KR20130000687A - Endoscope and method for acquiring image data thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An endoscope and an image acquisition method using the same are provided to obtain video information inside a human body by externally controlling the position and imaging speed of a capsule type endoscope. CONSTITUTION: A capsule type endoscope(120) is connected to a probe(130). The capsule type endoscope obtains video information by moving through the oral cavity to the esophagus and stomach inside a human body. A controller(140) and the probe control the movement and imaging of the capsule type endoscope. The controller controls the imaging direction and speed of the capsule type endoscope by using the probe. An image obtained in the internal organs(110) of the human body is directly transferred to receiving electrodes(160a,160b) attached to the human body, a receiver(170) outside of the human body, or the probe.

Description

Endoscope and image acquisition method using the same

The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for obtaining image information by controlling a capsule endoscope outside the human body.

The capsule endoscope moves the internal organs of the human body such as the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine through the esophagus, acquires the image information inside the human body, and provides the acquired image information to an external receiving device through communication means such as wireless or human body communication. .

However, when the capsule endoscope enters the human body through the oral cavity, the capsule endoscope moves depending on the peristalsis of the organs until it is discharged to the outside of the human body. It is difficult to maintain posture in organs larger in diameter than capsule endoscopes. Therefore, in the case where it is desired to acquire the image information with the capsule endoscope in this section, it is difficult to acquire the image at the point where the lesion is suspected or the detailed observation is desired.

In addition, it is difficult to maintain the correct posture of the capsule endoscope in the esophagus or the stomach may not be made smoothly in contact with the human body. Therefore, when transmitting image information acquired from the inside of the human body to an external receiving device through a human body communication method, it is difficult to transmit accurate information.

In addition, when a large portion of the human body including the esophagus and stomach is examined only by the internal battery of the capsule endoscope, sufficient data may not be obtained because of limited power available.

An object of the present invention is to provide a capsule endoscope that can be controlled from the outside and a method of acquiring image information inside the human body through the capsule endoscope.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus capable of externally controlling a photographing speed of a capsule endoscope in obtaining image information inside a human body.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for supplying power to the capsule endoscope from the outside and directly controlling the capsule endoscope to obtain data.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the capsule endoscope for acquiring image information inside the human body, the controller for controlling the capsule endoscope from the outside of the human body and the controller and the capsule endoscope are connected, and the control signal of the controller is transmitted to the capsule endoscope and the capsule It is an endoscope including a probe for transmitting the image signal obtained by the type endoscope to the outside of the human body.

In this case, the capsule endoscope may include a magnetic switch for controlling the photographing speed, the probe may include a magnetic body for generating a magnetic field for driving the magnetic switch, the magnetic body may generate a magnetic field by the control signal of the controller have.

In addition, the magnetic switch may control the power supply of the capsule endoscope by using the magnetic field generated in the magnetic material as the control signal.

In addition, the probe may include a connecting portion for fixing the capsule endoscope, the connecting portion may be in the shape of a forceps divided into two strands.

The probe may further include a signal receiver configured to receive the image information from the capsule endoscope, and the signal receiver may be disposed between the electrode and the connector of the capsule endoscope in contact with the connector.

On the other hand, the probe may further include a driving unit for pushing the capsule endoscope, the driving unit may be driven by the control of the controller.

In the present embodiment, the endoscope may further include a display for outputting the image information obtained by the capsule endoscope from the outside of the human body, the display device is connected to the controller or the receiving device capable of receiving image information from the capsule endoscope It can be connected with.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a capsule endoscope, including a photographing unit for acquiring image information inside the human body, a signal transmitter for transmitting the image information, and a magnetic switch for controlling the photographing speed, the magnetic switch is transmitted from the outside Opening and closing according to the control signal, the photographing unit changes the shooting speed in accordance with the opening and closing of the magnetic switch.

In this case, the signal transmitter may include an external electrode for transmitting a signal, and the external electrode may transmit image information through a conductive line connected to the outside of the human body.

