JP2016159021A - Antenna device and position detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antenna device and position detection device capable of flexibly adjusting the arrangement position of a reception antenna in accordance with the body type of a subject and accurately acquiring the position information of each reception antenna required to estimate the position of a capsule type medical device.SOLUTION: An antenna device 3 includes at least three antenna units 3A including: a reception antenna 33A for receiving a radio signal from a capsule type endoscope device 1; a cable 34A connected to the reception antenna 33A; a housing part 36A provided with a pull-out port 35A from which the cable 34A is pulled out; and a first sensor 39A for detecting the length of the cable pulled out of the housing part 36A. In the cable 34A, a direction with respect to a reference axis of the cable 34A to be pulled out of the housing part 36A having a prescribed reference axis is set in each antenna unit 3A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna device including a reception antenna that receives a radio signal from a capsule medical device introduced into a subject, and a position detection device that detects the position of the reception antenna of the antenna device.

  In the field of endoscopes, capsule endoscopes are known in which an imaging function, a wireless communication function, and the like are incorporated in a capsule-shaped housing that is sized to be introduced into the digestive tract of a subject such as a patient. Yes. After being swallowed from the mouth of the subject, this capsule endoscope sequentially captures the inside of the subject while moving in the digestive tract or the like by a peristaltic movement or the like, and generates image signals. Send. The image signal wirelessly transmitted by the capsule endoscope is received by the receiving device via a plurality of receiving antennas provided outside the subject. In a capsule endoscope system for observing a subject, the position of the capsule endoscope is estimated based on the reception intensity of the radio signal from each receiving antenna, and the estimated position of the capsule endoscope is an image signal. Each image signal is held in association with.

  In order to estimate the position of the capsule endoscope with high accuracy, it is necessary to accurately mount each receiving antenna at a specified position on the surface of the subject. As a configuration for that purpose, a configuration is known in which each of a plurality of receiving antennas is individually attached to the body surface of a subject (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, in this configuration, it is necessary to adjust the mounting position of the receiving antenna for each subject in accordance with the index of the subject's navel, ribs, etc., which takes time and burden on the medical staff. In order to reduce the burden of such sticking work, a configuration in which a belt having a plurality of receiving antennas fixedly arranged is wound around the body of the subject, and a sheet having a plurality of receiving antennas fixedly mounted is attached to the body of the subject. The structure which performs is proposed (for example, refer patent document 2 and patent document 3). According to this configuration, since the position of the receiving antenna is fixed with respect to the belt or the seat, the position of each receiving antenna can be accurately defined.

JP 2008-200191 A JP 2006-271987 A Japanese Patent No. 5193402

  However, in the configurations described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the positions of the plurality of receiving antennas are fixed, and the position of the receiving antenna according to the physique of the subject cannot be adjusted. There is a problem that it may be difficult to receive a radio signal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to flexibly adjust the arrangement position of the receiving antenna according to the physique of the subject, which is necessary for estimating the position of the capsule medical device. An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna device and a position detection device that can accurately acquire position information of a receiving antenna.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an antenna device according to the present invention receives a radio signal transmitted from a capsule medical device that is introduced into a subject and acquires in-vivo information of the subject. A receiving antenna; a cable electrically connected to the receiving antenna; and a cable that houses the cable and from which the cable is drawn out, and is led out from the drawing hole along the body surface of the subject. The length of the housing can be changed, and the direction in which the cable is pulled out from the outlet port with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the housing portion is set for each receiving antenna, and the housing portion is pulled out from the housing portion. And at least three antenna units including a first sensor for detecting the length of the cable.

  Moreover, the antenna device according to the present invention further includes a rotation mechanism capable of winding and sending the cable by rotating the housing portion, and the first sensor includes the rotation mechanism. It is characterized by detecting a displacement in the rotation direction.

  Moreover, the antenna device according to the present invention further includes a support member that rotatably supports the housing portion, the housing portion is rotatable relative to the support material, and the cable includes: The direction in which the housing unit is pulled out changes according to the rotation of the housing unit, and the antenna unit further includes a second sensor that detects a displacement in the rotational direction of the housing unit.

  Further, the antenna device according to the present invention is characterized in that the housing portions respectively included in the at least three antenna units are stacked in a direction orthogonal to the cable drawing direction of each antenna unit.

