JP2009034292A - Medical capsule - Google Patents

Medical capsule Download PDF

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JP2009034292A
JP2009034292A JP2007200271A JP2007200271A JP2009034292A JP 2009034292 A JP2009034292 A JP 2009034292A JP 2007200271 A JP2007200271 A JP 2007200271A JP 2007200271 A JP2007200271 A JP 2007200271A JP 2009034292 A JP2009034292 A JP 2009034292A
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bodily fluid
holding tank
casing
chemical solution
body fluid
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JP5179111B2 (en
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Masaaki Nakajima
雅章 中島
Ichiro Sakuma
一郎 佐久間
Atsushi Kaneda
篤志 金田
Motonobu Anai
元暢 穴井
Etsuko Kobayashi
英津子 小林
Koon Ryo
洪恩 廖
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Hoya Corp
University of Tokyo NUC
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Hoya Corp
University of Tokyo NUC
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical capsule capable of extracting body fluid or discharging a liquid chemical without forcing a patient to have strong pains and without requiring large-scale equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The medical capsule which can be swallowed into the body cavity of a living body includes: a pH measuring means for obtaining pH information inside the body cavity, at least one of a body fluid extracting mechanism for extracting the body fluid inside the body cavity and a liquid chemical discharging mechanism for discharging the liquid chemical into the body cavity, and a driving mechanism for operating the body fluid extracting mechanism or the liquid chemical discharging mechanism on the basis of the pH information by the pH measuring means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、生体の体腔内を通過中に、該体腔内に存在する体液を採取し、又は（及び）体腔内に薬液を放出する医療用カプセルに関する。   The present invention relates to a medical capsule that collects bodily fluid existing in a body cavity and / or releases a medicinal solution into the body cavity while passing through the body cavity of a living body.

例えば病変の有無を発見するために、体腔内の特定の部位の体液を採取するには従来、内視鏡の先端部を対象部位に入れ、吸引チャンネルを介して採取するのが一般的であった。また、飲み込むカプセルと位置検出システムを組み合わせたカプセルシステムでは、カプセルが所定部位に達したことを検知したとき、該カプセルに搭載している吸引装置を無線駆動して、採取することも提案されている。体腔内の特定の部位に、例えば治療の目的で薬液を放出する場合も同様である。
特開昭５１-４９５８７号公報 For example, in order to detect the presence or absence of a lesion, conventionally, in order to collect a body fluid of a specific part in a body cavity, it is common to place the distal end of an endoscope into the target part and collect it through a suction channel. It was. Also, in a capsule system that combines a capsule to be swallowed and a position detection system, when it is detected that the capsule has reached a predetermined site, it is proposed that the suction device mounted on the capsule is wirelessly driven and collected. Yes. The same applies to a case where a drug solution is released to a specific site in a body cavity, for example, for therapeutic purposes.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-49587

しかし、前者は患者の苦痛が大きく、後者はカプセルの位置を常時モニタしなければならない。また、いずれも装置自体が大型化しコストが高い。   However, the former is painful for the patient, and the latter must constantly monitor the capsule position. In both cases, the device itself is large and expensive.

本発明は、上記課題に鑑み、患者に大きな苦痛を強いることなく、かつ、大がかりな設備を要することなしに、体液採取または薬液放出が可能な医療用カプセルを得ることを目的とする。   In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to obtain a medical capsule capable of collecting a body fluid or discharging a medical solution without imposing great pain on a patient and without requiring a large facility.

本発明は、体腔内のｐＨ値は体腔内の部位によって変化することから、ｐＨ値と体腔部位との相関を予め検出しておき、ｐＨが特定の値になったときに、体液を採取し、あるいは薬液を放出する機構を医療用カプセルに設ければ、小型のカプセルで、患者に大きな苦痛を強いることなく、体液採取または薬液放出ができるという着眼に基づいてなされたものである。   In the present invention, since the pH value in the body cavity changes depending on the site in the body cavity, the correlation between the pH value and the body cavity site is detected in advance, and the body fluid is collected when the pH reaches a specific value. Alternatively, if a medical capsule is provided with a mechanism for releasing a medical solution, the small capsule can be used to collect body fluid or release a chemical without causing great pain to the patient.

本発明の医療用カプセルは、生体体腔内に飲み込むことが可能な医療用カプセルであって、体腔内のｐＨ情報を得るｐＨ測定手段と、体腔内の体液を採取する体液採取機構及び体腔内に薬液を放出する薬液放出機構の少なくとも一方と、このｐＨ測定手段によるｐＨ情報に基づいて、体液採取機構又は薬液放出機構を動作させる駆動機構とを有することを特徴としている。   The medical capsule of the present invention is a medical capsule that can be swallowed into a living body cavity, a pH measuring means for obtaining pH information in the body cavity, a body fluid collecting mechanism for collecting body fluid in the body cavity, and a body cavity It is characterized by having at least one of a chemical solution release mechanism for releasing the chemical solution and a drive mechanism for operating the body fluid collection mechanism or the chemical solution release mechanism based on the pH information by the pH measurement means.

体液採取機構は、体液採取口を有するケーシングと、該ケーシング内に液密にかつ移動可能に支持された内部を負圧とした体液保持タンクと、この体液保持タンクをケーシング内で移動させる移動機構とを有することが実際的である。上記体液保持タンクは、上記体液採取口に対応する内側開口を備えていて、上記駆動機構は、ｐＨ情報に基づき上記移動機構によって動作され、該内側開口と体液採取口との位置が合致する位置に体液保持タンクを移動させて上記負圧により体液を該体液保持タンク内に採取することが好ましい。体液保持タンクは、複数備えることができる。この場合、各体液保持タンクは、その内側開口が選択的にケーシングの体液採取口に一致するように上記移動機構によって移動することが好ましい。   The bodily fluid collecting mechanism includes a casing having a bodily fluid collecting port, a bodily fluid holding tank that is supported in a liquid-tight manner in the casing so as to be movable, and a moving mechanism that moves the bodily fluid holding tank within the casing. It is practical to have The bodily fluid holding tank includes an inner opening corresponding to the bodily fluid collection port, and the driving mechanism is operated by the moving mechanism based on pH information, and the position where the inner opening and the bodily fluid collection port coincide with each other. It is preferable to move the body fluid holding tank to collect the body fluid in the body fluid holding tank by the negative pressure. A plurality of body fluid holding tanks can be provided. In this case, each body fluid holding tank is preferably moved by the moving mechanism so that the inner opening thereof selectively coincides with the body fluid collection port of the casing.