The capsule endoscope according to the present embodiment may further include a controller for controlling each operation of the capsule endoscope, and the controller may control the operation of the capsule endoscope when the external control signal is interrupted or absent.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for acquiring an image of an endoscope, the method including inserting a capsule endoscope connected to a probe into a human body, capturing the endoscope to capture an image of the human body, and separating the capsule endoscope from the probe. And the capsule endoscope separated from the probe to take an image inside the human body, the capsule endoscope to take an image inside the human body and the capsule endoscope separated from the probe to take an image inside the human body In the step, the image capture speed of the capsule endoscope is controlled according to a control signal through the probe.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the image information inside the human body through the capsule endoscope that can be controlled from the outside.

According to the present invention, the posture and the shooting speed of the capsule endoscope can be controlled from outside to obtain image information inside the human body.

According to the present invention, power can be supplied to the capsule endoscope from the outside, and data can be obtained by directly controlling the capsule endoscope from the outside of the human body.

1 is a view schematically showing an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view schematically showing the structure of a capsule endoscope 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic view of the probe 300 and the controller 350 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view schematically showing the structure of a probe in another embodiment according to the present invention.
5 is a view schematically illustrating an embodiment in which the capsule endoscope 600 is connected to the probe 500 according to the present invention.
6 is a view schematically illustrating an embodiment in which the capsule endoscope 600 is separated from the probe 500 according to the present invention.
7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of obtaining an image of the inside of a human body performed by an endoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be applied in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

Components described herein may include other components than the components described below as needed, and detailed descriptions of portions or overlapping contents that are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted. In addition, the arrangement of each component described herein can be adjusted as needed, one component may be included in the other component or one component may be subdivided into two or more components.

1 is a view schematically showing an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the image information inside the human body is obtained by the capsule endoscope, the operation of capturing the inside of the human body to obtain the image information is controlled from the outside through the controller 140.

Referring to FIG. 1, the capsule type endoscope 120 obtains image information of an internal organ 110, for example, the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, and the like of the examinee. At this time, the capsule endoscope 120 is connected to the probe 130 to enter the human body through the oral cavity to move to the esophagus and stomach to obtain image information.

As shown in FIG. 1, movement and imaging of the capsule endoscope 120 may be controlled through the controller 140 and the probe 130. For example, the controller 140 may control the photographing direction of the capsule endoscope 120 through the probe 130, and may control the photographing speed of the capsule endoscope 120 as described below.

Subsequently, the capsule endoscope 120 is separated from the probe 130 through manipulation of the controller 140, and moves according to the peristalsis of the internal organs 110 of the human body such as the small intestine and the large intestine, thereby obtaining an image of the corresponding organ. . The capsule endoscope 120 separated from the probe 130 may acquire image information inside the human body according to a predetermined setting without control from the controller 140.

The image obtained while the capsule endoscope 120 passes through the internal organ 110 of the human body is transmitted to the receiving electrodes 160a and 160b attached to the human body or to the receiver 170 outside the human body or included in the probe 130. Can be sent directly to the device.

Here, when directly transmitted to the receiving device included in the probe 130, the capsule endoscope 120 is connected to the probe 130. In this case, the signal receiver of the probe 130 is directly abutted and connected to the signal transmitter of the capsule endoscope 120. Therefore, the capsule endoscope 120 may transmit an image to the wired line directly through the probe 130 without passing through the reception electrodes 160a and 160b or the receiver 170 outside the human body.

On the other hand, when transmitted to the receiving electrodes 160a and 160b attached to the human body or the receiver 170 outside the human body, the capsule endoscope 120 is separated from the probe 130. After being separated, the capsule endoscope 120 moves according to the peristalsis of the internal organs 110 of the human body. At this time, the current is generated through the contact with the human body according to the electrode and the interlocking movement included in the outer surface of the capsule endoscope 120, the current is received from the receiving electrodes (160a, 160b) attached to the human body outside the human body The image information is transmitted to the receiver 170. In this specification, transmitting a signal in such a manner is referred to as human body communication.

The image information transmitted by the capsule endoscope 120 is output through the display 150.

2 is a view schematically showing the structure of a capsule endoscope 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the capsule endoscope 200 includes a photographing unit 210, a signal transmitting unit 220, a power supply unit 230, and a control unit 240.

