JP5480219B2 - Receiving apparatus and in-subject information acquisition system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention receives a radio signal from a moving body that moves inside a subject, and obtains various data in the subject (in-subject information) based on the received radio signal, and uses the same The present invention relates to an in-subject information acquisition system.

  In recent years, in the field of endoscopes, a capsule endoscope that is a swallowable endoscope provided with an imaging function and a wireless communication function has been proposed, and a subject imaged by the capsule endoscope has been proposed. An in-subject information acquisition system that acquires image data in a sample (an example of in-subject information) has been developed. In this in-subject information acquisition system, the capsule endoscope is an example of a moving body that moves inside the subject and transmits a radio signal including data in the subject, for observation (examination). After being swallowed from the subject's mouth and before being spontaneously excreted from the subject, the inside of the subject, for example, the inside of an organ such as the stomach or the small intestine is moved according to the peristaltic movement, and at a predetermined interval, for example It functions to image the inside of the subject at intervals of 5 seconds.

  While the capsule endoscope moves within the subject, image data captured by the capsule endoscope is sequentially transmitted to the outside by wireless communication, and a plurality of receiving antennas distributed and arranged outside the subject Is received by the receiving device via any of the above. The receiving device demodulates the radio signal received via such a receiving antenna into an image signal, and performs predetermined image processing on the obtained image signal to generate image data. Thereafter, the receiving apparatus sequentially stores the image data generated in this way (that is, image data captured by the capsule endoscope) in the storage unit. A user such as a doctor or a nurse loads the image data stored in the receiving device into a workstation and displays the image in the subject on the display of the workstation to diagnose the subject (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

  When such a receiving apparatus receives a radio signal from a capsule endoscope introduced into a subject, the receiving device receives a radio signal from among a plurality of receiving antennas distributed outside the subject. Switch to a suitable receiving antenna and receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope via the receiving antenna. In this case, the receiving apparatus sequentially switches the receiving antenna that receives the radio signal from the plurality of receiving antennas, and detects the received electric field strength of the radio signal sequentially received through each of the plurality of receiving antennas. Thereafter, the receiving apparatus selects a receiving antenna in which the highest received electric field strength is detected from the plurality of receiving antennas, and receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope via the selected receiving antenna. To do. In this way, by sequentially switching from a plurality of receiving antennas to a receiving antenna suitable for receiving radio signals, the receiving apparatus receives radio signals from the capsule endoscope moving in the subject with good sensitivity. can do.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-19111

  However, the capsule endoscope swallowed from the subject's mouth usually passes through the esophagus in a short time of about 4 seconds and then reaches the stomach. For this reason, the above-described conventional receiving apparatus is an optimum receiving antenna for receiving a radio signal from a plurality of receiving antennas in a short time from when the capsule endoscope starts to pass through the esophagus until it reaches the stomach. In many cases, it is difficult to receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope via the selected optimal receiving antenna. Due to this, the conventional receiving apparatus receives a radio signal from a capsule endoscope in the esophagus via a receiving antenna away from the esophagus among a plurality of receiving antennas distributed outside the subject. There is a risk of receiving image data in the esophagus of the subject based on the radio signal received in such a state where the reception electrolysis strength is weak, and the image data in the esophagus of the subject is good with little noise etc. There is a problem that it is difficult to obtain in a stable state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and sequentially receives radio signals sequentially transmitted with good sensitivity in a short time until the capsule endoscope swallowed by the subject reaches the stomach. An object of the present invention is to provide a receiving device that can acquire image data in a subject imaged by the capsule endoscope in a good state and an in-subject information acquisition system using the receiving device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention has a plurality of receiving antennas for receiving radio signals from a moving body moving in a subject, and the plurality of receiving antennas. In the receiving device that acquires data in the subject based on the wireless signal received via any of the above, the wireless signal from the moving body until reaching a predetermined site in the subject is received. Switching control for performing the antenna switching control in the initial mode for switching to the specific receiving antenna and the receiving antenna for receiving the radio signal by switching to the specific receiving antenna or the antenna switching control in the normal mode for switching to one of the plurality of receiving antennas Means for determining whether or not the moving body has reached a predetermined site in the subject; and Mode switching means for instructing antenna switching control and switching the initial mode to the normal mode and instructing antenna switching control when it is determined that the moving body has reached a predetermined site in the subject. It is characterized by that.

  The receiving apparatus according to the present invention further includes a detecting unit that detects information related to the data included in the wireless signal in the above-described invention, and the determining unit is configured to detect the information related to the data detected by the detecting unit. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the moving body has reached a predetermined site in the subject.

  In the receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the data is image data.

  In the receiving apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the data-related information is luminance information or chromaticity information of the data.

  Further, in the above invention, the receiving device according to the present invention includes a time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time switched to the specific receiving antenna and notifies the determining unit of the elapsed time, and the determining unit Based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means, it is determined whether or not the moving body has reached a predetermined site in the subject.

  The receiving apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the predetermined part is a stomach.

  Further, the receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes, in the above invention, a reception strength detecting unit that detects a reception electric field strength of the radio signal, and the switching control unit is configured to transmit the radio signal from at least the plurality of receiving antennas. The antenna switching control in the normal mode is performed to switch to the one having the highest received electric field strength.

  An in-subject information acquisition system according to the present invention includes a capsule endoscope that is introduced into a subject and outputs a radio signal including image data that is moved and picked up in the subject, and the reception described above. And a device.

  An in-subject information acquisition system according to the present invention includes a capsule endoscope that is introduced into a subject and outputs a radio signal including image data obtained by imaging the inside of the subject, and a predetermined inside of the subject. A plurality of receiving antennas including a specific receiving antenna for receiving a radio signal from the capsule endoscope until reaching a part, and the signal received via the receiving antenna switched from the plurality of receiving antennas A receiving device that acquires the image data based on a radio signal; and a monitor device that is connected to the receiving device and detects information about the image data acquired via the receiving device, and displays the image data on a monitor. The reception device switches the reception antenna that receives the radio signal from the plurality of reception antennas to the specific reception antenna, and It is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined site in the subject based on the information regarding the image data detected by the step, and determines that the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined site in the subject In this case, the specific receiving antenna is switched to the remaining receiving antennas of the plurality of receiving antennas.

  In the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the information related to the image data is luminance information or chromaticity information of the image data.

  The in-subject information acquisition system according to the present invention is introduced into the subject, detects the current position in the subject sequentially, and detects a predetermined site in the subject as the current position. When the inside of the subject was imaged at a predetermined interval and a predetermined site in the subject was detected as the current position, the inside of the subject was imaged at a longer interval than the predetermined interval. A plurality of receiving antennas including a capsule endoscope that outputs a wireless signal including image data and a specific receiving antenna that receives a wireless signal from the capsule endoscope until reaching a predetermined site in the subject. And a reception device that acquires the image data based on the wireless signal received via the reception antenna switched from among the plurality of reception antennas, wherein the reception device receives the wireless signal Receiving The antenna is switched from the plurality of reception antennas to the specific reception antenna to detect an imaging interval of the image data, and the capsule endoscope is based on the detected imaging interval of the image data. When it is determined whether or not the predetermined part in the subject has been reached and it is determined that the predetermined part in the subject has been reached, switching from the specific receiving antenna to the remaining receiving antennas of the plurality of receiving antennas Features.

  An in-subject information acquisition system according to the present invention is introduced into a subject, measures a pH value at a current position in the subject, images the inside of the subject at the current position, and obtains the information. A capsule endoscope that outputs a radio signal including the obtained image data and the pH value, and specific reception for receiving a radio signal from the capsule endoscope until reaching a predetermined site in the subject A receiving device that has a plurality of receiving antennas including an antenna, and that acquires the image data based on the radio signal received via the receiving antenna that is switched from among the plurality of receiving antennas. The apparatus switches the receiving antenna for receiving the radio signal from the plurality of receiving antennas to the specific receiving antenna, detects the pH value based on the radio signal, and detects the detected p When determining whether the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined site in the subject based on the value, and determining that the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined site in the subject, from the specific receiving antenna It is characterized by switching to the remaining receiving antennas among the plurality of receiving antennas.

  In the in-subject information acquisition system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the predetermined site in the subject is the stomach.

  Further, in the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the receiving device detects the reception electric field strength of the radio signal and determines that the predetermined portion in the subject has been reached, Switching from the plurality of receiving antennas to one having the highest received electric field strength of the radio signal.

