JP4360730B2 - Capsule endoscope - Google Patents

Capsule endoscope Download PDF

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JP4360730B2
JP4360730B2 JP2000042518A JP2000042518A JP4360730B2 JP 4360730 B2 JP4360730 B2 JP 4360730B2 JP 2000042518 A JP2000042518 A JP 2000042518A JP 2000042518 A JP2000042518 A JP 2000042518A JP 4360730 B2 JP4360730 B2 JP 4360730B2
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transmission
capsule endoscope
unit
capsule
imaging
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JP2001231744A (en
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雅章 中島
太一 中西
一郎 二ノ宮
哲也 中村
正寛 伏見
勝 江口
健一 大原
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Hoya Corp
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
    • A61B1/00011—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission
    • A61B1/00016—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission using wireless means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/041—Capsule endoscopes for imaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0011—Manufacturing of endoscope parts

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  • Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)

Description

【０００１】
【技術分野】
本発明は、体腔内を撮像し、その画像情報を体外に無線送信するカプセル内視鏡に関する。
【０００２】
【従来技術およびその問題点】
従来のファイバースコープや電子内視鏡装置は、人体外に配置した操作部や画像モニタ装置と、人体内に導入される撮像部とが可撓性管でつながれている構成となっている。被験者の苦痛を軽減するために撮像ヘッド部の小型化や細径化が図られても、「管」が被験者の喉を通る苦痛を根本的になくすことができない。そこで近年、管のないカプセル状の撮影部と、撮影部とは離隔された画像モニタ部を有するカプセル内視鏡装置が提案されている。
【０００３】
提案されているカプセル内視鏡装置は、体腔内を撮像するイメージセンサと、このイメージセンサが撮像した画像情報を送信信号に変調して送信する送信器と、送信アンテナとを備えたカプセル内視鏡を体内に導入し、体内のカプセル内視鏡が撮像した画像情報を無線によって体外の画像モニタ部へ送信するものである。ただし、送信信号を送信する送信アンテナは、送信時にノイズを発生させやすく、イメージセンサ等の電気部品から可及的に隔離するのが好ましいため、カプセル内部に設けられた前述の電気部品に対してカプセル外部に設けることが想定されているが、送信アンテナをカプセル外部に取りつけるには、送信アンテナが体内で脱落したり管腔を傷つけたりしないようにする加工が必要であり、この加工が容易ではなかった。また、送信アンテナとして送信アンテナ線を使用した場合、送信アンテナ線の指向性により、カプセル内視鏡の向きによっては良好な情報送信状態を得られないことあった。
【０００４】
【発明の目的】
本発明は、人体への安全性を確保でき、良好な送信状態を保持可能なカプセル内視鏡を提供することを目的とする。
【０００５】
【発明の概要】
