JPH09327447A - Medical capsule - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical capsule to force least inconvenience to a patient for power supply and capable of using for a long time in an organism. SOLUTION: A spherical inner capsule 3 embedded with an observation device 11 and a lighting device 12 is rotatably supported by a pin 6 protruded from a beam 4 and a motor rotation shaft 8, and a motor shaft 10 of an electromagnetic motor 9 mounted on the top part of the beam 4 is fixed to a spherical outer shell capsule 2. The observation direction is made possible to be arbitrarily set by rotations of electromagnetic motors 7 and 9, further, the stator side of an electromagnetic dynamo 13 is fixed in the inner capsule 3, an eccentric weight 17 is fixed to a rotation shaft 16 rotatably attached with an electromagnetic coil, the electric energy generated by acting the rotation force of the eccentric weight 17 on the rotation shaft 16 is charged in a battery 15 to make the capsule capable of being embedded in an organism for observation even without supplying power for a long time.

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 that is placed in a living body and detects information in the living body and performs medical treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example of a medical capsule or capsule device to be placed in the body, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-63030 is known.
There is a gazette, which has a built-in battery that supplies power to various functional means built in a capsule that is placed inside the body, and the built-in battery is external to the body through a lead wire that is removable from the body to the outside of the capsule. It is known to supply power from a power supply.

[0003]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-630
In the conventional example of Japanese Patent No. 30, the lead wire is orally or percutaneously inserted into the patient's body when power is supplied to the battery contained in the capsule. The pain was great.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object thereof is a medical capsule which is less likely to impose the inconvenience on a patient at the time of supplying electric power and can be used by being left in a living body for a long time. It is to provide a device.

[0005]

In a medical capsule device having various functional means, there is provided a rotating member rotatably supported, and a power generating means for generating electric energy by rotating the rotating member. By providing an eccentric body fixed to the rotating member in an eccentric state and a power storage unit that stores electric power from the power generation unit and supplies power to the various function units, the power generation unit allows the various function units to operate. A power source can be supplied, and the patient can be left in the living body for a long time to perform an observation function and the like without inconvenience or pain in replenishing the power.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a medical capsule device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an electromagnetic generator. 3 is a block diagram of the electric system of the medical capsule device, and FIG.
Shows the configuration of the medical capsule system.

As shown in FIG. 1, a medical capsule device 1 placed in a living body comprises a transparent spherical outer shell capsule 2 having an airtight structure, and a spherical body concentrically contained in the outer shell capsule 2. The inner capsule 3 has a double capsule structure. The inner capsule 3 is supported on an axis passing through the center O of the inner capsule 3 by a beam 4 having a semicircular shape as an inner capsule supporting member.

The inner capsule 3 is the inner capsule 3.
It is supported by a beam 4 so as to be able to rotate about one rotation axis 5 passing through the center O of the. That is, the inner capsule 3 has a pin 6 attached to a hemispherical beam 4 located on the rotary shaft 5, and an electromagnetic wave built in the inner capsule 3 so as to be located on the rotary shaft 5 on the side opposite to the pin 6. Motor 7
From the inner capsule 3 to the outside of the inner capsule 3 and is rotatably supported by the beam 4 by a motor rotating shaft 8 attached to the beam 4. The rotating shaft 5 is also set so as to pass through the center of the hemispherical beam 4.

An electromagnetic motor 9 is fixed at a position (upper part or top part in FIG. 1) of the beam 4 which passes through the center O of the inner capsule 3 and is orthogonal to the rotary shaft 5 and is located on the axis. The motor rotation shaft 10 faces the normal direction of the surface of the inner capsule 3. The motor rotation shaft 10 of the electromagnetic motor 9 is fixed to the outer shell capsule 2 at a position where the center O of the inner capsule 3 and the center of the outer shell capsule 2 coincide with each other.

With this structure, the inner capsule 3 inside
In the outer shell capsule 2, the posture can be freely changed by rotationally driving the two orthogonal electromagnetic motors 7 and 9 in a state where the centers O thereof coincide with each other.

Inside the inner capsule 3, an observation device 11 having a function of observing, an illuminating device 12 having a function of illuminating, and an electromagnetic motor 7 for changing the posture of the inner capsule 3 by rotationally driving it, An electromagnetic generator 13 that electromagnetically generates power as a power generation unit, a circuit board 14 on which an electronic circuit that controls operations of the observation device 11 and the like is formed, and a storage unit that stores electric energy generated by the electromagnetic generator 13. Storage batteries 15 are provided respectively. These internal components are attached to the inner surface of the inner capsule 3, respectively, and are arranged such that the center of gravity of the entire inner capsule 3 is at the center of the inner capsule 3 (when there is no weight 17 described below).

The electromagnetic generator 13 generates electric power by rotating its rotating shaft 16. The electromagnetic generator 13 has its stator side internally so that the rotating shaft 16 is on the rotating shaft 5. It is fixed in the capsule 3. Further, the rotary shaft 16 as the rotatable rotary member
A weight 17 having a disk shape and made of metal and having a mass is attached to the rotation shaft 16 in an eccentric manner (as an eccentric body for eccentricizing the position of its center of gravity).

The weight 17 is a metal having a large specific gravity such as stainless steel, that is, a mass body capable of increasing its mass with a small volume. Alternatively, the weight 17 may be formed of a mass body made of plastic, ceramics, or the like depending on the size of the medical capsule device 1.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the electromagnetic generator 13. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state where the weight 17 is eccentrically attached to the rotary shaft 16 of the electromagnetic generator 13,
FIG. 2B shows the internal configuration of the electromagnetic generator 13.
The inside of the electromagnetic generator 13 is the permanent magnet 1 on the stator side.
For example, four N poles and four S poles are fixed on the circumference in a direction in which the N poles and the S poles alternately face the rotating shaft 16.