  Further, the antenna device according to the present invention is characterized in that the housing portions respectively included in the at least three antenna units are arranged on the same plane.

  A position detection device according to the present invention includes a reception antenna that receives a radio signal that is introduced into a subject and is transmitted from a capsule medical device that acquires in-vivo information of the subject, and the reception antenna is electrically connected to the reception antenna. A cable to be connected and a drawer port for accommodating the cable and the cable being drawn out are provided, and the length of the cable drawn from the drawer port along the body surface of the subject can be changed. A receiving portion in which a direction in which the cable is pulled out from the outlet with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the portion is set for each of the reception antennas, and a first length that detects the length of the cable drawn from the receiving portion. An antenna device having at least three antenna units each including a sensor; and each antenna unit in the antenna device. The length of the cable drawn from the housing portion detected by the first sensor, the direction of the cable drawn from the housing portion in each antenna unit with respect to the reference axis, and each of the antenna units And a position detector that detects the position of each receiving antenna based on the positional relationship of the outlet with respect to the reference axis.

  In addition, the position detection device according to the present invention includes a drawing direction information indicating a direction in which the cable is drawn from the drawing port with respect to the reference axis of the housing portion in each antenna unit, which is obtained in advance, and each antenna unit The storage unit further stores storage port position information indicating a positional relationship of each of the output ports with respect to the reference axis, and the position detection unit stores the extraction direction information and the extraction port position information stored in the storage unit. And the position of each receiving antenna is detected based on the length of the cable drawn out from the housing portion detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit.

  Moreover, the position detection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a rotation mechanism capable of winding and sending out the cable by rotating the housing portion, and the first sensor includes the rotation Detecting a displacement in the rotation direction of the mechanism, the position detection unit detects each reception antenna based on the displacement in the rotation direction of the rotation mechanism detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit in the antenna device. The position of is detected.

  In the position detection device according to the present invention, the antenna unit further includes a support member that rotatably supports the accommodating portion, and a second sensor that detects a displacement in the rotation direction of the accommodating portion, The position detection unit is a cable that is drawn from the housing unit after the housing unit is rotated based on a displacement in a rotation direction due to the rotation of the housing unit that is detected by the second sensor in each antenna unit. To the reference axis, and a positional relationship of each of the antenna units with respect to the reference axis after rotation of the housing portion, and the direction of the obtained cable with respect to the reference axis and the outlet Relative to the reference axis and before being detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit. The length of the cable led out from the accommodation section, a and detects the position of the reception antennas based on.

  According to the antenna device of the present invention, a receiving antenna that receives a radio signal that is introduced into a subject and that is transmitted from a capsule medical device that acquires in-vivo information of the subject is electrically connected to the receiving antenna. At least three antenna units each having a cable and a housing portion that accommodates the cable and is provided with a drawer port through which the cable is drawn out, the length of the cable being pulled out from the housing portion being changeable. Therefore, the antenna unit can be flexibly adjusted according to the physique of the subject, and the antenna unit further includes a first sensor that detects the length of the cable drawn from the housing portion, The direction in which the cable is pulled out from the outlet with respect to the predetermined reference axis of the housing is set for each antenna unit. Therefore, it is possible to accurately obtain position information of each receiving antenna required for position estimation of the capsule medical device. Furthermore, according to the antenna device according to the present invention, since the position of each receiving antenna can be changed, the number of receiving antennas can be increased in a site to be focused on, or the esophagus and the large intestine are targeted for observation. It is sometimes possible to arrange a flexible receiving antenna according to the situation, such as arranging one receiving antenna near the esophagus.