本発明は、生体内を照明する照明手段と、該照明手段によって照明された部分を撮像する撮像手段と、該撮像手段の出力を送信信号に変調して送信する変調送信手段と、該変調送信手段から出力される送信信号を送出する送信アンテナとを密閉カプセル内に備えたカプセル内視鏡において、前記照明手段と前記撮像手段を保持した円形基板と、前記撮像手段を制御する撮像制御手段を保持した円形基板と、前記変調送信手段を保持した円形基板と、前記送信アンテナを形成した長方形状のフレキシブル基板とを接続ストリップ基板で接続した形状をなす回路基板を備え、前記フレキシブル基板の送信アンテナが形成された面とは反対側の面に、該送信アンテナによる送信時に発生するノイズを遮断するシールド部材を形成し、前記回路基板は、前記各円形基板の夫々が平行になるように前記接続ストリップ基板との接続部で折り曲げられて円柱状に組み立てられ、この円柱状に組み立てた円形回路基板の外周に、前記シールド部材が前記撮像手段及び前記変調手段を囲む円筒状をなすようにして前記フレキシブル基板を巻きつけた状態で、前記密閉カプセル内に収納されていることに特徴を有する。この構成によれば、人体への安全性を確保できるカプセル内視鏡を提供することができる。
【０００６】
このカプセル内視鏡において、前記撮像手段は前記照明手段によって照明された被検部の像を形成する対物光学系と、該対物光学系によって形成された像を撮像するイメージセンサと、を有していることが好ましい。前記送信アンテナのアンテナ配線は、前記フレキシブル基板上に、前記密閉カプセル内に収納状態とされたときに前記密閉カプセルの周回方向または前記対物光学系の光軸に沿った方向に往復を繰り返す形状で設けると、カプセル内視鏡の向きによらず良好な送信状態を保持できる。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図示実施形態に基づいて、本発明を説明する。本発明を適用したカプセル内視鏡１０は、測定観察時に被験者の体内に導入されて体腔内の様子を撮像し、その画像情報を体外の受信装置に無線送信するものである。カプセル内視鏡１０は、図１に示すように、その前方（図１の左方）から順に、対物光学系２０、イメージセンサ１１１等を設けたイメージセンサ部１１０、信号処理部１２０、電池１０１、変調・送信アンプ部１３０を有し、周面には、送信アンテナ部１４０が設けられ、これら全体が水密性の密閉カプセル５０内に収納されている。このため、送信アンテナ部１４０が体内で脱落したり、管腔を傷つけたりするおそれがなく、人体への安全性を確保することができる。なお、密閉カプセル５０は、前端部および後端部が丸みを帯びた（球面形状の）全体として滑らかな外観の円筒形に形成され、前部に半球状の透明カバー５０ａが透明材料で形成されている。
【０００８】
カプセル内視鏡１０は透明カバー５０ａを通して観察される被検部を対物光学系２０、イメージセンサ１１１を介して撮像する。イメージセンサ１１１で光電変換され蓄積された電荷（蓄積信号）は、信号処理部１２０で画像信号に変換され、変調・送信アンプ部１３０で変調・増幅されて送信信号となり、送信アンテナ部１４０から体外に向けて電波として放射される。送信アンテナ部１４０には、信号処理部１２０等の各電気系部品に信号送信時のノイズの影響を与えないよう、シールド部材１４３が設けられている（図４参照）。
【０００９】
上述のイメージセンサ部１１０、信号処理部１２０、変調・送信アンプ部１３０、送信アンテナ部１４０は、図２から図４の展開図に示すように、回路基板１００上に一体に形成されている。回路基板１００は、３枚の円形回路基板（イメージセンサ部１１０、信号処理部１２０、変調・送信アンプ部１３０）と一枚の長方形状をしたフレキシブル基板（送信アンテナ部１４０）を連結した形状となっている。イメージセンサ部１１０、信号処理部１２０、変調・送信アンプ部１３０の夫々は、帯状の接続ストリップ基板１５０で接続され、この裏面に配線された導電部材で結線されている。なお、本実施形態の回路基板１００は一枚の回路基板から形成してあるが、各回路基板を連結して形成することもできる。
【００１０】
イメージセンサ部１１０の円形回路基板には、イメージセンサ窓１１２が形成され、基板を挟んで表面にイメージセンサ１１１が固定され（図３）、裏面に赤外カットフィルター１１３が固定されている（図４）。またイメージセンサ部１１０には、詳細には図示していないが、生体内を照明する照明手段として発光ダイオード、発光ダイオードの発光制御,イメージセンサ１１１の走査制御等を行なうイメージセンサ制御用電気部品も設けられている。発光ダイオードによって照明された被検部の像が対物光学系２０により赤外カットフィルター１１３を透過してイメージセンサ１１１上に形成される。
