Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
  • A61B1/041—Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
  • A61B1/00011—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission
  • A61B1/00016—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission using wireless means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
  • A61B1/00025—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by power management
  • A61B1/00036—Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/07—Endoradiosondes
  • A61B5/073—Intestinal transmitters

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a capsule medical device, and more particularly to a capsule medical device that is arranged inside a subject and acquires information inside the subject.
• Endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field and the like.
• endoscopes in the medical field are mainly used for applications such as in vivo observation.
• the subject is placed in the body cavity by swallowing, and an image of the subject is captured while moving in the body cavity in accordance with the peristaltic motion.
• a capsule endoscope that can transmit an image of the subject as an imaging signal to the outside has been proposed.
• Japanese National Patent Publication No. 2003-526268 discloses a configuration of a device incorporating a switch capable of turning on / off the power of each part of the device by a magnetic field supplied from the outside of the device.
• the device disclosed in Japan Special Table 2003-526268 is stored in a package having a magnet! /, And is in a state (when not in use)! /, As described above.
• the switch is turned off and the switch described above is turned on only when it is taken out of the package having the magnet (in use), it has a configuration!
• the device disclosed in Japanese National Table 2003-526268 has the above-described switch that can turn on / off each part of the device by a magnetic field supplied from the outside of the device. When it gets bigger, it has problems!
• the capsule endoscope has a function of capturing an image of a subject while moving in a body cavity in accordance with a peristaltic motion, and transmitting the captured image of the subject as an imaging signal to the outside.
• a configuration capable of suppressing the power consumption of the capsule endoscope when not in use is also required.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and can be reduced in size.
• the aim is to provide a capsule medical device that can reduce power consumption during use.
• a capsule medical device is disposed inside a subject, and is disposed on the surface of the capsule medical device in contrast to a capsule medical device that acquires information inside the subject.
• the plurality of communication electrodes capable of communicating to output the information acquired by the capsule medical device to the outside of the subject, and the plurality of communication electrodes based on the state between the plurality of communication electrodes.
• a determination unit that determines whether or not the communication electrode is in a state in which the communication can be performed, and the communication may be performed at the plurality of communication electrodes based on a determination result of the determination unit.
• a control unit that stops at least a part of operations of the units included in the force-push-type medical device in a state where it is impossible.
• the determination unit is configured to determine whether the plurality of communication electrodes are in an open state based on a state between the plurality of communication electrodes.
• the determination unit determines whether the plurality of communication electrodes are open or not based on a difference in impedance or voltage value between the plurality of communication electrodes. It is characterized in that a force that is in an open state is determined.
• the capsule medical device according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the capsule medical device is stored with the plurality of communication electrodes open.
• the capsule medical device according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the capsule medical device is stored with the plurality of communication electrodes open.
• the capsule medical device further includes an illumination unit that illuminates a subject existing inside the subject, and an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit. And when the controller is in a state where the communication cannot be performed with the plurality of communication electrodes based on the determination result of the determination unit, the capsule unit Among the units included in the medical device, at least the operations of the illumination unit and the imaging unit are stopped.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main part of a subject information acquisition system in which the capsule medical device of the present embodiment is used.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the capsule medical device in FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the drive circuit of FIG.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the determination circuit in FIG.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state where the capsule medical device of FIG. 1 is not used.
• FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 relate to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of a subject information acquisition system in which the capsule medical device according to the present embodiment is used.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the capsule medical device of FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the drive circuit of FIG.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the determination circuit of FIG.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the capsule medical device of FIG. 1 when not in use.
• a subject information acquisition system 101 is placed in a body cavity by swallowing the subject 1 and captures an image of a subject existing in the body cavity. 2 and a communication device 3 disposed on the outer surface of the subject 1 and capable of communicating with the capsule medical device 2, and processing based on a signal received by the communication device 3, and the like.
• the main part is composed of a terminal device 4 that displays an image of a subject, and a portable storage medium 5 that can input / output and record data stored in the communication device 3 and the terminal device 4. Yes.
• the capsule medical device 2 is composed of, for example, an LED or the like, and a light emitting element 21 that emits illumination light for illuminating a subject in the subject, and driving of the light emitting element 21
• An image sensor that includes a light emitting element driving circuit 22 that controls the state and a CCD (charge coupled device), for example, and that captures an image of a subject illuminated by the light emitting element 21 and outputs the image of the subject as an imaging signal 23, an image sensor driving circuit 24 that controls the driving state of the image sensor 23, an image signal processing circuit 25 that performs signal processing on the image signal output from the image sensor 23, and an image signal processing circuit 25.
• CCD charge coupled device
• a modulation circuit 26 that modulates an image signal subjected to signal processing, and communication electrodes 27a and 27b arranged on the surface of the casing 2A of the capsule medical device 2 are provided.
• the illumination unit in the present embodiment is configured to include the light emitting element 21 and the light emitting element driving circuit 22.
• the imaging unit in the present embodiment is configured to include the imaging element 23 and the imaging element driving circuit 24.