  Moreover, according to the position detection apparatus concerning this invention, the length of the cable pulled out from the accommodating part each detected by the 1st sensor in each antenna unit of an antenna apparatus, the cable pulled out from the accommodating part in each antenna unit Since it has a position detector that detects the position of each receiving antenna based on the direction relative to the reference axis and the positional relationship of each antenna unit with respect to the reference axis, the reception is performed according to the physique of the subject. The arrangement position of the antenna can be adjusted flexibly, and the position information of each receiving antenna necessary for estimating the position of the capsule medical device can be accurately acquired.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a capsule endoscope system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of the antenna unit shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of each accommodating portion held inside the holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of the antenna device shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining another example of the outlet in the first embodiment. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining another example of the outlet in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of another example of the main part of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of another example of the main part of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of another example of the main part of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view of the main part of the antenna unit according to the second embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment. The drawings referred to in the following description only schematically show the shape, size, and positional relationship so that the contents of the present invention can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relationship illustrated in each drawing. Further, in the following description, a capsule endoscope system including an antenna device that receives a radio signal from a capsule endoscope device that is introduced into the body of the subject and captures an in-vivo image of the subject will be exemplified. The present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Further, the same components are described with the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a capsule endoscope system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  A capsule endoscope system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a capsule endoscope apparatus 1 (capsule medical apparatus) that is introduced into a subject 2 and acquires an in-vivo image of the subject 2 and wirelessly transmits the capsule endoscope apparatus 1 (capsule medical device). An antenna device 3 that receives a radio signal transmitted from the endoscope apparatus 1 and a reception device in which the antenna device 3 is detachably connected and records or displays the radio signal received by the antenna device 3 by performing predetermined processing. An apparatus 4 and an image processing apparatus 5 that performs a predetermined process and displays the in-vivo image of the subject 2 imaged by the capsule endoscope apparatus 1 are provided.

  The capsule endoscope apparatus 1 has an imaging function for imaging the inside of the subject 2, and a wireless function for transmitting a radio signal including an image signal obtained by imaging the inside of the subject 2 to the receiving antennas 33A to 33C. Have. The capsule endoscope apparatus 1 passes through the esophagus in the subject 2 by being swallowed into the subject 2, and moves in the body cavity of the subject 2 by the peristaltic movement of the digestive tract cavity. The capsule endoscope apparatus 1 sequentially images the inside of the body cavity of the subject 2 at a minute time interval, for example, 0.5 second interval (for example, 2 fps) while moving in the body cavity of the subject 2, and the captured subject 2 is generated and sequentially transmitted to the antenna device 3.

  The antenna device 3 includes a band 30 that can be attached and detached with a hook-and-loop fastener, a holder 31 attached to a predetermined position of the band 30, and a receiving antenna 33A that receives a radio signal transmitted wirelessly from the capsule endoscope device 1. Antenna units 3A to 3C each having .about.33C.

  The band 30 is fixed with a hook-and-loop fastener or the like after being wound around the body surface of the subject 2 according to the reference position of the subject 2 (for example, the umbilicus or the hip bone). The holder 31 holds each accommodating portion of each antenna unit 3A to 3C described later.

  The antenna units 3A to 3C have the same configuration, and the antenna pads 32A to 32C that can be attached to any position of the subject 2, the reception antennas 33A to 33C fixed to the antenna pads 32A to 32C, and the reception Cables 34A to 34C, which are electrically connected to the antennas 33A to 33C, respectively, and cables 34A to 34C are accommodated, respectively, and accommodating portions 36A to 36D described later provided with outlets 35A to 35C from which the cables 34A to 34C are drawn. 36C (see FIG. 2). The cables 34A to 34C are drawn from the outlets 35A to 35C along the body surface of the subject 2, and the lengths of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the outlets 35A to 35C can be changed. A detailed configuration of a main part of the antenna device 3 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The receiving device 4 is connected to the antenna device 3 by a cable 41, and an image signal in the subject 2 included in a radio signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope device 1 via each receiving antenna 33A to 33C. An image corresponding to the image signal in the recording or the subject 2 is displayed. The receiving device 4 includes a memory 42 a, a position detecting unit 42 that detects the position of each of the receiving antennas 33 </ b> A to 33 </ b> C, a receiving display unit 43 that displays an image corresponding to an image signal, and the receiving device 4. And an operation unit 44 that receives input of the instruction information. The receiving device 4 receives the radio signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope device 1 via each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C, and receives the received intensity (received electric field strength) of the received radio signal as a receiving antenna. Calculated and recorded for each of 33A to 33C and based on the position of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C detected by the position detector 42 and the reception intensity of the radio signal at each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C. The position of the capsule endoscope apparatus 1 is estimated. The receiving device 4 generates the image signal included in the wireless signal received from the capsule endoscope device 1, the reception strength of the wireless signal received by each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C, and the capsule endoscope device 1 The time information of the image signal is recorded in association with each other. In the first embodiment, the reception device 4 functions as a position detection device that detects the position of each of the plurality of reception antennas 33A to 33C.

