device body,
An information providing unit configured to store at least one of a storage unit that stores the state of the thrust generation mechanism and a direction detection unit that detects the orientation of the medical device body;
An input unit for instructing a thrust generation direction of the thrust generation mechanism, the storage unit,
A control unit that performs control to continuously change the thrust generation state of the thrust generation mechanism based on the information of the information providing unit;
A medical device guidance system comprising:

7-1. The medical device body has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and the thrust generation mechanism includes a spiral structure portion provided on a side surface of the medical device body, and the spiral structure portion around a substantially cylindrical axis of the medical device body. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7, wherein the medical device guidance system includes a rotation drive unit that rotates the medical device. 7-1-1. The medical device guiding system according to appendix 7-1, wherein the medical device body is a capsule medical device.

7-1-2. The rotation drive unit is provided in the medical device main body and has a magnet arranged with a magnetic pole direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to a substantially cylindrical axis of the medical device main body, and a magnetic field generating device that generates a magnetic field in an arbitrary direction And the information providing unit stores the state of the thrust generating mechanism, the direction detecting unit for detecting the orientation of the medical device body, and the magnetic pole detection for detecting the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet. The control unit is configured to generate a rotating magnetic field from the magnetic field generation device, and the magnetic field generation state of the magnetic field generation device based on information of the information providing unit and the input unit. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1, wherein control is performed so as to change continuously.

7-1-3. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1, wherein the input unit is an input unit that inputs a change amount of the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation mechanism.
7-1-4. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1, wherein the input unit is an input unit that inputs the thrust generation amount of the thrust generation mechanism.

7-2-1-1. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-2, wherein the input unit is an input unit that inputs a rotation frequency of a rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation device.
7-1-5. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1, wherein the input unit includes an automatic return mechanism that automatically returns the operation amount to 0 when the operation is stopped.

7-1-6. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1, further comprising a writing device that writes the current state of the thrust generation mechanism in the storage unit.
7-1-3-1. An imaging device provided in the medical device main body, a display device that displays an image captured by the imaging device, and an interface that assigns the operation direction of the input unit to the top, bottom, left, and right of the image displayed on the display device The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-3, comprising:

7-1-3-2. An imaging device provided in the medical device main body, a display device that displays an image captured by the imaging device, and an interface that assigns the operation direction of the input unit to the top, bottom, left, and right of the image displayed on the display device An image rotation correction unit that cancels image rotation that occurs when the medical device main body is rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and displays the image processed by the image rotation correction unit on the display unit. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-3, which is characterized.

7-1-2-2. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-2, wherein when the rotation frequency of the medical device body is changed, the control unit continuously changes the rotation frequency of the rotating magnetic field.
7-1-2-3. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-2, wherein when the magnetic field intensity generated from the magnetic field generator is changed, the control unit performs control to continuously change the magnetic field intensity.

7-1-2-4. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-2, wherein the magnet is disposed at a substantially center of gravity of the capsule medical device.
7-1-2-5. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-2, wherein the magnet is disposed in the vicinity of an end of the capsule medical device.

7-1-2-6. The information providing unit includes a plurality of the storage unit, the direction detecting unit, and the magnetic pole detecting unit, and the control unit changes an information providing unit to be referred to based on a control history. 1-2 medical device guidance system.

7-1-2. The rotation drive unit is provided in the medical device main body and has a magnet arranged with a magnetic pole direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to a substantially cylindrical axis of the medical device main body, and a magnetic field generating device that generates a magnetic field in an arbitrary direction And the information providing unit stores the state of the thrust generating mechanism, the direction detecting unit for detecting the orientation of the medical device body, and the magnetic pole detection for detecting the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet. The control unit includes a vibration data generation unit that periodically varies the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating magnetic field, receives the vibration data, and receives the vibration data from the magnetic field generation device. A rotating magnetic field in which the direction of the rotation axis fluctuates periodically is generated, and control is performed to continuously change the magnetic field generation state of the magnetic field generation device based on information of the information providing unit and the input unit. Addendum -1 medical device guidance system.

7-2-1-1. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-2, further comprising period changing means for periodically changing the fluctuation period of the rotation axis of the rotating magnetic field.
7-1-2-2. The medical device guidance system according to appendix 7-1-1, further comprising a deflection angle changing unit that changes a variation angle (a deflection angle) that periodically varies the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating magnetic field.

8). A substantially cylindrical outer shape medical device body inserted into a body cavity, a helical structure provided on a side surface of the medical device body, and rotation for rotating the helical structure around a substantially cylindrical axis of the medical device body A driving unit; and a rotation driving unit provided in the medical device main body and arranged with a magnetic pole in a direction substantially orthogonal to a substantially cylindrical axis of the medical device main body, and a magnetic field in an arbitrary direction. The control unit has a vibration data generation unit that periodically varies the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating magnetic field, receives the vibration data, and rotates the rotation data from the magnetic field generation device. A medical device guidance system characterized by generating a rotating magnetic field in which the direction of the axis varies periodically and performing control to continuously change the magnetic field generation state of the magnetic field generation device based on information of the input unit.