The photographing unit 210 acquires image data by photographing an internal organ of the human body. The photographing unit 210 includes a camera unit 211 and lighting units 212a and 212b. When the lighting units 212a and 212b illuminate the inside of the human body, the camera unit 211 photographs an image of the lighting point.

The camera unit 211 may include a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) camera. The camera unit 211 may be disposed at one end of the capsule endoscope 200.

The lighting units 212a and 212b may be implemented as lighting, such as one or more LEDs. The lighting units 212a and 212b may be disposed around the camera unit 211 to illuminate a spot to be photographed by the camera unit 211.

The signal transmitter 220 transmits the image captured by the photographing unit 210 to the receiving electrodes 160a and 160b (see FIG. 1) attached to the human body or the signal receiver 330 (see FIG. 3) of the probe.

The signal transmitter 220 converts the photographed image into an electrical signal, and applies the converted electrical signal to a plurality of electrodes provided on the outer surface of the capsule endoscope 200, and transmits the image information through a signal according to a potential difference between the electrodes. Send it.

In this case, the transmitted signal may use a human body communication method of transmitting image information by communicating with the receiving electrodes 160a and 160b attached to the human body as a medium, but a signal of a probe directly connected to the signal transmitter 220. It may be transmitted through the receiver 330. In addition, the capsule endoscope 200 may include a radio frequency (RF) unit for performing wireless communication, and may transmit image information using RF communication.

For example, while the capsule endoscope 200 is connected to the probe, image information is transmitted through the probe, and when the capsule endoscope 200 is separated from the probe, the capsule endoscope 200 may transmit the image in a human body communication method.

The power supply unit 230 supplies power for driving the capsule endoscope 200. The power supply unit 230 includes a battery capable of supplying power to the capsule endoscope 200 itself without a power supply from the outside.

In addition, the power supply unit 230 may be charged or supplied with power from the outside. For example, when the capsule endoscope 200 is connected to the probe, power may be supplied through the probe. At this time, the battery of the power supply unit 230 may be charged.

The controller 240 may control an image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope 200. For example, the controller 240 may set a mode regarding an image capturing speed of the capturing unit 210 to a low speed capturing mode and a high speed capturing mode. When the controller 240 sets the mode of the photographing unit 210 to the high speed photographing mode, the photographing unit 210 photographs more image frames than the predetermined number of reference image photographing frames per hour. When the controller 240 sets the mode of the photographing unit 210 to the low speed photographing mode, the photographing unit 210 photographs fewer image frames than the predetermined number of reference image photographing frames per hour. That is, when the mode of the photographing unit 210 is set to the high speed photographing mode, more images may be acquired, thereby increasing the accuracy of the examination of the internal organs of the human body.

The mode related to the image photographing speed of the photographing unit 210 may be controlled by an external control signal. For example, when the capsule endoscope 200 is connected to the controller through a probe, an image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope 200 (image capturing speed of the photographing unit 210) may be controlled by a control signal from the controller. .

In this case, the probe may include a magnetic body, and a magnetic switch 241 for controlling the imaging speed may be configured in the capsule endoscope 200 by using a magnetic field generated from the magnetic body. For example, a magnetic field may be generated by applying a current from a controller to a magnetic material included in the probe, and the magnetic switch 241 may be driven using the magnetic field.

The magnetic switch 241 configured in the capsule endoscope 200 is a switch having directivity with respect to a magnetic field, and may open and close according to whether a magnetic field is generated.

The opening and closing operation of the magnetic switch may be controlled by a controller connected to the capsule endoscope 200 through a probe. For example, when the capsule endoscope 200 connected to the probe enters the human body, the controller may open and close the magnetic switch 241 by applying a predetermined current to the magnetic material. For example, the magnetic switch 241 may be opened and closed by a magnetic field generated from the magnetic body, and the mode regarding the photographing speed of the capsule endoscope may be switched by opening and closing the magnetic switch 241.