薬液放出機構は、薬液放出口を有するケーシングと、該ケーシング内に液密にかつ移動可能に支持され、内部に薬液及び正圧を生じさせる不活性ガスを封入した薬液保持タンクと、この薬液保持タンクをケーシング内で移動させる移動機構とを有することが実際的である。上記薬液保持タンクは、上記薬液放出口に対応する内側開口を備えていて、上記駆動機構は、ｐＨ情報に基づき上記移動機構によって動作され、該内側開口と体液採取口との位置が合致する位置に体液保持タンクを移動させて上記正圧により薬液を該体液保持タンクから体腔内に放出することが好ましい。薬液保持タンクは、複数備えることができる。この場合、各薬液保持タンクは、その内側開口が選択的にケーシングの薬液放出口に一致するように上記移動機構によって移動することが好ましい。   The chemical solution discharge mechanism includes a casing having a chemical solution discharge port, a chemical solution holding tank that is supported in a liquid-tight and movable manner in the casing, and contains a chemical solution and an inert gas that generates positive pressure, and the chemical solution holding tank. It is practical to have a moving mechanism for moving the tank within the casing. The medicinal solution holding tank includes an inner opening corresponding to the medicinal solution discharge port, and the driving mechanism is operated by the moving mechanism based on pH information, and the position of the inner opening and the bodily fluid collecting port coincides with each other. It is preferable to move the body fluid holding tank to release the chemical liquid from the body fluid holding tank into the body cavity by the positive pressure. A plurality of chemical solution holding tanks can be provided. In this case, each chemical solution holding tank is preferably moved by the moving mechanism so that the inner opening thereof selectively coincides with the chemical solution discharge port of the casing.

本発明の医療用カプセルは、生体の体腔内のｐＨ情報からカプセルが存在する場所を推定し、その推定結果に基づき、体腔内の体液を採取する体液採取機構及び体腔内に薬液を放出する薬液放出機構の少なくとも一方を動作させるので、大がかりな設備を要することなく、必要な体腔内体液を採取し、あるいは薬液を体腔内に放出することができる。   The medical capsule of the present invention estimates the location where the capsule is present from the pH information in the body cavity of the living body, and based on the estimation result, the body fluid collecting mechanism for collecting the body fluid in the body cavity and the drug solution for releasing the medicine into the body cavity Since at least one of the release mechanisms is operated, a necessary body fluid can be collected or a drug solution can be released into the body cavity without requiring a large facility.

図１ないし図３は、本発明の医療用カプセルを体液採取カプセル１０に適用した実施形態を示している。体液採取カプセル１０は、体液採取口１１ａが形成されたカプセル型のケーシング１１を有し、このケーシング１１内に、体腔内の体液を採取し、保持するための体液保持タンク１２と、体液保持タンク１２をケーシング１１内で移動可能に支持する送りねじ１３と、この送りねじ１３に動力を与えるモータ１４と、このモータ１４を駆動制御する制御回路１５と、駆動源であるバッテリ１６とを収納している。本実施形態では、説明の便宜上、制御回路１５を配置した側（図示左側）をケーシング１１の先端側（先方）と定義して説明する。ケーシング１１の外壁１１ｂには、先端側と後端側の両方に、体腔内のｐＨ情報を得るｐＨ測定手段１７が配置されている。   1 to 3 show an embodiment in which the medical capsule of the present invention is applied to a body fluid collection capsule 10. The bodily fluid collection capsule 10 has a capsule-type casing 11 in which a bodily fluid collection port 11a is formed. In this casing 11, a bodily fluid holding tank 12 for collecting and holding bodily fluid in a body cavity, and a bodily fluid holding tank A feed screw 13 that movably supports 12 in the casing 11, a motor 14 that supplies power to the feed screw 13, a control circuit 15 that drives and controls the motor 14, and a battery 16 that is a drive source are housed. ing. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the side (left side in the figure) on which the control circuit 15 is disposed is defined as the front end side (front side) of the casing 11. On the outer wall 11b of the casing 11, pH measuring means 17 for obtaining pH information in the body cavity is arranged on both the front end side and the rear end side.

ケーシング１１内のモータ１４より後方は、体液保持タンク１２を収納するための空間であって、体液採取口１１ａを境界にして、体液採取前の体液保持タンク１２を位置させる第１空間１８（体液採取口１１ａより図示左側）と体液採取後の体液保持タンク１２を位置させる第２空間１９（体液採取口１１ａより図示右側）とに別けられる。送りねじ１３は、第１空間１８から第２空間１９に向かって直線状に延びている。   Behind the motor 14 in the casing 11 is a space for storing the bodily fluid holding tank 12, and the first space 18 (the bodily fluid) in which the bodily fluid holding tank 12 before collecting bodily fluid is located with the bodily fluid collecting port 11 a as a boundary. It is divided into a second space 19 (on the right side from the bodily fluid collection port 11a) in which the bodily fluid holding tank 12 after bodily fluid collection is located. The feed screw 13 extends linearly from the first space 18 toward the second space 19.

体液保持タンク１２は、図２に詳細に示されるように、体液採取口１１ａに対応する内側開口１２ａと、この内側開口１２ａを介して体腔内から採取した体液を保持するタンク室１２ｂと、内側開口１２ａとケーシング内壁１１ｃの間を液密に保持するシール材１２ｃと、送りねじ１３に螺合する支持ねじ穴１２ｄとを有し、モータ１４からの動力によって送りねじ１３が回動したときに、該送りねじ１３の軸方向（図示右方向）に移動する。この体液保持タンク１２は、送りねじ１３を回転中心とする円運動が制限されるように、送りねじ１３の軸方向から見た形状を、図２（Ｂ）に示されるように非円形状（長円形状、楕円形状）としてある。   As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the bodily fluid holding tank 12 includes an inner opening 12a corresponding to the bodily fluid collection port 11a, a tank chamber 12b for holding bodily fluid collected from the body cavity via the inner opening 12a, When the seal screw 12c that holds the space between the opening 12a and the casing inner wall 11c in a liquid-tight manner and the support screw hole 12d that is screwed into the feed screw 13 are rotated by the power from the motor 14 The feed screw 13 moves in the axial direction (right direction in the figure). The body fluid holding tank 12 has a non-circular shape (see FIG. 2B) in a shape viewed from the axial direction of the feed screw 13 so that the circular motion around the feed screw 13 is restricted. (Oval shape, oval shape).

内側開口１２ａは、タンク室１２ｂの内外を連通する出入口部であって、タンク室１２ｂからケーシング内壁１１ｃに向けて突出形成されている。この内側開口１２ａは、ケーシング内壁１１ｃに対向し、体液採取口１１ａに合致する位置で開放され、合致しない位置ではケーシング内壁１１ｃにより塞がれる。内側開口１２ａのケーシング内壁１１ｃと対向する側の外周には、シール材１２ｃを嵌合する嵌合溝１２ｅが形成されている。   The inner opening 12a is an inlet / outlet portion that communicates the inside and outside of the tank chamber 12b, and is formed to project from the tank chamber 12b toward the casing inner wall 11c. The inner opening 12a faces the casing inner wall 11c and is opened at a position that matches the body fluid sampling port 11a, and is closed by the casing inner wall 11c at a position that does not match. A fitting groove 12e for fitting the sealing material 12c is formed on the outer periphery of the inner opening 12a on the side facing the casing inner wall 11c.