  According to the present invention, the radio signal from the capsule endoscope before reaching the predetermined part of the subject can be received with high sensitivity via the specific receiving antenna, and the capsule type inside the capsule type after reaching the predetermined part can be received. A radio signal from the endoscope can be received with high sensitivity via any one of the plurality of receiving antennas. Thus, a plurality of times from when the capsule endoscope is swallowed by the subject until it is discharged from the body. The radio signal from the capsule endoscope can be received with good sensitivity through the receiving antenna having the highest received electrolysis strength among the receiving antennas of the capsule endoscope, and the capsule endoscope passes in a short time of about 4 seconds. Thus, there is an effect that image data in a good state in the subject including image data in the esophagus to be imaged can be reliably acquired.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a capsule endoscope that constitutes a part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for switching the control mode of the switching control unit. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the control unit that switches the control mode of the switching control unit to the initial mode or the normal mode. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a reception device and a monitor device that constitute a part of the in-vivo information acquisition system according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a capsule endoscope that constitutes a part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a capsule endoscope that constitutes a part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a receiving apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Exemplary embodiments of a receiving apparatus according to the present invention and an in-vivo information acquiring system using the same will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-subject information acquisition system according to the first embodiment includes a capsule endoscope 2 that moves along a passage route in the subject 1 and images the inside of the subject 1. A receiving device 3 that receives a radio signal including image data captured by the capsule endoscope 2 and an image that displays an image in the subject 1 based on the image data captured by the capsule endoscope 2 A display device 4 and a portable recording medium 5 for transferring data between the receiving device 3 and the image display device 4 are provided.

  The capsule endoscope 2 has a capsule-type housing structure that is easily introduced into the subject 1, and has an imaging function for imaging the inside of the subject 1 and an image obtained by imaging the inside of the subject 1. And a wireless communication function for transmitting data to the external receiving device 3. Specifically, the capsule endoscope 2 is swallowed from the mouth of the subject 1 and passes through the esophagus in the subject 1 in about 4 seconds, and then is moved into the body cavity by peristalsis of the digestive tract such as the stomach or the small intestine. To proceed. At the same time, the capsule endoscope 2 sequentially images the inside of the body cavity of the subject 1 and sequentially transmits a wireless signal including the obtained image data in the subject 1 to the receiving device 3.

  The receiving device 3 receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 introduced into the subject 1 and acquires image data from the capsule endoscope 2 based on the radio signal. is there. Specifically, the reception device 3 includes a plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h that receive radio signals from the capsule endoscope 2, and the capsule type received via any one of the reception antennas 3a to 3h. A radio signal from the endoscope 2 is demodulated into an image signal, and image data obtained by the capsule endoscope 2 is acquired based on the obtained image signal. In this case, the reception device 3 sequentially stores the image data obtained by the capsule endoscope 2 in this manner in the portable recording medium 5 that is detachably inserted.

  The receiving antennas 3a to 3h are realized using, for example, a loop antenna, and receive a radio signal transmitted by the capsule endoscope 2. Specifically, among the plurality of receiving antennas 3a to 3h, the receiving antenna 3a is arranged at a specific position outside the subject 1, for example, in the vicinity of the esophagus on the body surface of the subject 1, as shown in FIG. A specific receiving antenna that receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 after being swallowed by the subject 1 and passing through the esophagus until reaching the stomach. In this case, since the receiving antenna 3a is closest to the esophagus of the subject 1 as compared with the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h among the plurality of receiving antennas 3a to 3h, for example, the capsule endoscope 2 is swallowed. The radio signal having a higher received electric field strength than the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h can be received from the capsule endoscope 2 until reaching the stomach.

  On the other hand, the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3g are predetermined positions on the body surface of the subject 1 excluding the specific position where the receiving antenna 3a is arranged, for example, a passage route of the capsule endoscope 2 as shown in FIG. It is distributed in a position corresponding to (specifically, a passage route after the stomach). Any of the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3g is, for example, from the capsule endoscope 2 until the capsule endoscope 2 reaches the stomach and is discharged from the body of the subject 1. A radio signal having a high received electric field strength can be received.

  The receiving antennas 3a to 3h may be arranged at predetermined positions of a jacket to be worn by the subject 1. When the subject 1 wears such a jacket, the receiving antenna 3a is arranged at a specific position (for example, in the vicinity of the esophagus) on the body surface of the subject 1, and the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h are used. Distributedly arranged at predetermined positions on the body surface of the subject 1 excluding the specific position. In addition, the subject 1 may have a plurality of reception antennas including one or more specific reception antennas and one or more remaining reception antennas dispersedly arranged at the above-described specific positions or the like. In this case, the number of receiving antennas is not particularly limited to eight.

  The image display device 4 is for displaying an image in the subject 1 imaged by the capsule endoscope 2 and is based on image data obtained through the portable recording medium 5 and the like. An image of an organ or the like in the specimen 1 (that is, an image captured by the capsule endoscope 2) is displayed. Further, the image display device 4 has a processing function for diagnosing the subject 1 by observing an image of an organ or the like in the subject 1 using a capsule endoscope 2 by a doctor or a nurse.

  The portable recording medium 5 is for exchanging data between the receiving device 3 and the image display device 4, and is a portable recording medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark). The portable recording medium 5 is detachable from the receiving device 3 and the image display device 4 and has a structure capable of outputting and recording data when being inserted into both. Specifically, when the portable recording medium 5 is inserted into the receiving device 3, the portable recording medium 5 sequentially accumulates image data and the like from the capsule endoscope 2 acquired by the receiving device 3. The portable recording medium 5 is taken out from the receiving device 3 and inserted into the image display device 4 after the capsule endoscope 2 is ejected from the subject 1. In this case, the image display device 4 can take in various data such as image data in the subject 1 stored in the inserted portable recording medium 5.

  The subject 1 is connected to the receiving device 3 and the image display device 4 by a cable or the like by transferring data between the receiving device 3 and the image display device 4 using the portable recording medium 5. Unlike the case, even when the capsule endoscope 2 is moving inside the subject 1, it can act freely with the receiver 3 being carried.

Next, the configuration of the capsule endoscope 2 used in the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the capsule endoscope 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule endoscope 2 includes an illumination unit 21 that illuminates an imaging region when imaging the inside of the subject 1, an illumination unit drive circuit 22 that controls driving of the illumination unit 21, An imaging unit 23 that captures a reflected light image from a region illuminated by the illumination unit 21 and an imaging unit drive circuit 24 that controls driving of the imaging unit 23 are included. In addition, the capsule endoscope 2 generates an image signal including image data captured by the image capturing unit 23 and a radio signal by modulating the image signal generated by the image processing unit 25. And a transmission antenna 27 that outputs a radio signal generated by the transmission circuit 26 to the outside. Furthermore, the capsule endoscope 2 includes a control unit 28 that controls driving of each component of the capsule endoscope 2 and a power supply that supplies driving power to each component of the capsule endoscope 2. Part 29.

  The illuminating unit 21 is realized by using a light emitting element such as an LED, and illuminates the region imaged by the imaging unit 23 by outputting irradiation light. The imaging unit 23 is realized by using an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS, and receives reflected light from a region illuminated by the illumination unit 21 (that is, an imaging region), thereby receiving this imaging region (for example, in the subject 1). ). The imaging unit 23 outputs image data obtained by such imaging processing to the image processing unit 25. The control unit 28 controls the illumination unit driving circuit 22 and the imaging unit driving circuit 24 so that the illumination timing of the imaging region by the illumination unit 21 and the imaging timing of the imaging region by the imaging unit 23 are synchronized.

  The image processing unit 25 generates an image signal including the image data captured by the imaging unit 23. In this case, the image processing unit 25 generates an image signal without compressing the image data. Specifically, the image processing unit 25 generates an image signal including such uncompressed image data and parameters such as preset white balance data. The image processing unit 25 transmits the image signal thus generated to the transmission circuit 26.

  The transmission circuit 26 performs predetermined modulation processing, power amplification processing, and the like on the image signal generated by the image processing unit 25, and generates a radio signal obtained by modulating the image signal. This wireless signal includes image data picked up by the image pickup unit 23 and parameters such as white balance data. The transmission circuit 26 outputs the radio signal thus generated to the transmission antenna 27. The transmission antenna 27 outputs the radio signal input from the transmission circuit 26 to the outside. In this case, the capsule endoscope 2 outputs to the outside a radio signal including at least image data captured by the imaging unit 23, for example, image data captured inside the subject 1.