On the other hand, when the capsule endoscope 200 is separated from the probe as described below, as described above, the controller 240 may control a mode relating to the imaging speed of the capsule endoscope 200. For example, when the capsule endoscope 200 photographed in the high speed mode is spaced apart from the probe, the controller 240 may switch the photographing mode to the low speed mode or maintain the high speed mode. In this case, whether to maintain or switch the photographing mode may be determined in consideration of the location of the main test object, the capsule endoscope, the available power of the capsule endoscope, and the like.

3 is a schematic view of the probe 300 and the controller 350 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the probe 300 includes a scissors 310, a signal receiver 320, and a magnetic body 330.

The connection part 310 is a portion connected to the capsule endoscope, and is configured in a shape to facilitate the connection with the capsule endoscope. For example, a capsule endoscope may be picked up or placed in the shape of a pair of tongs that are split into two strands. As described below in the description of FIG. 4, the connection part 310 may be configured in various forms in addition to the tong type shown in FIG. 3.

The signal receiver 320 receives the converted electrical signal from the signal transmitter 220 (see FIG. 2) of the capsule endoscope and transmits the converted electrical signal to the display. The display may output the received electrical signal as an image. In this case, the signal receiver 320 includes one or more conductors capable of receiving a signal from the signal transmitter 220 of the capsule endoscope. The lead of the signal receiver 320 may directly contact the electrode of the signal transmitter 220 to receive image information obtained by the capsule endoscope. The image information received by the signal receiver 320 may be transmitted to the display 150 of FIG. 1 through a probe.

The signal receiver 320 and the signal transmitter 220 may be connected in various ways. For example, when connecting the connecting portion 310 and the capsule endoscope, the conducting wire of the signal receiver 320 may be disposed between a surface where the connecting portion 310 and the capsule endoscope are in contact with each other. Therefore, when the capsule endoscope is separated from the connector 310, the signal receiver 320 may be separated from the capsule endoscope together.

As described above, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic body 330 may be used as a control signal for controlling an image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope, for example, a control signal for driving a magnetic switch.

The magnetic body 330 may be provided at the connection part 310 and / or the driving part 340 to be described later. The magnetic body 330 may use an electromagnet, an electromagnetic coil, a permanent magnet, or the like. If an electromagnet or an electromagnetic coil is used as the magnetic body 330, the magnetic field may be generated by the current applied to the magnetic body 330 from the controller 350.

The probe 300 may further include a pushing unit 340 for separating the capsule endoscope.

The propelling unit 340 facilitates the separation by applying a driving force to the capsule endoscope when separating the capsule endoscope from the connection portion 310. For example, the driving unit 340 may be made of a material having an elastic force, such as a spring. When the capsule endoscope is connected to the connection part 310, the spring is reduced, and when the capsule endoscope is separated from the connection part 310, the capsule endoscope is pushed forward while the spring is restored. That is, the energy accumulated in the spring can be used as a driving force to separate the capsule endoscope.

The shape of the driving unit 340 described above is just one embodiment, and may be modified and configured in various forms capable of advancing the capsule endoscope by providing a driving force as described below in the description of FIG. 4. .

The controller 350 may be connected to the capsule endoscope through the probe 300 to control the operation of the capsule endoscope. For example, the controller 350 may adjust the position or direction of the capsule endoscope as shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, the controller 350 may control a photographing operation of the capsule endoscope. For example, when the capsule endoscope includes a magnetic switch 241 (see FIG. 2) controlled by a magnetic field, the controller 350 applies a current to the magnetic body 330 of the probe 300 to control the magnetic switch. It can generate a magnetic field. The magnetic switch may perform an opening and closing operation in response to a predetermined magnetic field. For example, when the magnetic switch is closed by a magnetic field, a current may flow to control the capturing endoscope's photographing operation (e.g., the mode relating to the photographing speed).

In addition, the controller 350 may control the probe 300 to separate the capsule endoscope from the probe 300.

4 is a view schematically illustrating an operation of separating the structure of the probe and the capsule endoscope in another embodiment according to the present invention. The probe 430 includes a protection tube 400, a connection part 410, and a propelling part 420. In FIG. 4, the probe 430 is a tweezers-shaped connection part 410 that operates using the protective tube 400, unlike FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connection part 410 is a part for connecting the capsule endoscope with the probe 430, and includes a first connection part 411 and a second connection part 412. The first connection portion 411 and the second connection portion 412 may be configured in a hook shape at each end to pick up and fix the capsule endoscope.

