JP2009018077A - Capsule endoscope and medical capsule device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely fix a plurality of circuit boards by making the circuit boards conductive to each other by means of a simple assembly process. <P>SOLUTION: Circuit boards 22, 24 and 26 are inserted into a case 12 of a capsule endoscope 10, and springs 52, 54 and 56 are disposed among the circuit boards 22, 24 and 26. The circuit boards 22, 24 and 26 are pushed backward by the resiliency of the springs 52, 54 and 56, so that the circuit boards are fixed in contact in engagement parts 32K, 34K and 36K. Wiring 35 is disposed along an axis E on the inner surface 12L of the case 12, and the circuit boards 22, 24 and 26 are disposed so that the wiring is brought into contact with conductor patterns formed on the respective circuit boards. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capsule medical device such as a capsule endoscope, and more particularly to an arrangement structure of a circuit board inside a capsule.

  The capsule endoscope includes a light source unit and an imaging system. When the capsule endoscope is sent to the digestive organs by swallowing, it captures an image inside the body cavity such as the inner wall of the small intestine and transmits a video signal to a receiver outside the body. In order to perform processing of image signals obtained by the image sensor, signal transmission / reception, power supply control, and the like, a plurality of circuit boards are incorporated in the capsule.

Since the capsule endoscope travels inside the organ, it is necessary to reduce the size of the container, and it is necessary to effectively incorporate components such as an imaging system and a circuit board in a limited capsule internal space. In order to increase the mounting density inside the capsule, for example, a wiring member that can be arranged three-dimensionally such as a flexible board or a rail conductor is used, and the circuit boards are electrically connected and fixed with a conductive adhesive (patent) Reference 1).
JP 2005-6769 A

  Fixing the rail conductor and circuit board using a conductive adhesive or the like complicates the manufacturing process of the capsule endoscope. Further, since the arrangement of the substrates cannot be changed, the circuit configuration cannot be changed according to the specification, that is, the substrate arrangement cannot be changed.

  The capsule endoscope of the present invention includes a capsule container, a plurality of circuit boards arranged in the axial direction of the container, a conductor disposed along the inner surface of the container, and electrically connecting the plurality of circuit boards to each other; A biasing member that biases the plurality of circuit boards. For example, an imaging system is provided in the container, and an image signal obtained by imaging is processed on the circuit board. As the circuit board, for example, a plate-shaped rigid board is used, and the circuit board may be formed in a disk shape in accordance with the internal shape of the container. For example, metal wiring is disposed as the conductor. The urging member may be an elastic member such as a resin spring.

  In the present invention, each circuit board comes into contact with a conductor provided on the inner surface, and is fixed to the inner surface of the container by the force of the urging member. For example, a conductor pattern serving as a conductive wire is formed on the circuit board so as to extend to the peripheral edge of the board, and the circuit board is attached so that the conductor and the conductor pattern are in contact with each other. The circuit boards are brought into contact with and fixed to the inner surface of the container by an urging force, and are brought into conduction with each other by contacting the conductor disposed on the inner surface. Therefore, without fixing the flexible board between the circuit boards with an adhesive or the like, reliable position fixing of the boards and good conduction between the circuit boards can be obtained at the same time, and the capsule endoscope has a simple assembly process. An arrangement of circuit boards is effectively constructed.

  From the viewpoint of the container structure for assembling the imaging window, the biasing means may bias the plurality of circuit boards along the axial direction of the container. In this case, the inner surface of the container is preferably formed in a stepped or tapered inclined surface. When elastic members having the same elastic coefficient are used, it is only necessary to vary the arrangement intervals of the plurality of circuit boards and press the circuit boards along the axial direction due to the difference in elastic force.

  In order to securely fix the circuit board against the inner surface of the container so as not to move, at least one elastic member for connecting the plurality of circuit boards is provided, and the at least one elastic member causes the plurality of circuit boards to be in the same direction. It is desirable to configure so as to be biased toward the head. In particular, assembly is facilitated by urging in the direction opposite to the transparent shooting window for shooting (backward).