  Next, the configuration of the receiving device 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the receiving device 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the reception device 3 includes an antenna switching unit 30 to which a plurality of reception antennas 3 a to 3 h are connected, and a reception antenna that switches to a reception antenna suitable for reception of a radio signal from the reception antennas 3 a to 3 h. A reception circuit 31 that demodulates a radio signal received via any one of the antennas 3a to 3h into an image signal, and reception that detects the received electric field strength of the radio signal based on the baseband signal demodulated by the reception circuit 31. An intensity detection unit 32 and a switching control unit 33 that controls the antenna switching operation by the antenna switching unit 30 based on the received electric field intensity detected by the reception intensity detection unit 32 are provided. In addition, the receiving device 3 receives the image processing unit 34 that generates image data from the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31, the image data generated by the image processing unit 34, and the like. A storage unit 35 to be stored, an input unit 36 for inputting instruction information for instructing various operations of the receiving device 3, and a display unit 37 for displaying information related to the subject 1 such as an image of the subject 1. Further, the receiving device 3 includes a control unit 38 that controls driving of each component of the receiving device 3 and a power supply unit 39 that supplies driving power to each component of the receiving device 3.

  The antenna switching unit 30 functions to perform an antenna switching operation for electrically connecting the reception circuit 31 and the one switched from the plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h. Specifically, the antenna switching unit 30 performs an antenna switching operation based on one of the two control modes by the switching control unit 33, and is a reception antenna 3a suitable for receiving a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2. Any one of ˜3h and the receiving circuit 31 are electrically connected. More specifically, the antenna switching unit 30 switches the reception antenna 3a and the reception circuit 31 from the plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h to the reception antenna 3a based on the control in the initial mode of the switching control unit 33. An antenna switching operation (specific antenna switching operation) is performed to electrically connect and maintain this connection state, and a receiving antenna that receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 is fixed to the receiving antenna 3a. On the other hand, the antenna switching unit 30 electrically connects the receiving circuit 31 to the one that is sequentially switched from the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h based on the control in the normal mode of the switching control unit 33 that is switched from the initial mode. The connected antenna switching operation (normal antenna switching operation) is performed. Such an antenna switching unit 30 outputs a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 received via the reception antenna selected from the reception antennas 3 a to 3 h to the reception circuit 31.

  The receiving circuit 31 is for demodulating the radio signal input from the antenna switching unit 30 into a baseband signal. Specifically, the receiving circuit 31 performs a demodulation process or the like on the radio signal input from the antenna switching unit 30, and demodulates the radio signal into an image signal that is a baseband signal. This image signal is a baseband signal including at least image data picked up by the capsule endoscope 2. The reception circuit 31 outputs the obtained baseband signal (that is, an image signal) to the reception intensity detection unit 32 and the image processing unit 34.

  The reception intensity detection unit 32 is for detecting the reception electric field intensity of the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 received via any one of the reception antennas 3a to 3h. Specifically, the reception strength detection unit 32 detects the reception field strength of the radio signal corresponding to the baseband signal based on the baseband signal demodulated by the reception circuit 31, and the detected reception field strength is detected. The received signal, for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) is output to the switching control unit 33.

  The switching control unit 33 is for controlling the specific antenna switching operation and the normal antenna switching operation by the antenna switching unit 30 described above. Specifically, the switching control unit 33 has two control modes for controlling the driving of the antenna switching unit 30. These two control modes include an initial mode for controlling the antenna switching unit 30 to perform the above-described specific antenna switching operation and a normal mode for controlling the antenna switching unit 30 to perform the above-described normal antenna switching operation.

  In the control of the initial mode, the switching control unit 33 switches to and maintains the state in which the receiving antenna 3a that is the above-described specific receiving antenna and the receiving circuit 31 are electrically connected (the initial state of the antenna switching unit 30). A receiving antenna that receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 is fixed to the receiving antenna 3a. On the other hand, in the control in the normal mode, the switching control unit 33 sequentially switches from the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h to a receiving antenna suitable for receiving a radio signal, and electrically connects the switched receiving antenna and receiving circuit 31 to each other. The antenna switching unit 30 is controlled to connect. In this case, the switching control unit 33 uses the signal (for example, RSSI signal) indicating the received electric field intensity input from the received intensity detecting unit 32 to receive the radio signal received electric field from among the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h. The receiving antenna having the highest strength is selected, and the antenna switching unit 30 is controlled so as to electrically connect the receiving antenna thus selected and the receiving circuit 31.

  The image processing unit 34 is for generating image data included in the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 received via any of the plurality of receiving antennas 3a to 3h. Specifically, the image processing unit 34 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31, and generates image data by the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal. The image processing unit 34 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 38.

  The image processing unit 34 includes a signal detection unit 34a for detecting information related to image data based on the image signal. Based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31, the signal detection unit 34a detects information related to the image data included in the image signal, for example, luminance information of the image data. In this case, the signal detection unit 34 a detects a luminance signal corresponding to the luminance information of the image data based on the image signal, and outputs the detected luminance signal to the control unit 38.

  The storage unit 35 can removably insert the portable recording medium 5 described above, and sequentially stores data instructed to be stored by the control unit 38, for example, image data generated by the image processing unit 34, in the portable recording medium 5. To do. The storage unit 35 may include a memory IC such as a RAM or a flash memory so that the storage unit 35 itself stores various information such as image data.

  The input unit 36 is realized by using an input button or the like for inputting instruction information to be instructed to the control unit 38. For example, information (patient name, patient ID, etc.) related to the subject 1 is displayed on the display unit 37 according to an input operation by the user. Various instruction information such as an instruction to be displayed is input to the control unit 38. The display unit 37 is realized by using a thin display such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL panel, and displays information instructed to be displayed by the control unit 38, for example, information on the subject 1, an image of the subject 1, and the like. The display unit 37 may have an information input function such as a touch panel, and may be configured to input instruction information to the control unit 38 instead of the input unit 36. In this case, the receiving device 3 may not have the input unit 36.

  The control unit 38 is realized using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores a processing program and the like, and a RAM that stores calculation parameters or input information to the control unit 38. The drive of each component is controlled. In this case, the control unit 38 performs input / output control of information with respect to each component unit, and also performs a data storage operation, a data read operation, and a display for the storage unit 35 (specifically, the portable recording medium 5). The display operation by the unit 37 is controlled. Such a control unit 38 performs various processes based on the instruction information input by the input unit 36.

  Further, the control unit 38 controls the switching control unit 33 to switch the control mode of the switching control unit 33 described above to the initial mode or the normal mode. Specifically, the control unit 38 controls the switching control unit 33 until the capsule endoscope 2 swallowed from the mouth of the subject 1 reaches a predetermined site in the subject 1, for example, the stomach. And instructing the control of the specific antenna switching operation in the initial mode. On the other hand, after the capsule endoscope 2 reaches the stomach of the subject 1, the control unit 38 controls the switching control unit 33 until the capsule endoscope 2 is discharged from the body of the subject 1. An instruction is given to control the normal antenna switching operation in the normal mode described above. Such a control unit 38 is switched to an arrival determination unit 38a that determines whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 introduced into the subject 1 has reached a predetermined site (for example, the stomach) of the subject 1. And a mode switching unit 38b for switching the control mode of the control unit 33 to the initial mode or the normal mode.

  The arrival determination unit 38a determines whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 in the subject 1 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1, for example, the stomach, based on information regarding the image data detected by the signal detection unit 34a. Determine. In this case, the arrival determination unit 38a acquires the luminance information of the image data based on, for example, the luminance signal detected by the signal detection unit 34a, and based on the change of the luminance information such as the luminance value of the image data. Then, it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the stomach of the subject 1.

  When the power switch (not shown) provided in the power supply unit 39 is turned on, that is, when the driving power is supplied by the power supply unit 39, the mode switching unit 38b is configured to receive the power supply unit 39. The control mode of the switching control unit 33 is switched to the initial mode described above, triggered by the fact that the drive power has started to be supplied. On the other hand, when the arrival determination unit 38a determines that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined site (for example, the stomach) of the subject 1, the mode switching unit 38b uses the arrival determination result of the arrival determination unit 38a as a trigger. The control mode of the switching control unit 33 is switched to the normal mode described above.