The propelling part 420 is a portion that exerts a force on the capsule endoscope when the capsule endoscope is separated from the probe 430. Thus, the capsule endoscope can be easily separated from the probe 430. In the case of FIG. 4, the driving unit 420 may be disposed between the first connection unit 411 and the second connection unit 412 and may have a rod shape. In the case of FIG. 4, the propelling portion 420 protrudes from the probe 430 by the controller without using elastic force and separates the capsule endoscope.

The protective tube 400 surrounds and protects the first connection part 411, the second connection part 412, and the propelling part 420. As shown in Figure 4 (a) and (b), the inner surface portion 401 of the protective tube 400 is configured to extend in the X direction of the protective tube 400, the protective tube 400 is the end portion And an extension 402. For example, the protective tube 400 has a space for storing the first connecting portion 411, the second connecting portion 412, and the driving portion 420, and the extension portion 402 includes the first connecting portion 411 and the second connecting portion. 412 provides a predetermined space so as to open while fixing the capsule endoscope, or open while separating the capsule endoscope. The protective tube 400 may be made of a flexible material that can be bent or bent, but in this case, the extension 402 of the protective tube 400 may be made of a separate material.

The controller may be connected to the probe 430 to control the first connection part 411, the second connection part 412, and the driving part 420. That is, the controller may control the first connection part 411, the second connection part 412, and the driving part 420 to connect or disconnect the capsule endoscope.

For example, when connecting the capsule endoscope, as shown in FIG. 4A, the controller may operate the first connection part 411 and the second connection part 412 in the Y direction. The first connection part 411 and the second connection part 412 are accommodated in the expansion part 420 to fix and fix the capsule endoscope. In this case, the driving unit 420 may be moved in the Y direction together with the first connection unit 411 and the second connection unit 412.

On the contrary, when the capsule endoscope is separated, the controller may operate the first connection part 411 and the second connection part 412 in the X direction as shown in FIG. 4B. At this time, as shown, the end of each of the first connecting portion 411 and the second connecting portion 412 may be opened to separate the capsule endoscope. The driving unit 420 moves in the X direction and may apply power to the capsule endoscope.

Now, the capsule endoscope according to the present invention will be described with respect to connecting or disconnecting the probe.

5 is a view schematically illustrating an embodiment in which the capsule endoscope 600 is connected to the probe 500 according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, for convenience of description, a probe including a connecting part of the scissors type shown in FIG. 3 and a driving part using an elastic body will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 5, the capsule endoscope 600 may be connected to the controller through the probe 500 and controlled by the controller. For example, the capsule endoscope 600 may control the image capturing speed by a control signal from the controller transmitted through the probe 500, and may also control the power supply of the capsule endoscope 600.

When the capsule endoscope 600 includes the magnetic switch 641 and the photographing speed is controlled by the opening and closing of the magnetic switch, the probe 500 may be configured to include the magnetic body 540. The magnetic body 540 receives a control signal such as a current from a controller to generate a magnetic field for driving the magnetic switch 641. At this time, the magnetic switch 461 reacts with the directivity to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic body 540, so that the opening and closing of the switch can be controlled. For example, when the control signal (e.g. current) is supplied from the controller through the probe 500 and applied to the magnetic body 540, the magnetic body 540 may generate a magnetic field for driving the magnetic switch 641.

In response to the opening / closing operation of the magnetic switch 641, the image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope 600 may be controlled at a high speed and a low speed.

In addition, the controller 640 may control supplying power to the capsule endoscope 600 in response to the opening and closing operation of the magnetic switch 641. For example, when the magnetic switch 641 is closed by a magnetic field, a predetermined current may flow, and this may be used as a power source for driving the capsule endoscope 600. In this case, the battery included in the capsule endoscope 600 may be charged.