タンク室１２ｂは、体液採取前（体液保持タンク１２が第１空間１８に位置するとき）、真空状態（中空かつ内圧を負圧にした状態）で保持されている。よって、内側開口１２ａと体液採取口１１ａが合致する位置に体液保持タンク１２が移動すると、内側開口１２ａ及び体液採取口１１ａを介してタンク室１２ｂが開放され、その負圧により、患者の体腔内から体液がタンク室１２ｂ内に吸い込まれる。   The tank chamber 12b is held in a vacuum state (in a hollow state in which the internal pressure is set to a negative pressure) before collecting body fluid (when the body fluid holding tank 12 is located in the first space 18). Therefore, when the bodily fluid holding tank 12 moves to a position where the inner opening 12a and the bodily fluid collection port 11a match, the tank chamber 12b is opened via the inner opening 12a and the bodily fluid collection port 11a. Fluid is sucked into the tank chamber 12b.

本実施形態の体液保持タンク１２は、体液採取口１１ａに近い側（図示右側）から順に一定間隔をあけて配置した、第１体液保持タンク１２Ａ、第２体液保持タンク１２Ｂ及び第３体液保持タンク１２Ｃで構成されている。この第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃは、送りねじ１３の軸方向に一定間隔をあけて配置されているので、その内側開口１２ａが選択的にケーシング１１の体液採取口１１ａに一致するように順次移動する。ケーシング１１内に備える体液保持タンク１２の個数は任意である。   The bodily fluid holding tank 12 of the present embodiment is arranged with a certain interval in order from the side close to the bodily fluid collection port 11a (the right side in the figure) in order, the first bodily fluid holding tank 12A, the second bodily fluid holding tank 12B, and the third bodily fluid holding tank. 12C. Since the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> C are arranged at a certain interval in the axial direction of the feed screw 13, the inner opening 12 a selectively coincides with the body fluid collection port 11 a of the casing 11. Move sequentially. The number of body fluid holding tanks 12 provided in the casing 11 is arbitrary.

次に、図３を参照して、体液採取カプセル１０の制御系について説明する。この制御系は、モータ１４、制御回路１５、バッテリ１６及びｐＨ測定手段１７により構成され、バッテリ１６からの電力供給を受けて動作する。制御回路１５は、ｐＨ測定手段１７からのｐＨ情報に基づいて体液採取するか否かを検知する検知部１５Ａと、検知部１５Ａの検知結果に応じてモータ１４を駆動制御するＣＰＵ１５Ｂとを有している。ＣＰＵ１５Ｂは、検知部１５Ａから体液採取する旨の検知結果を入力したとき、モータ１４を駆動させて、第１空間１８に位置する体液保持タンク１２を第２空間１９まで移動させる。この移動中、体液保持タンク１２の内側開口１２ａとケーシング１１の体液採取口１１ａが合致する位置で、患者の体腔内から体液が採取される。体液保持タンク１２の移動速度は、患者の体腔内から体液を採取した瞬間に内側開口１２ａがケーシング内壁１１ｃで塞がれる程度の速さとする。一方、検知部１５Ａから体液採取しない旨の検知結果を入力したとき、ＣＰＵ１５Ｂは何も実行しない。   Next, the control system of the body fluid collection capsule 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The control system includes a motor 14, a control circuit 15, a battery 16, and pH measurement means 17, and operates by receiving power supply from the battery 16. The control circuit 15 includes a detection unit 15A that detects whether or not to collect body fluid based on pH information from the pH measurement unit 17, and a CPU 15B that drives and controls the motor 14 according to the detection result of the detection unit 15A. ing. When the detection result indicating that the body fluid is collected is input from the detection unit 15 </ b> A, the CPU 15 </ b> B drives the motor 14 to move the body fluid holding tank 12 located in the first space 18 to the second space 19. During this movement, body fluid is collected from within the body cavity of the patient at a position where the inner opening 12a of the body fluid holding tank 12 and the body fluid collection port 11a of the casing 11 match. The moving speed of the bodily fluid holding tank 12 is set to such a speed that the inner opening 12a is blocked by the casing inner wall 11c at the moment when the bodily fluid is collected from the body cavity of the patient. On the other hand, when a detection result indicating that body fluid is not collected is input from the detection unit 15A, the CPU 15B does nothing.

体液採取カプセル１０の体液採取位置は、体腔内のｐＨ値により設定可能である。体腔内におけるｐＨ値は、口及び食道ではほぼ中性（６．８≦ｐＨ値＜７．２）で、食道から胃に入ると中性から強酸性（１．０≦ｐＨ値≦３．０）に変化し、胃から１０ｃｍ程度出ると一気に弱アルカリ性（７．２≦ｐＨ値＜７．８）に変化するため、ｐＨ値の変化により体液採取カプセル１０の現在位置を推定することができる。具体的に、胃液を採取したい場合には、ｐＨ測定手段１７からのｐＨ情報が中性から強酸性に変化したときに検知部１５Ａが体液採取する旨の検知結果を出力するように構成し、また、腸液を採取したい場合には、ｐＨ測定手段１７からのｐＨ情報が強酸性から弱アルカリ性に変化したときに検知部１５Ａが体液採取する旨の検知結果を出力するように構成すればよい。   The bodily fluid collection position of the bodily fluid collection capsule 10 can be set by the pH value in the body cavity. The pH value in the body cavity is almost neutral (6.8 ≦ pH value <7.2) in the mouth and esophagus, and neutral to strongly acidic (1.0 ≦ pH value ≦ 3.0) when entering the stomach from the esophagus. ) And changes to weak alkalinity (7.2 ≦ pH value <7.8) at a stretch from the stomach about 10 cm, so that the current position of the body fluid collection capsule 10 can be estimated from the change in pH value. Specifically, when collecting gastric fluid, when the pH information from the pH measuring means 17 changes from neutral to strongly acidic, the detection unit 15A is configured to output a detection result indicating that the body fluid is collected, When intestinal fluid is to be collected, the detection unit 15A may output a detection result indicating that the body fluid is collected when the pH information from the pH measuring unit 17 changes from strong acidity to weak alkalinity.