  The power supply unit 39 is provided with a power switch (not shown) that switches on / off of driving power supply. When the power switch is switched on, the power supply unit 39 supplies driving power to each component of the receiving device 3. . In addition, as a power supply of the electric power supply part 39, a dry cell, a lithium ion secondary battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, etc. are illustrated. The power supply unit 39 may be rechargeable.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 38 that switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the above-described initial mode or normal mode will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the control unit 38 switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33. In FIG. 4, first, the control unit 38 sets the control mode for controlling the driving of the antenna switching unit 30 to the above-described initial mode when the power supply unit 39 starts to supply the driving power by the switching operation of the power switch. An instruction is given to the switching control unit 33 (step S101). In this case, the mode switching unit 38b switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the initial mode, triggered by the start of supply of driving power by the power supply unit 39. Based on the control of the control unit 38, the switching control unit 33 controls the antenna switching unit 30 in the initial mode to set the antenna switching unit 30 to the initial state described above, and receives the receiving antenna 3a and the receiving circuit. The specific antenna switching operation for maintaining the state of being electrically connected to 31 is controlled.

  Next, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 introduced into the subject 1 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1 (step S102), and the capsule endoscope 2. The control mode of the switching control unit 33 is switched corresponding to the arrival determination result. In this case, the arrival determination unit 38a acquires the luminance information of the image data based on the luminance signal detected by the signal detection unit 34a, and the capsule endoscope 2 is based on the change in the obtained luminance information. It is determined whether or not a predetermined part of the subject 1 has been reached. If the arrival determination unit 38a does not determine that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the predetermined part of the subject 1 (No in step S102), the control unit 38 repeats the processing procedure of step S102 to determine the capsule type. It is monitored whether or not the endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1.

  On the other hand, when the arrival determination unit 38a determines that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the predetermined part of the subject 1 (step S102, Yes), the control unit 38 sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the initial state described above. The switching control unit 33 is controlled to switch from the mode to the normal mode (step S103). In this case, the mode switching unit 38b triggers the arrival determination unit 38a to determine that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1, and the control mode of the switching control unit 33 is the initial mode described above. To normal mode. Based on the control of the control unit 38, the switching control unit 33 switches the control mode from the initial mode to the normal mode and performs drive control of the normal mode for the antenna switching unit 30, and any one of the reception antennas 3b to 3h. The normal antenna switching operation for electrically connecting the receiving circuit 31 is controlled.

  Here, exemplifying the case where the predetermined part of the subject 1 is the stomach, the control mode of the switching control unit 33 is set to the initial mode, and then the operation of the control unit 38 for switching the initial mode to the normal mode. Will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the control unit 38 that switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the above-described initial mode or normal mode.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, in the receiving device 3, the power switch of the power supply unit 39 is switched to the on state, and immediately before or immediately after this, the capsule endoscope 2 is swallowed from the mouth of the subject 1. In this state, the antenna switching unit 30 is controlled by the initial mode of the switching control unit 33 to electrically connect the reception antenna 3a and the reception circuit 31 and maintain this connection state. In this case, the capsule endoscope 2 swallowed by the subject 1 moves from the mouth of the subject 1 to the inside, and passes through the esophagus of the subject 1 in a short time of about 4 seconds. At the same time, the capsule endoscope 2 captures image data in the subject 1 and sequentially outputs a radio signal including the obtained image data to the outside. The radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 is received by the receiving device 3 via the receiving antenna 3a disposed on the body surface of the subject 1 near the esophagus. Such a radio signal transmission / reception state is maintained from when the capsule endoscope 2 is swallowed by the subject 1 until it reaches the stomach.

  Thereafter, the capsule endoscope 2 that has passed through the esophagus of the subject 1 outputs a radio signal including image data obtained by imaging the stomach of the subject 1 and reaches the stomach of the subject 1. A radio signal including image data obtained by imaging the stomach of the subject 1 is received by the receiving device 3 via the receiving antenna 3a. In this case, the receiving circuit 31 demodulates the radio signal received via the receiving antenna 3a into an image signal, and the image processing unit 34 acquires image data obtained by imaging the stomach of the subject 1 based on the image signal. Is generated. The signal detection unit 34a detects a luminance signal based on the image signal, and the arrival determination unit 38a images the stomach of the subject 1 based on the luminance signal detected by the signal detection unit 34a. The luminance information of the obtained image data is acquired. The arrival determination unit 38a determines whether the capsule endoscope 2 passes through the esophagus of the subject 1 and reaches the stomach based on the change in luminance information of the image data. It is determined that the stomach of the subject 1 has been reached.

  When the arrival determination unit 38a determines that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the stomach of the subject 1, the mode switching unit 38b switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 from the initial mode to the normal mode. In this case, the antenna switching unit 30 is controlled by the normal mode of the switching control unit 33, and corresponds to the passage of the stomach 1 of the subject 1 and the capsule endoscope 2 thereafter (for example, the duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, etc.). Then, a normal antenna switching operation for electrically connecting any one of the remaining reception antennas 3b to 3h distributed on the body surface of the subject 1 to the reception circuit 31 is performed. That is, after the capsule endoscope 2 swallowed by the subject 1 reaches the stomach of the subject 1, the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 is transmitted from the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h. The signal is received by the receiving device 3 via the receiving antenna having the highest received electric field strength.

  Such a receiving device 3 is a wireless signal from the capsule endoscope 2 before reaching the stomach from when the capsule endoscope 2 is swallowed from the mouth of the subject 1 until it reaches the stomach. The receiving antenna 3a is fixed to the receiving antenna 3a, and after the capsule endoscope 2 reaches the stomach of the subject 1 until it is discharged outside the body, The receiving antenna that receives the radio signal from the endoscope 2 is switched to any of the remaining receiving antennas 3b to 3h. Therefore, the receiving apparatus 3 has the highest receiving electrolysis intensity among the plurality of receiving antennas 3a to 3h from when the capsule endoscope 2 is swallowed by the subject 1 until it is discharged from the body. The radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 can be received with good sensitivity via the, and thereby the image data in the esophagus that is captured while the capsule endoscope 2 passes in a short time of about 4 seconds is included. In addition, it is possible to reliably acquire good image data in the subject 1 (that is, image data in a good state with little noise or the like).

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the luminance information of the image data is detected as information relating to the image data for determining whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and color information of image data may be detected instead of the luminance information. In this case, the signal detection unit 34 a detects a chromaticity signal corresponding to the color information of the image data based on the image signal, and outputs the detected chromaticity signal to the control unit 38. The arrival determination unit 38a acquires the color information of the image data, for example, the hue or average color of the image data based on the chromaticity signal, and the capsule endoscope 2 detects the subject 1 based on the color information. It is determined whether or not a predetermined part of the object has been reached.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, at least one of a plurality of reception antennas that receive a radio signal from a capsule endoscope is specified as a specific reception antenna and specified outside the subject. Place it at a position (a position where it can receive a radio signal from a capsule endoscope before reaching a predetermined part of the subject with high sensitivity, for example, on the body surface near the esophagus), and specify the remaining receiving antennas It is distributed and arranged outside the subject other than the position (for example, the position on the body surface corresponding to the movement path of the capsule endoscope following the stomach to the large intestine). In addition, until the capsule endoscope introduced into the subject reaches a predetermined part (for example, the stomach) of the subject, the plurality of receiving antennas are switched to the specific receiving antenna and maintained. The radio signal from the capsule endoscope before reaching it is always received via this specific receiving antenna, and after the capsule endoscope reaches a predetermined part of the subject, it is discharged out of the subject's body. Until this time, it is configured to receive the radio signal from the capsule endoscope after the arrival through the reception antenna that is optimal for reception of the radio signal switched from among the plurality of reception antennas. ing. For this reason, the radio signal from the capsule endoscope before reaching the predetermined site of the subject can be received with high sensitivity via the specific receiving antenna, and from the capsule endoscope after reaching the predetermined site. Can be received with high sensitivity via any one of the plurality of receiving antennas. Therefore, from the time when the capsule endoscope is swallowed by the subject to the time when the capsule endoscope is discharged from the body, the capsule endoscope is connected to the capsule endoscope via the receiving antenna having the highest received electrolysis strength among the plurality of receiving antennas. The wireless signal can be received with good sensitivity, and thereby, the image data in a good state in the subject including the image data in the esophagus that is captured while the capsule endoscope passes in a short time of about 4 seconds. Can be acquired reliably.