信号処理部１２０の円形回路基板には、基板を挟んで表面にイメージセンサ１１１の出力信号を処理する信号処理電気部品１２１が固定され（図３）、裏面に電池１０１用の電気接点１２３が設けられている（図４）。この信号処理部１２０では、イメージセンサ部１１０から出力された蓄積信号をＡ／Ｄ変換処理・ビデオ処理等して画像信号とし、変調・送信アンプ部１３０に出力する。
変調・送信アンプ部１３０の円形回路基板には、基板を挟んで表面に信号処理部１２０の出力を変調して送信するための変調・送信電気部品１３１が固定され（図３）、裏面に電池１０１用の電気接点１３３が設けられている（図４）。信号処理部１２０から出力された画像信号は、変調・送信アンプ部１３０で変調・増幅されて送信信号となり送信アンテナ部１４０に出力され、送信アンテナ部１４０から電波として放射される。
【００１１】
送信アンテナ部１４０のフレキシブル基板には、その基板表面に送信アンテナ配線１４１を設けた送信アンテナ面１４２が形成され（図３）、裏面にはノイズを防止するシールド部材１４３を一様に施したシールド面１４４が形成されている（図４）。なお、送信アンテナ配線１４１は、１本のアンテナ線が図３において左右方向に往復する形状で設けられている。
【００１２】
回路基板１００は、図５に示すように、回路基板１００のイメージセンサ部１１０、信号処理部１２０、変調・送信アンプ部１３０の夫々が平行になるようにストリップ基板１５０との接続部で折り曲げ、電気接点１２３、１３３に接するように電池１０１を組み込む。そして、図１に示すように、この略円柱状の外周にシールド面１４４を内側にして送信アンテナ部１４０を巻きつけて密閉カプセル５０内に収納するので、シールド部材１４３によって信号送信時のノイズから信号処理部１２０等の各電気系部品を守り、良好な画像信号を生成することができる。この収納状態では、送信アンテナ配線１４１はカプセル内視鏡１０の全周面から送信信号を放射するので、体腔内におけるカプセル内視鏡１０の向きによらず、良好な送信状態を保つことができる。
【００１３】
図８にはカプセル内視鏡１０に設けたリードスイッチ１０２の概要を示してある。このリードスイッチ１０２は磁気の有無に応じてオン・オフするスイッチである。本実施形態では、カプセル内視鏡１０の周囲に磁気がないとき、リードスイッチ１０２がオンして電池１０１からカプセル内視鏡１０へ電力供給する構成となっている。なお、不使用時には、カプセル内視鏡１０は永久磁石を内蔵した磁気シールド容器内に保管される。
【００１４】
以上の構成に基づいてカプセル内視鏡１０の使用の概略について図１を参照して説明する。先ず、被験者の体から磁気を帯びたものをすべて取り除き、被験者にカプセル内視鏡１０を嚥下させる。被験者の体腔内では、リードスイッチ１０２がオンして電池１０１からカプセル内視鏡１０へ電力が供給され、測定観察が開始される。
体腔内ではカプセル内視鏡１０に押しのけられた管腔の一部が密閉カプセル５０の透明カバー５０ａに密着する。この密着した部分および透明カバー５０ａの前方に位置する部分は、イメージセンサ部１１０に設けられた不図示の発光ダイオードによって照明される。この照明された部分（被検部）の像は、対物光学系２０によってイメージセンサ１１１上に形成され、イメージセンサ１１１で光電変換されて蓄積される。イメージセンサ１１１から出力された蓄積信号は信号処理部１２０で画像信号に変換され、この画像信号が変調・送信アンプ部１３０で変調・増幅されて送信信号となり、送信アンテナ１３２から体外に送信される。そして、この送信信号が体外の受信装置により受信され、モニタ装置に映し出されて観察される。
【００１５】
以上のように、本実施形態では、送信アンテナ部１４０を密閉カプセル５０内部に収納したので、送信アンテナ部１４０が体内で脱落したり、管腔を傷つけたりするおそれがなく、人体への安全性を確保することができる。
また、本実施形態では、送信アンテナ部１４０をフレキシブル基板上に設け、その基板表面に送信アンテナ配線１４１を設けた送信アンテナ面１４２を、その基板裏面にはノイズを防止するシールド部材１４３が一様に施されたシールド面１４４を形成し、そして送信アンテナ部１４０を、シールド面１４４を内面とする円筒状として、略円柱状に組み立てたイメージセンサ部１１０，信号処理部１２０，変調・送信部１３０の外周に巻きつけて密閉カプセル５０内に収納するので、シールド部材１４３によって信号送信時のノイズから各電気系部品を守り、良好な画像信号を生成することができるほか、スペース効率良く密閉カプセル５０内に収納できるという利点がある。
さらに、本実施形態では、送信アンテナ部１４０を密閉カプセル５０内に収納状態としたとき、送信アンテナ配線１４１はカプセル内視鏡１０の全周面（側面）から送信信号を放射するので、体腔内におけるカプセル内視鏡１０の向きによらず、良好な送信状態を保つことができる。