Meanwhile, when the capsule endoscope 600 is connected to the probe 500, the signal receiver 530 of the probe 500 and the signal transmitter 620 of the capsule endoscope 600 are connected to each other. For example, the signal receiver 530 is disposed between the contact surface of the connector 510 and the capsule endoscope 600. Accordingly, the signal receiver 530 is fixed while directly contacting the electrode of the signal transmitter 620, and the signal receiver 530 may receive the image information acquired by the capsule endoscope 600 directly from the signal transmitter 620. Will be.

Therefore, the capsule type endoscope 600 and the human body in contact with the esophagus or the above-mentioned long-term communication method such as the human body can be made to transmit the image information more smoothly.

6 is a view schematically illustrating an embodiment in which the capsule endoscope 600 is separated from the probe 500 according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, for convenience of description, a probe including a connecting part in the form of scissors shown in FIG. 3 and a driving part using an elastic body will be described as an example. Referring to FIG. 6, the probe 500 and the capsule endoscope 600 may be separated while two surfaces of the tongs of the connection part 510 are opened. At this time, the expansion of the connecting portion 510 is controlled by the controller.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the capsule endoscope 600 is separated from the probe 500, the driving unit 520 may apply a driving force to the capsule endoscope 600. For example, the spring-type propulsion unit 520 in the reduced state is restored as the capsule endoscope 600 is separated from the probe 500, thereby pushing the capsule endoscope 600. In addition to the case in which the propulsion unit 520 is made of a material having elastic force, such as a spring as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the propelling unit 520 may be formed in a rod shape in the case of the connector as shown in FIG. 4. . In the case of FIG. 4, the propelling part detaches from the probe (connecting part) while protruding under the control of the controller.

As the capsule endoscope 600 and the probe 500 are separated from each other, the signal receiver 530 disposed between the contact portion 510 and the capsule endoscope 600 is in contact with the signal transmitter 620.

On the other hand, when the capsule endoscope 600 is separated from the probe 500, the control unit 640 of the capsule endoscope to control the operation of the capsule endoscope 600.

For example, the controller 640 may control the opening and closing operation of the magnetic switch 641. The controller 640 may control the magnetic switch 641 to switch the current photographing mode to another photographing mode or maintain the current photographing mode. Whether or not to switch the photographing mode may be determined in consideration of the main test subject, the position of the capsule endoscope, and the available power of the capsule endoscope.

In addition, the controller 640 may control the power of the capsule endoscope 600. For example, the controller 640 may be configured from an external power source so that the capsule endoscope 600 is driven by an internal power source (eg, a battery) of the capsule endoscope 600 after the probe 500 and the capsule endoscope 600 are separated. The driving power can be switched to the internal power supply.

The controller 640 may measure the intensity of a signal for transmitting image information for a predetermined time, and may temporarily stop the operation of the capsule endoscope 600 when a signal having an intensity smaller than the predetermined intensity is being transmitted.

Here, after the capsule endoscope 600 is separated from the probe 500, the controller 640 of the capsule endoscope has been described as newly controlling the operation of the capsule endoscope 600, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As the separation from the probe 500, the setting related to the operation of the capsule endoscope 600 may be switched to a predetermined setting. In this case, the capsule endoscope 600 may perform a series of operations for acquiring image information according to a predetermined setting.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a probe including a scissors-type connecting part and a propelling part using an elastic body has been described as an example. However, the descriptions of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be equally applied to the probe of FIG. 4 including a tweezer-type connecting part. have.

7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of obtaining an image of the inside of a human body performed by an endoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 7, first, the capsule endoscope is connected to the probe to enter the human body (S710).

The capsule endoscope captures an image of a corresponding organ inside the human body through the control of a controller connected to the probe (S720). The capsule endoscope may control a mode related to an image capturing speed by a control signal of a controller. For example, the capsule endoscope may use the magnetic field generated by the probe applied with the current supplied from the controller as a control signal, and the capturing endoscope may control the image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope at high speed and low speed.

The capsule endoscope connected to the probe arrives at a predetermined position (for example, the stomach) in the human body, and after performing imaging of the organ, the capsule endoscope is separated from the probe (S730). The capsule endoscope can be separated from the probe under the control of the controller. When the capsule endoscope is separated from the probe, a mode relating to an image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope may be controlled. For example, when the capsule endoscope photographed in the high speed photographing mode is spaced apart from the probe, the photographing mode may be switched to the low speed mode or may be maintained in the high speed mode. The control of the mode related to the photographing speed may be determined in consideration of the main inspection target, the position of the capsule endoscope, the available power of the capsule endoscope, and the like.