  The image processing device 5 displays an image corresponding to the image signal in the subject 2 acquired via the receiving device 4. The image processing device 5 includes a display unit 51 that displays an image corresponding to an image signal, a cradle 52 that reads an image signal and the like from the receiving device 4, and an operation input unit 54 such as a mouse 54a and a keyboard 54b. When the receiving device 4 is attached, the cradle 52 is configured to receive an image signal from the receiving device 4, each reception intensity of the receiving antennas 33 </ b> A to 33 </ b> C associated with the image signal, and an image signal generated by the capsule endoscope device 1. Time information and identification information of the capsule endoscope apparatus 1 are acquired, and the acquired various types of information are transferred to the image processing apparatus 5. The operation input unit 54 receives input from the user. While operating the operation input unit 54, the user observes the living body part inside the subject 2, such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and the like while viewing the images in the subject 2 that are sequentially displayed by the image processing device 5. The subject 2 is diagnosed. Note that the position of the capsule endoscope apparatus 1 may be estimated by the image processing apparatus 5 instead of the receiving apparatus 4. Further, the position detection unit 42 may be provided in the image processing device 5, and each position of the receiving antennas 33 </ b> A to 33 </ b> C may be detected by the image processing device 5.

  Next, the configuration of the antenna device 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Since all of the antenna units 3A to 3C have the same structure, the antenna unit 3A among the antenna units 3A to 3C will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part of the antenna unit 3A shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna unit 3A includes a cable 34A, a rotation connector 37A (rotation mechanism), a gear 38A, and a first sensor 39A inside the housing portion 36A.

  The housing portion 36A has a configuration in which a housing 362A having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with one side opened on the disk-like base 361A and provided with a lead-out port 35A from which the tip of the cable 34A is pulled out is attached to the side surface. . The lead-out port 35A is made of a hard material, and guides the lead-out direction of the cable 34A drawn from the lead-out port 35A in a certain direction to be described later. The drawn cable 34A is fastened by a stopper (not shown) provided in the housing portion 36A.

  The rotary connector 37A is connected to the base end of the cable 34A, and can rotate the cable 34A like a tape measure by rotating in the winding direction, and can send out the cable 34A taken up by rotating in the delivery direction. . The center of the rotation connector 37A is arranged on the base 361A so as to coincide with the center of the accommodating portion 36A.

  The gear 38A is connected to the rotary connector 37A so that the center thereof coincides with the center of the rotary connector 37A, and rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary connector 37A. The gear 38A is made of metal, for example.

  The first sensor 39A is a rotation sensor provided on the outer peripheral side of the gear 38A, detects the displacement in the rotation direction of the gear 38A, and detects the displacement in the rotation direction of the rotary connector 37A that rotates in synchronization with the gear 38A. Detect. The first sensor 39A is configured by a proximity sensor such as a magnetic sensor or a capacitance sensor. When the first sensor 39A is a magnetic sensor, the magnetic flux passing through the coil changes according to the distance between the coil and the tooth portion of the gear 38A. Therefore, the first sensor 39A determines the number of changes in the magnetic flux. Count. The tooth interval of the gear 38A is determined in advance, and the gear 38A rotates in synchronism with the rotation of the rotary connector 37A. Therefore, the displacement of the rotary connector 37A in the rotational direction with respect to the count number of the first sensor 39A. A value is also associated. The length of the cable 34 </ b> A drawn from the housing portion 36 </ b> A is also determined by the value of the displacement in the rotational direction of the rotary connector 37 </ b> A. In other words, since the count number of the first sensor 39A can be associated with the length of the cable 34A drawn from the housing portion 36A, the first sensor 39A is connected to the cable 34A drawn from the housing portion 36A. It can be said that the length is detected. The first sensor 39A may output the count number itself to the position detection unit 42 of the reception device 4, or converts the count number into the length of the cable 34A and outputs it to the position detection unit 42 of the reception device 4. Also good. The first sensor 39A may be a photoelectric sensor. In this case, the photoelectric sensor provided below the gear 38A is irradiated with spot light from above the gear 38A to any of the outer circumferences of the gear 38A. What is necessary is just to count the light reception number in a sensor, ie, the number of teeth of the gear 38A which passed on the photoelectric sensor.

