JPH06114064A - Medical capsule apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the detection of the position of inserting a capsule body in vivo easily and without problems of inflicting pains on a patient. exposure to X rays and the like. CONSTITUTION:A soft cable 3 is connected to a capsule body 2 to be inserted into an organism and a plurality of magnetic position detectors 5 for detecting positions are arranged in the cable 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical capsule device which is inserted into a luminal organ of a living body to perform drug administration, body fluid sampling, measurement, treatment and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a capsule device for medical use has a merit that it is less painful for a patient during use as compared with an endoscope and the like, but when the capsule body is used alone, the anatomical structure of the capsule body is used. There is a problem that the correct insertion position cannot be detected. Therefore, in order to detect the insertion position of the capsule body, visual inspection with an endoscope and fluoroscopy with X-rays are required.

[0003]

When the visual inspection by the endoscope is performed to detect the insertion position of the capsule body as in the above-mentioned conventional structure, there is a problem that the patient suffers much. Furthermore, when performing a fluoroscopic examination by X-ray, there is a problem that it can be used only in a dedicated examination room equipped with equipment of a relatively large X-ray fluoroscopic examination apparatus, and there is also a problem of X-ray exposure of a patient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily detect the insertion position of the capsule main body in the body, with less pain to the patient, and without any problem such as X-ray exposure. An object of the present invention is to provide a medical capsule device.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a flexible cable is connected to a capsule body to be inserted into a living body, and a plurality of magnetic means for position detection are arranged on the cable.

[0006]

The position of the capsule body inserted into the living body is detected by the magnetic means of the flexible cable connected to the capsule body.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to (B). FIG. 1 (A) shows a schematic configuration of the entire medical capsule device 1. This medical capsule device 1 has a capsule body 2 that is inserted into a living body.
The tip of the flexible cable 3 is connected to the.

Here, inside the capsule body 2, for example, a diagnostic device such as a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, an enzyme sensor, a drug administration device, etc. are incorporated. Further, a transmission connector portion 4 is connected to the base end portion of the cable 3. A signal line for an output signal from the capsule body 2, a power supply line, a signal line for a control signal, or the like is connected to the connector portion 4.

Further, the cable 3 has a plurality of position detecting elements (magnetic means) 5 for position detection.
Are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the. These position detecting elements 5 ... Are formed of a ferromagnetic material such as an Sm-Co magnet or a ferrite magnet.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
First, the flexible cable 3 together with the capsule body 2 is shown in FIG.
Insert into the patient's body as shown in (B). At this time,
The cable 3 is inserted along the internal shape of a lumen and an organ in the body.

During the insertion operation of the capsule body 2, a magnetic sensor (not shown) is applied to the body surface of the patient from outside the patient's body. Then, by scanning the magnetic sensor, the positions of the position detecting elements 5 of the cable 3 are magnetically detected. Further, based on the detection signal from the magnetic sensor, the insertion position of the capsule body 2 and the internal shapes of the body lumen and organ are detected from the outside of the patient's body.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned structure, the position detecting element 5 of the flexible cable 3 connected to the capsule body 2 can magnetically detect the position of the capsule body 2 inserted in the living body. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the insertion position of the capsule main body 2 in the body, as compared with the conventional case where a visual inspection by an endoscope is performed to detect the insertion position of the capsule main body 2.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary to specifically insert the endoscope for detecting the capsule position into the patient's body, the patient's pain can be reduced. Further, since there is no need to perform a fluoroscopic inspection by X-ray in order to detect the insertion position of the capsule body 2 as in the conventional case, the insertion position of the capsule body 2 can be detected without problems such as X-ray exposure.

In the above embodiment, the cable 3 outputs the output signal of the diagnostic device such as pH sensor, temperature sensor, enzyme sensor, etc. in the capsule body 2 and the control signal of the drug administration device.
Although the configuration for transmitting via a signal line disposed inside is shown, the output signal of a diagnostic device such as a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, an enzyme sensor, etc. in the capsule body 2 and the control of a drug administration device, etc. A configuration may be adopted in which the wireless capsule body 2 for transmitting a signal by a radio wave signal is provided and the connector portion 4 at the base end portion of the cable 3 is omitted.

2 (A) and 2 (B) show the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. In this embodiment, the cable 3
And a plurality of magnetic coils 11 as magnetic means for position detection.
Are arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the cable 3 with appropriate intervals. These magnetic coils 11 ... Are connected to the connector portion 4 via a power supply line 12 and a ground line.