  On the other hand, the biasing member may cover the plurality of circuit boards along the inner surface of the container and bias each of the plurality of circuit boards toward the center of the board. For example, if an elastic member that forms a space that can be filled with fluid is provided between the inner surface of the container and the elastic member pushes the circuit board from the periphery by the force from the fluid that is filled in the space, Good.

  In order to securely fix the circuit board, it is preferable to have a notch around the circuit board and to provide a convex part that fits into the notch on the inner surface of the container. Further, in order to maintain good conduction even when the circuit board is slightly displaced in the rotational direction, it is preferable that the thickness of the conductor is different from the thickness of the conductor pattern formed on the circuit board.

  A capsule medical device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a container, a plurality of circuit boards provided in the container, a conductor that is in contact with the plurality of circuit boards and electrically connects the plurality of circuit boards, and a plurality of circuit boards. And an urging member for fixing each circuit board to the conductor. Here, the capsule medical device means a minute medical device that progresses in a body organ such as a capsule container or is incorporated into a predetermined site such as a visceral organ, and is configured by a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape, or other shapes. A medical device composed of a sealed type container. The conductor may be disposed on the inner surface of the container, for example, or may be configured to penetrate each circuit board.

  According to the present invention, the circuit boards can be electrically connected to each other and securely fixed by a simple assembly process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of a capsule endoscope according to the first embodiment. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along one-dot chain line II-II in FIG.

  The capsule endoscope 10 includes a capsule-shaped container 12 serving as an outer shell, and a part thereof includes a hemispherical (dome-shaped) transparent imaging window 14. Inside the resin container 12, a light source (not shown), a lens 54, an image sensor 16, and circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 that are plate-shaped rigid boards are housed. The container 12 seals the internal space 12 </ b> S of the container 12, and the imaging window 14 is fixed to the container 12.

  The lens 15 is disposed with the longitudinal direction (axial direction) E of the container 12 as an optical axis, and an imaging element 16 is provided behind the lens 15 (hereinafter, the imaging window 14 side is the front, and the opposite is the rear. Define). The lens 15 is fixed by a lens holding frame 18 extending in the forward direction from the circuit board 22, and the imaging element 16 is installed on the circuit board 22.

  When the capsule endoscope 10 advances in the digestive organs by swallowing, illumination light emitted from a light source (not shown) illuminates the forward direction through the imaging window 14. Reflected light from the inner wall of the organ to be observed is incident on the lens 15 through the imaging window 14, whereby a subject image is formed on the image sensor 16. The image signal generated by the image sensor 16 is processed by the circuit board 22 to generate a video signal.

  The video signal is transmitted outside the body by wireless communication from a transmission unit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 24. A receiver installed outside the body receives the transmitted video signal and reproduces the video signal, whereby the in-vivo video is displayed. A power control unit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 26 controls power supply to the light source, the image sensor 16 and the like.

  The internal configuration of the capsule endoscope will be described. The circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are arranged in this order toward the rear of the axis E, and are arranged substantially parallel to each other so that the board surfaces face the direction of the axis E. It is out. The inner surface 12L of the container 12 is formed in a stepped shape so as to have a step, and the inner space 12S of the container 12 becomes narrower toward the rear. Here, the inner surface 12L is divided into inner surfaces 32, 34, and 36 having different diameters, and the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are inserted and inserted so as to be in contact with the locking portions 32K, 34K, and 36K that are stepped portions. ing.

  The circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are formed in a disk shape in accordance with the cylindrical structure of the internal space 12. Each circuit board is mounted with an electronic component, and a lead wire extends between the electronic component and the conductor pattern. FIG. 2 shows the circuit board 24. Electronic components 42 and 44 are mounted on the circuit board 24, and lead wires 41 and 45 extend from the electronic components 42 and 44, respectively. The lead wires 41 and 45 are soldered to the circuit board and connected to a copper foil conductor pattern 43 formed on the circuit board 42. The conductor pattern 43 extends radially toward the periphery of the substrate.