また、体液採取時におけるモータ１４の駆動量は、第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃをすべて第２空間１９に移動させる量に設定しても、第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃを１ずつ移動させる量に設定してもよい。前者の場合は、ＣＰＵ１５Ｂが検知部１５Ａから体液採取する旨の検知結果を入力してモータ１４を駆動させると、体液採取口１１ａに近い第１体液保持タンク１２Ａから第２体液保持タンク１２Ｂ、第３体液保持タンク１２Ｃの順に第２空間１９へ移動し、体液が第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃに順次採取されるので、１種類の体液を採取したい場合に適用する。後者の場合は、ＣＰＵ１５Ｂが検知部１５Ａから体液採取する旨の検知結果を入力してモータ１４を駆動させると、その都度、第１空間１８に位置しかつ体液採取口１１ａに最も近い１つの体液保持タンク１２が第２空間１９へ移動し、移動した体液保持タンク１２に体液が採取されるので、２種類以上の体液を採取したい場合に適用する。   Further, even when the driving amount of the motor 14 at the time of collecting body fluid is set to an amount by which all of the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12C are moved to the second space 19, the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12A. You may set 12C to the quantity which moves 1C at a time. In the former case, when the CPU 15B inputs the detection result indicating that the body fluid is collected from the detection unit 15A and drives the motor 14, the first body fluid holding tank 12A, the second body fluid holding tank 12B, and the second body fluid holding tank 12a close to the body fluid sampling port 11a are driven. The three body fluid holding tank 12C moves to the second space 19 in this order, and the body fluid is sequentially collected in the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12C, so that it is applied when one kind of body fluid is desired to be collected. In the latter case, each time the CPU 15B inputs a detection result indicating that the body fluid is collected from the detection unit 15A and drives the motor 14, one body fluid located in the first space 18 and closest to the body fluid sampling port 11a is obtained. Since the holding tank 12 moves to the second space 19 and body fluid is collected in the moved body fluid holding tank 12, this is applied when it is desired to collect two or more types of body fluids.

次に、体液採取カプセル１０を用いた体液採取動作について、胃液を採取する場合を例に挙げて説明する。   Next, a body fluid collection operation using the body fluid collection capsule 10 will be described by taking a case where gastric fluid is collected as an example.

体液採取カプセル１０は、胃液採取に用いる場合、ｐＨ測定手段１７からのｐＨ情報が中性から強酸性に変化したときに制御回路１５の検知部１５Ａが体液採取する旨の検知結果を出力するように設定し、また、制御回路１５のＣＰＵ１５Ｂが制御するモータ駆動量を、第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃをすべて第２空間１９に移動させる量に設定しておく。   When the body fluid collection capsule 10 is used for gastric fluid collection, the detection unit 15A of the control circuit 15 outputs a detection result indicating that the body fluid is collected when the pH information from the pH measurement unit 17 changes from neutral to strong acidity. In addition, the motor drive amount controlled by the CPU 15B of the control circuit 15 is set to an amount by which the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12C are all moved to the second space 19.

体液採取カプセル１０による体液採取動作は、患者があらかじめ体液採取カプセル１０を嚥下して体腔内に導入した状態で行われる。嚥下された体液採取カプセル１０は、口から食道、胃、十二指腸、小腸、大腸を通って排出され、体腔内を通過中に胃液を採取する。上述したように人間の体腔内におけるｐＨ値は、口及び食道ではほぼ中性で、食道から胃に入ると中性から強酸性に変化し、胃から出ると弱アルカリ性に変化する。したがって、体液採取カプセル１０が食道から胃に入ると、制御回路１５がｐＨ測定手段１７のｐＨ情報変化（中性→強酸性）から体液採取位置であることを検知してモータ１４を駆動させ、第１〜第３の体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｂをケーシング１１内の第１空間１８から第２空間１９に移動させる。この移動中、第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｂは、体液採取口１１ａに近い第１体液保持タンク１２Ａから順に、ケーシング１１の体液採取口１１ａを通過し、この体液採取口１１ａと内側開口１２ａが合致する位置で患者の体腔内から胃液を採取する。胃液採取後の第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｂは、ケーシング１１内の第２空間１９で保持される。第２空間１９では、第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃの内側開口１２ａがケーシング内壁１１ｃ及びシール材１２ｃにより液密に塞がれるので、採取した体液が漏れることはない。第１〜第３体液保持タンク１２Ａ〜１２Ｃに保持された胃液は、患者の体腔内から排出された体液採取カプセル１０から回収され、各種検査に使用される。   The body fluid collecting operation by the body fluid collecting capsule 10 is performed in a state where the patient swallows the body fluid collecting capsule 10 and introduces it into the body cavity in advance. The swallowed body fluid collection capsule 10 is discharged from the mouth through the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and large intestine, and collects gastric fluid while passing through the body cavity. As described above, the pH value in the human body cavity is almost neutral in the mouth and esophagus, and changes from neutral to strong acid when entering the stomach from the esophagus, and weakly alkaline when exiting the stomach. Therefore, when the body fluid collection capsule 10 enters the stomach from the esophagus, the control circuit 15 detects the body fluid collection position from the pH information change (neutral → strong acidity) of the pH measurement means 17 and drives the motor 14. The first to third body fluid holding tanks 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> B are moved from the first space 18 in the casing 11 to the second space 19. During this movement, the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12B sequentially pass through the body fluid collection port 11a of the casing 11 in order from the first body fluid holding tank 12A close to the body fluid collection port 11a. Gastric juice is collected from within the patient's body cavity at a position where the opening 12a matches. The first to third body fluid holding tanks 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> B after collecting the gastric juice are held in the second space 19 in the casing 11. In the second space 19, since the inner openings 12a of the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12C are liquid-tightly closed by the casing inner wall 11c and the sealing material 12c, the collected body fluid does not leak. The gastric fluid held in the first to third body fluid holding tanks 12A to 12C is collected from the body fluid collection capsule 10 discharged from the body cavity of the patient and used for various tests.

以上のように本発明の医療用カプセルを体液採取カプセル１０に適用した実施形態によれば、体液採取位置と体腔内のｐＨ情報を関連させ、ｐＨ測定手段１７からのｐＨ情報に応じて体液採取カプセル１０の現在位置を推定し、体液保持タンクの負圧を利用して体液採取を実行している。このようにｐＨ情報から体液採取位置を特定し、かつ、負圧吸引式の体液保持タンクを用いれば、患者に大きな苦痛を強いることなく、かつ、大がかりな設備を要することなしに、体液採取が可能になる。   As described above, according to the embodiment in which the medical capsule of the present invention is applied to the body fluid collection capsule 10, the body fluid collection position is associated with the pH information in the body cavity, and the body fluid collection is performed according to the pH information from the pH measuring means 17. The current position of the capsule 10 is estimated, and body fluid collection is performed using the negative pressure of the body fluid holding tank. In this way, if a body fluid collection position is specified from pH information and a negative pressure suction type body fluid holding tank is used, body fluid collection can be performed without imposing great pain on the patient and without requiring extensive equipment. It becomes possible.

