KR20100073489A - Capsuled diagnosing device with vibration element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A capsule type diagnosis apparatus is provided to easily eliminate a foreign material attached on a sensing unit or a lens unit of an external capsule housing by transferring a vibration of a vibration element to a capsule housing. CONSTITUTION: A lighting unit(120) lights a predetermined point of internal. An image sensor(130) acquires an image of a lighted point by the lighting unit. The image sensor is a CCD or a CMOS image sensor. A controller(150) controls the image sensor. A communication unit(160) transmits a signal of the image sensor to the outside. A vibrator(140) is connected to an inner surface of the capsule housing. The vibrator generates a vibration according to an external command. A power supply unit supplies a power source to a capsule type diagnosis apparatus.

Description

CAPSULED DIAGNOSING DEVICE WITH VIBRATION ELEMENT}

The present invention relates to a capsule diagnostic device, and more particularly to a capsule diagnostic device having a vibrating element.

Endoscopy is an instrument originally designed to insert a machine to observe an organ that cannot be seen directly without surgery or autopsy. The endoscope includes a straight tube, which has a single cylinder, which allows the human body to be viewed with the naked eye, a lens system, a camera inserted directly into the organ, and a fiber scope using glass fibers.

However, although the endoscope is the most useful equipment for examining lesions, many patients try to avoid endoscopy as much as possible due to pain and discomfort associated with the examination. In recent years, capsule endoscopes have been developed for the purpose of supplementing the above-mentioned disadvantages and in particular for diagnosing diseases such as the longest small intestine among digestive organs.

The capsule endoscope is in the form of a capsule made when a patient swallows like a pill and enters the body cavity such as the digestive system such as the stomach and the small intestine so that the doctor can directly observe the patient's digestive system through a video screen or a computer monitor. It is a microscopic endoscope.

As the capsule type diagnostic device as described above, the capsule endoscope device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule endoscope device 10 includes a capsule housing part 15 surrounding a main part of plastic, a lens part 12 for photographing a subject inside the body, and a subject during photographing. It includes an illumination unit 11 for irradiation.

In addition, the tip portion of the capsule housing portion 15 is formed in a hemispherical shape, which makes it easy for the inspector to swallow the capsule endoscope and prevents body fluids and the like from sticking to the tip portion.

However, when the conventional capsule endoscope device having such a structure is introduced into the body to move the organs, even if the tip portion is formed in a hemispherical shape, when moving in the body for a long time, proteins or foreign substances or the like are disposed in the lens portion 12 or the outside of the capsule. The case where it sticks to the lighting part 11 etc. arises, and a problem arises in this case that a desired image cannot be obtained.

In addition, in the capsule-type sensing device manufactured in the form of a capsule, there was a problem that foreign substances, etc., which are exposed to the outside of the capsule and adhered to the detection unit cannot accurately diagnose.

As described above, an object of the present invention is to efficiently remove foreign substances stuck to a lens part or a sensing part outside the capsule housing when the capsule type diagnostic device moves in the body.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one lighting unit for illuminating a predetermined point in the body; An image sensor unit for acquiring an image of a spot irradiated by the illumination unit; A control unit for controlling the image sensor unit; A communication unit for transmitting a signal obtained from the image sensor unit to the outside and receiving a command from the outside; A vibration unit connected to the inner side of the capsule housing; And a power supply unit for driving power to the capsule endoscope device.

The vibration unit vibrates according to an external command, and the communication unit may be configured to operate in a wireless manner. The image sensor also consists of either CCD or COMS.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus, comprising: one or more lighting units for illuminating a predetermined point in the body; An image sensor unit for acquiring an image of a spot irradiated by the illumination unit; A control unit for controlling the image sensor unit; A communication unit for transmitting a signal obtained from the image sensor unit to the outside and receiving a command from the outside; A body information collecting sensor unit for collecting body environment information; A vibration unit connected to the inner side of the capsule housing; And a power supply unit for driving power to the capsule sensing device.

The vibration unit vibrates according to an external command, and the communication unit may be configured to operate in a wireless manner. The image sensor also consists of either CCD or COMS.

The body information collecting sensor unit may selectively employ one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pH sensor, and the vibration unit is selectively performed among a plurality of performance levels according to an external command.

In addition, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the capsule diagnostic apparatus in which a sensor portion including at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pH sensor is formed on an outer surface of the capsule housing, it is directly below the corresponding sensor portion. In the position, a vibrating element is formed on the inner surface of the capsule housing, the capsule-type diagnostic device is characterized in that the vibration is transmitted to the upper portion of the vibrating element.

According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention as described above, when the foreign matter is fixed to the lens portion or the sensing portion of the capsule housing, the foreign matter attached to the outside of the housing by adding a vibration force transmitted by vibrating the vibration element to the outside of the capsule It can be removed efficiently.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)

2 is a view showing a capsule endoscope device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule endoscope 100 includes an imaging means 130 and illumination means 120 for illuminating the interior of the body cavity as observation means capable of imaging an image in the body cavity.