A rotating shaft 16 which is rotatable with respect to the stator side.
For example, four electromagnetic coils 19 are evenly attached. In the magnetic field created by the permanent magnet 18, the rotating shaft 16
At the same time, when the electromagnetic coil 19 rotates, an induced electromotive force is generated in the electromagnetic coil and the electromagnetic generator 13 generates an electromotive force.

When the weight 17 is not attached, the center of gravity of the rotating member is located on the extension line of the rotary shaft 16 (that is, the rotary shaft 5), and the weight 17 attached eccentrically to the rotary shaft 16 causes The center of gravity moves to the side of the center of gravity of the weight 17, and the rotational force due to gravity acts on the rotating member (specifically, the rotating shaft 16 and the electromagnetic coil 19) according to the position moved from the rotating shaft 16, and each electromagnetic coil An alternating electromotive force is generated in the electromagnetic coil 19 as the magnetic flux 19 crosses the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 18.

The observing device 11 and the illuminating device 12 are arranged side by side and attached to the inner surface of the inner capsule 3, and the inner capsule wall in that portion is transparent so that light can pass therethrough. The observation device 11 and the illumination device 12 are mounted on the inner surface of the inner capsule 3 that is farthest from the rotation axis 5 of the inner capsule 3. By attaching to this position, the observation of the entire spherical surface in any direction (except the visual field direction when facing the electromagnetic motor 9) can be performed by the rotation of the electromagnetic motors 7 and 9.

FIG. 3 shows the connection state of the functional parts of the medical capsule device 1. When the medical capsule device 1 moves, the weight 17 attached to the rotating shaft 16 of the electromagnetic generator 13 rotates the rotating shaft 16, and the electromagnetic generator 1
3 produces AC power. The generated AC power is input to the rectifier circuit 20 provided on the circuit board 14, rectified and converted to DC, and then input to the storage battery 15 as a rechargeable secondary battery to be stored therein.

The DC power stored in the storage battery 15 is input to the power supply circuit 21 on the circuit board 14 to convert the voltage, and the observation device 11, the illumination device 12, the electromagnetic motor 7, the electromagnetic motor 9 and the circuit. It is used for driving each circuit on the substrate 14.

The control circuit 22 on the circuit board 14 includes an observing device 11, an illuminating device 12, an electromagnetic motor 7, an electromagnetic motor 9,
The rectifying circuit 20, the receiving circuit 23, the transmitting circuit 24, the processing circuit 25, and the power supply circuit 21 are controlled. The lighting device 12 is
For observing the affected area in the living body, the area is illuminated. Therefore, a light emitting element such as a lamp or an LED or a light emitting means is provided inside.

The observation device 11 captures an image of the part and sends the information to the processing circuit 25. Specifically, the observation device 1
Reference numeral 1 has an objective optical system for forming an image and an image pickup device such as a CCD arranged at the image forming position, and sends an image pickup signal as image information photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device to a processing circuit 25.

The processing circuit 25 converts the video information into a video signal and sends the video signal to the transmission circuit 24 via the control circuit 22. The transmission circuit 24 modulates the video signal with a high frequency carrier signal and the like to form an antenna 26. To send as a radio wave. Then, it can be transmitted to the external system 30 side outside the patient's body.

The control circuit 22 also monitors the terminal voltage of the storage battery 15 to monitor the stored capacity, charging rate, or the like. Then, a signal corresponding to the capacity and the charging rate is emitted as a radio wave from the antenna 26 via the transmission circuit 24.

Further, the antenna 26 is connected to the receiving circuit 23, a tuning circuit for selecting the frequency of the carrier wave transmitted from the extracorporeal system 30 side shown in FIG. 4, and a detection circuit or demodulation for extracting the modulated signal component. Has a circuit and
The demodulated signal is output to the control circuit 22. Control circuit 2
2 monitors the signal input from the receiving circuit 24 and controls the operation of each part of the medical capsule device 1 so as to perform the operation corresponding to the signal.

FIG. 4 shows a medical capsule system 29 comprising the medical capsule device 1 and an extracorporeal system 30.
The entire medical capsule device 1 in the living body of the patient 27 is controlled by the extracorporeal system 30.

The extracorporeal system 30 includes a personal computer body 31 having a function of controlling the medical capsule device 1, a keyboard 32 connected to the personal computer body 31 for inputting commands and data, and a personal computer body 31. A monitor 33 connected as a display means for displaying images and the like
And the transmission of control signals for controlling the medical capsule device 1 connected to the personal computer main body 31 and the medical capsule device 1
Antenna 34 for receiving the signal from.

A control signal for controlling the medical capsule device 1 is generated based on a key input from the keyboard 32 or a control program stored in a hard disk or the like in the personal computer main body 31, and the transmitting circuit in the personal computer main body 31 is controlled. Then, it is modulated with a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency, and the antenna 3
It is sent from 4.

Then, the signal is received by the antenna 26 on the circuit board 14 of the medical capsule device 1 and received by the receiving circuit 23.
The carrier wave is selectively extracted by the tuning circuit of (1), detected, and the like, and the control signal is demodulated and input to the control circuit 22. The control circuit 22 outputs the input signal to the control circuit 2
The command corresponding to the control signal is interpreted by referring to the information such as the command recorded in the ROM or the like in 2 to control each component circuit or the like of the medical capsule device 1.

The extracorporeal system 30 receives information such as a video signal from the observing device 11 of the medical capsule device 1 and the charging rate of the storage battery 15 and displays it on the monitor 33 to inform the operator. When the capacity of the storage battery 15 is insufficient, the patient is caused to exercise appropriately, the electromagnetic generator 13 is operated, and the storage battery 15 is charged.