【００１６】
なお、本実施形態では、送信アンテナ配線１４１とシールド部材１４３をフレキシブル基板の表面と裏面に形成したが、これに限定されず、種々の変形が可能である。例えば、図６及び図７に示すように、長方形状のフレキシブル基板に送信アンテナ配線１４１を設けず、シールド部材１４３を一面または両面に施す一方、変調・送信アンプ部１３０の変調・送信電気部品１３１が固定された面に送信アンテナ線１４５を設けて、密閉カプセル５０の後方から体外に向けて信号送信する構成とすることも可能である。
【００１７】
【発明の効果】
本発明は、カプセル内に送信アンテナを収納したので、体内でカプセル内視鏡から送信アンテナが脱落する、突出した送信アンテナが管腔を傷つけるなどのおそれがなく、安全性の高いカプセル内視鏡を提供できる。しかも、シールド部材で撮像手段及び変調送信手段を囲ったため、ノイズの影響を受けず良好な画像信号を生成できる。さらに、送信アンテナをフレキシブル基板上にアンテナ配線したアンテナ基板とし、このアンテナ基板のアンテナ配線された面の裏面にシールド部材を一様に施したシールド面を設ければ、カプセルを大きくすることなく送信アンテナを内蔵でき、またカプセル内視鏡の向きによらず常に良好な送信状態を保つことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明を適用したカプセル内視鏡の一実施形態を示す図であり、（A）はカプセル内視鏡の側断面図を、（B）はＩ−Ｉ面での断面図を示している。
【図２】 同カプセル内視鏡が備えた回路基板の展開図である。
【図３】 図２におけるII矢視図である。
【図４】 図２におけるIII矢視図である。
【図５】 各略円形回路基板を組み立てた回路基板の側断面図である。
【図６】 本発明を適用したカプセル内視鏡の別実施形態の一例を示す図である。
【図７】 図６に示す別実施形態において各略円形回路基板を組み立てた回路基板の側断面図である。
【図８】 同カプセル内視鏡に設けたリードスイッチの概要を説明する図である。
【符号の説明】
１０ カプセル内視鏡
２０ 対物光学系
５０ 密閉カプセル
１００ 回路基板
１０１ 電池
１０２ リードスイッチ
１１０ イメージセンサ部
１１１ イメージセンサ
１１３ 赤外カットフィルター
１２０ 信号処理部
１２１ 信号処理電気部品
１２３ １３３ 電気接点
１３０ 変調・送信アンプ部
１３１ 変調・送信電気部品
１４０ 送信アンテナ部
１４１ 送信アンテナ配線
１４２ 送信アンテナ面
１４３ シールド部材
１４４ シールド面
１５０ 接続ストリップ基板[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a capsule endoscope that images inside a body cavity and wirelessly transmits the image information outside the body.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
Conventional fiberscopes and electronic endoscope apparatuses have a configuration in which an operation unit or an image monitor device arranged outside a human body and an imaging unit introduced into the human body are connected by a flexible tube. Even if the imaging head is reduced in size or diameter to reduce the pain of the subject, the “tube” cannot fundamentally eliminate the pain that passes through the throat of the subject. Therefore, in recent years, a capsule endoscope apparatus having a capsule-shaped imaging unit without a tube and an image monitor unit separated from the imaging unit has been proposed.