The imaging means 130 is formed on the imaging substrate, and the imaging means 130 captures the range illuminated by the illumination means 120. The imaging means comprises a solid-state imaging element made of a CCD or a CMOS, and although not shown in the drawings, includes a lens portion for forming an image on the imaging element. The lens unit may also be configured to perform focus adjustment by placing the lens unit using a movable frame or the like. Such a lens unit and a movable frame configuration are known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

The lighting means 120 may be formed on the imaging substrate, but may also be formed using a separate substrate. LED lighting is preferably used as the lighting means 120, and the lighting means is arranged in plural, preferably around four of the imaging device 130, around the imaging device 130 in order to secure a sufficient amount of light. Good to do.

In addition, the capsule endoscope 100 includes a communication unit 160 for receiving a command transmitted from the outside as well as transmitting the image captured by the imaging means to an external device. The communication unit is configured to communicate with an external device through a wireless communication method, and may include a wireless antenna (not shown) inside or outside the capsule.

The capsule endoscope 100 includes a controller 150 for controlling the operation of the capsule endoscope. The controller 150 performs an image processing function of generating image data through the photographing information sent from the imaging unit 130, and performs an operation of the capsule endoscope according to an external command.

In addition, the capsule endoscope 100 includes a power supply unit 170 for supplying driving power. A small battery may be used as the power supply unit, and a silver oxide battery may be used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a rechargeable battery, a power generation battery, or the like may be used.

Further, the present invention further includes a vibration means 140 formed on the diaphragm circuit in addition to the above configuration. The diaphragm circuit is coupled to the inside of the capsule through the fixing frame, the vibration means 140 is fixed on the diaphragm circuit, the vibration force is configured to be transmitted to the outside of the capsule housing when the vibration means vibrates.

The vibration element 140 is driven by a command from the outside, and may be configured to selectively vibrate at a plurality of vibration levels having different vibration intensities according to a command from the outside. Preferably, in the present invention, it is composed of vibration levels of the first to third stages which are weak, medium and strong.

Hereinafter, the operation of the capsule endoscope device according to the present invention.

First, the affected part and the location of the affected part are identified through an X-ray computed tomography apparatus, an MRI, a PET, an ultrasound device, and the like, and the capsule endoscope device 100 is injected through the neck of the patient. The capsule endoscope device 100 is moved to a place to be photographed using the position of the capsule endoscope device transmitted from the communication unit of the encapsulated endoscope device 100. Since the technique for moving the capsule endoscope device is known to those skilled in the art, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the capsule endoscope apparatus 100 reaches the photographing target portion, the operator transmits a photographing command signal through an external remote controller or an operation panel installed in the diagnostic apparatus.

When the communicator 160 of the capsule endoscope device 100 receives the photographing command signal, the communicator 160 notifies the controller 150 that the photographing command signal has been received. The controller 150 confirming that the photographing command signal has been received, instructs the power supply unit 170 to apply power to the imaging unit 130 and the lighting unit 120.

When shooting for a long time is required or the endoscope shooting while moving, as described above, it is preferable to turn on / off the shooting means 130 and the lighting means 140 at that time, but short-time shooting is required, or capsule endoscope When the apparatus 100 needs to photograph a moving path, the apparatus 100 may move while driving the lighting means 140 and the photographing means 130, which may be performed by a person skilled in the art through an external manipulation of a switch or the like formed on the photographing substrate. It can be adjusted appropriately.

If the protein or foreign matter is fixed to the front part of the imaging means 100 during the imaging of the affected part or the subject to be photographed through the photographing means 130, the operator or the like checks the foreign matter stuck state through a monitor or the like, and then Send vibration commands through the instrument or the operator panel.

When the communication unit 160 receives the vibration command again, the communication unit 160 notifies the control unit 150 that the vibration command signal has been received. The control unit 150 confirms that the vibration command signal has been received, the vibration is performed by the power supply unit 170 to apply power to the vibration means 140.

The vibration intensity of the vibration means 140 may be achieved by changing the intensity of the current by increasing or decreasing the resistance value of the vibration means 140, or may be achieved by configuring a plurality of switches.

The strength of vibration can be selected by the operator in consideration of the size of the foreign matter that can be seen on the monitor, and the vibration time can be programmed in advance, but it is recommended that the operator check the monitor to stop the vibration manually. desirable.

(2nd Example)

3 is a view showing a capsule diagnostic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule diagnostic device 100 includes sensor means 230 for acquiring specific information in the body cavity. The sensor means 230 is formed on the outer surface of the capsule housing 210 is configured to detect the body environment information directly in the body cavity.

Preferably, the sensor means 230 may be any one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pH sensor. The operator can use the sensor means 230 to obtain environmental information of a specific part of the body, that is, pressure, temperature, pH information, and the like. In addition, the sensed values are transmitted to the external device of the operator through the communication unit 260, and the operator can determine whether the organ of the current patient is normal by comparing the acquired value with the reference value of the organ.

In addition, the capsule diagnostic device 200 includes a controller 250 for controlling the operation of the capsule diagnostic device. The controller 250 performs a data processing function of generating detection data through the sensing information sent from the sensor unit, and controls the overall operation of the capsule type diagnostic apparatus according to an external command.