When the capsule body 2 is being used, the magnetic coils 11 are energized during the insertion of the capsule body 2, and a magnetic sensor (not shown) is applied to the body surface of the patient from outside the patient's body to scan the magnetic sensor. Thus, the positions of the magnetic coils 11 of the cable 3 are magnetically detected. Further, based on the detection signal from this magnetic sensor, the capsule main body 2 is similar to the first embodiment.
The insertion position and internal shapes of lumens and organs inside the body are detected from outside the patient's body.

Therefore, in the above structure, the magnetic coil 1 of the flexible cable 3 connected to the capsule body 2 is used.
Since the position of the capsule main body 2 inserted into the living body can be magnetically detected by 1 ..., The insertion position of the capsule main body 2 in the body can be easily performed and the patient's pain can be avoided similarly to the first embodiment. The number is small, and it can be detected without problems such as X-ray exposure.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the power supply line 21
.. and flip-flop circuits 25 for controlling the magnetic coils 11 interposed between the magnetic coils 11 of the cable 3 and the ground wire 24, and the magnetic coils 11 of the cable 3 are magnetized one by one. good. Here, 22 is a signal line, and 23 is a clock signal line.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the cable 3 of the medical capsule device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A has a plurality of sensors such as a pH sensor, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor (first sensor 31 and second sensor 31). A sensor 32) is provided. In addition, even if there is only one sensor on the cable 3,
There may be a plurality of three or more.

Therefore, even with the above-described structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in addition to the detection data from the position detecting elements 5 ... , The organ in the body can be identified based on the measurement data from the sensor of the cable 3. For example,
Information such as the esophagus when the measured pH value is neutral, the stomach when strongly acidic and the duodenum when weakly alkaline are obtained.

Further, FIGS. 4A to 4E show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), a flexible cable 41 is provided with a plurality of capsule bodies 42 that are detachably attached.

In this case, the cable 41 has a built-in receiving antenna 43 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), the capsule body 42 has a fitting hole 44 formed at the axial center with the cable 41. The outer peripheral surface of the capsule body 42 communicates with the fitting hole 44. The insertion groove 45 is formed. The groove width of the insertion groove 45 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the fitting hole 44. The cable 41 is detachably mounted in the fitting hole 44 through the insertion groove 45 on the outer peripheral surface of the capsule body 42.

Further, the inside of the capsule body 42 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (D), a power source 46 such as a battery, a sensor 47 such as a pressure sensor, a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, and a biological component analysis sensor, and a transmission circuit 48 that transmits a detection signal from the sensor 47 are mounted. There is.

When the capsule body 42 is used, the detection signal from the sensor 47 can be transmitted to the receiving antenna 43 in the cable 41 during the insertion work of the capsule body 42.

By mounting the position detecting element 5 for position detection of the first embodiment on the capsule body 42, a magnetic sensor (not shown) is applied to the body surface of the patient from outside the patient's body, and the magnetic sensor is scanned. Cable 4
It is possible to magnetically detect the mounting positions of the capsule bodies 42 on the upper part 3. Further, based on the detection signal from this magnetic sensor, the insertion position of the capsule main body 42 and the internal shapes of the lumen and the organ in the body are detected from the outside of the patient's body as in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the case of the above configuration, the type of the capsule main body 42 can be appropriately selected and attached to the cable 41 according to the intended measurement target in the patient's body. Further, any number of capsule bodies 42 can be mounted at any position on the cable 41. for that reason,
As shown in FIG. 4 (E), since a plurality of capsule bodies 42 ... Can be inserted into the patient's body together with the cable 41, a large number of measurement data can be obtained at the same time.

Further, the capsule body 42 is connected to the cable 41.
Since it is possible to mount an arbitrary number on the upper arbitrary position, it is possible to accurately measure the data of the target place such as the lumen and the organ in the body, and it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy.

In the above-described embodiment, a wireless transmission means for transmitting the detection signal from the sensor 47 to the receiving antenna 43 in the cable 41 by radio waves is provided, but between the capsule body 42 and the cable 41. The transmission and reception of may be performed by electromagnetic coupling.

Further, FIGS. 5A and 5B show the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a capsule for treating reflux esophagitis, for example. In the medical capsule device 51 of this embodiment, a drug capsule 53 is connected to the distal end of a flexible cable 52, and pH is provided in the middle of the cable 52.
A measuring capsule 54, a pressure measuring capsule 55 and a control capsule 56 are mounted respectively.

Here, a battery 57, a drug chamber 58 and a pump 59 are provided inside the capsule body of the drug delivery capsule 53. Furthermore, the pH measuring capsule 54
A pH sensor 60 is provided inside the capsule body, a pressure sensor 61 is provided inside the capsule body of the pressure measuring capsule 55, and a control circuit 62 is provided inside the capsule body of the control capsule 56.