The operation of the medical capsule device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG.
For example, when it is necessary to observe the inside of the stomach 35 for a long time, the patient 27 swallows the spherical medical capsule device 1 having a size that can be easily swallowed by the patient, and is placed in the stomach 35. Turn it on.

After the observation of the inside of the stomach 35 is completed, the medical capsule device 1 is taken out from the anus through the duodenum, the small intestine, and the large intestine by the peristaltic movement of the stomach 35 and the intestine.
During this time, the medical capsule device 1 can observe the inside of the entire digestive tract.

By the time the medical capsule device 1 is moved in the esophagus, the weight 17 attached eccentrically to the rotary shaft 16 of the electromagnetic generator 13 is used until the medical capsule device 1 is placed in the stomach 35 shown in FIG. AC power is generated by oscillating, and the rectifier circuit 2
The storage battery 15 is charged through 0.

When it is left in the body for a long time, it is better to set the charging rate of the storage battery 15 to about 100% by rotating the medical capsule device 1 or the like before the holding. There is.

When it is necessary to observe the inside of the stomach 35, for example, a key input corresponding to a command to start observation is made from the keyboard 32, and radio waves are radiated via the antenna 34 to the medical capsule device 1 side. send. In the medical capsule device 1, the control circuit 22 monitors a signal input through the receiving circuit 23, and when a signal for starting operation is detected, the illuminating device 12, the observing device 11, the processing circuit 25, the transmitting circuit 2
4 and the like are brought into an operating state, that is, a state in which drive power is supplied to them.

The illuminating device 12 emits illumination light in the visual field direction of the observing device 11, an image of the visual field range of the illuminated portion is formed on the image pickup device of the observing device 12 and photoelectrically converted, and then the processing circuit 25. Is converted into a video signal by, is modulated by the transmission circuit 24, and is radiated as a radio wave from the antenna 26.

This radio wave is transmitted to the antenna 3 of the extracorporeal system 30.
4, the signal is demodulated by the receiving circuit in the personal computer main body 31, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter in the personal computer main body 31, stored in the memory, read out at a predetermined speed, and imaged on the monitor 33. The image captured by the device is displayed in color. The operator or the operator can observe the inside of the stomach 35 of the patient 27 by observing this image. It should be noted that this image can be recorded in an image recording device (not shown).

When the observation direction is changed, the electromagnetic motor 7 or 9 can be rotated by operating a key or the like associated with the operation of the electromagnetic motor 7 or 9 of the keyboard 32. By rotating the inner capsule 3 with respect to 2, the observation and illumination direction can be changed by the rotation, that is, the posture can be changed to perform illumination and observation in any direction desired by the operator.

In order to keep the site of interest such as the affected area observable, the key input corresponding to the stationary command is performed, and the motor rotation shafts 8 and 10 of the two electromagnetic motors 7 and 9 are braked (not shown). The mechanism is set so that it does not rotate. As this brake mechanism, an electromagnetic motor 7,
When 9 has the same structure as the electromagnetic generator 13, both ends of these electromagnetic coils may be set to be short-circuited and the stationary state may be maintained by the electromagnetic braking.

After observing the target site, if the observation is not performed, a signal is sent to the medical capsule device 1 side by pressing the key corresponding to the end of the observation, and the control circuit 22 sends this command. When the judgment is made, the control corresponding to the stop of the observation operation is performed.

Specifically, the illumination device 12 and the observation device 1
1. The driving power is not supplied from the power supply circuit 21 to the processing circuit 25 and the transmission circuit 24. In this case, the receiving circuit 23 and the control circuit 22 maintain the operating state. Further, at least the electromagnetic motor 7 of the electromagnetic motors 7 and 9 is set to a rotatable state (brake release), and the AC power generated by the electromagnetic generator 13 by the weight 17 passes through the rectifier circuit 20 to charge the storage battery 15. maintain.

Therefore, since the storage battery 15 is charged until it is used next (time), it is almost unnecessary to replenish the electric power through the conducting wire or the like. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience or pain of the patient during such replenishment, and the device can be left in the living body for a long time for use.

The present embodiment has the following effects. Even when the medical capsule device 1 hits an obstacle and cannot change its posture, the internal capsule 3 can freely change its direction, so that observation can be performed efficiently.

Further, since the medical capsule device 1 has a double structure, a distance for observation is secured,
The observation target portion is not too close to the observation device 11 to be in focus, and neither is a red ball, and comfortable observation can be performed.

Further, since the electromagnetic generator 13 is built-in, it can be left for a long time and used for observing the inside of the living body without supplying electric power from the outside by a conductor or the like. It also causes less pain to the patient during supplementation and does not limit the patient's range of motion.

(Modification of First Embodiment) The first embodiment
The electromagnetic motors 7 and 9 in the above embodiment may be electrostatic motors or ultrasonic motors. The configuration of the electromagnetic generator 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is composed of a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic coil.

The electromagnetic generator 13 may be another generator as long as it can convert rotational energy into electric energy.
The outer shell capsule 2 does not have to be a sphere as long as the inner capsule 3 has a shape in which the posture can be freely changed.

If the inner capsule 3 has such a shape that the inner capsule 3 can freely change its posture within the outer shell capsule 2,
It need not be a sphere. Observation device 11, lighting device 1
In addition to 2, a laser treatment device or a laser irradiation device for performing treatment with laser light may be provided as a treatment means for performing treatment.