In addition, the capsule diagnostic device 200 includes a power supply unit 270 for supplying driving power to the device 200. As the power supply unit, a small battery is preferably used, and it is preferable to use a silver oxide battery. good. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a rechargeable battery, a power generation battery, or the like may be used.

In addition, the present invention further includes a vibration means 240 in addition to the above configuration. The vibration means 240 is formed in close contact with the sensor means 230 directly below the sensor means 230 through a fixing frame or the like so that the vibration force is transmitted to the sensor means when the vibration means vibrates. .

The vibration device 240 is driven by a command from the outside, and may be configured to selectively vibrate at a plurality of vibration levels having different vibration intensities according to a command from the outside. Preferably, in the present invention, it is composed of vibration levels of the first to third stages which are weak, medium and strong.

Hereinafter, the operation of the capsule diagnostic device according to the present invention will be described.

First, the affected part of the patient and the location of the affected part are identified through an X-ray computed tomography device, MRI, PET, ultrasound device, and the like, and the capsule-type diagnostic device 200 is introduced through the neck of the patient. The capsule type diagnostic device 200 is moved to a place to be diagnosed using the location of the capsule type diagnostic device transmitted from the communication unit of the encapsulated diagnostic device 200. Techniques for the movement of the encapsulated device are well known to those skilled in the art, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

When the capsule endoscope apparatus 200 reaches the diagnosis target portion, the operator transmits a diagnostic command signal through an external remote controller or an operation panel installed in the diagnostic apparatus.

When the communication unit 260 of the capsule type diagnostic device 200 receives the diagnostic command signal, the communication unit 260 notifies the control unit 250 that the diagnostic command signal has been received. The controller 150 confirming that the photographing command signal has been received causes the sensor unit 230 to measure pressure, temperature, pH, and the like.

In the case of measuring pH, if the measured value is different from the expected value (normal value), it may be considered that an abnormality has occurred in actual organs. Consider also the case where the pH value for is measured.

Therefore, in consideration of the latter case, the operator transmits a vibration command to the communication unit 260 via the external device or the operation panel. When the communication unit 260 receives the vibration command, the communication unit 260 notifies the control unit 250 that the vibration command signal has been received. The control unit 250 confirms that the vibration command signal has been received, the vibration is performed by the power supply unit 170 to apply power to the vibration means 240.

The vibration intensity of the vibration means 240 may be achieved by changing the intensity of the current by increasing or decreasing the resistance value of the vibration means 240, or may be achieved by configuring a plurality of switches.

After the vibration has been completed, the operator can further measure the accuracy of the diagnosis by re-measuring the pH value for the target organ again.

(Variation)

As mentioned above, although the 1st and 2nd Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like is provided outside the capsule housing of the capsule endoscope device as described in the first embodiment is also possible.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is an external view of a capsule diagnostic device according to the prior art.

Figure 2 schematically shows the internal configuration of the capsule endoscope device according to the present invention.

Figure 3 schematically shows the internal configuration of the capsule sensor device according to the present invention.

Claims (11)

In the capsule endoscope device, At least one lighting unit for illuminating a predetermined point in the body; An image sensor unit for acquiring an image of a spot irradiated by the illumination unit; A control unit for controlling the image sensor unit; A communication unit for transmitting a signal obtained from the image sensor unit to the outside and receiving a command from the outside; A vibration unit connected to the inner side of the capsule housing; And Capsule type endoscope device including a power source for driving power to the capsule endoscope device. The method of claim 1, The vibrating unit capsule endoscope device, characterized in that for performing vibration in accordance with an external command. The method of claim 1, The capsule endoscope device characterized in that the communication unit operates in a wireless manner. The method of claim 1, And the image sensor is one of a CCD or a COMS. In the capsule diagnostic device, At least one lighting unit for illuminating a predetermined point in the body; An image sensor unit for acquiring an image of a spot irradiated by the illumination unit; A control unit for controlling the image sensor unit; A communication unit for transmitting a signal obtained from the image sensor unit to the outside and receiving a command from the outside; A body information collecting sensor unit for collecting body environment information; A vibration unit connected to the inner side of the capsule housing; And Capsule type diagnostic device including a power supply for driving power to the capsule sensing device. The method of claim 5, The vibration unit capsule type diagnostic device, characterized in that for performing a vibration in accordance with an external command. The method of claim 5, Capsule communication device characterized in that the communication unit operates in a wireless manner. The method of claim 5, Wherein said image sensor is one of a CCD or a COMS. The method of claim 5, The body information collecting sensor unit capsule type diagnostic device, characterized in that one of the pressure sensor, temperature sensor and pH sensor. The method of claim 5, The vibrating unit is a capsule diagnostic device, characterized in that selectively performed among a plurality of performance levels. In the capsule diagnostic device in which a sensor unit including at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a pH sensor is formed on the outer surface of the capsule housing, The capsule type diagnostic device, characterized in that the vibration element is formed on the inner surface of the capsule housing in a position directly below the sensor unit, the vibration is transmitted to the upper portion of the vibration element.

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