9. A step of reading out a state of the thrust generation mechanism from the storage unit, a step of reading out an instruction signal in the direction of thrust generation, a step of obtaining a control signal of the thrust generation mechanism after an arbitrary time, and a state of the thrust generation mechanism after the arbitrary time A method for controlling a medical device guidance system, comprising: writing a data into a storage unit; and transmitting the control signal to a thrust generation mechanism to drive the thrust generation mechanism.
9-1. The step of reading the state of the thrust generation mechanism from the storage unit at the time when the control signal is transmitted to the thrust generation mechanism and the thrust generation mechanism is driven is resumed. Control method.

10. A step of detecting the direction of the medical device body, a step of reading out an instruction signal of a thrust generation direction, a step of obtaining a control signal of the thrust generation mechanism until an arbitrary time, and transmitting the control signal to the thrust generation mechanism to generate a thrust A method for controlling a medical device guidance system, comprising: driving a mechanism.
10-1. The control method of the medical device guidance system according to appendix 10, wherein the step of transmitting the control signal to the thrust generating mechanism and restarting the direction of the medical device main body at the time when the thrust generating mechanism is driven is resumed.

11. A step of detecting the orientation of the medical device main body, a step of reading out an input signal from the input unit, and a magnetic field generation signal generated from the direction of the medical device main body and the input signal from the input unit up to an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator. And a step of transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generation device to drive the magnetic field generation device.
11-1. The method of controlling a medical device guidance system according to appendix 11, wherein the step of detecting the orientation of the medical device body is resumed during the step of transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generation device and driving the magnetic field generation device. .

12 A step of detecting a direction of the medical device body, a step of detecting a direction of a magnetic pole of a magnet provided in the medical device body, a step of reading an input signal from the input unit, a direction of the medical device body, and the medical device body Obtaining a magnetic field generation signal after an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generation device based on the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet provided in the input unit and an input signal from the input unit; and transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generation device A method for controlling a medical device guidance system, comprising: driving a generating device.
12-1. The method for controlling a medical device guidance system according to appendix 12, wherein the step of detecting the orientation of the medical device body is resumed during the step of transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generation device and driving the magnetic field generation device. .

13. A step of reading the state of the magnetic field generation device from the storage unit, a step of detecting the orientation of the medical device body, a step of detecting the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet provided in the medical device body, and an input signal from the input unit A step of reading, a direction of a medical device body, a direction of a magnetic pole of a magnet provided in the medical device body, and a step of obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generation device from an input signal from the input unit; Storing the state of the magnetic field generation device after the arbitrary time in a storage unit, and transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generation device to drive the magnetic field generation device. How to control the system.
13-1. The method of controlling a medical device guidance system according to appendix 13, wherein the step of detecting the orientation of the medical device body is resumed during the step of transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generation device and driving the magnetic field generation device. .

  The patient swallows the capsule body, which has a substantially cylindrical outer shape and is provided with a spiral projection on its outer peripheral surface. Then, by applying a rotating magnetic field from the outside, the capsule body in the body cavity can be smoothly rotated while being rotated, and biological information can be obtained or treatment can be performed smoothly.

The block diagram which shows the internal structure of each part of the capsule type medical device guidance system of Example 1 of this invention. The whole block diagram of a capsule type medical device guidance system. The side surface and front view of a capsule main body. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration and a modification of the operation input device. The figure which shows the propulsion direction etc. of the capsule main body at the time of tilting the joystick and the coordinate system which shows the normal vector of a rotating magnetic field. Explanatory drawing which expressed the propulsion direction of the capsule main body by the stick in the modification, and its tilting operation, and the capsule main body in a three-dimensional coordinate system. The figure which shows the time change of the magnetic field component at the time of the application of a rotating magnetic field, and a stop. Explanatory drawing of the mode of a change of a rotating magnetic field when a rotating magnetic field is applied. The flowchart figure which shows a part of process for setting and displaying the upper direction of an image display to a specific direction when a capsule main body rotates. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the remaining processing contents in FIG. 9. Explanatory drawing of the effect | action of FIG.9 and FIG.10. Explanatory drawing of the operation method using GUI. The flowchart figure explaining operation which a control apparatus performs over time. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of each part of the capsule type medical device guidance system of Example 2 of this invention. The side view of a capsule main body. The figure which shows the example of a display by a display apparatus. Explanatory drawing of an effect | action. The figure which shows the structure of the capsule type medical device of a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Capsule type medical device guidance system 3 ... Capsule main body 4 ... Rotating magnetic field generator 5 ... Magnetic field control device 6 ... Processing device 7 ... Display device 8 ... Operation input part 8a ... Direction input device 8b ... Speed input device 8c ... Function button DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Exterior container 11a ... End cover 12 ... Spiral protrusion 13 ... Objective optical system 14 ... Imaging element 15 ... Illumination element 16 ... Magnet 20 ... Signal processing circuit 22, 25 ... Radio circuit 26 ... Data processing circuit 27 ... Control circuit 28 ... Memory circuit 29 ... Setting circuit 31 ... AC current generation & control unit 32 ... Driver unit 33a-33c ... Electromagnet