  FIG. 3 is a side view of the accommodating portions 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> C held inside the holder 31. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the accommodating portions 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> C are stacked in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the cables 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> C of each antenna unit are pulled out so that the centers of the accommodating portions 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> C coincide.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of the antenna device 3 shown in FIG. The cables 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> C are pulled out from the accommodating portions 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> C (not shown) in the holder 31 along the body surface of the subject 2. The holder 31 has a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the cables 34A to 34C of the antenna units 3A to 3C are pulled out so that the center Pt of the holder 31 and the centers of the storage portions 36A to 36C coincide with each other. Laminate and hold. A predetermined reference axis La passing through the center Pt of the holder 31 and the centers of the storage portions 36A to 36C is set in the holder 31 and the storage portions 36A to 36C. In the antenna device 3 according to the first embodiment, the cables 34A to 34C are pulled out along the body surface of the subject 2 from the accommodating portions 36A to 36C having a predetermined reference axis La, and are predetermined in the accommodating portions 36A to 36C. The direction in which the cables 34A to 34C are pulled out from the outlets 35A to 35C with respect to the reference axis La is set for each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C.

In the example of FIG. 4, for the antenna unit 3A, the direction in which the cable 34A is pulled out from the outlet 35A with respect to a predetermined reference axis La is the center Pt along the straight line connecting the center Pt and the center of the outlet 35A. Is set to the direction from the outlet 35A toward the outlet 35A. Thus, a straight line connecting the outlet 35A and the central Pt corresponding to the pull-out direction of the cable 34A, angle between the reference axis La becomes to be defined, an angle theta ₁ in the example of FIG. With respect to the antenna unit 3B, the direction in which the cable 34B is pulled out from the outlet 35B with respect to a predetermined reference axis La is along the straight line connecting the center Pt and the center of the outlet 35B, from the center Pt to the outlet 35B. Set to direction. Therefore, it becomes possible to a straight line connecting the center Pt on outlet 35B and the reference axis La corresponds to the drawing direction of the cable 34B, even angle between the reference axis La is defined, an angle theta ₂ in the example of FIG. 4 . With respect to the antenna unit 3C, the direction in which the cable 34C is pulled out from the outlet 35C with respect to a predetermined reference axis La is along the straight line connecting the center Pt and the center of the outlet 35C toward the outlet 35C from the center Pt. Set to direction. Therefore, it becomes possible to a straight line connecting the center Pt on outlet 35C and the reference axis La corresponds to the drawing direction of the cable 34C, also angle between the reference axis La is defined, the angle theta ₃ in the example of FIG. 4 . As described above, the angles θ _{1 to} θ ₃ formed by the pull-out directions of the cables 34A to 34C and the reference axis La limit the positions where the cables 34A to 34C are pulled out by the pull-out ports 35A to 35C. It can be defined by providing a predetermined reference axis La at ˜36C.

  1 and 4, the cables 34A to 34C are illustrated as being drawn linearly in a predetermined direction with respect to the reference axis La. However, since the human body is actually rounded, The direction with respect to the reference axis La of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the portions 36A to 36C can be said to be the direction with respect to the reference axis La of each projection line of the cables 34A to 34C projected onto a plane with the reference axis La. Alternatively, it can be said that each straight line on which a curved line connecting the centers of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C and the outlets 35A to 35C is projected is a direction formed with the reference axis La.

  The position detection unit 42 in the receiving device 4 includes the lengths of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the housing units 36A to 36C respectively detected by the first sensors in the antenna units 3A to 3C, and the antenna units 3A to 3C. Each receiving antenna is based on the direction with respect to the reference axis La of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the housing portions 36A to 36C and the positional relationship with respect to the reference axis La of the respective outlets 35A to 35C of the antenna units 3A to 3C. The positions 33A to 33C are calculated and detected.