(Modification of Embodiment 1)
Next, a description will be given of a modification of the receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the in-vivo information acquiring system using the receiving apparatus. In the receiving apparatus and the in-vivo information acquiring system using the receiving apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment, the image data acquired by the receiving apparatus that receives the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 is displayed on the monitor. A monitor device is connected to the receiving device, and information on the image data detected by the monitor device is fed back to the receiving device. The receiving device is based on the information on the image data fed back by the monitor device. It is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the in-subject information acquisition system according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention is replaced with the reception device 3 of the in-subject information acquisition system according to the first embodiment described above. 8 and further includes a monitor device 6 that sequentially displays the image data obtained by the capsule endoscope 2 acquired by the receiving device 8 on the monitor. The monitor device 6 and the receiving device 8 are connected via a cable 7 so that image data and the like can be transmitted and received. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a reception device and a monitor device that constitute a part of the in-vivo information acquisition system according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the monitor device 6 includes a reception antenna 61 for receiving a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 and reception for demodulating the radio signal received via the reception antenna 61 into an image signal. A circuit 62 and an image processing unit 63 that generates image data by the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 62 are included. The monitor device 6 includes a communication interface (I / F) 64 for connecting the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 via the cable 7 so that they can communicate with each other, and the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 via the cable 7. And a connection detection unit 65 for detecting connection with. The monitor device 6 further includes an input unit 66 for inputting instruction information for instructing the control unit 68, a display unit 67 for monitoring and displaying image data and the like, and a control unit 68 for controlling driving of each component of the monitor device 6. And a power supply unit 69 that supplies driving power to each component of the monitor device 6.

  The receiving antenna 61 and the receiving circuit 62 receive a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 when the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 are not connected, and the capsule endoscope is based on the radio signal. This is for acquiring image data by the mirror 2. Specifically, the reception antenna 61 receives a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 and outputs the received radio signal to the reception circuit 62. The receiving circuit 62 demodulates the radio signal received via the receiving antenna 61 into an image signal, and outputs the obtained image signal to the image processing unit 63.

  The image processing unit 63 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 62 or the image signal received via the receiving device 8, and generates image data based on the image signal. The image data generated by such an image processing unit 63 is image data included in a radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 received by the monitor device 6 alone via the reception antenna 61 or via the reception device 8. Any of the image data based on the received image signal. The image processing unit 63 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 68.

  The image processing unit 63 includes a signal detection unit 63a that functions in the same manner as the signal detection unit 34a of the reception device 3 described above. The signal detection unit 63a detects information about image data, for example, luminance information of the image data, based on the image signal received from the receiving device 8 via the cable 7. In this case, the signal detection unit 63a detects a luminance signal corresponding to the luminance information of the image data based on the image signal, and feeds back the detected luminance information to the receiving device 8.

  The communication I / F 64 is for connecting the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 via the cable 7 so that they can communicate with each other. Specifically, the communication I / F 64 is connected to the receiving device 8 via the cable 7, receives an image signal from the receiving device 8 via the cable 7, and sends the received image signal to the image processing unit 63. Output. Further, the communication I / F 64 outputs the luminance signal detected by the signal detection unit 63 a to the receiving device 8 via the cable 7. As a result, the luminance signal (that is, information relating to the image data) detected by the signal detection unit 63a is fed back to the receiving device 8 that acquired the image data.

  The connection detection unit 65 is for detecting the connection between the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6. Specifically, the connection detection unit 65 detects the electrical continuity associated with the connection between the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6 via the cable 7, thereby connecting the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6. Detect the effect. When the connection detection unit 65 detects the connection between the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6, the connection detection unit 65 outputs a detection result indicating that the connection is detected to the control unit 68.

  The input unit 66 is realized by using an input button or the like for inputting instruction information for instructing the control unit 68. For example, instruction information for instructing driving of each component unit is input to the control unit 68 according to an input operation by the user. To do. The display unit 67 is realized by using a thin display such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL panel, and information instructed to be displayed by the control unit 68, for example, image data based on an image signal received from the receiving device 8 via the cable 7. Alternatively, the acquired image data or the like is displayed on the monitor without using the receiving device 8. The display unit 67 may have an information input function such as a touch panel, and may be configured to input instruction information for instructing the control unit 68 to the control unit 68.

  The control unit 68 is realized by using a CPU that executes a processing program, a ROM that stores the processing program and the like, and a RAM that stores calculation parameters or input information to the control unit 68. The drive of each component is controlled. In this case, the control unit 68 performs input / output control of information with each component unit, and controls the monitor display operation by the display unit 67 and the detection operation of the connection detection unit 65.

  In addition, when the control unit 68 receives a detection result indicating that the connection between the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6 is detected from the connection detection unit 65, the control unit 68 displays an image signal transmitted from the reception device 8 through the cable 7 as an image. The communication I / F 64 is controlled to transfer to the processing unit 63, and the image processing unit 63 is controlled to generate image data based on the image signal from the receiving device 8. Further, the control unit 68 detects a luminance signal based on the image signal from the receiving device 8 and controls the signal detecting unit 63a and the communication I / F 64 so as to feed back the luminance signal to the receiving device 8. .

  The power supply unit 69 is provided with a power switch (not shown) that switches the on / off state of the drive power supply. When this power switch is switched to the on state, the power supply unit 69 supplies the drive power to each component of the monitor device 6. . Examples of the power supply for the power supply unit 69 include a dry battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, or a nickel metal hydride battery. The power supply unit 69 may be rechargeable.

  On the other hand, the receiving device 8 according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving circuit 81 instead of the receiving circuit 31 of the receiving device 3 according to the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. The image processing unit 34 includes an image generation unit 84, the display unit 37 includes a display unit 87, and the control unit 38 includes a control unit 88. The receiving device 8 includes a communication I / F 82 for connecting to the monitor device 6 via the cable 7, and a connection detection unit 83 for detecting the connection between the monitor device 6 and the receiving device 8 via the cable 7. Also have. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  Similarly to the reception circuit 31 described above, the reception circuit 81 demodulates the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 input from the antenna switching unit 30 into an image signal that is a baseband signal, and obtains the obtained image signal. The data is output to the reception intensity detection unit 32, the communication I / F 82, and the image generation unit 84.

  The communication I / F 82 is connected to the communication I / F 64 of the monitor device 6 via the cable 7, and is used for transmitting and receiving data between the monitor device 6 and the receiving device 8 via the cable 7. Specifically, the communication I / F 82 transmits the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 81 to the communication I / F 64 of the monitor device 6 via the cable 7, and is detected by the signal detection unit 63 a of the monitor device 6. Information related to image data (for example, a luminance signal) is received via the cable 7. The communication I / F 82 outputs information from the monitor device 6 such as a luminance signal to the control unit 88.

  The connection detection unit 83 is for detecting the connection between the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6. Specifically, the connection detection unit 83 detects the electrical continuity associated with the connection between the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6 via the cable 7, thereby connecting the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6. Detect the effect. When the connection detection unit 83 detects the connection between the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6, the connection detection unit 83 outputs a detection result indicating that the connection is detected to the control unit 88.

  The image generation unit 84 generates image data included in the radio signal from the capsule endoscope 2 received via any one of the plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h in substantially the same manner as the image processing unit 34 described above. Is for. Specifically, the image generation unit 84 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the reception circuit 81, and generates image data by the capsule endoscope 2 based on the image signal. The image generation unit 84 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 88.

  The display unit 87 is realized by using a thin display such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL panel, and displays information instructed to be displayed by the control unit 88, for example, information on the subject 1 (patient name, patient ID, etc.). . The display unit 87 may have an information input function such as a touch panel, and may be configured to input instruction information to the control unit 88 instead of the input unit 36. In this case, the receiving device 8 may not have the input unit 36.

  The control unit 88 has substantially the same configuration and function as the control unit 38 described above, and controls the driving of each component of the receiving device 8. Further, the control unit 88 sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the above-described initial mode when the driving power is started to be supplied by the power supply unit 39 and the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 are connected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the predetermined part of the subject 1, the control unit 88 switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 from the initial mode described above to the normal mode.

  Such a control unit 88 includes the arrival determination unit 38a described above, and includes a mode switching unit 88b instead of the mode switching unit 38b of the control unit 38 described above. In step S101 described above, the control unit 88 detects that drive power has been supplied by the power supply unit 39, and detects detection information indicating that the connection between the reception device 8 and the monitor device 6 has been detected. When received from 83, the control mode of the switching control unit 33 is set to the initial mode. In this case, the mode switching unit 88b is triggered by the start of supply of driving power by the power supply unit 39 and detection information indicating that the connection between the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 has been detected. As in the case, the control mode of the switching control unit 33 is set to the initial mode.

  The mode switching unit 88b sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the normal mode when the control unit 88 has not acquired detection information indicating that the connection between the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 has been detected. . That is, the switching control unit 33 controls the normal antenna switching operation of the antenna switching unit 30 in the normal mode described above when the receiving device 8 and the monitor device 6 are not connected.