The storage means for storing electricity is not limited to the storage battery 15, but nickel-cadmium battery,
It may be a secondary battery such as a nickel-hydrogen battery or a capacitor.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a medical capsule device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows the electromagnetic generator viewed from the right side of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing that this embodiment is easy to move within the luminal organ.

The medical capsule device 41 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 comprises a cylindrical outer shell capsule 42 and a cylindrical inner capsule 43 rotatably arranged inside the outer shell capsule 42. Have. The outer shell capsule 42 and the inner capsule 43 each have one end of a cylinder formed in a hemispherical shape, and the other end that opens is a hemispherical cap 44, 45.
Are attached to close each opening.

Inside the inner capsule 43, an electromagnetic generator 46 is arranged on the closed side of the hemispherical shape, and its rotating shaft 47 is arranged.
Is fixed so as to partially embed it in the inner wall of the hemispherical closed portion. In this case, the rotating shaft 47 is the inner capsule 4
It is fixed to the closed portion along the central axis 48 of the cylinder No. 3.

A weight 49 is eccentrically attached to the electromagnetic generator 46, which is a generator main body serving as a rotating member which is rotatable relative to a fixed rotating shaft 47. FIG. 6 shows an eccentric weight 49 attached to the electromagnetic generator 46. When the weight 49 is not attached, the center of gravity of the generator main body is on the rotating shaft 47, and no rotational force acts. However, by attaching the weight 49 as an eccentric body, the center of gravity position is eccentric from the rotating shaft 47. The structure has a rotational force. Further, an observation device 51, a lighting device 52, a storage battery 53, and a circuit board 54 are attached inside the inner capsule 43. An antenna 55 is attached to the circuit board 54.

An electromagnetic motor 56 is attached to the inside of the cap 45, and its motor rotating shaft 57 projects outside the cap 45 along the central axis 48 of the inner capsule 43 and faces the outside of the cap 45. It is fixed to the outer shell capsule 42 with an adhesive or the like. In this case, the motor rotating shaft 57 is fixed to one end of a hemispherical shape along the central axis of the cylinder of the outer shell capsule 42.

Further, the central axis 4 in the inner capsule 43
A concave portion is formed on the outer surface of the hemispherical portion on the other end side that passes through 8, and projects inward at the center position of the cap 44 attached to the open end portion of the outer shell capsule 42 arranged so as to cover this hemispherical portion. A support shaft 59 fixed by an adhesive or the like is inserted so as to fit in the recess, and the inner capsule 43 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 59.

That is, the inner capsule 43 is coaxially arranged with respect to the outer shell capsule 42, and one end supported by this arrangement is rotatably supported by the support shaft 59, and the other shaft is a motor rotating shaft of the electromagnetic motor 56. It is 57.

Thus, in this embodiment, the rotatable central axis 48 of the inner capsule 43 coincides with the axis of the cylinder,
There is one electromagnetic motor 56 for driving the inner capsule 43, one side of the outer capsule 42 and the inner capsule 43 are directly connected by this electromagnetic motor 56, and the other side is connected by a freely rotatable support shaft 59. ing.

In the electromagnetic generator 46, one end of the rotary shaft 47 of the electromagnetic generator 46 is fixed to the inner capsule 43. Therefore, the main body of the electromagnetic generator 46 (on the permanent magnet 18 side in FIG. 2) is rotatable with respect to the inner capsule 43.

The wiring connected to the electromagnetic coil fixed to the rotary shaft 47 of the electromagnetic generator 46 can be taken out from the other end of the rotary shaft 47 and does not hinder the rotation of the main body of the electromagnetic generator 46. The main body of the electromagnetic generator 46 includes a rotary shaft 47.
With respect to the center of gravity of the main body of the electromagnetic generator 46,
A weight 49 is fixed at a biased position, and the weight 49 causes the permanent magnet side to rotate or rotationally vibrate around the rotating shaft 47 to generate AC power.

As in the first embodiment, the observation device 51,
The illuminating devices 52 are arranged side by side and are provided inside the cylindrical surface of the inner capsule 43, and are arranged so that the outside of the normal to the cylindrical surface can be observed. Circuit board 5 in the present embodiment
The configuration of the electric system including 4 is the same as that of the case where one electromagnetic motor 7 is used in FIG.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the medical capsule device 41 moves in the living body, the electromagnetic generator 46 whose center of gravity is eccentric rotates about its rotation shaft 47. Electric power is generated by rotating with respect to the rotating shaft 47 of the electromagnetic generator 46, and is stored in the storage battery 53 via the rectifying circuit in the circuit board 54. Storage battery 5 that stores electric power
3 serves as a driving source of the medical capsule device 41.

The inner capsule 43 is rotated in the outer capsule 42 by driving the electromagnetic motor 56, and the observation direction can be arbitrarily changed. Since the shape of the medical capsule device 41 is cylindrical, it is suitable for entry into the luminal organ 60 as shown in FIG. 7, and is advantageous when it is desired to observe the entire inner wall of the luminal cavity.

The present embodiment has the following effects. Since the eccentric weight 49 is fixed to the main body of the electromagnetic generator 46, the medical capsule device 41 can be miniaturized without taking up space. Therefore, the pain given to the patient can be reduced.

Further, since the medical capsule device 41 has a cylindrical shape, it can be easily moved, for example, in the luminal organ 60, and the pain to the patient can be reduced. Since it is possible to change the direction of the body freely, it is suitable for observing the inner wall of the hollow organ 60. That is, the observability can be improved. Others have the same effects as in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a medical capsule device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. The structure of an apparatus is shown. As shown in FIG. 8, the medical capsule device 61 includes an airtight, transparent, spherical outer shell capsule 62 and an outer shell capsule 62.
It also consists of a spherical inner capsule 63 built into the.