  On the inner surface 12 </ b> L of the container 12, a plurality of metal wirings 35 extend along the direction of the axis E and are arranged according to the cross-sectional shape of the locking portions 32, 34, 36. As is clear from FIG. 2, the wiring 35 is disposed in accordance with the position of the conductor pattern 43, and the conductor pattern 43 is in contact with the wiring 35. The wiring 35 is thicker than each line of the conductor pattern 43. The circuit board wiring pattern is generally copper foil, and a resist (insulator) is applied to the circuit board for rust prevention and other purposes. Generally applied. Also in the present invention, a portion of the conductor pattern 43 that comes into contact with the wiring 35 is plated with gold, and the other portion is coated with a resist.

  The coil springs 52, 54, 56 made of resin and insulators are arranged so as to be alternately arranged with the circuit boards 22, 24, 26. One spring 54 is disposed between the circuit board 22 and the circuit board 24 and is connected so that a force acts on the circuit board 22 and the circuit board 24. However, they are in contact here so as not to obstruct electronic components, lead wires, and conductor patterns. A single spring 56 is similarly disposed between the circuit board 24 and the circuit board 26. On the other hand, a plurality of springs 52 are arranged at a predetermined interval between the circuit board 22 and the end portion 14K of the photographing window 14.

  The springs 52, 54, and 56 bias the circuit boards that are in contact with each other in a compressed state, and the springs 52, 54, and 56 bias the circuit boards 52, 54, and 56 backward. Since the overall elastic force of the plurality of springs 52 is stronger than the elastic force of the springs 54, the circuit board 22 is pushed backward. As a result, the peripheral portion of the circuit board 22 contacts the stepped portion 32K. That is, the circuit board 22 is pressed against the locking portion 32K toward the rear. On the other hand, since the elastic force of the spring 54 is larger than the elastic force of the spring 56, the circuit board 24 is pressed against the locking portion 34K, and the circuit board 26 is pressed against the locking portion 36K.

  The distance between the circuit board 22 and the circuit board 24 is shorter than the distance between the circuit board 24 and the circuit board 26. Since the elastic coefficients of the springs 34 and 36 are equal, the elastic force of the spring 54 is larger than the elastic force of the spring 56. Here, the magnitude of the elastic force is made non-uniform by varying the distance between the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26.

  The assembly method of the capsule endoscope 10 will be described. First, the wiring 35 is disposed on the inner surface of the container 12 to which the imaging window 14 is not attached. Here, the conductive ink is sprayed by the ink jet printer while rotating the container 12. Then, the circuit board 26 is inserted into the interior in accordance with the position of the wiring 35, and the spring 56, the circuit board 24, the spring 54, the circuit board 32, and the spring 52 are sequentially inserted into the container 12. After these are inserted, the photographing window 14 is mounted and fixed. The wiring 35 may be arranged by other methods such as vapor deposition.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board 24 is formed with notches 24R and 24L, and the inner surface 12L of the container 12 has convex portions 12R and 12L along the axis E in accordance with the shapes of the notches 24R and 24L. Each is formed. When the capsule endoscope 10 is assembled, the front and back of the circuit board, that is, the insertion direction and the mounting angle are determined in accordance with the positions of the cutout portions 24R and 24L. The cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the container is determined in advance according to the size of the circuit board to be inserted. When a different circuit configuration is constructed by replacing the circuit board, the container is remade according to the board.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are three-dimensionally arranged inside the container 12 of the capsule endoscope 10, and the spring 52 is interposed between the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26. , 54, 56 are provided. The circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are urged rearward by the elastic force along the axis E of the springs 52, 54, and 56, and are fixed in contact with each other at the locking portions 32K, 34K, and 36K. On the inner surface 12L of the container 12, the wiring 35 is disposed along the axis E and contacts the conductor pattern of each circuit board. Thereby, the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are electrically connected to each other.

  By simply inserting the circuit board and the spring into the container, the circuit layout can be assembled. The circuit boards can be connected to each other by the elastic force of the spring without using an adhesive, and the circuit board is securely fixed. can do. That is, it is possible to efficiently manufacture a capsule endoscope with excellent circuit board conductivity and wearability. In addition, since the circuit board is not attached and fixed inside the container, products with different specifications can be made by changing a part of the circuit board.