  On the other hand, the control unit 88 determines whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1 based on the luminance signal fed back from the monitor device 6 in step S102 described above. In this case, the arrival determination unit 38a acquires the luminance signal fed back from the signal detection unit 63a of the monitor device 6, and the capsule endoscope 2 is connected to the subject 1 as in the case of the first embodiment described above. It is determined whether or not a predetermined part has been reached. When the arrival determination unit 38a determines that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined site (for example, the stomach) of the subject 1, the control unit 88 switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 from the initial mode to the normal mode. . In this case, the mode switching unit 88b performs switching control similarly to step S103 described above, triggered by the arrival determination unit 38a determining that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1. The control mode of the unit 33 is switched to the normal mode.

  In the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the luminance information of the image data is detected as information related to the image data for determining whether or not the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and color information of image data may be detected instead of such luminance information. In this case, the signal detection unit 63a detects a chromaticity signal corresponding to the color information of the image data based on the image signal, and feeds back the detected chromaticity signal to the control unit 88. The arrival determination unit 38a acquires the color information of the image data, for example, the hue or average color of the image data based on the chromaticity signal, and the capsule endoscope 2 detects the subject 1 based on the color information. It is determined whether or not a predetermined part of the object has been reached.

  As described above, in the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the monitor has substantially the same function as that of the first embodiment described above, and further displays the image data acquired in the receiving apparatus on the monitor sequentially. A device is connected to the receiving device, a detection function for detecting information relating to image data such as luminance information or color information is added to the monitoring device, and information relating to the image data detected by the monitoring device is fed back to the receiving device. In addition, the capsule endoscope is configured to determine whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject based on information on the image data fed back to the receiving apparatus. Therefore, while being able to enjoy the operational effects of the first embodiment described above, the capsule endoscope is in a good state in the subject including the image data in the esophagus that is imaged while passing in a short time of about 4 seconds. A receiving apparatus that can reliably acquire image data and an in-vivo information acquiring system using the receiving apparatus can be easily realized.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject based on information on image data such as luminance information or color information detected based on the image signal. However, in the second embodiment, the imaging interval of the image data is switched before and after the capsule endoscope reaches the predetermined part of the subject, and the image signal from the capsule endoscope is used as the basis. Then, the imaging interval of the image data is detected, and it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject based on the detected change in the imaging interval.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the in-subject information acquisition system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a capsule type instead of the capsule endoscope 2 of the in-subject information acquisition system according to the first embodiment described above. It has an endoscope 120 and has a receiving device 130 instead of the receiving device 3. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a capsule endoscope that constitutes a part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the capsule endoscope 120 includes a control unit 128 instead of the control unit 28 of the capsule endoscope 2 of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the first embodiment. The sensor unit 121 further detects the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 in the subject 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The sensor unit 121 is for detecting the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 introduced into the subject 1. Specifically, the sensor unit 121 is realized by using, for example, a pH sensor, and measures the pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 introduced into the subject 1 to obtain the obtained pH. Based on the value, the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 is detected. In this case, the sensor unit 121 detects whether or not the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 is a predetermined part (for example, the stomach) of the subject 1. The sensor unit 121 outputs a result of detecting whether or not the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 is a predetermined part of the subject 1 to the control unit 128.

  The control unit 128 has substantially the same function as the control unit 28 of the capsule endoscope 2 described above, and controls driving of each component of the capsule endoscope 120. The control unit 128 performs control for switching the imaging mode of the imaging unit 23 and performs control for switching the driving of the illumination unit 21 in accordance with the imaging mode of the imaging unit 23. Such a control unit 128 includes a mode switching unit 128a that controls the imaging unit drive circuit 24 to switch the imaging mode of the imaging unit 23 to the high-speed imaging mode or the normal imaging mode.

  The mode switching unit 128a controls the imaging unit drive circuit 24 using, for example, the start of supply of driving power by the power supply unit 29, and sets the imaging mode of the imaging unit 23 to the high-speed imaging mode that is the initial state. In this case, the control unit 128 controls the illumination unit driving circuit 22 and the imaging unit driving circuit 24 so that the imaging timing of the imaging unit 23 and the illumination timing of the illumination unit 21 in the high-speed imaging mode are synchronized. Thereafter, when the control unit 128 receives a detection result indicating that the current position of the capsule endoscope 120 is a predetermined part of the subject 1 from the sensor unit 121, the mode switching unit 128a performs imaging using the detection result as a trigger. The unit drive circuit 24 is controlled to switch the imaging mode of the imaging unit 23 from the high-speed imaging mode to the normal imaging mode. In this case, the control unit 128 controls the illumination unit driving circuit 22 and the imaging unit driving circuit 24 so as to synchronize the imaging timing of the imaging unit 23 and the illumination timing of the illumination unit 21 in the normal imaging mode.

  The normal imaging mode is an imaging mode in which the imaging unit 23 captures image data at a predetermined interval, for example, about 0.5 seconds. The high-speed imaging mode is shorter than the normal imaging mode, for example, In this mode, the imaging unit 23 captures image data at intervals of about 0.07 seconds. The high-speed imaging mode is suitable for imaging a part where the capsule endoscope 120 such as the esophagus moves in a short time, and the normal imaging mode is compared with the capsule endoscope 120 such as the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine. It is suitable for imaging a part that moves in a long time.

  The capsule endoscope 120 adopting such a configuration, for example, in the subject 1 (for example, from the mouth of the subject 1 until it reaches the stomach which is a predetermined part) in the subject 1 (for example, from the mouth of the subject 1). The esophagus and the like are imaged, and after reaching the stomach, until the subject 1 is discharged out of the body, the high-speed imaging mode is switched to the normal imaging mode described above, and the normal imaging mode allows the inside of the subject 1 (for example, the stomach 1). , Small intestine, large intestine, etc.). The capsule endoscope 120 can capture a large amount of image data of a part of the esophagus or the like that passes in a short time of about 4 seconds, and also excessively captures image data of a part of the small intestine or the large intestine that moves in a long time. Therefore, it is possible to capture an image with an appropriate number of frames, and promote power saving.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a receiving apparatus that constitutes a part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the reception device 130 includes an image processing unit 134 instead of the image processing unit 34 of the reception device 3 according to the first embodiment described above, and includes a control unit 138 instead of the control unit 38. Have. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  Similar to the image processing unit 34 of the receiving device 3 described above, the image processing unit 134 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31, and generates image data based on the image signal. To do. The image processing unit 134 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 138. Further, the image processing unit 134 includes an imaging interval detection unit 134a. The imaging interval detection unit 134 a detects the imaging interval of image data by the capsule endoscope 120 based on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31. In this case, the imaging interval detection unit 134a detects whether the image data based on the image signal is image data captured in any of the above-described high-speed imaging mode and normal imaging mode. The imaging interval detection unit 134a outputs the imaging interval detection result of the image data to the control unit 138.

  The control unit 138 has substantially the same function as the control unit 38 of the reception device 3 described above, and controls driving of each component of the reception device 130. In addition, when the driving power is started to be supplied by the power supply unit 39, the control unit 138 sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the above-described initial mode, and then the image data generated by the image processing unit 134 is When the image captured in the high-speed imaging mode is changed to the image captured in the normal imaging mode, the control mode of the switching control unit 33 is switched from the initial mode to the normal mode.

  Such a control unit 138 includes the mode switching unit 38b described above, and includes an arrival determination unit 138a instead of the arrival determination unit 38a of the control unit 38 described above. The arrival determination unit 138a determines whether the capsule endoscope 120 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1, based on the imaging interval detection result from the imaging interval detection unit 134a.

  Specifically, the control unit 138 performs the processing procedure of step S101 described above, and sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the initial mode. Next, in step S102 described above, the control unit 138 determines whether the capsule endoscope 120 has reached a predetermined site (for example, the stomach) of the subject 1 based on the imaging interval detection result from the imaging interval detection unit 134a. Determine whether or not.

  In this case, the arrival determination unit 138a determines whether the image data input from the image processing unit 134 is the above-described high-speed imaging mode or normal imaging mode based on the imaging interval detection result from the imaging interval detection unit 134a. The capsule endoscope 120 is sequentially grasped as to whether the image data is captured by the image processing unit 134 and triggered by the change in the image data from the image processing unit 134 from the high-speed imaging mode to the normal imaging mode. It is determined that the stomach has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1.