[0003]
The proposed capsule endoscope apparatus includes an image sensor that images a body cavity, a transmitter that modulates image information captured by the image sensor into a transmission signal, and a transmission antenna. A mirror is introduced into the body, and image information captured by the capsule endoscope inside the body is wirelessly transmitted to an image monitor unit outside the body. However, the transmission antenna that transmits the transmission signal is likely to generate noise during transmission and is preferably isolated as much as possible from the electrical components such as the image sensor. Although it is assumed to be provided outside the capsule, in order to attach the transmitting antenna to the outside of the capsule, it is necessary to process the transmitting antenna so that it does not fall off or damage the lumen. There wasn't. When a transmission antenna line is used as a transmission antenna, a good information transmission state may not be obtained depending on the direction of the capsule endoscope due to the directivity of the transmission antenna line.
[0004]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide the capsule endoscope which can ensure the safety | security to a human body and can maintain a favorable transmission state.
[0005]
Summary of the Invention
The present invention includes an illuminating unit that illuminates a living body, an imaging unit that captures an image of a portion illuminated by the illuminating unit, a modulation transmitting unit that modulates an output of the imaging unit into a transmission signal, and the modulated transmission. In a capsule endoscope provided with a transmission antenna for transmitting a transmission signal output from the means in a sealed capsule, an imaging control means for controlling the imaging means and the illumination means, a circular substrate holding the imaging means, and an imaging control means for controlling the imaging means A circuit board having a shape in which a holding circular board, a circular board holding the modulation transmission means, and a rectangular flexible board on which the transmission antenna is formed are connected by a connection strip board, and the transmission antenna of the flexible board A shield member that blocks noise generated during transmission by the transmitting antenna is formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the circuit board is formed, Each of the circular substrates is folded at a connection portion with the connection strip substrate so as to be parallel to each other and assembled into a cylindrical shape, and the shield member is disposed on the outer periphery of the circular circuit substrate assembled in the cylindrical shape. And it is characterized by being accommodated in the hermetic capsule in a state in which the flexible substrate is wound so as to form a cylindrical shape surrounding the modulation means . According to this structure, the capsule endoscope which can ensure the safety | security to a human body can be provided.
[0006]
In this capsule endoscope, the imaging unit includes an objective optical system that forms an image of the test part illuminated by the illuminating unit, and an image sensor that captures an image formed by the objective optical system. It is preferable. The antenna wiring of the transmission antenna has a shape that repeats reciprocation in the circumferential direction of the sealed capsule or the direction along the optical axis of the objective optical system when the antenna wiring is housed in the sealed capsule on the flexible substrate. If provided, a good transmission state can be maintained regardless of the direction of the capsule endoscope.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on illustrated embodiments. The capsule endoscope 10 to which the present invention is applied is introduced into the body of a subject at the time of measurement observation, images a state inside the body cavity, and wirelessly transmits the image information to a receiving device outside the body. As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule endoscope 10 includes, in order from the front (left side in FIG. 1), an image sensor unit 110 provided with an objective optical system 20, an image sensor 111, a signal processing unit 120, and a battery 101. , A modulation / transmission amplifier section 130 is provided, and a transmission antenna section 140 is provided on the peripheral surface, and the whole is housed in a watertight sealed capsule 50. For this reason, there is no possibility that the transmission antenna unit 140 may drop off in the body or damage the lumen, and safety to the human body can be ensured. The hermetic capsule 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a smooth appearance as a whole with a rounded (spherical shape) front end portion and rear end portion, and a hemispherical transparent cover 50a is formed of a transparent material on the front portion. ing.
[0008]
The capsule endoscope 10 captures an image of a portion to be observed that is observed through the transparent cover 50 a via the objective optical system 20 and the image sensor 111. The electric charge (accumulated signal) photoelectrically converted and accumulated by the image sensor 111 is converted into an image signal by the signal processing unit 120, modulated and amplified by the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130, and becomes a transmission signal. Radiated as a radio wave toward The transmission antenna unit 140 is provided with a shield member 143 so as not to affect each electric system component such as the signal processing unit 120 during the signal transmission (see FIG. 4).