図４ないし図６は、本発明の医療用カプセルを薬液放出カプセル１１０に適用した実施形態を示している。薬液放出カプセル１１０は、薬液放出口１１１ａが形成されたカプセル型のケーシング１１１を有し、このケーシング１１１内に、薬液を封入した薬液保持タンク１１２と、薬液保持タンク１１２をケーシング１１１内で移動可能に支持する送りねじ１１３と、この送りねじ１１３に動力を与えるモータ１１４と、このモータ１１４を駆動制御する制御回路１１５と、駆動源であるバッテリ１１６とを収納している。本実施形態においても、説明の便宜上、制御回路１１５を配置した側（図示左側）をケーシング１１１の先端側（先方）と定義して説明する。ケーシング１１１の外壁１１１ｂには、先端側と後端側の両方に、体腔内のｐＨ情報を得るｐＨ測定手段１１７が配置されている。   4 to 6 show an embodiment in which the medical capsule of the present invention is applied to a drug solution releasing capsule 110. FIG. The chemical solution release capsule 110 has a capsule-type casing 111 in which a chemical solution discharge port 111 a is formed. In this casing 111, a chemical solution holding tank 112 in which a chemical solution is sealed, and the chemical solution holding tank 112 can be moved in the casing 111. A feed screw 113 that is supported by the motor, a motor 114 that supplies power to the feed screw 113, a control circuit 115 that drives and controls the motor 114, and a battery 116 that is a drive source are housed. Also in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the side (left side in the figure) on which the control circuit 115 is arranged is defined as the front end side (front side) of the casing 111. On the outer wall 111b of the casing 111, pH measuring means 117 for obtaining pH information in the body cavity is disposed on both the front end side and the rear end side.

ケーシング１１１内のモータ１１４より後方は、薬液保持タンク１１２を収納するための空間であって、薬液放出口１１１ａを境界にして、薬液放出前の薬液保持タンク１１２を位置させる第１空間１１８（薬液放出口１１１ａより図示左側）と薬液放出後の薬液保持タンク１１２を位置させる第２空間１１９（薬液放出口１１１ａより図示右側）とに別けられる。送りねじ１１３は、第１空間１１８から第２空間１１９に向かって直線状に延びている。   The space behind the motor 114 in the casing 111 is a space for storing the chemical solution holding tank 112, and a first space 118 (chemical solution) in which the chemical solution holding tank 112 before the chemical solution is released is located with the chemical solution discharge port 111a as a boundary. It is divided into the second space 119 (the right side in the figure from the chemical solution discharge port 111a) in which the chemical solution holding tank 112 after the chemical solution is released is positioned from the discharge port 111a. The feed screw 113 extends linearly from the first space 118 toward the second space 119.

薬液保持タンク１１２は、図５に詳細に示されるように、薬液放出口１１１ａに対応する内側開口１１２ａと、内部に薬液１１２ｆ及び正圧を生じさせる不活性ガス１１２ｇを封入したタンク室１１２ｂと、内側開口１１２ａとケーシング内壁１１ｃの間を液密に保持するシール材１１２ｃと、送りねじ１１３に螺合する支持ねじ穴１１２ｄとを有し、モータ１１４からの動力によって送りねじ１１３が回動したときに、該送りねじ１１３の軸方向（図示右方向）に移動する。この薬液保持タンク１１２は、送りねじ１１３を回転中心とする円運動が制限されるように、送りねじ１１３の軸方向から見た形状を、図５（Ｂ）に示されるように非円形状（長円形状、楕円形状）としてある。   As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the chemical liquid holding tank 112 includes an inner opening 112 a corresponding to the chemical liquid discharge port 111 a, a tank chamber 112 b in which a chemical liquid 112 f and an inert gas 112 g that generates a positive pressure are enclosed, When the feed screw 113 is rotated by the power from the motor 114, which has a sealing material 112 c that holds liquid tightly between the inner opening 112 a and the casing inner wall 11 c and a support screw hole 112 d that is screwed into the feed screw 113. Then, the feed screw 113 moves in the axial direction (right direction in the figure). The chemical solution holding tank 112 has a non-circular shape (see FIG. 5B) as seen from the axial direction of the feed screw 113 so that the circular motion around the feed screw 113 is limited. (Oval shape, oval shape).

内側開口１１２ａは、タンク室１１２ｂの内外を連通する出入口部であって、タンク室１１２ｂからケーシング内壁１１１ｃに向けて突出形成されている。この内側開口１１２ａは、ケーシング内壁１１１ｃに対向し、薬液放出口１１１ａに合致する位置で開放され、合致しない位置ではケーシング内壁１１１ｃにより塞がれる。内側開口１１２ａのケーシング内壁１１１ｃと対向する側の外周には、シール材１１２ｃを嵌合する嵌合溝１１２ｅが形成されている。   The inner opening 112a is an inlet / outlet portion that communicates the inside and outside of the tank chamber 112b, and is formed to protrude from the tank chamber 112b toward the casing inner wall 111c. The inner opening 112a faces the casing inner wall 111c and is opened at a position that matches the chemical solution discharge port 111a, and is closed by the casing inner wall 111c at a position that does not match. A fitting groove 112e for fitting the sealing material 112c is formed on the outer periphery of the inner opening 112a on the side facing the casing inner wall 111c.

タンク室１１２ｂは、内側開口１１２ａから薬液１１２ｆを注入した後、内側開口１１２ａとは反対側から該タンク室１１２ｂ内に不活性ガス１１２ｇを注入したもので、タンク室内圧が正圧に保持されている。タンク室１１２ｂ内の薬液１１２ｆは、不活性ガス１１２ｇにより、内側開口１１２ａ側に付勢されている。内側開口１１２ａと薬液放出口１１１ａが合致する位置に薬液保持タンク１１２が移動すると、内側開口１１２ａ及び薬液放出口１１１ａを介してタンク室１１２ｂが開放され、不活性ガス１１２ｇの正圧により、薬液１１２ｆが患者の体腔内に飛び出す。薬液１１２ｆは例えば抗がん剤等であり、不活性ガス１１２ｇには例えば炭酸ガス等を用いることができる。   The tank chamber 112b is obtained by injecting a chemical solution 112f from the inner opening 112a and then injecting an inert gas 112g into the tank chamber 112b from the side opposite to the inner opening 112a. The tank chamber pressure is maintained at a positive pressure. Yes. The chemical liquid 112f in the tank chamber 112b is urged toward the inner opening 112a by the inert gas 112g. When the chemical liquid holding tank 112 moves to a position where the inner opening 112a and the chemical liquid discharge port 111a coincide with each other, the tank chamber 112b is opened via the inner opening 112a and the chemical liquid discharge port 111a, and the positive pressure of the inert gas 112g causes the chemical liquid 112f. Pops into the patient's body cavity. The chemical solution 112f is, for example, an anticancer agent and the like, and for example, carbon dioxide gas can be used as the inert gas 112g.