Then, the pump 59 for the drug delivery capsule 53,
The pH sensor 60 of the pH measuring capsule 54 and the pressure sensor 61 of the pressure measuring capsule 55 are respectively the control capsule 56.
Is connected to the control circuit 62 via a signal line, and the control circuit 62 controls ON / OFF of the pump 59 in response to detection signals from the pH sensor 60 and the pressure sensor 61.

Further, when the capsule device 51 is used, as shown in FIG.
Inserted therein, another pH measuring capsule 54, pressure measuring capsule 55 and control capsule 56 are positioned in the esophagus S.

When the pH sensor 60 of the pH measuring capsule 54 and the pressure sensor 61 of the pressure measuring capsule 55 detect the lowered state of the pH and the raised state of the pressure, it is judged that reflux esophagitis has occurred. Therefore, when the occurrence state of reflux esophagitis is determined in this way,
By moving the pump 59 of the drug delivery capsule 53, a drug such as an antacid or H ₂ blocker can be released from the drug chamber 58 to the outside for treatment.

Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned constitution, effective high-quality treatment can be automatically performed when reflux esophagitis occurs, so that the treatment effect of reflux esophagitis can be enhanced.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an expansion capsule 61 which is a kind of medical capsule device. This expansion capsule 61 is a lumen in the body (esophagus, bile duct,
The ureter, trachea, bronchus, etc.) is placed in a narrowed portion to expand the narrowed portion.

Further, the expansion capsule 61 is formed of a substantially cylindrical giant magnetostrictive alloy material as shown in FIG. 6 (B). In this case, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the expansion capsule 61 is divided from the linear cut portion, and the expansion capsule 6
1 is normally reduced to a shape in which a superposed portion 64 is formed by overlapping the portions in the vicinity of the divided portion.

FIG. 6A shows a state in which an alternating magnetic field is applied to the expansion capsule 61 placed in the body cavity from outside the patient's body by the magnetic field generating means 62. Incidentally, 63 is an AC power source connected to the magnetic field generating means 62.

The expansion capsule 61 is adapted to vibrate in a state in which the inner and outer diameters are changed by the alternating magnetic field applied from the magnetic field generating means 62. Therefore, the inside of the expansion capsule 61 can be prevented, and the displacement of the indwelling position of the expansion capsule 61 can be prevented to prevent the expansion capsule 61 from falling off.

Further, FIGS. 7A and 7B show a modified example of the expansion capsule 71. This expansion capsule 71
As shown in FIG. 7A, a substantially cylindrical capsule body 72 made of SMA (shape memory alloy) and a heating means such as a heater joined to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the capsule body 72. And 73 are provided. A lead wire 74 is connected to the heating means 73, and is connected to an external energization control device side (not shown) through the lead wire 74.

Further, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the expansion capsule 71 is divided from the linear cut portion, and the expansion capsule 71 is usually formed with the overlapped portion 76 in which the portions in the vicinity of the divided portion are overlapped. It has been reduced in shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, a contraction prevention claw 75 for preventing the contraction of the cylindrical body of the expansion capsule 71 is provided on the overlapping portion 76. In this case, when the expansion capsule 71 is manufactured, the shape of the SMA capsule body 72 is stored in a sufficiently expanded state. Then, when the capsule body 72 is heated in the body cavity by the heating means 73, the inner and outer diameters of the expansion capsule 71 are expanded.

Here, even if the heating by the heating means 73 is stopped, the expansion preventing state of the capsule main body 72 is maintained by the shrinkage preventing claws 75 of the overlapping portion 76. In addition, the capsule body 72
By repeating the heating and cooling of the above in a short cycle, the inner and outer diameters of the expansion capsule 71 can be vibrated. Therefore, also in this case, it is possible to prevent the inside of the expansion capsule 71 from being clogged, and prevent the displacement of the indwelling position of the expansion capsule 71 and prevent the expansion capsule 71 from falling off.

If the vibration amplitude of the inner and outer diameters of the expansion capsule 71 is within the range of the claw width of the contraction prevention claws 75, the changing state of the inner and outer diameters of the expansion capsule 71 is maintained within a certain range of the inner and outer diameters. Vibration can be repeated in the state.

8A to 8C show another modification of the expansion capsule 81. The expansion capsule 81 has a hollow shape like a substantially cylindrical Bourdon tube as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, and as shown in FIG. The expansion capsule 81 is expanded by supplying a fluid such as water or air to the inside of the expansion capsule 81 and applying pressure thereto.