Claims (16)

A medical device body having a substantially cylindrical outer shape insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity;
A thrust generating mechanism for generating a thrust in a cylindrical axis direction, comprising: a helical structure provided on a side surface of the medical device main body; and a rotation driving unit configured to rotate the helical structure around a cylindrical axis of the medical device main body. ,
Storage means for storing the state of the thrust generating mechanism;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
A traveling direction input means for inputting a change amount of the traveling direction of the medical device body;
Have
A medical device guidance system that continuously changes the state of a thrust generation mechanism based on information input by the traveling direction input means and information of the storage means or information of the direction detection means. A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure;
Storage means for storing the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
A traveling direction input means for inputting a change amount of the traveling direction of the medical device body;
A control device that continuously changes the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input by the traveling direction input means and the information of the storage means or the information of the direction detection means;
A medical device guidance system comprising: A traveling speed input means for inputting a traveling speed of the medical device body;
And a controller for continuously changing the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input to the traveling speed input unit and the information stored in the storage unit. Item 3. The medical device guidance system according to Item 2.   The medical device guidance system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the traveling direction input unit and the traveling speed input unit returns to a position where the operation amount becomes zero when the operation is stopped.   The medical device guidance system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operation amount of the traveling direction input means corresponds to changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field.   The medical device guidance system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein an operation amount of the traveling speed input unit corresponds to a rotation frequency of a rotating magnetic field.   The medical device guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the medical device body is a capsule medical device. Imaging means provided in the medical device main body, and display means for displaying the captured image,
The medical device guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an operation direction of the traveling direction input unit is assigned to an upper, lower, left, and right of an image displayed on the display unit. The medical device body is a capsule endoscope,
An image rotation unit that cancels the rotation of an image that occurs when the capsule endoscope is rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and displays an image processed by the image rotation unit on the display unit. Item 9. The medical device guidance system according to Item 8. Rotation state input means for inputting the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator,
3. The control according to claim 2, wherein when the rotation state input unit is operated, the direction of the rotating magnetic field is controlled to be generated with a declination with respect to the traveling direction of the medical device body. Medical device guidance system.   The medical device guidance system according to claim 10, wherein the direction of the rotating magnetic field is generated with a declination with respect to the traveling direction of the medical device main body, and the rotational speed of rotation can be arbitrarily set. A magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field;
A medical device body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity;
A thrust generating structure provided in the medical device body;
A magnet provided in the medical device main body and arranged with the magnetic pole direction oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the thrust generation direction of the thrust generation structure;
Storage means for storing the state of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
A traveling direction input means for inputting a change amount of the traveling direction of the medical device body;
Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
A control device that continuously changes the state of the rotating magnetic field based on the information input by the traveling direction input means and the information of the storage means or the information of the direction detection means;
A medical device guidance system comprising: Means for reading out the state of the thrust generation mechanism from the storage unit;
Means for reading out the direction signal of the thrust generation direction;
Means for obtaining a control signal of the thrust generation mechanism until an arbitrary time;
Means for writing the state of the thrust generation mechanism after the arbitrary time into a storage unit;
Means for transmitting the control signal to the thrust generating mechanism to drive the thrust generating mechanism;
A medical device guidance system comprising: Means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
Means for reading an input signal from the input unit;
Means for obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator from the direction of the medical device main body and the input signal from the input unit;
Means for transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generator to drive the magnetic field generator;
A medical device guidance system comprising: Means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
Means for detecting the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet provided in the medical device body;
Means for reading an input signal from the input unit;
Means for obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator from the direction of the medical device body, the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet provided in the medical device body, and the input signal from the input unit;
Means for transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generator to drive the magnetic field generator;
A medical device guidance system comprising: Means for reading out the state of the magnetic field generator from the storage unit;
Means for detecting the orientation of the medical device body;
Means for detecting the orientation of the magnetic poles of the magnet provided in the medical device body;
Means for reading an input signal from the input unit;
Means for obtaining a magnetic field generation signal until an arbitrary time generated from the magnetic field generator from the direction of the medical device body, the direction of the magnetic pole of the magnet provided in the medical device body, and the input signal from the input unit;
Means for storing the state of the magnetic field generator after an arbitrary time in the storage unit;
Means for transmitting the magnetic field generation signal to the magnetic field generator to drive the magnetic field generator;
A medical device guidance system comprising:

Images