本実施形態の薬液保持タンク１１２は、薬液放出口１１１ａに近い側（図示右側）から順に配置した、第１薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ、第２薬液保持タンク１１２Ｂ及び第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ｃで構成されている。この第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｃは、送りねじ１１３の軸方向に一定間隔をあけて配置されているので、その内側開口１１２ａが選択的にケーシング１１１の薬液放出口１１１ａに一致するように順次移動する。ケーシング１１１内に備える薬液保持タンク１１２の個数は任意である。   The chemical liquid holding tank 112 of the present embodiment is composed of a first chemical liquid holding tank 112A, a second chemical liquid holding tank 112B, and a third chemical liquid holding tank 112C, which are arranged in order from the side close to the chemical liquid discharge port 111a (the right side in the figure). Yes. Since the first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112 </ b> A to 112 </ b> C are arranged at regular intervals in the axial direction of the feed screw 113, the inner opening 112 a selectively coincides with the chemical liquid discharge port 111 a of the casing 111. Move sequentially. The number of the chemical solution holding tanks 112 provided in the casing 111 is arbitrary.

次に、図６を参照して、薬液放出カプセル１１０の制御系について説明する。この制御系は、モータ１１４、制御回路１１５、バッテリ１１６及びｐＨ測定手段１１７により構成され、バッテリ１１６からの電力供給を受けて動作する。制御回路１１５は、ｐＨ測定手段１１７からのｐＨ情報に基づいて薬液放出するか否かを検知する検知部１１５Ａと、検知部１１５Ａの検知結果に応じてモータ１１４を駆動制御するＣＰＵ１１５Ｂとを有している。ＣＰＵ１１５Ｂは、検知部１１５Ａから薬液放出する旨の検知結果を入力したとき、モータ１１４を駆動させて、第１空間１１８に位置する薬液保持タンク１１２を第２空間１９まで移動させる。この移動中、薬液保持タンク１１２の内側開口１１２ａとケーシング１１１の薬液放出口１１１ａが合致する位置で、タンク室１１２ｂから薬液１１２ｆが患者の体腔内に放出される。薬液保持タンク１１２の移動速度は、タンク室１１２ｂ内の薬液１１２ｆをすべて患者の体腔内に放出できる速さとする。一方、検知部１１５Ａから薬液放出しない旨の検知結果を入力したとき、ＣＰＵ１１５Ｂは何も実行しない。   Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control system of the chemical solution release capsule 110 will be described. This control system includes a motor 114, a control circuit 115, a battery 116, and pH measurement means 117, and operates by receiving power supply from the battery 116. The control circuit 115 includes a detection unit 115A that detects whether or not the chemical solution is released based on pH information from the pH measurement unit 117, and a CPU 115B that drives and controls the motor 114 according to the detection result of the detection unit 115A. ing. When the detection result indicating that the chemical solution is released from the detection unit 115 </ b> A is input, the CPU 115 </ b> B drives the motor 114 to move the chemical solution holding tank 112 located in the first space 118 to the second space 19. During this movement, the chemical liquid 112f is discharged from the tank chamber 112b into the patient's body cavity at a position where the inner opening 112a of the chemical liquid holding tank 112 and the chemical liquid discharge port 111a of the casing 111 coincide. The moving speed of the chemical liquid holding tank 112 is set to a speed at which all of the chemical liquid 112f in the tank chamber 112b can be discharged into the body cavity of the patient. On the other hand, when the detection result indicating that the chemical solution is not released is input from the detection unit 115A, the CPU 115B does nothing.

薬液放出カプセル１１０の薬液放出位置は、体腔内のｐＨ値により設定可能である。体腔内におけるｐＨ値は、口及び食道ではほぼ中性（６．８≦ｐＨ値＜７．２）で、食道から胃に入ると中性から強酸性（１．０≦ｐＨ値≦３．０）に変化し、胃から１０ｃｍ程度出ると一気に弱アルカリ性（７．２≦ｐＨ値＜７．８）に変化するため、ｐＨ値の変化により薬液放出カプセル１１０の現在位置を推定することができる。具体的に、胃で薬液を放出したい場合には、ｐＨ測定手段１１７からのｐＨ情報が中性から強酸性に変化したときに検知部１１５Ａが薬液放出する旨の検知結果を出力するように構成し、また、腸で薬液を放出したい場合には、ｐＨ測定手段１１７からのｐＨ情報が強酸性から弱アルカリ性に変化したときに検知部１１５Ａが薬液放出する旨の検知結果を出力するように構成すればよい。   The drug solution release position of the drug solution release capsule 110 can be set by the pH value in the body cavity. The pH value in the body cavity is almost neutral (6.8 ≦ pH value <7.2) in the mouth and esophagus, and neutral to strongly acidic (1.0 ≦ pH value ≦ 3.0) when entering the stomach from the esophagus. ) And changes to weak alkalinity (7.2 ≦ pH value <7.8) at a stretch from the stomach about 10 cm, so that the current position of the drug solution release capsule 110 can be estimated from the change in pH value. Specifically, when it is desired to release the chemical solution in the stomach, the detection unit 115A outputs a detection result indicating that the chemical solution is released when the pH information from the pH measuring unit 117 changes from neutral to strong acidity. In addition, when it is desired to release the chemical solution in the intestine, the detection unit 115A outputs a detection result indicating that the chemical solution is released when the pH information from the pH measuring unit 117 changes from strong acidity to weak alkalinity. do it.

また、薬液放出時におけるモータ１１４の駆動量は、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｃをすべて第２空間１１９に移動させる量に設定しても、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｃを１ずつ移動させる量に設定してもよい。前者の場合は、ＣＰＵ１１５Ｂが検知部１１５Ａから薬液放出する旨の検知結果を入力してモータ１１４を駆動させると、薬液放出口１１１ａに近い第１薬液保持タンク１１２Ａから第２薬液保持タンク１１２Ｂ、第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ｃの順に第２空間１１９へ移動し、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｃから薬液１１２ｆが順次放出されるので、体腔内の一部位に薬液１１２ｆを放出したい場合に適用する。後者の場合は、ＣＰＵ１１５Ｂが検知部１１５Ａから薬液放出する旨の検知結果を入力してモータ１１４を駆動させると、その都度、第１空間１１８に位置しかつ薬液放出口１１１ａに最も近い１つの薬液保持タンク１１２が第２空間１１９へ移動し、移動した薬液保持タンク１１２から薬液１１２ｆが放出されるので、体腔内の二部位以上に薬液１１２ｆを放出したい場合に適用する。   Further, even when the driving amount of the motor 114 at the time of releasing the chemical liquid is set to an amount by which all of the first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112A to 112C are moved to the second space 119, the first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112A to 112A. The amount by which 112C is moved one by one may be set. In the former case, when the CPU 115B inputs a detection result indicating that the chemical solution is released from the detection unit 115A and drives the motor 114, the first chemical solution holding tank 112B, the second chemical solution holding tank 112B, Moves to the second space 119 in the order of the three chemical liquid holding tanks 112C, and the chemical liquid 112f is sequentially released from the first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112A to 112C. Therefore, it is applied when it is desired to release the chemical liquid 112f to one part in the body cavity. To do. In the latter case, each time the CPU 115B inputs a detection result indicating that the chemical solution is released from the detection unit 115A and drives the motor 114, one chemical solution that is located in the first space 118 and is closest to the chemical solution discharge port 111a each time. Since the holding tank 112 moves to the second space 119 and the drug solution 112f is released from the moved drug solution holding tank 112, it is applied when it is desired to release the drug solution 112f to two or more sites in the body cavity.