On the outer surface of the inner capsule 63, four spheres 64 are rotatably embedded at the apex of the regular tetrahedron. Each sphere 64 is in contact with the inner surface of the outer shell capsule 62 while being embedded in the inner capsule 63. At least one of the four spheres 64 is provided with a drive device 65 having two built-in electromagnetic motors.

As shown in FIG. 9, the two electromagnetic motors 66 and 67 incorporated in the drive device 65 are the motor rotating shaft 68 of one of the electromagnetic motors 66 and the electromagnetic motor 6.
The motor rotating shafts 69 of No. 7 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other in one plane. The motor rotating shaft 68 and the motor rotating shaft 6
9, cylindrical elastic bodies 70a and 70b are attached to the portions in contact with the spherical body 64, respectively. Inside the inner capsule 63, a lighting device, as in the first embodiment,
An observation device, an electromagnetic generator, a storage battery, and a circuit board are arranged.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the electromagnetic motor 66 and the electromagnetic motor 67 built in the drive device 65 are rotationally driven, the sphere 64 in the drive device 65 can be arbitrarily rotated. By rotating the spherical body 64, all the spherical bodies 64 rotatably embedded in the inner capsule 63 become tires, and the inner capsule 63 can freely change its posture with respect to the outer shell capsule 62. Become. Outer shell capsule 62 and inner capsule 6
Since there is nothing that interferes with the observation device and the illumination device between 3 and 4, observation without blind spots is possible.

The present embodiment has the following effects. The observation performance is improved because observation without blind spots is possible. Others have the same effects as in the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a medical capsule device 71 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This medical capsule device 71 comprises an airtight, transparent, spherical outer shell capsule 72 and a similarly airtight, spherical inner capsule 73.

A space between the outer shell capsule 72 and the inner capsule 73 is filled with a transparent liquid 74 having the same density as the entire inner capsule 73. Inside the inner capsule 73, an observation device 75, a lighting device 76, an electromagnetic generator, a storage battery, and a circuit board are arranged as in the first embodiment. Further, the center of gravity of the entire inner capsule 73 is observed by the observation device 7
A weight 77 is provided in the inner capsule 73 for positioning it on the side opposite to the viewing direction of No. 5.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The inner capsule 73 floats in the outer shell capsule 72 in a liquid 74 having the same density as that of the inner capsule 73. Since the center of gravity of the inner capsule 73 is opposite to the observation direction, the inner capsule 73 can always observe the direction of increasing gravity regardless of the posture of the outer capsule 72. Further, it is efficient because it does not require electric power to control the posture of the inner capsule 73.

The present embodiment has the following effects. Power is not required to control the posture of the inner capsule 73, which is efficient and can improve the observation performance in a predetermined direction such as the upward direction. Further, in this case, power is not required to change the posture for observation in the predetermined direction, which is efficient. Others have almost the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

(Modification of Fourth Embodiment) Observation Device 7
5. Instead of the illumination device 76, an ultrasonic diagnostic device for obtaining an observation image by ultrasonic waves is provided. In this case, the outer shell capsule 7
2. The inner capsule 73 needs to be made of a material that easily propagates ultrasonic waves, and the liquid 74 therein needs to be a liquid that easily propagates ultrasonic waves.

By biasing the position of the center of gravity of the inner capsule 73 in the observation direction, it is possible to always observe downward.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a medical capsule device 1'according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this medical capsule device 1 ′, for example, in the medical capsule device 1 of FIG. 1, a pin 8 ′ that removes the electromagnetic motor 7 and rotatably supports it instead of the motor rotation shaft 8 is used.

A power generation means 13 having a power generation function of the electromagnetic generator 13 in FIG. 1 and a posture changing function for changing the posture (in the specific example, the direction of observation and illumination) of the electromagnetic motor 7 (rotatably driving the inner capsule 3). ′ (Specific configuration is the same as the electromagnetic generator 13 of FIG. 1), the rotating shaft 16 ′ is fixed to the inner wall of the inner capsule 3, and the permanent magnet side (the generator main body and (Note) is rotatably supported,
A weight 17 'is fixed to the generator body so that the position of the center of gravity of the generator body is eccentric with respect to the rotating shaft 16'. A lead wire extends from the rotating shaft 16 'side of the power generating means 13' and is connected to a circuit board 14 '(not shown).

Further, similarly to FIG. 1, the electromagnetic motor 9 is fixed to the beam 4, and the motor rotation shaft 10 thereof is fixed to the outer shell capsule 2. The electromagnetic motor 9 is connected to the circuit board 14 'by a lead wire passing through the beam 4 and the pin 8'.

In the present embodiment, the power generation means 13 'is controlled by the control circuit 22 of the circuit board 14' so as to act as a generator except when the posture of the inner capsule 3 is changed or the observation direction is fixed. It Specifically, the electromagnetic coil is connected to the rectifier circuit 20, and the generated power is rectified by the rectifier circuit 20.
Is supplied to the storage battery 15 after being rectified.

When the posture is changed, the driving power output from the output terminal of the power supply circuit 21 is supplied to the electromagnetic coil via the control circuit 22. Further, when the observation direction is maintained, the control circuit 22 sets both ends of the electromagnetic coil to be short-circuited and maintained by electromagnetic braking.

The electromagnetic motor 9 is similar to that of the first embodiment. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment. According to the present embodiment, since the drive means for changing the posture and the power generation means for generating power are used in common, the size and weight can be further reduced. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Note that the electromagnetic motor 9 side in FIG. 11 may also be configured so that the power generation means and the rotation drive means for changing the posture are combined. By doing so, the power generation function can be further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the power generation means is a rotatable rotary member on the rotor side or the stator side, and the rotary member is provided with a weight as an eccentric body that decenters the center of gravity of the rotary member from the central axis of the rotary member. The structure is such that the rotating member is attached with a rotational force, but when the center of gravity of the rotating member itself is eccentric from the rotatable shaft, its function is not required even if an eccentric body is not provided. Will have.