The angles θ _{1 to} θ ₃ described above are obtained in advance as drawing direction information indicating the directions of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the housing portions 36A to 36C in the antenna units 3A to 3C with respect to the reference axis La, and the position detection unit 42 Stored in the memory 42a. The positional relationship of each of the antenna units 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> C with respect to the center Pt on the reference axis La of the outlets 35 </ b> A to 35 </ b> C is also obtained in advance as the outlet position information and held in the memory 42 a of the position detector 42. The position detector 42 includes the angles θ _{1 to} θ ₃ held in the memory 42 a, the positional relationship of the outlets 35 A to 35 C with respect to the center Pt on the reference axis La, and the first sensors of the antenna units _{3 A to 3} C. Based on the detection results for the respective lengths of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the output accommodating portions 36A to 36C, the positions of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C are calculated. The position detection unit 42 uses the center Pt of the holder 31 as the origin of the polar coordinates, and determines the center Pt of the holder 31 based on the pull-out lengths of the cables 34A to 34C detected by the first sensors of the antenna units 3A to 3C. Each length of the cables 34A to 34C extended as the origin is obtained, each length of the obtained cables 34A to 34C is set as each moving radius, and each angle θ _{1 to} θ ₃ is set as each deflection angle, and each receiving antenna is obtained. The station coordinates of 33A to 33C are calculated. If the position of each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C can be calculated in local coordinates, it can be converted into orthogonal coordinates.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the lengths of the cables 34A to 34C that can be pulled out from the accommodating portions 36A to 36C can be changed, and therefore the arrangement positions of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C according to the physique of the subject 2 Can be adjusted flexibly. In other words, according to the first embodiment, the mounting positions of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C can be flexibly changed, so that it is possible to appropriately cope with various subjects 2. In addition, according to the first embodiment, since the position of each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C can be changed, the number of receiving antennas 33A to 33C is increased at a site to be focused on, or the esophagus and the large intestine. When one of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C is placed near the esophagus, the flexible receiving antennas 33A to 33C can be arranged according to the situation. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the lengths of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the accommodating portions 36A to 36C respectively detected by the first sensors in the antenna units 3A to 3C, and the antenna units 3A to 3C Each receiving antenna is based on the direction with respect to the reference axis La of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the housing portions 36A to 36C and the positional relationship with respect to the reference axis La of the respective outlets 35A to 35C of the antenna units 3A to 3C. Therefore, accurate position information of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C arranged on the subject 2 can be acquired, and highly accurate position estimation for the capsule medical device can be realized.

  Note that the position detection processing of the reception antennas 33A to 33C by the position detection unit 42 is executed when the power of the reception device 4 is turned on (such as immediately before the inspection), and the detected position information of the reception antennas 33A to 33C is In association with identification information such as patient ID information and time information, the reception device 4 or the image processing device 5 holds the information. Thereby, the position information of each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C can be associated with the image signal generated by the capsule endoscope apparatus 1.

  Further, instead of the gear 38A, a disk-shaped metal plate with a fixed cut may be rotated in synchronization with the rotary connector 37A, and the first sensor 39A may count the cut of the metal plate. The displacement in the rotation direction of the rotary connector 37A can be detected.

  5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining another example of the outlet in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the outlet is extended from the contracted state shown in FIG. 5A along the outlet direction of the cable 34A indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5B, like the outlet 135A shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. It may be configured to be able to.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of another example of the main part of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a cross-shaped mark 230 that passes through the center Pt may be provided on the surface of the holder 231 so that the holder 231 can be positioned in accordance with the reference position (for example, the umbilicus or the hipbone) of the subject 2. Good. In this case, the band 30 shown in FIG. 1 may be deleted. Positioning can be performed smoothly by providing an arrow at one end of a line passing through the reference axis La in the mark 230 so that the top and bottom of the holder 231 can be seen.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another example of the main part of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the direction in which the cables 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> C are drawn out from the outlets 35 </ b> A to 35 </ b> C is a constant angle θ ₁ ′ to θ with respect to the tangent lines L _{1 to} L 3 on the outer periphery of the holder 331. It is possible to adopt a configuration set by ₃ ′. Since the center Pt does not move with respect to the holder 331, the directions of the tangents L1 to L3 with respect to the reference axis La are obtained in advance and held in the memory 42a of the position detection unit 42. The position detection unit 42 is stored in the memory 42a. It is sufficient to detect the position of each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C after performing coordinate conversion according to the center Pt of the holder 331 with respect to the position of each part using the information held in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of another example of the main part of the antenna device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the accommodating portions 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> C in the holder 431 may be arranged on the same plane to reduce the overall thickness. Also in this case, since the center Ps is immovable with respect to the holder 431, the position detection unit 42 obtains the positional relationship between the centers Pa to Pc of the storage units 36A to 36C and the center Ps of the holder 431, and It is sufficient to detect the position of each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C after performing coordinate conversion according to the center Ps of 431 on the position of each part.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is a side view of the main part of the antenna unit according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, one antenna unit 53A out of three antenna units is shown as an example.