次に、薬液放出カプセル１１０による薬液放出動作について、胃で薬液１１２ｆを放出する場合を例に挙げて説明する。   Next, the chemical solution releasing operation by the chemical solution release capsule 110 will be described by taking as an example the case where the chemical solution 112f is released by the stomach.

薬液放出カプセル１１０は、胃で薬液１１２ｆを放出させる場合、ｐＨ測定手段１１７からのｐＨ情報が中性から強酸性に変化したときに制御回路１１５の検知部１１５Ａが薬液放出する旨の検知結果を出力するように設定し、また、制御回路１１５のＣＰＵ１１５Ｂが制御するモータ駆動量は、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｃをすべて第２空間１１９に移動させる量に設定しておく。   When the drug solution release capsule 110 releases the drug solution 112f in the stomach, the detection result that the detection unit 115A of the control circuit 115 releases the drug solution when the pH information from the pH measuring unit 117 changes from neutral to strong acid is displayed. The motor drive amount set by the CPU 115B of the control circuit 115 is set to an amount by which the first to third chemical solution holding tanks 112A to 112C are all moved to the second space 119.

この薬液放出カプセル１１０による薬液放出動作は、患者があらかじめ薬液放出カプセル１１０を嚥下して体腔内に導入した状態で行われる。嚥下された薬液放出カプセル１１０は、口から食道、胃、十二指腸、小腸、大腸を通って排出され、胃を通過中に薬液１１２ｆを放出する。上述したように人間の体腔内におけるｐＨ値は、口及び食道ではほぼ中性で、食道から胃に入ると中性から強酸性に変化し、胃から出ると弱アルカリ性に変化する。したがって、薬液放出カプセル１１０が食道から胃に入ると、制御回路１１５がｐＨ測定手段１１７のｐＨ情報変化（中性→強酸性）から薬液放出位置であることを検知してモータ１１４を駆動させ、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｂをケーシング１１１内の第１空間１１８から第２空間１１９に移動させる。この移動中、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｂは、薬液放出口１１１ａに近い第１薬液保持タンク１１２Ａから順に、ケーシング１１１の薬液放出口１１１ａを通過し、この薬液放出口１１１ａと内側開口１１２ａが合致する位置で薬液１１２ｆが患者の体腔内（胃）へ放出される。薬液放出後の第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｂは、ケーシング１１１内の第２空間１１９で保持される。第２空間１１９では、第１〜第３薬液保持タンク１１２Ａ〜１１２Ｃの内側開口１１２ａがケーシング内壁１１１ｃ及びシール材１１２ｃにより液密に塞がれるので、薬液１１２ｆがタンク室１１２ｂ内に万一残存していても、該薬液１１２ｆが漏れることはない。   The liquid medicine discharge operation by the liquid medicine release capsule 110 is performed in a state where the patient swallows the liquid medicine release capsule 110 and introduces it into the body cavity in advance. The swallowed drug solution capsule 110 is discharged from the mouth through the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and large intestine, and releases the drug solution 112f while passing through the stomach. As described above, the pH value in the human body cavity is almost neutral in the mouth and esophagus, and changes from neutral to strong acid when entering the stomach from the esophagus, and weakly alkaline when exiting the stomach. Therefore, when the drug solution release capsule 110 enters the stomach from the esophagus, the control circuit 115 detects that the drug solution is released from the pH information change (neutral to strong acid) of the pH measuring means 117 and drives the motor 114. The first to third chemical solution holding tanks 112 </ b> A to 112 </ b> B are moved from the first space 118 in the casing 111 to the second space 119. During this movement, the first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112A to 112B sequentially pass through the chemical liquid discharge port 111a of the casing 111 in order from the first chemical liquid holding tank 112A close to the chemical liquid discharge port 111a. The drug solution 112f is released into the body cavity (stomach) of the patient at the position where the opening 112a matches. The first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112 </ b> A to 112 </ b> B after the chemical liquid is released are held in the second space 119 in the casing 111. In the second space 119, the inner openings 112a of the first to third chemical liquid holding tanks 112A to 112C are liquid-tightly closed by the casing inner wall 111c and the sealing material 112c, so that the chemical liquid 112f should remain in the tank chamber 112b. Even if it is, the chemical | medical solution 112f does not leak.

以上のように本発明の医療用カプセルを薬液放出カプセル１１０に適用した実施形態によれば、薬液放出位置と体腔内のｐＨ情報を関連させ、ｐＨ測定手段１１７からのｐＨ情報に応じて薬液放出カプセル１１０の現在位置を推定し、薬液保持タンク１１２内の正圧を利用して薬液１１２ｆを放出する。このようにｐＨ情報から薬液放出位置を特定し、かつ、正圧放出式の薬液保持タンク１１２を用いれば、患者に大きな苦痛を強いることなく、かつ、大がかりな設備を要することなしに、薬液放出が可能になる。   As described above, according to the embodiment in which the medical capsule of the present invention is applied to the drug solution release capsule 110, the drug solution release position is associated with the pH information in the body cavity, and the drug solution is released according to the pH information from the pH measuring unit 117. The current position of the capsule 110 is estimated, and the chemical liquid 112f is released using the positive pressure in the chemical liquid holding tank 112. In this way, if the chemical solution discharge position is specified from the pH information and the positive pressure release type chemical solution holding tank 112 is used, the chemical solution is released without imposing great pain on the patient and without requiring large equipment. Is possible.

本発明について上記実施形態を参照しつつ説明したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、改良の目的または本発明の思想の範囲内において改良または変更が可能である。   Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be improved or changed within the scope of the purpose of the improvement or the idea of the present invention.