Incidentally, for example, the radio wave radiated from the extracorporeal system 30 of FIG. 4 is detected by the tuning circuit and the diode of the receiving circuit 23 of FIG. 3, smoothed by a capacitor to generate DC power, and its voltage is DC-DC. The converter may be boosted to charge the storage battery 15 to form a means for generating electric energy.

Further, the patient may have a transmitter for charging, and the transmitter may be operated as necessary so that the patient can be charged. In this case, the patient may also have a device capable of monitoring the state of charge of the storage battery 15 and operate the transmitter when charging is necessary. Further, the transmitter may be automatically operated when charging is required.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIGS. 12 to 14
FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 shows a medical capsule device of the sixth embodiment, FIG. 13 shows an internal structure of the medical capsule device, and FIG. 14 is an exploded view of FIG. It shows in the state where it did.

As shown in FIG. 12, the medical capsule device 81 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a cylindrical body 82 forming a capsule body having a substantially cylindrical shape.
A pH sensor unit 83 for measuring the pH value inside the digestive tract such as the intestine is provided, and a piezoelectric polymer such as PVDF or PZT that produces electricity when deformed by receiving a force on the surface of the cylindrical body 82. A plurality of piezoelectric electromotive force generating elements 84 formed by forming a material into a film are provided to form a power supply means.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this medical capsule device 81, a pH sensor portion 83 is provided in the tip end side of a cylindrical body 82 having a hemispherical tip end portion, and adjacent to the rear side of the pH sensor portion 83. A telemeter circuit board 85 arranged to form a telemetry function, and a capacitor 86 arranged as a power storage means for accumulating the electric power generated in the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 are provided adjacent to the rear side of the telemeter circuit board 85. Has been.

The opening at the rear end of the cylindrical body 82 is covered with a cap 87 so that the opening is sealed and has a liquid-tight structure for preventing water from entering the inside from the outside. The pH sensor unit 83 is provided with a pH sensitive electrode 88 and a reference electrode 89, and is sealed and fixed in a sensor body 90 made of a synthetic resin material such as epoxy.

Furthermore, the electrodes 88 and 89 are both stronger than the glass electrodes and antimony electrodes that have been conventionally used,
It is a needle-shaped electrode composed of a metal oxide thin film based on iridium, which is excellent in terms of noise resistance and measurement accuracy. In addition, a pair of KCL (potassium chloride) solution storage portions 91a and 91b are formed inside the sensor body 90.
The tip of the reference electrode 89 is inserted into one KC1 solution storage portion 91a.

A rod-shaped liquid communication portion 92 made of, for example, a ceramic material is arranged in the other KCL solution storage portion 91b. One end of the liquid communication portion 92 is in a state of being slightly projected outward from the tip surface of the sensor body 90,
The other end is attached while being inserted into the KCL solution storage portion 91a.

The contact portion between the liquid communication portion 92 and the sensor main body 90 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner, and the KCL solution is held inside the KCL solution storage portions 91a and 91b so as not to leak to the outside. ing. In addition, the pH sensitive electrode 88,
The liquid communication portion 92 is installed in a state in which it slightly projects from the tip end surface of the sensor body 90 to the outside.

Further, the telemeter circuit board 85 is a cylindrical body 82.
It is arranged in the cylinder. In this case, the telemeter circuit board 85 is, for example, two circuit boards (first circuit board 85a
And a second circuit board 85b) is provided. A spacer 93 made of an insulating material is provided between the two circuit boards 85a and 85b. The two circuit boards 85a and 85b are electrically connected via a lead wire (not shown).

Further, the pH sensor section 83 and the telemeter circuit board 85 are connected by a signal line (not shown). First, the signal lines connected to the electrodes 88 and 89 of the pH sensor unit 83 are connected to the first circuit board 85a of the telemeter circuit board 85, and the second circuit board 85b connected from there is connected to the signal. An antenna (not shown) for transmitting the converted measurement information outside the body is incorporated.

A condenser 86 is provided at the end opposite to the pH sensor section 83, and the sensor main body 8
2, a piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 provided on the outer peripheral surface
And a telemeter circuit board 85.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pH sensor unit 83,
The telemeter circuit board 85 and the like are put in the cylindrical body 82, and the telemeter circuit board 5 and the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 are inserted.
, And the rear end can be sealed with the cap 87.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the medical capsule device 81 is used, it is swallowed by the patient in advance, and is orally taken into the stomach and left indwelling.
At this time, in the medical capsule device 81, the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 on the surface receives pressure due to the peristaltic motion, or the medical capsule device 81 itself rotates and hits the tube wall to cause the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84. Pressure is applied to 84. In addition, the piezoelectric electromotive force generation element 84 receives a force by the medical capsule device 81 hitting the stomach wall even after being placed in the stomach.

Then, the electromotive force generated by the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 is accumulated in the capacitor 86,
Telemeter circuit board 85 using the electric power stored there
Are electrically driven, and the pH sensor unit 83 operates. Each time the medical capsule device 81 hits a wall surface or the like and receives pressure, an electromotive force is generated and accumulated in the capacitor 86.

When measuring the pH value inside the digestive tract such as the stomach and intestines, the pH sensitive electrode 88 protruding on the surface of the pH sensor unit 83 and the liquid communication unit 92 come into contact with the secretory liquid in the digestive tract. However, the secretory fluid in the digestive tract is the fluid communication part 9
2 through the KCL solution storage portion 91b through the innumerable fine holes formed in the ceramic material 2 and the other KC.
It is introduced into the KCL solution inside the L solution storage section 91a.