The expanded state of the expansion capsule 81 is maintained by switching the three-way valve (not shown) provided outside the body to the supply stopped state. Then, the expansion capsule 81 is vibrated by the pressurizing force accompanying the switching operation of the three-way valve,
The inner and outer diameters of can be vibrated.

Therefore, also in this case, the inside of the expansion capsule 81 can be prevented, and the displacement of the indwelling position of the expansion capsule 81 can be prevented to prevent the expansion capsule 81 from falling off.

Further, FIGS. 9A and 9B show, for example, FIG.
It shows a state in which an expanded capsule 91 having substantially the same configuration as the expanded capsule 71 of (A) and (B) is attached to a bronchus K of a patient. One end of a cable 92 is connected to a part of the expansion capsule 91. This cable 9
A lead wire 74 for the heating means 73 of the expansion capsule 71 shown in FIGS.

In this case, in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the expansion capsule 91 is attached to the bronchus K, and the outer diameter of the expansion capsule 91 is expanded to an appropriate size according to the inner diameter of the narrowed portion. . By appropriately expanding the outer diameter of the expansion capsule 91, it is possible to expand the squeezed portion and prevent the expansion capsule 91 from being displaced or displaced from the bronchus K which is a lumen.

Further, since the expanded state of the expansion capsule 91 can be properly adjusted, it is possible to prevent the narrowed portion from being pressed more strongly than in the proper state, and the strong compression causes the granulation tissue in the narrowed portion. Can be prevented.

Further, the cable 92 of the expansion capsule 91
Can be used also during the work of removing the expansion capsule 91 from the bronchus K, and the cable 92 can prevent the expansion capsule 91 from falling off to the peripheral portion of the bronchus K or the like.

Further, in FIG. 9C, the expansion capsule 91 is inserted into the common bile duct T to expand the squeezed portion. Furthermore, by changing the inner and outer diameters of the expansion capsule 91 within a short period of time, the expansion capsule 91 is vibrated, and the bile mud clogged inside the expansion capsule 91 is discharged to the duodenum J, and the inside of the expansion capsule 91 is blocked. Can be prevented.

Further, in FIG. 9D, the expansion capsule 91
Is inserted into the anterior line Z of the urethra N, and the narrowed portion is expanded. In this case as well, similarly, by vibrating the inner and outer diameters of the expansion capsule 91, it is possible to prevent the expansion capsule 91 from shifting from the front line Z. The cable 92
By supplying heat from the expansion capsule 91 to the expansion capsule 91, it is possible to play a role of hyperthermia.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0054]

According to the present invention, since the flexible cable is connected to the capsule body to be inserted into the living body and the plurality of magnetic means for position detection are arranged on the cable, the insertion position of the capsule body in the body can be determined. Easy and with less patient pain, X
It can be detected without problems such as radiation exposure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention (A)
Is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the entire medical capsule device,
(B) is a perspective view showing a usage state of the capsule device.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention (A)
Is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the entire medical capsule device,
(B) is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part showing an arrangement state of the magnetic coil, and (C) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a control circuit of the magnetic coil.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention (A)
Is a perspective view showing the attachment state of the capsule body, (B) is a schematic configuration diagram showing the arrangement state of the antenna in the cable,
(C) is a side view of the capsule body, (D) is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the capsule body, and (E) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a usage state of the capsule device.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention (A)
Is a schematic configuration diagram of a medical capsule device, and (B) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a usage state of the capsule device.

6A and 6B show an expansion capsule, wherein FIG. 6A is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vibrating means of the expansion capsule, and FIG. 6B is a front view of the expansion capsule.

FIG. 7 shows a modified example of the expansion capsule, (A)
Is a front view of the expansion capsule, and (B) is a front view showing a contraction prevention claw of the expansion capsule.

FIG. 8 shows another modified example of the expansion capsule,
(A) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a use state of the expansion capsule,
(B) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a contracted state of the expansion capsule,
(C) is a schematic block diagram which shows the expansion state of the expansion capsule.

FIG. 9 shows an example of using the extended capsule, (A)
Is a perspective view showing an expanded state of the expansion capsule, (B) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the expansion capsule is attached to the bronchus,
(C) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the expansion capsule is attached to the common bile duct, and (D) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the expansion capsule is attached to the anterior urethral line.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Capsule body, 3 ... Cable, 5 ... Position detecting element (magnetic means), 11 ... Magnetic coil (magnetic means).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Koichi Tatsumi 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Futaki 2-43, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenji Yoshino 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akifumi Ishikawa 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuya Yamaguchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Ueda 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Kosaka 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Kudo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akito Sadamasa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A medical capsule device in which a flexible cable is connected to a capsule body to be inserted into a living body, and a plurality of magnetic means for position detection are arranged on the cable.