  Since the step is provided on the inner surface of the container and the size of the circuit board is made different, there is no possibility that the mounting order of the circuit boards is wrong. Further, since the circuit board is provided with the notches, the insertion direction and the front and back sides can be specified, and the conductor pattern can be reliably brought into contact with the wiring without rotating the circuit board. In particular, since the cutouts having different sizes are formed, the mounting angle of the circuit board can be reliably determined. Further, since the wiring 35 is thicker than the wiring of the conductor pattern, a constant contact resistance is maintained even if play (backlash) occurs on the circuit board generated by forming the notch.

  Instead of making the distance between the circuit boards non-uniform, springs having different elastic coefficients may be arranged. Further, an elastic member such as a plate spring or sponge may be used instead of the coil spring. Further, the conductor pattern may be set thicker than the wiring.

  With regard to the wiring arrangement, instead of extending linearly along the axis E, a zigzag type wiring may be provided as a delay line, or a wiring that bypasses the circuit board or a wiring with a spiral pattern may be formed. Good. Moreover, you may provide mounting goods, such as resistance, in the middle. Furthermore, the wiring may be provided along the circumferential direction of each circuit board, or the wiring may be extended so as not to contact the conductor pattern of the intermediate board and to contact the conductor pattern of the adjacent circuit board. .

  The number of circuit boards and the number of springs can be arbitrarily set, and the springs and circuit boards may be arranged alternately. Further, the circuit boards at both ends may be contact-fixed without using a spring. The circuit boards may be urged forward, and the urging directions of the circuit boards may be different. The shape of the circuit board is not limited to the disk shape, and may be configured according to the shape of the inner wall of the capsule container.

  Next, a capsule endoscope according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the mounting angle of the circuit board can be changed. The rest is substantially the same as the first embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capsule endoscope according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing different mounting angles of the circuit board.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit board 24 'has a plurality of notches, and a set of notches 62A and 62B and a set of notches 62C and 62D. The notches 62A and 62B are smaller than the notches 62C and 62D. Two convex portions 24'L and 24'R are formed on the inner surface of the container 12 'with a predetermined interval.

  The notches 62A and 62B are formed in accordance with the position of the protrusion 24′L, and the notches 62C and 62D are formed in accordance with the position of the protrusion 24′R. By changing the mounting angle, any one of the notches 62A and 62B is fitted to any one of the protrusions 24′R notches 62C to 62D.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows a circuit board 24 ′ in which notches are omitted, and the conductor patterns 43 ′ A and 43 ′ B are stacked on the circuit board 24 ′ so as to be alternately arranged. When the circuit board 24 ′ is attached so that the cutout portion 62A and the cutout portion 62C are fitted to the convex portion 24′L and the convex portion 24′R, respectively, the conductor pattern 43′A is disposed on the inner surface of the container 12 ′. It contacts the metal wiring 35 '.

  On the other hand, when the circuit board 24 ′ is attached so that the notch 62 </ b> B and the notch 62 d </ i> D are engaged with the protrusion 24 ′ L and the protrusion 24 ′ R, the conductor pattern 43 ′ B is in contact with the metal wiring 35 ′. In FIG. 3, the wiring 35 ′ is not shown, and in FIG. 4, electronic components and lead wires are not shown.

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, the circuit boards can be attached at different angles. Therefore, even if the same circuit board is used, the connection relationship of electronic components can be changed by changing the mounting angle, and products with different specifications can be created. Note that the circuit board may be rotatable without providing a notch, or the operation may be switched by rotating the board during operation.

  Next, a capsule endoscope according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the inner surface of the container is configured as an inclined surface. Other configurations are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of a capsule endoscope according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface 32 ″ of the capsule endoscope 10 ″ is tapered along the axis E, and the wiring 35 ″ is disposed along the axis E on the inner surface 32 ″. The circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are urged rearward by springs 52, 54, and 56, respectively, and the peripheral edge of each board is locked to the inner surface 32 ″. Thereby, the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26 are connected to the wiring 35. To conduct each other. The taper shape of the inner surface 12 ″ L is determined according to the size of the circuit boards 22, 24, and 26.