Ion exchange is performed in this KCL solution, and a voltage corresponding to the pH value of the secretion is provided between the pH sensitive electrode 88 and the reference electrode 89, and this voltage value is applied to the telemeter circuit board 85. The input pH value is calculated, and the pH value is further transmitted to the outside of the body through an antenna provided on the surface of the telemeter circuit board 85 or the like. The pH value in the digestive tract can be measured by receiving the carrier wave with a receiving device outside the body.

This embodiment has the following effects. While the medical capsule device 81 is moving, electric power is always accumulated, and interruption of measurement due to battery exhaustion can be eliminated or reduced, and measurement can be continued for a long time.

In the present embodiment, the Ph sensor section 83 for measuring pH is provided as the information detecting means for detecting in-vivo information, but a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the affected area or the like may be provided. good. Further, a treatment means for opening and closing the affected tissue such as forceps for cutting off the affected tissue may be provided.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 15 shows a medical capsule device 95 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of piezoelectric electromotive force generating elements 96 are provided in, for example, the cap 87 portion attached to the rear end of the cylindrical body 82 of the medical capsule device 95. In this case, each piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 96 is attached so as to project to the rear side of the cap 87, so that the projecting portion is easily deformed. The other structure is the same as that of the sixth embodiment.

In this embodiment, each piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 9 is
The operation is the same except that 6 is more easily deformed than in the case of the first embodiment.

The present embodiment has the following effects. Since the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 is arranged so as to be easily deformed, an electromotive force is easily generated and the electromotive force is easily accumulated.

(Eighth Embodiment) A piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 made of a piezoelectric polymer material as shown in the sixth embodiment is used to generate electric power to illuminate / visually / treat the electric power. It is configured to be used as a power supply means for the operation of each function such as a function.

The operation of the piezoelectric electromotive force generating element 84 made of a piezoelectric polymer material is the same as that of the sixth embodiment. The operation of the illumination / visual / treatment function is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. The present embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment.

An embodiment constructed by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belongs to the present invention.

[Additional Notes] 1. In a medical capsule device having various functional means, it has a rotating member rotatably supported, and the power generating means for generating electric energy by rotating the rotating member and the eccentric fixed to the rotating member. A capsule device for medical use, comprising: an eccentric body, and an electricity storage means for storing electric power from the power generation means and supplying electric power to the various functional means.

(Effect of Supplementary Note 1) Since the power generating means is built in, the power generating means can be indwelled for a long time, the pain to the patient is reduced, and the range of action of the patient is not limited.

[0110] 2. 2. The medical capsule device according to appendix 1, wherein the power generation means is an electromagnetic generator. 3. The medical capsule device according to Note 1, wherein the eccentric body is a metal mass body. 4. Note 1 in which the eccentric body is a mass body made of plastic
The medical capsule device described. 5. Note 1 in which the eccentric body is a ceramic mass body
The medical capsule device described.

6. Note 1 in which the functional means is an observation means
The medical capsule device described. 7. The medical capsule device according to appendix 1, wherein the functional means is a treatment means. 8. The medical capsule device according to appendix 1, wherein the functional unit is an information detecting unit. 9. 7. The medical capsule device according to appendix 6, wherein the observation means is an optical observation means.

10. 7. The medical capsule device according to appendix 6, wherein the observation means is ultrasonic observation means. 11. 8. The medical capsule device according to appendix 7, wherein the treatment means is a laser irradiation device. 12. 8. The medical capsule device according to appendix 7, wherein the treatment means is forceps that opens and closes. 13. Note 8 wherein the treatment information detecting means is a pH sensor
The medical capsule device described.

14. 9. The medical capsule device according to appendix 8, wherein the information detecting means is a temperature sensor. 15. In a medical capsule device provided with various functional means, an internal capsule containing the functional means, an external capsule accommodating the internal capsule, and a rotating means provided between the internal capsule and the external capsule, Rotation driving means for driving the rotation means.

(Operation of Supplementary Note 15) Since the capsule has a double structure, the internal capsule has a function of freely changing its posture even if the movement of the external capsule is suppressed by an obstacle or the like. (Effect of Supplementary Note 15) Even when the medical capsule device hits an obstacle and the posture cannot be changed, the internal capsule can freely change its direction, so that observation can be efficiently performed. Also, because the medical capsule device has a double structure,
The distance for observation is secured, and the observation target is not too close to the observation device to be in focus or become a red ball, and comfortable observation can be performed.

16. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the outer capsule is a sphere. 17． 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the outer capsule has a cylindrical shape. 18. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the outer capsule is a cube. 19. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the outer capsule is a rectangular parallelepiped.

20. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the outer capsule is optically transparent. 21. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the outer capsule is made of an ultrasonic conductive material. 22. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the inner capsule is a sphere. 23. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the inner capsule has a cylindrical shape. 24. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the inner capsule is a cube.

25. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the inner capsule is a rectangular parallelepiped. 26. Note 15 wherein the inner capsule is optically transparent
The medical capsule device described. 27. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the inner capsule is made of an ultrasonic conductive material. 28. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the rotation driving means is an electromagnetic motor.

29. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the rotation driving means is an electrostatic motor. 30. Note 15 wherein the rotation driving means is an ultrasonic motor
The medical capsule device described. 31. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the functional means is an observation means. 32. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the functional means is a treatment means.