[0009]
The image sensor unit 110, the signal processing unit 120, the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130, and the transmission antenna unit 140 are integrally formed on the circuit board 100 as shown in the developed views of FIGS. The circuit board 100 has a shape in which three circular circuit boards (the image sensor unit 110, the signal processing unit 120, and the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130) are connected to a single rectangular flexible substrate (the transmission antenna unit 140). It has become. Each of the image sensor unit 110, the signal processing unit 120, and the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130 is connected by a strip-shaped connection strip substrate 150, and is connected by a conductive member wired on the back surface. In addition, although the circuit board 100 of this embodiment is formed from one circuit board, it can also be formed by connecting each circuit board.
[0010]
An image sensor window 112 is formed on the circular circuit board of the image sensor unit 110, the image sensor 111 is fixed on the front surface with the substrate interposed therebetween (FIG. 3), and the infrared cut filter 113 is fixed on the back surface (FIG. 3). 4). Although not shown in detail in the image sensor unit 110, there are also light emitting diodes as illumination means for illuminating the inside of the living body, image sensor control electric parts for performing light emission control of the light emitting diodes, scanning control of the image sensor 111, and the like. Is provided. The image of the test part illuminated by the light emitting diode is transmitted through the infrared cut filter 113 by the objective optical system 20 and formed on the image sensor 111.
On the circular circuit board of the signal processing unit 120, a signal processing electrical component 121 for processing the output signal of the image sensor 111 is fixed on the front surface with the substrate interposed therebetween (FIG. 3), and an electrical contact 123 for the battery 101 is provided on the back surface. (FIG. 4). In the signal processing unit 120, the accumulated signal output from the image sensor unit 110 is converted into an image signal by A / D conversion processing, video processing, and the like, and is output to the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130.
A modulation / transmission electrical component 131 for modulating and transmitting the output of the signal processing unit 120 is fixed to the front surface of the circular circuit board of the modulation / transmission amplifier section 130 with the substrate interposed therebetween (FIG. 3), and a battery is mounted on the rear surface. An electrical contact 133 for 101 is provided (FIG. 4). The image signal output from the signal processing unit 120 is modulated and amplified by the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130 to become a transmission signal, output to the transmission antenna unit 140, and radiated as a radio wave from the transmission antenna unit 140.
[0011]
On the flexible substrate of the transmission antenna unit 140, a transmission antenna surface 142 provided with a transmission antenna wiring 141 is formed on the substrate surface (FIG. 3), and a shield member 143 for preventing noise is uniformly applied to the back surface. A surface 144 is formed (FIG. 4). The transmission antenna wiring 141 is provided in a shape in which one antenna line reciprocates in the left-right direction in FIG.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit board 100 is bent at a connection portion with the strip substrate 150 so that the image sensor unit 110, the signal processing unit 120, and the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130 of the circuit board 100 are parallel to each other. The battery 101 is incorporated so as to be in contact with the electrical contacts 123 and 133. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, since the transmission antenna unit 140 is wound around the substantially cylindrical outer periphery with the shield surface 144 inside, and stored in the hermetically sealed capsule 50, the shield member 143 can prevent noise during signal transmission. Each electrical system component such as the signal processing unit 120 can be protected and a good image signal can be generated. In this stored state, the transmission antenna wiring 141 radiates a transmission signal from the entire peripheral surface of the capsule endoscope 10, so that a good transmission state can be maintained regardless of the orientation of the capsule endoscope 10 in the body cavity. .
[0013]
FIG. 8 shows an outline of the reed switch 102 provided in the capsule endoscope 10. The reed switch 102 is a switch that is turned on / off according to the presence or absence of magnetism. In this embodiment, when there is no magnetism around the capsule endoscope 10, the reed switch 102 is turned on to supply power from the battery 101 to the capsule endoscope 10. When not in use, the capsule endoscope 10 is stored in a magnetic shield container containing a permanent magnet.