本発明による医療用カプセルを体液採取カプセルに適用した実施形態の内部構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the internal structure of embodiment which applied the medical capsule by this invention to the bodily fluid collection capsule. （Ａ）同体液採取カプセルの体液保持タンクを拡大して示す拡大断面図、（Ｂ）（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図である。(A) It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the bodily fluid holding | maintenance tank of a body fluid collection capsule, (B) It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of (A). 同体液採取カプセルの制御系を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the same body fluid collection capsule. 本発明による医療用カプセルを薬液放出カプセルに適用した実施形態の内部構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the internal structure of embodiment which applied the medical capsule by this invention to the chemical | medical solution release capsule. （Ａ）同薬液放出カプセルの薬液保持タンクを拡大して示す拡大断面図、（Ｂ）（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図である。(A) It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the chemical | medical solution holding | maintenance tank of the chemical | medical solution release capsule, (B) It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of (A). 同薬液放出カプセルの制御系を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the same chemical | medical solution discharge capsule.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０ 体液採取カプセル
１１ ケーシング
１１ａ 体液採取口
１１ｂ 外壁
１１ｃ 内壁（ケーシング内壁）
１２ 体液保持タンク
１２ａ 内側開口
１２ｂ タンク室
１２ｃ シール材
１２ｄ 支持ねじ穴
１２ｅ 嵌合溝
１３ 送りねじ
１４ モータ
１５ 制御回路
１６ バッテリ
１７ ｐＨ測定手段
１８ 第１空間
１９ 第２空間
１００ 薬液放出カプセル
１１１ ケーシング
１１１ａ 薬液放出口
１１１ｂ 外壁
１１１ｃ 内壁（ケーシング内壁）
１１２ 薬液保持タンク
１１２ａ 内側開口
１１２ｂ タンク室
１１２ｃ シール材
１１２ｄ 支持ねじ穴
１１２ｅ 嵌合溝
１１２ｆ 薬液
１１２ｇ 不活性ガス
１１３ 送りねじ
１１４ モータ
１１５ 制御回路
１１６ バッテリ
１１７ ｐＨ測定手段
１１８ 第１空間
１１９ 第２空間 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Body fluid collection capsule 11 Casing 11a Body fluid collection port 11b Outer wall 11c Inner wall (casing inner wall)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Body fluid holding tank 12a Inner opening 12b Tank chamber 12c Sealing material 12d Support screw hole 12e Fitting groove 13 Feed screw 14 Motor 15 Control circuit 16 Battery 17 pH measuring means 18 1st space 19 2nd space 100 Chemical solution discharge capsule 111 Casing 111a Chemical solution outlet 111b Outer wall 111c Inner wall (casing inner wall)
112 Chemical solution holding tank 112a Inner opening 112b Tank chamber 112c Sealing material 112d Support screw hole 112e Fitting groove 112f Chemical solution 112g Inert gas 113 Feed screw 114 Motor 115 Control circuit 116 Battery 117 pH measuring means 118 First space 119 Second space

Claims (5)

生体体腔内に飲み込むことが可能な医療用カプセルであって、
体腔内のｐＨ情報を得るｐＨ測定手段と、
体腔内の体液を採取する体液採取機構及び体腔内に薬液を放出する薬液放出機構の少なくとも一方と、
このｐＨ測定手段によるｐＨ情報に基づいて、体液採取機構又は薬液放出機構を動作させる駆動機構と、
を有することを特徴とする医療用カプセル。 A medical capsule that can be swallowed into a body cavity,
PH measurement means for obtaining pH information in the body cavity;
At least one of a bodily fluid collecting mechanism for collecting bodily fluid in the body cavity and a medicinal solution releasing mechanism for releasing the medicinal liquid into the body cavity;
Based on the pH information by this pH measurement means, a drive mechanism for operating the body fluid collection mechanism or the drug solution release mechanism,
A medical capsule characterized by comprising: 請求項１記載の医療用カプセルにおいて、体液採取機構は、体液採取口を有するケーシングと、該ケーシング内に液密にかつ移動可能に支持された内部を負圧とした体液保持タンクと、この体液保持タンクをケーシング内で移動させる移動機構とを有し、上記体液保持タンクは、上記体液採取口に対応する内側開口を備えていて、上記駆動機構は、ｐＨ情報に基づき、上記移動機構によって、該内側開口と体液採取口との位置が合致する位置に体液保持タンクを移動させて上記負圧により体液を該体液保持タンク内に採取する医療用カプセル。 2. The medical capsule according to claim 1, wherein the bodily fluid collection mechanism includes a casing having a bodily fluid collection port, a bodily fluid holding tank that is supported in a liquid-tight and movable manner in the casing, and has a negative pressure therein, and the bodily fluid A moving mechanism for moving the holding tank in the casing, the bodily fluid holding tank includes an inner opening corresponding to the bodily fluid collection port, and the driving mechanism is based on pH information by the moving mechanism, A medical capsule that moves a bodily fluid holding tank to a position where the inner opening and the bodily fluid collecting port coincide with each other, and collects bodily fluid in the bodily fluid holding tank by the negative pressure. 請求項２記載の医療用カプセルにおいて、体液保持タンクは複数備えられており、各体液保持タンクは、その内側開口が選択的にケーシングの体液採取口に一致するように上記移動機構によって移動する医療用カプセル。 3. The medical capsule according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of bodily fluid holding tanks are provided, and each bodily fluid holding tank is moved by the moving mechanism so that an inner opening thereof selectively coincides with a bodily fluid collecting port of the casing. Capsules. 請求項１ないし３のいずれか１項記載の医療用カプセルにおいて、薬液放出機構は、薬液放出口を有するケーシングと、該ケーシング内に液密にかつ移動可能に支持され、内部に薬液及び正圧を生じさせる不活性ガスを封入した薬液保持タンクと、この薬液保持タンクをケーシング内で移動させる移動機構とを有し、上記薬液保持タンクは、上記薬液放出口に対応する内側開口を備えていて、上記駆動機構は、ｐＨ情報に基づき、上記移動機構によって、該内側開口と体液採取口との位置が合致する位置に体液保持タンクを移動させて上記正圧により薬液を該体液保持タンクから体腔内に放出する医療用カプセル。 The medical capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chemical solution discharge mechanism is supported by a casing having a chemical solution discharge port, liquid-tightly and movably in the casing, and the chemical solution and the positive pressure inside the casing. And a moving mechanism for moving the chemical solution holding tank within the casing, and the chemical solution holding tank has an inner opening corresponding to the chemical solution discharge port. The driving mechanism moves the bodily fluid holding tank to a position where the inner opening and the bodily fluid sampling port coincide with each other based on the pH information and moves the bodily fluid holding tank from the bodily fluid holding tank to the body cavity by the positive pressure. Medical capsule to be released inside. 請求項４記載の医療用カプセルにおいて、薬液保持タンクは、複数が備えられており、各薬液保持タンクは、その内側開口が選択的にケーシングの薬液放出口に一致するように上記移動機構によって移動する医療用カプセル。 5. The medical capsule according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of chemical solution holding tanks are provided, and each of the chemical solution holding tanks is moved by the moving mechanism so that an inner opening thereof selectively coincides with a chemical solution discharge port of the casing. Medical capsules.
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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