33. 16. The medical capsule device according to appendix 15, wherein the functional means is information detecting means. 34. 32. The medical capsule device according to appendix 31, wherein the observation means is an optical observation means. 35. 32. The medical capsule device according to appendix 31, wherein the observation means is an ultrasonic observation means. 36. 33. The medical capsule device according to appendix 32, wherein the treatment means is a laser irradiation device. 37. 34. The medical capsule device according to appendix 33, wherein the information detecting means is a temperature sensor.

(Background of Supplementary Notes 15 to 37) As a conventional technique, the idea that the capsule in the body changes the posture of the capsule by ejecting fluid from the capsule body during observation or medical device is known. There is. In the case of ejecting fluid from the capsule body to change the posture of the capsule, the posture could not be changed as desired when there were obstacles around the capsule.

(Purposes of Supplementary Notes 15 to 37) The purpose is to make more reliable observation by changing the posture of the capsule arbitrarily.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical capsule device that can be treated. In order to achieve this object, the configurations of Supplementary Notes 15 to 37 are adopted.

38. Capsule body, biometric information detection means for detecting biometric information provided in the capsule body, piezoelectric conversion element provided on the surface of the capsule body, and power storage for accumulating power from the piezoelectric conversion element A medical capsule device, comprising: a unit; and a transmitting unit that is driven by the electric power and transmits the information detected by the biological information detecting unit to the outside of the body.

39. In the medical capsule device according to appendix 38, the biological information detecting means is a pH value sensor. 40. In the medical capsule device according to appendix 38, the biological information detecting means is an image information detecting means. 41. In the medical capsule device according to appendix 38, the biological information detecting means includes a tissue collecting means for taking a biological tissue and a tissue discriminating means for examining the tissue.

42. In the medical capsule device according to appendix 38, the piezoelectric conversion element has a film shape. 43. In the medical capsule device according to appendix 38, the piezoelectric conversion element is made of PVDF, PZT, piezo rubber, or the like. 44. In the medical capsule device according to item 38, a plurality of the piezoelectric conversion elements are provided on the outer surface. 45. In the medical capsule device according to item 38, the piezoelectric conversion elements are provided on the outer surface at substantially equal intervals on the circumference. 46. In the medical capsule device according to appendix 38, the power storage unit includes a capacitor.

(Background of Supplementary Notes 38 to 46) The present invention relates to a medical capsule that is placed in a living body to observe the inside of the living body and perform medical treatment. In recent years, a medical capsule or a medical capsule device has been known in which biological information such as pH is detected by a sensor and the detected biological information is transmitted outside the body as a biological information signal. The medical capsule of this kind includes a sensor for detecting biological information, a transmission circuit for modulating a biological information signal output from the sensor and transmitting the signal outside the body, and a battery as a power supply unit for driving the transmission circuit. I have it.

By the way, in such a medical capsule, since the battery is built in the capsule, there is a limit when trying to miniaturize the capsule. Therefore,
In order to facilitate miniaturization of the capsule, a medical capsule that uses a germanium semiconductor electrode and a manganese electrode as electrodes for pH detection and uses the voltage generated between these electrodes as driving power is Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-15425. It is disclosed in the publication.

(Problems to be Solved) However,
In the medical capsule as described above, a battery such as a mercury battery is unnecessary, but the voltage generated between the electrodes is
Since it increases or decreases depending on the value, there is a problem that the operation of the transmission circuit becomes unstable.

(Purposes of Supplementary Notes 38 to 46) The purpose thereof is to be able to stably drive the transmission circuit for transmitting the biometric information detected by the sensor to the outside of the body for a long time, and to downsize the capsule. It is intended to provide a medical capsule device that can be used. In order to achieve this object, the configurations of Supplementary Notes 38 to 46 are adopted.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes 38 to 46) A capsule for inspecting and observing the digestive tract such as stomach and intestines can be used continuously for a long time, and the work of taking out the capsule and replacing the battery is required. Not required and efficient.

[0130]

As described above, according to the present invention, a medical capsule device having various functional means has a rotating member rotatably supported, and the rotating member rotates to generate electric energy. Generating means for generating
Since the eccentric body fixed to the rotating member in an eccentric state and the power storage means for storing the electric power from the power generation means and supplying the electric power to the various function means are provided, the various function means are provided by the power generation means. The power can be supplied to the patient, and the patient can be left in the living body for a long time to perform the observation function and the like without inconvenience or pain on the patient when the power is supplied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a medical capsule device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electromagnetic generator.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an electric system of the medical capsule device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration and a usage example of a medical capsule system.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a medical capsule device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an electromagnetic generator and an eccentrically mounted weight.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing that it is easy to move within the luminal organ.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a medical capsule device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a driving device.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a medical capsule device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a medical capsule device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a medical capsule device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the medical capsule device.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the medical capsule device in an exploded manner.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a medical capsule device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical capsule device 2 ... Outer shell capsule 3 ... Inner capsule 4 ... Beam 5 ... Rotation shaft 6 ... Pin 7,9 ... Electromagnetic motor 8,10 ... Motor rotation shaft 11 ... Observation device 12 ... Illumination device 13 ... Electromagnetic power generation Machine 14 ... Circuit board 15 ... Storage battery 16 ... Rotating shaft 17 ... Weight 18 ... Permanent magnet 19 ... Electromagnetic coil 20 ... Rectifier circuit 21 ... Power supply circuit 22 ... Control circuit 23 ... Reception circuit 24 ... Transmission circuit 25 ... Processing circuit 26 ... Antenna 30 ... Extracorporeal system

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Ozawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A medical capsule device equipped with various functional means, comprising a rotating member rotatably supported, wherein the rotating member rotates to generate electric energy, and the rotating member. A medical capsule device comprising: an eccentric body fixed in an eccentric state; and a power storage unit that stores electric power from the power generation unit and supplies electric power to the various functional units.