  When the arrival determination unit 138a determines that the capsule endoscope 120 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1, the control unit 138 performs the processing procedure of step S103 described above, and controls the switching control unit 33. Switch the mode from the initial mode to the normal mode. In this case, the mode switching unit 38b normally sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33, triggered by the arrival determination unit 138a determining that the capsule endoscope 120 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1. Switch to mode. That is, the mode switching unit 38b switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 in response to switching of the imaging mode of the capsule endoscope 120.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a radio signal from a capsule endoscope is received by switching from a plurality of reception antennas to a specific reception antenna in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. In addition, the imaging interval of the image data is detected instead of the information related to the image data described above, and the capsule endoscope is applied to a predetermined part (for example, stomach) of the subject based on the detection result of the imaging interval. When it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject, the specific reception antenna or the plurality of reception antennas are substantially the same as in the first embodiment described above. It was configured to switch to the remaining receiving antennas and receive radio signals from the capsule endoscope. For this reason, while being able to enjoy the effect of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, the subject including many image data in the esophagus imaged in the high-speed imaging mode while the capsule endoscope passes in a short time of about 4 seconds It is possible to realize a receiving apparatus that can reliably acquire image data in a good state and an in-subject information acquisition system using the receiving apparatus.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject based on information on image data such as luminance information or color information detected based on the image signal. However, in the third embodiment, the capsule endoscope measures the pH value at the current position in the subject, and this pH value is based on the image signal from the capsule endoscope. And the capsule endoscope determines whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject based on the detected pH value.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the in-subject information acquisition system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a capsule type instead of the capsule endoscope 2 of the in-subject information acquisition system according to the first embodiment described above. It has an endoscope 220 and has a receiving device 230 instead of the receiving device 3. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a capsule endoscope that constitutes a part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the capsule endoscope 220 includes an image processing unit 225 instead of the image processing unit 25 of the capsule endoscope 2 of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the first embodiment. And has a control unit 228 instead of the control unit 28. The capsule endoscope 220 further includes a pH measuring unit 221 that measures a pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220 in the subject 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The pH measurement unit 221 is realized by using, for example, a hydrogen ion sensitive field effect transistor, and sequentially measures the pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220 introduced into the subject 1 at predetermined intervals. In this case, the pH measurement unit 221 is caused by, for example, adsorption of hydrogen ions (that is, hydrogen ions existing at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220) to the gate electrode of the possessed hydrogen ion sensitive field effect transistor. By detecting the current, the pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220 can be measured. The pH measurement unit 221 sequentially outputs a measurement result signal corresponding to the obtained pH value to the image processing unit 225.

  The image processing unit 225 functions to generate an image signal including the image data captured by the imaging unit 23 in substantially the same manner as the image processing unit 25 provided in the capsule endoscope 2 of the first embodiment described above. . In addition, the image processing unit 225 includes a superimposition processing unit 225a that superimposes the pH value measured by the pH measurement unit 221 on the image signal. The superimposition processing unit 225a superimposes the measurement result signal from the pH measurement unit 221 on the image signal including the image data captured by the imaging unit 23, and thereby the pH value measured by the pH measurement unit 221 is changed to this value. It is further superimposed on the image signal. In this case, the image processing unit 225 generates an image signal including at least the image data captured by the imaging unit 23 and the pH value measured by the pH measurement unit 221, and outputs the obtained image signal to the transmission circuit 26. To do.

  The control unit 228 has substantially the same function as the control unit 28 of the capsule endoscope 2 described above, and controls driving of each component of the capsule endoscope 220. For example, the control unit 228 controls the pH measurement operation of the pH measurement unit 221 in accordance with the imaging timing of the imaging unit 23, and the image data captured by the imaging unit 23 and the pH measurement unit 221 with respect to the image processing unit 225. Drive control is performed to generate an image signal including at least the pH value measured by.

  By such control of the control unit 228, the image signal including the image data and the pH value is modulated into a radio signal by the transmission circuit 26 and output to the outside via the transmission antenna 27. In this way, the capsule endoscope 220 can transmit such image data and pH value to the external receiving device 230 as a radio signal.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a receiving device that forms part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the receiving device 230 includes an image processing unit 234 instead of the image processing unit 34 of the receiving device 3 according to the first embodiment described above, and includes a control unit 238 instead of the control unit 38. Have. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  Similar to the image processing unit 34 of the receiving device 3 described above, the image processing unit 234 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31, and generates image data based on the image signal. To do. The image processing unit 234 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 238. The image processing unit 234 includes a pH value detection unit 234a that detects a pH value included in the image signal.

  The pH value detection unit 234a is for detecting the pH value based on the image signal demodulated by the reception circuit 31, that is, the pH value measured by the pH measurement unit 221 of the capsule endoscope 220 described above. is there. Specifically, the pH value detection unit 234a detects a measurement result signal superimposed on the image signal demodulated by the reception circuit 31, and detects a pH value corresponding to the measurement result signal. The pH value detection unit 234a outputs the pH value thus detected (that is, the pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220) to the control unit 238.

  The control unit 238 has substantially the same function as the control unit 38 of the reception device 3 described above, and controls driving of each component of the reception device 230. Further, when the driving power is started to be supplied by the power supply unit 39, the control unit 238 sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the initial mode described above, and then the pH value detected by the pH value detection unit 234a. Is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold, that is, when the acidity at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the control mode of the switching control unit 33 is switched from the initial mode to the normal mode.

  Such a control unit 238 includes the mode switching unit 38b described above, and also includes an arrival determination unit 238a instead of the arrival determination unit 38a of the control unit 38 described above. The arrival determination unit 238a determines whether the capsule endoscope 220 is a predetermined part of the subject 1 based on the pH value detected by the pH value detection unit 234a, that is, the pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220. It is determined whether or not.

  Specifically, the control unit 238 performs the processing procedure of step S101 described above, and sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the initial mode. Next, in step S102 described above, the control unit 238 has reached the predetermined site (for example, the stomach) of the capsule endoscope 220 based on the pH value detected by the pH value detection unit 234a. It is determined whether or not.

  In this case, the arrival determination unit 238a compares the pH value detected by the pH value detection unit 234a with a predetermined threshold value, and when the pH value is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value, that is, within the capsule mold When the acidity at the current position of the endoscope 220 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it is determined that the capsule endoscope 220 has reached the stomach which is a predetermined part of the subject 1.

  When the arrival determination unit 238a determines that the capsule endoscope 220 has reached the stomach which is a predetermined part of the subject 1, the control unit 238 performs the processing procedure of step S103 described above, and controls the switching control unit 33. Switch the mode from the initial mode to the normal mode. In this case, the mode switching unit 38b sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 as a trigger, triggered by the arrival determination unit 238a determining that the capsule endoscope 220 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1. Switch to mode. That is, the mode switching unit 38b switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 in response to the acidity at the current position of the capsule endoscope 220 reaching a predetermined level or higher.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a radio signal is received from a capsule endoscope by switching from a plurality of reception antennas to a specific reception antenna in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. In addition, the pH value at the current position of the capsule endoscope is detected instead of the information related to the image data described above, and the capsule endoscope detects a predetermined region of the subject (based on the pH value). For example, when it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject, it is determined from among a plurality of receiving antennas in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. A radio signal from the capsule endoscope is received by switching to the specific receiving antenna or the remaining receiving antennas. For this reason, while receiving the effect of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, the receiver which can determine reliably whether the capsule endoscope introduce | transduced in the subject arrived at the stomach which is a predetermined part, and this An in-subject information acquisition system using the can be realized.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, it is determined whether or not the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part of the subject based on information on image data such as luminance information or color information detected based on the image signal. However, in the fourth embodiment, an elapsed time when switching from a plurality of receiving antennas to a specific receiving antenna is measured, and based on the elapsed time, the capsule endoscope determines a predetermined object. It is determined whether or not the part has been reached.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the in-subject information acquisition system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a reception device 330 instead of the reception device 3 of the in-subject information acquisition system according to the first embodiment described above. . Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a receiving device that forms part of the in-vivo information acquiring system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the receiving device 330 includes an image processing unit 334 instead of the image processing unit 34 of the receiving device 3 according to the first embodiment, and includes a control unit 338 instead of the control unit 38. Have. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  Similar to the image processing unit 34 of the receiving device 3 described above, the image processing unit 334 performs predetermined image processing or the like on the image signal demodulated by the receiving circuit 31, and generates image data based on the image signal. To do. The image processing unit 334 outputs the obtained image data to the control unit 338.