On the other hand, the capsule endoscope may be operated according to a predetermined setting while being separated from the probe.

From the position where the capsule endoscope is separated from the probe, the capsule endoscope captures an image of the inside of the human body according to its own setting (S740). The capsule endoscope can move according to the peristalsis of the internal organs of the human body.

Until now, a magnetic material generating a magnetic field for driving a magnetic switch has been applied to a plurality of magnetic materials located at a connection portion (410 of FIGS. 4, 510 of FIGS. 4 and 6) of the probe (430 of FIGS. 4 and 5 and 6). Although described as being by way of convenience, this is for convenience of description, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and a single magnetic body that generates a magnetic field, that is, only one may exist. In addition, the magnetic material may be positioned at the end of the propelling portion (420 of FIG. 4, 540 of FIG. 4, and 6 of FIG. 4) of the probe rather than the connection portion of the probe to generate a magnetic field in contact or non-contact state with the capsule endoscope. Even in this case, the magnetic body can generate the magnetic field under the control of the controller.

The steps of the flowchart according to the present invention described above may occur in different order or simultaneously with the steps different from those described above. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps shown in the flowcharts are not exclusive and that other steps may be included or one or more steps in the flowcharts may be deleted without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

Capsule endoscope for acquiring the image information inside the human body;
A controller for controlling the capsule endoscope outside the human body; And
And a probe connecting the controller to the capsule endoscope, transmitting a control signal of the controller to the capsule endoscope, and transmitting an image signal obtained by the capsule endoscope to the outside of the human body.
The capsule endoscope includes a magnetic switch for controlling the photographing speed,
The probe comprises an magnetic body for generating a magnetic field for driving the magnetic switch.
The method of claim 1,
The magnetic body generates a magnetic field by the control signal of the controller.
The method of claim 2,
The magnetic switch controls the power supply of the capsule endoscope using the magnetic field generated in the magnetic material as the control signal.
The method of claim 1,
The probe includes an end portion for fixing the capsule endoscope, wherein the end portion is characterized in that the end is divided into two types of tongs.
The method of claim 4, wherein the probe further comprises a signal receiving unit for receiving the image information from the capsule endoscope,
And the signal receiver is disposed between the electrode of the capsule endoscope in contact with the connecting portion and the connecting portion.
The method of claim 1, wherein the probe further comprises a pushing portion for pushing the capsule endoscope,
The propulsion endoscope, characterized in that driven by the control of the controller.
The method of claim 1,
The endoscope further includes a display for outputting image information acquired by the capsule endoscope outside the human body,
And the display is connected to the controller or to a receiving device capable of receiving image information from the capsule endoscope.
A photographing unit which acquires image information inside the human body;
A signal transmitter for transmitting the image information; And
It includes a magnetic switch for controlling the photographing speed of the photographing unit,
The magnetic switch is opened and closed according to a control signal transmitted from the outside,
The capturing endoscope, characterized in that the photographing unit changes the photographing speed in accordance with the opening and closing of the magnetic switch.
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the signal transmitter includes an external electrode configured to transmit a signal.
The external electrode is a capsule endoscope, characterized in that for transmitting the image information through a wire connected to the outside of the human body.
The method of claim 8, further comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of the capsule endoscope,
The control unit is a capsule endoscope, characterized in that for controlling the operation of the capsule endoscope when the external control signal is stopped.
Inserting the capsule endoscope connected to the probe into the human body;
Capturing the inside of the human body by the capsule endoscope;
Separating the capsule endoscope from the probe; And
And capturing an image of the inside of the human body by the capsule endoscope separated from the probe.
The capturing endoscope to take an image of the inside of the human body and the capsule endoscope separated from the probe to take an image of the inside of the human body,
And controlling the image capturing speed of the capsule endoscope in accordance with a control signal through the probe.

Images