[0014]
Based on the above configuration, an outline of the use of the capsule endoscope 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, all magnetic objects are removed from the body of the subject, and the subject is swallowed by the capsule endoscope 10. In the body cavity of the subject, the reed switch 102 is turned on, power is supplied from the battery 101 to the capsule endoscope 10, and measurement observation is started.
In the body cavity, a part of the lumen pushed away by the capsule endoscope 10 comes into close contact with the transparent cover 50 a of the sealed capsule 50. The close contact portion and the portion located in front of the transparent cover 50 a are illuminated by a light emitting diode (not shown) provided in the image sensor unit 110. An image of the illuminated portion (test portion) is formed on the image sensor 111 by the objective optical system 20, photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 111 and accumulated. The accumulated signal output from the image sensor 111 is converted into an image signal by the signal processing unit 120, and this image signal is modulated and amplified by the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130 to be a transmission signal, which is transmitted from the transmission antenna 132 to the outside of the body. . Then, this transmission signal is received by the receiving device outside the body, and is displayed on the monitor device and observed.
[0015]
As described above, in this embodiment, since the transmission antenna unit 140 is housed in the sealed capsule 50, there is no possibility that the transmission antenna unit 140 falls off in the body or damages the lumen, and safety to the human body. Can be secured.
In this embodiment, the transmission antenna unit 140 is provided on the flexible substrate, the transmission antenna surface 142 provided with the transmission antenna wiring 141 on the substrate surface, and the shield member 143 for preventing noise on the back surface of the substrate is uniform. The image sensor unit 110, the signal processing unit 120, and the modulation / transmission unit 130 are assembled in a substantially columnar shape with the transmission antenna unit 140 having a cylindrical shape with the shield surface 144 as an inner surface. Since the shield member 143 protects each electrical component from noise during signal transmission and generates a good image signal, the sealed capsule 50 is space efficient. There is an advantage that it can be stored inside.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the transmission antenna unit 140 is housed in the sealed capsule 50, the transmission antenna wiring 141 radiates a transmission signal from the entire peripheral surface (side surface) of the capsule endoscope 10, A good transmission state can be maintained regardless of the direction of the capsule endoscope 10 in FIG.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, the transmission antenna wiring 141 and the shield member 143 are formed on the front surface and the back surface of the flexible substrate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the transmission antenna wiring 141 is not provided on the rectangular flexible substrate, and the shield member 143 is provided on one surface or both surfaces, while the modulation / transmission electric component 131 of the modulation / transmission amplifier unit 130 is provided. It is also possible to provide a transmission antenna line 145 on the surface on which the signal is fixed and transmit a signal from the rear of the sealed capsule 50 toward the outside of the body.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, since the transmission antenna is housed in the capsule, there is no fear that the transmission antenna falls off from the capsule endoscope in the body or the protruding transmission antenna damages the lumen, and the capsule endoscope has high safety. Can provide. In addition, since the image pickup means and the modulation transmission means are surrounded by the shield member, a good image signal can be generated without being affected by noise. Furthermore, if the transmission antenna is an antenna substrate with an antenna wiring on a flexible substrate, and a shield surface with a uniform shield member is provided on the back side of the antenna wiring surface of this antenna substrate, transmission can be performed without enlarging the capsule. An antenna can be built in, and a good transmission state can always be maintained regardless of the direction of the capsule endoscope.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are diagrams showing an embodiment of a capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied, in which FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of the capsule endoscope, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along the II plane. Show.
FIG. 2 is a development view of a circuit board provided in the capsule endoscope.
FIG. 3 is a view taken along arrow II in FIG. 2;
4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a circuit board in which each substantially circular circuit board is assembled.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of another embodiment of a capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied.