  The control unit 338 has substantially the same function as the control unit 38 of the reception device 3 described above, and controls driving of each component of the reception device 330. Further, when the driving power is started to be supplied by the power supply unit 39, the control unit 338 sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the above-described initial mode, and the antenna switching unit 30 is specified by the control of the initial mode. It functions to measure the elapsed time since switching to the receiving antenna (that is, the receiving antenna 3a). Furthermore, when the elapsed time after switching to the receiving antenna 3a (that is, the elapsed time switched to the specific receiving antenna) reaches a predetermined threshold time, the control unit 338 changes the control mode of the switching control unit 33 from the initial mode. Switch to normal mode.

  Such a control unit 338 includes the mode switching unit 38b described above, and also includes an arrival determination unit 338a instead of the arrival determination unit 38a of the control unit 38 described above. Further, the control unit 338 includes a time measurement processing unit 338c that measures an elapsed time when the antenna switching unit 30 switches the reception antennas 3a to 3h to the reception antenna 3a.

  Based on the elapsed time measured by the time measurement processing unit 338c, that is, the elapsed time switched from the plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h to the reception antenna 3a that is the specific reception antenna, the arrival determination unit 338a It is determined whether or not the endoscope 220 has reached a predetermined part of the subject 1.

  The time measurement processing unit 338c functions to measure an elapsed time after the antenna switching unit 30 switches to the reception antenna 3a under the control of the switching control unit 33. In this case, the time measurement processing unit 338c starts the time measurement process triggered by, for example, the supply of drive power by the power supply unit 39, and the time elapsed since the start of supply of the drive power, that is, the initial mode described above. The elapsed time when the antenna switching unit 30 switches to the receiving antenna 3a is measured on the basis of the control of the switching control unit 33 set to. The time measurement processing unit 338c notifies the arrival determination unit 338a of the elapsed time thus measured.

  Specifically, the control unit 338 performs the processing procedure of step S101 described above, and sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 to the initial mode. In this case, the timekeeping processing unit 338c starts timing processing triggered by the start of the supply of driving power by the power supply unit 39, and the antenna switching unit 30 receives a plurality of receptions by controlling the initial mode by the switching control unit 33. The elapsed time after switching from the antennas 3a to 3h to the receiving antenna 3a is measured.

  Next, in step S102 described above, the control unit 338 determines whether the capsule endoscope 2 has reached a predetermined site (for example, the stomach) of the subject 1 based on the elapsed time notified from the time measurement processing unit 338c. Determine whether or not. In this case, the arrival determination unit 338a determines whether or not the elapsed time measured by the time measurement processing unit 338c has reached a predetermined threshold time, and determines that this elapsed time has reached the predetermined threshold time Then, it is determined that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1.

  Here, as described above, the elapsed time measured by the time measurement processing unit 338c is the time that has elapsed since the driving power is supplied by the power supply unit 39, and is controlled by the switching control unit 33 in the initial mode. This is an elapsed time after the switching unit 30 switches from the plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h to the reception antenna 3a. Note that the capsule endoscope 2 is generally swallowed from the mouth of the subject 1 immediately before or immediately after the power switch of the power supply unit 39 is turned on. In this case, the elapsed time measured by the time measurement processing unit 338c corresponds to the movement time of the capsule endoscope 2 introduced into the subject 1. Therefore, the arrival determination unit 338a determines that the elapsed time measured by the time measurement processing unit 338c (that is, the movement time of the capsule endoscope 2) has reached a predetermined threshold time, and then the capsule endoscope 2 Can pass through the esophagus of the subject 1 and reach the stomach.

  When the arrival determination unit 338a determines that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the stomach that is a predetermined part of the subject 1, the control unit 338 performs the processing procedure of step S103 described above, and controls the switching control unit 33. Switch the mode from the initial mode to the normal mode. In this case, the mode switching unit 38b normally sets the control mode of the switching control unit 33 using the arrival determination unit 338a as a trigger that the capsule endoscope 2 has reached the stomach, which is a predetermined part of the subject 1. Switch to mode. That is, the mode switching unit 38b switches the control mode of the switching control unit 33 in response to the movement time of the capsule endoscope 2 introduced into the subject 1 reaching a predetermined threshold time.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the radio signal is received from the capsule endoscope by switching from the plurality of reception antennas to the specific reception antenna in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. In addition, the elapsed time switched to the specific reception antenna is measured instead of the information on the image data described above, and the measured elapsed time (that is, the movement time of the capsule endoscope introduced into the subject) If it is determined whether the capsule endoscope has reached a predetermined part (for example, the stomach) of the subject based on the above, and if it is determined that the capsule endoscope has reached the predetermined part of the subject, In substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment, the radio signal from the capsule endoscope is received by switching from the plurality of reception antennas to the specific reception antenna or the remaining reception antennas. For this reason, the receiving apparatus which can enjoy the effect of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, and the in-vivo information acquisition system using the same are easily realizable.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention and the modification of the first embodiment, a specific reception antenna in which one reception antenna 3a among the plurality of reception antennas 3a to 3h is arranged at a specific position of the subject 1 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more of the plurality of receiving antennas may be specified receiving antennas.

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention and the modification of the first embodiment, radio signals from the capsule endoscope until reaching a predetermined part (for example, the stomach) of the subject are received by a plurality of receiving antennas. The radio signal from the capsule endoscope after receiving through the specific receiving antenna and reaching the predetermined part of the subject was received through the remaining receiving antennas, but the present invention is not limited to this. Capsule-type endoscopy after reaching a predetermined part of the subject via a receiving antenna (a receiving antenna suitable for a radio signal) switched from all receiving antennas including the specific receiving antenna. You may receive the radio signal from a mirror.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 2 Capsule endoscope 3,8 Receiving device 3a-3h Receiving antenna 4 Image display device 5 Portable recording medium 6 Monitor device 7 Cable 21 Illumination part 22 Illumination part drive circuit 23 Imaging part 24 Imaging part drive circuit 25 Image processing unit 26 Transmission circuit 27 Transmission antenna 28 Control unit 29 Power supply unit 30 Antenna switching unit 31, 81 Reception circuit 32 Reception intensity detection unit 33 Switching control unit 34 Image processing unit 34a Signal detection unit 35 Storage unit 36 Input unit 37, 87 Display unit 38, 88 Control unit 38a Arrival determination unit 38b, 88b Mode switching unit 39 Power supply unit 61 Reception antenna 62 Reception circuit 63 Image processing unit 63a Signal detection unit 64 Communication I / F
65 Connection Detection Unit 66 Input Unit 67 Display Unit 68 Control Unit 69 Power Supply Unit 82 Communication I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 83 Connection detection part 84 Image generation part 120 Capsule type | mold endoscope 121 Sensor part 128 Control part 128a Mode switching part 130 Receiving device 134 Image processing part 134a Imaging interval detection part 138 Control part 138a Arrival determination part 220 Capsule type endoscope 221 pH measurement unit 225 image processing unit 225a superimposition processing unit 228 control unit 230 receiving device 234 image processing unit 234a pH value detection unit 238 control unit 238a arrival determination unit 330 reception device 334 image processing unit 338 control unit 338a arrival determination unit 338c timing processing Part

Claims (4)

A plurality of receiving antennas for receiving radio signals from a mobile that moves inside the subject, the data in the subject based on the wireless signal received via one of said plurality of receiving antennas In the receiving device to acquire,
A specific receiving antenna for receiving the radio signal from the moving body until reaching a predetermined site in the subject;
A switching control means for performing an antenna switching control in an initial mode for switching to and maintaining the receiving antenna for receiving the radio signal by switching to the specific receiving antenna or an antenna switching control in a normal mode for switching to any one of the plurality of receiving antennas;
A total time of means for measuring the elapsed time after switching to the specific reception antenna,
Determination means for determining whether or not the movable body has reached a predetermined site in the subject based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means;
When the switching control unit is instructed to perform antenna switching control in the initial mode, and the determination unit determines that the moving body has reached a predetermined site in the subject, the initial mode is changed to the normal mode. a mode switching unit that instructs toggle its antenna switching control,
A receiving apparatus comprising:   The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined part is a stomach. A reception intensity detecting means for detecting a reception electric field intensity of the radio signal;
The said switching control means performs the antenna switching control of the said normal mode which switches to the thing with the highest receiving electric field intensity | strength of the said radio | wireless signal among at least these several receiving antennas. Receiver. The receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein is introduced into a subject, the capsule endoscope as the moving body by moving the該被the specimen and outputs a radio signal including the image data captured,
An in-subject information acquisition system comprising:

Images