  The antenna unit 53A shown in FIG. 9 includes an accommodating portion 5361A that accommodates the rotary connector 37A for winding the cable 34A, the gear 38A, and the first sensor 39A provided on the base 361A. The antenna unit 53A further includes a predetermined disc-shaped support base 5362A that rotatably supports the housing portion 5361A, and the housing portion 5361A itself can rotate with respect to the support base 5362A. Accordingly, the direction in which the cable 34A is pulled out changes as the drawer opening 35A also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the housing portion 5361A. The antenna unit 53A includes a gear 538A provided on a support base 5362A that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the housing portion 5361A, and a second sensor 539A that detects a circumferential displacement of the housing portion 5361A due to the rotation of the housing portion 5361A. Are further provided.

  The gear 538A is made of, for example, metal, and the tooth interval of the gear 538A is obtained in advance. The second sensor 539A is a rotation sensor provided on the outer periphery side of the gear 538A, detects the displacement in the circumferential direction of the gear 538A, and detects the displacement in the rotation direction of the housing portion 5361A that rotates in synchronization with the gear 538A. Detect. Similar to the first sensor 39A, the second sensor 539A includes a proximity sensor such as a magnetic sensor, a capacitance sensor, or a photoelectric sensor. When the second sensor 539A is a magnetic sensor, the number of magnetic flux changes may be counted, and the count number itself may be output to the position detection unit 42 of the receiving device 4, and the count number may be output in the circumferential direction of the housing unit 5361A. May be output to the position detection unit 42 of the receiving device 4. The second sensor 539A preferably has a configuration capable of detecting the rotational direction of the housing portion 5361A when the housing portion 5361A can rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise.

  The position detection unit 42 is a reference for the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the housing unit after the housing unit is rotated based on the displacement in the rotation direction due to the rotation of the housing unit detected by the second sensor in each antenna unit. A direction with respect to the axis La and a positional relationship with respect to the reference axis La of each of the outlets 35A to 35C of each antenna unit after rotation of the housing portion are obtained. The position detection unit 42 determines the direction of the cables 34A to 34C with respect to the reference axis La, the positional relationship of the outlets 35A to 35C with respect to the reference axis La, and the receiving units detected by the second sensors in the respective antenna units. The positions of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C are calculated and detected based on the lengths of the drawn cables 34A to 34C.

  As in the second embodiment, the mounting positions of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C can be changed more flexibly by rotating each housing part itself so that the direction in which the cables 34A to 34C are pulled out can be adjusted. Can do. Further, in the second embodiment, the position detection unit 42 is based on the circumferential displacement of the housing unit after rotation, and the direction of the cables 34A to 34C drawn from the housing unit after rotation of the housing unit with respect to the reference axis La. And the position of each of the receiving antennas 33A to 33C after calculating the positional relationship of each of the antenna units 35A to 35C with respect to the reference axis La after rotation of the accommodating portion is arranged on the subject 2 It is also possible to acquire the exact positions of the received reception antennas 33A to 33C.

  In the first and second embodiments, the antenna device having three antenna units has been described. However, the number of antenna units is not limited to three, and may be three or more.