  By forming the inner surface of the container in a tapered shape in this way, it is possible to arbitrarily change the number of circuit boards to be arranged. When a new circuit board is added, the circuit board and the spring are not remade. It can be inserted into the container alternately in order.

  Next, a capsule endoscope according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the bias is applied from the periphery of the circuit board toward the center. Other configurations are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of a capsule endoscope according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

  In the capsule endoscope 100, a space portion 130 that encloses a gas or liquid such as air is formed on the inner surface of the container 120, and an elastic member 140 such as rubber is attached to the inner surface of the container 120 so as to cover the space portion 130. It is attached. The wiring 135 is disposed on the surface of the elastic member 140, and the circuit boards 122, 124, and 126 are inserted into the container 120 according to the position of the wiring 135. However, the circuit boards 122, 124, 126 are all equal in size.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the space 130 is sufficiently filled with compressed gas or liquid, and the elastic member 140 covers the circuit board 124 and receives a force from the space 130 to urge the circuit board 124 toward the center of the board. To do. Thereby, the circuit board 124 is fixed. The other circuit boards 122 and 126 are fixed in the same manner. However, FIG. 7 does not show electronic components, lead wires, and conductor patterns.

  As described above, the elastic member 140 applies a force from the periphery to the center of the circuit board, so that the position of the elastic member 140 is fixed and is in good contact with the wiring.

  Although the spring is non-conductive, the circuit boards may be electrically connected to each other by a conductive spring. Further, in order to contact and fix the circuit board, the circuit board may be urged by a member other than an elastic member including a spring. Furthermore, a similar circuit board arrangement may be applied to capsule medical devices such as swallowing medical devices other than capsule endoscopes.

It is the figure which showed schematic internal structure of the capsule endoscope which is 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along one-dot chain line II-II in FIG. 1. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the capsule type endoscope in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the attachment angle from which a circuit board differs. It is the figure which showed the schematic internal structure of the capsule endoscope which is 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the schematic internal structure of the capsule type endoscope which is 4th Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Capsule type endoscope 12 Container 12L Inner surface 12S Internal space 16 Image pick-up element 22, 24, 26 Circuit board 32K, 34K, 36K Locking part 35 Wiring (conductor)
43 Conductor pattern 52, 54, 56 Spring (biasing member)

Claims (13)

A capsule container;
A plurality of circuit boards arranged in the axial direction of the container;
A conductor disposed along an inner surface of the container and electrically connecting the plurality of circuit boards;
A biasing member that biases the plurality of circuit boards,
Each of the circuit boards comes into contact with the conductor and is fixed to the inner surface of the container by the force of the urging member.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the urging unit urges the plurality of circuit boards along an axial direction of the container.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the container is formed in a stepped shape, and stepped portions that respectively contact the plurality of circuit boards are configured.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the container is inclined in a tapered shape along an axial direction.   The biasing member has at least one elastic member that connects the plurality of circuit boards, and the at least one elastic member biases the plurality of circuit boards in the same direction. The capsule endoscope according to claim 2.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement intervals of the plurality of circuit boards vary.   2. The capsule mold according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member covers the plurality of circuit boards along the inner surface of the container and biases each of the plurality of circuit boards toward the center of the board. Endoscope.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the biasing means includes an elastic member that forms a space capable of being filled with fluid between the inner surface of the container.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board is rotatably arranged around an axis of the container.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the circuit board has a cutout portion around the substrate, and an inner surface of the container has a convex portion that fits into the cutout portion.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 10, wherein a thickness of the conductor is different from a thickness of a conductor pattern formed on each circuit board.   The capsule endoscope according to claim 1, wherein each circuit board has a conductor pattern extending to a peripheral edge of the board. A capsule container;
A plurality of circuit boards provided in the container;
A conductor in contact with the plurality of circuit boards and electrically connecting the plurality of circuit boards to each other;
A capsule-type medical device comprising: an urging member that contacts and fixes each of the plurality of circuit boards to the inner surface of the container.

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