7 is a side cross-sectional view of a circuit board in which each substantially circular circuit board is assembled in another embodiment shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a reed switch provided in the capsule endoscope.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Capsule endoscope 20 Objective optical system 50 Sealed capsule 100 Circuit board 101 Battery 102 Reed switch 110 Image sensor part 111 Image sensor 113 Infrared cut filter 120 Signal processing part 121 Signal processing electrical component 123 133 Electrical contact 130 Modulation / transmission amplifier Part 131 Modulation / Transmission Electrical Component 140 Transmission Antenna Part 141 Transmission Antenna Wiring 142 Transmission Antenna Surface 143 Shield Member 144 Shield Surface 150 Connection Strip Board

Claims (3)

生体内を照明する照明手段と、
該照明手段によって照明された部分を撮像する撮像手段と、
該撮像手段の出力を送信信号に変調して送信する変調送信手段と、
該変調送信手段から出力される送信信号を送出する送信アンテナと、
を密閉カプセル内に備えたカプセル内視鏡において、
前記照明手段と前記撮像手段を保持した円形基板と、前記撮像手段を制御する撮像制御手段を保持した円形基板と、前記変調送信手段を保持した円形基板と、前記送信アンテナを形成した長方形状のフレキシブル基板とを接続ストリップ基板で接続した形状をなす回路基板を備え、
前記フレキシブル基板の送信アンテナが形成された面とは反対側の面に、該送信アンテナによる送信時に発生するノイズを遮断するシールド部材を形成し、
前記回路基板は、前記各円形基板の夫々が平行になるように前記接続ストリップ基板との接続部で折り曲げられて円柱状に組み立てられ、この円柱状に組み立てた円形回路基板の外周に、前記シールド部材が前記撮像手段及び前記変調手段を囲む円筒状をなすようにして前記フレキシブル基板を巻きつけた状態で、前記密閉カプセル内に収納されていることを特徴とするカプセル内視鏡。Illumination means for illuminating the interior of the living body;
Imaging means for imaging a portion illuminated by the illumination means;
Modulation transmission means for modulating the output of the imaging means into a transmission signal and transmitting the transmission signal;
A transmission antenna for transmitting a transmission signal output from the modulation transmission means;
In a capsule endoscope provided with a sealed capsule,
A circular substrate holding the illumination unit and the imaging unit, a circular substrate holding an imaging control unit for controlling the imaging unit, a circular substrate holding the modulation transmission unit, and a rectangular shape forming the transmission antenna A circuit board having a shape in which a flexible board and a connection strip board are connected is provided.
Forming a shield member on the surface opposite to the surface on which the transmission antenna of the flexible substrate is formed to block noise generated during transmission by the transmission antenna;
The circuit board is assembled in a cylindrical shape by being bent at a connection portion with the connection strip substrate so that each of the circular substrates is parallel to the outer periphery of the circular circuit board assembled in the cylindrical shape. A capsule endoscope characterized in that a member is housed in the sealed capsule in a state in which the flexible substrate is wound so as to form a cylindrical shape surrounding the imaging means and the modulation means . 請求項１記載のカプセル内視鏡において、前記撮像手段は、前記照明手段によって照明された被検部の像を形成する対物光学系と、該対物光学系によって形成された像を撮像するイメージセンサとを有しているカプセル内視鏡。The capsule endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit includes an objective optical system that forms an image of a test part illuminated by the illumination unit, and an image sensor that captures an image formed by the objective optical system. And a capsule endoscope. 請求項２記載のカプセル内視鏡において、前記送信アンテナのアンテナ配線は、前記フレキシブル基板上に、前記密閉カプセル内に収納状態とされたときに前記密閉カプセルの周回方向または前記対物光学系の光軸に沿った方向に往復を繰り返す形状で設けられているカプセル内視鏡。 3. The capsule endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the antenna wiring of the transmission antenna is arranged in a circumferential direction of the sealed capsule or light of the objective optical system when the antenna wiring is housed in the sealed capsule on the flexible substrate. A capsule endoscope provided in a shape that repeats reciprocation in a direction along an axis.
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