  The execution program for each process executed by the position detection unit 42 and other components according to the first and second embodiments is an installable format or an executable format file, such as a CD-ROM, flexible It may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk, CD-R, DVD, etc., stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and downloaded via the network. You may comprise so that it may provide. Further, it may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Capsule endoscope apparatus 2 Subject 3 Antenna apparatus 3A-3C, 53A Antenna unit 4 Receiving apparatus 5 Image processing apparatus 30 Band 31,231,331,431 Holder 32A-32C Antenna pad 33A-33C Receiving antenna 34A-34C , 41 Cables 35A to 35C, 135A Drawer port 36A to 36C, 5361A Housing part 37A Rotating connector 38A, 538A Gear 39A First sensor 42 Position detecting part 43 Reception display part 44 Operation part 51 Display part 52 Cradle 54 Operation input part 54a Mouse 54b Keyboard 230 Mark 361A Base 362A Case 539A Second sensor 5362A Support base

Claims (9)

A receiving antenna that receives a wireless signal transmitted from a capsule medical device that is introduced into the subject and acquires in-vivo information of the subject;
A cable electrically connected to the receiving antenna;
A drawer port through which the cable is housed and the cable is drawn out is provided, and the length of the cable drawn out from the drawer port along the body surface of the subject can be changed. A receiving unit in which a direction in which the cable is drawn out from the outlet to the shaft is set for each of the receiving antennas;
A first sensor for detecting the length of the cable drawn from the housing portion;
An antenna device comprising at least three antenna units each including The accommodating portion further includes a rotating mechanism capable of winding and feeding the cable by rotating;
The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor detects a displacement in a rotation direction of the rotation mechanism. A support member that rotatably supports the housing portion;
The housing part is rotatable with respect to the support material, and the housing part itself is rotatable.
The direction in which the cable is pulled out according to the rotation of the housing portion changes,
The antenna unit is
The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor that detects a displacement in a rotation direction of the housing portion.   The said accommodating part which each said at least 3 antenna unit has is laminated | stacked in the direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction of the said cable of each antenna unit, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Antenna device.   The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing portions respectively included in the at least three antenna units are arranged on the same plane. A receiving antenna that receives a radio signal transmitted from a capsule medical device that is introduced into a subject and acquires in-vivo information of the subject, a cable that is electrically connected to the receiving antenna, and a housing for the cable A lead-out port through which the cable is drawn out is provided, and the length of the cable drawn out from the lead-out port along the body surface of the subject can be changed, and the lead-out is made with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the container At least three antenna units each including an accommodation unit in which the direction in which the cable is drawn out from the mouth is set for each of the reception antennas and a first sensor that detects the length of the cable drawn out from the accommodation unit. An antenna device,
In the antenna device, the length of the cable drawn from the housing portion detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit, the direction of the cable drawn from the housing portion in each antenna unit with respect to the reference axis, And based on the positional relationship with respect to the reference axis of each of the outlets of each antenna unit, a position detection unit that detects the position of each receiving antenna,
A position detection device comprising: Predetermined drawing direction information indicating a direction in which the cable is drawn from the drawing port with respect to the reference axis of the housing portion in each antenna unit, and a position of each drawing port of each antenna unit with respect to the reference axis A storage unit for storing outlet position information indicating the relationship;
The position detection unit includes the pull-out direction information and the pull-out port position information stored in the storage unit, and the length of the cable pulled out from the housing unit detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit. The position detection device according to claim 6, wherein the position of each receiving antenna is detected based on the above. The accommodating portion further includes a rotating mechanism capable of winding and feeding the cable by rotating;
The first sensor detects a displacement in a rotation direction of the rotation mechanism,
The position detecting unit detects a position of each receiving antenna in the antenna device based on a displacement in a rotation direction of the rotating mechanism detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit. The position detection device according to claim 6 or 7. The antenna unit is
A support member that rotatably supports the accommodating portion;
A second sensor for detecting a displacement in the rotational direction of the accommodating portion;
Further comprising
The position detection unit is a cable that is drawn from the housing unit after the housing unit is rotated based on a displacement in a rotation direction due to the rotation of the housing unit that is detected by the second sensor in each antenna unit. To the reference axis, and a positional relationship of each of the antenna units with respect to the reference axis after rotation of the housing portion, and the direction of the obtained cable with respect to the reference axis and the outlet Detecting the position of each receiving antenna on the basis of the positional relationship with respect to the reference axis and the length of the cable drawn from the housing portion detected by the first sensor in each antenna unit. The position detection device according to claim 6, wherein the position detection device is a feature of the position detection device.

Images