• the drive circuit 28 that drives the communication electrodes 27a and 27b based on the imaging signal output from the modulation circuit 26, and the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are open (high impedance).
• a determination circuit 29 that determines whether the force is in a state or a non-open state (low impedance or short circuit), the battery 30, and each part of the capsule medical device 2 based on the electric power stored in the battery 30
• the housing 2A of the capsule medical device 2 is made of, for example, a resin that is harmless to a living body and is an insulating material that does not conduct electricity from the outside.
• the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are made of, for example, SUS316L or gold, which is a conductive material that has corrosion resistance to digestive fluid and the like and is harmless to the living body. Further, when the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are driven by the drive circuit 28, a current flows from one electrode having a high voltage value to the other electrode having a low voltage value through the surface of the subject 1. Thus, an electrical signal corresponding to the imaging signal output from the imaging element 23 can be output to the communication device 3 disposed on the external surface of the subject 1.
• the drive circuit 28 generates and outputs an electrode drive signal for driving the communication electrodes 27a and 27b based on the imaging signal modulated by the modulation circuit 26. It has notches 40a and 40b and protection circuits 41a and 41b for protecting the buffers 40a and 40b.
• the electrode drive signal generated based on the imaging signal input to the buffer 40a is output to the protection circuit 41a without changing the phase with respect to the imaging signal.
• the electrode drive signal generated based on the imaging signal input to the buffer 40b is output to the protection circuit 41b in a state where the phase is shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the imaging signal. Is done.
• the protection circuits 41a and 41b have, for example, a resistance value of about several hundred ⁇ so that the buffers 40a and 40b can be protected even when the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are short-circuited. Resistors, and potatoes) are configured with capacitors!
• the determination circuit 29 as a determination unit detects a difference in voltage value of each of the electrode drive signals output from the drive circuit 28, and each of the resistors Rl, R2, R3, and R4
• a differential amplifier 44 that outputs a voltage difference signal corresponding to the resistance value, a voltage value of the voltage difference signal output from the differential amplifier 44, and a comparison voltage Vref determined according to the resistance values of resistors R6 and R7
• the comparator 45 outputs a comparison result signal having a voltage value corresponding to the comparison result and the resistance values of the resistors R5 and R8.
• a buffer 46 for converting the output of the comparison result signal output to a logic value (a value of “0” or “1”) that can be received by the control circuit 32 and outputting the logic value. .
• the determination circuit 29 generates and outputs a voltage difference signal corresponding to the difference between the voltage values of the electrode drive signals output from the drive circuit 28 in the differential amplifier 44.
• the comparator 45 By detecting whether or not the voltage value of the voltage difference signal is larger than the value of the comparison voltage Vref, it is determined whether or not the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are open.
• the determination circuit 29 opens the communication electrodes 27a and 27b. Therefore, it is determined that the communication electrodes 27a and 27b cannot communicate.
• the determination circuit 29 is in a non-open state between the communication electrodes 27a and 27b.
• the communication electrodes 27a and 27b can communicate with each other. It is determined that it can be
• differential amplifier 44 and the comparator 45 are not limited to analog elements, and may be configured using digital elements as long as they have similar functions.
• the capsule-type medical device 2 when not in use is stored in a storage recess 52 inside the package 51 with the lid 53 closed as shown in FIG. 5, for example.
• the package 51 is formed of, for example, a waterproof or water-repellent insulating material, and is configured to be watertight when the lid 53 is closed. Since the package 51 has the above-described configuration, the capsule-type medical device 2 when not in use is stored in an insulated state and in a state where no liquid directly contacts it. In order to prevent the capsule medical device 2 from moving in the package 51, or to prevent the capsule medical device 2 from being directly subjected to external pressure, for example, a capsule medical device or a holding material is used. The device 2 may be stored in a held state. In that case, the buffer material or the holding material may be formed of an insulating material.
• the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are in an open state when the capsule medical device 2 is stored in the package 51.
• the control circuit 32 determines that the determination result is Accordingly, control is performed to stop the operation of each part of the light emitting element driving circuit 22, the imaging element driving circuit 24, the imaging signal processing circuit 25, and the modulation circuit 26.
• the light emitting element 21 and the image pickup element 23 also stop operating.
• the modulation circuit 26 continues to output a GND level signal during the operation stop period.
• the drive circuit 28 When the operation of the modulation circuit 26 is stopped, the drive circuit 28 outputs a signal having a voltage value of GND level as an electrode drive signal via the buffer 40a and the protection circuit 41a. In addition, the drive circuit 28 has a notifier 40 when the operation of the modulation circuit 26 is stopped. A signal having the voltage value of the power supply voltage Vcc is output as an electrode drive signal via b and the protection circuit 41b.
• the determination circuit 29 detects that the difference between the voltage values of the electrode drive signals is larger than the value of the comparison voltage Vref by the differential amplifier 44 and the comparator 45, the communication electrodes 27a and 27b The determination result that the state is the open state is output to the control circuit 32 via the buffer 46.
• the control circuit 32 as a control unit is configured to output the light emitting element drive circuit 22, the image sensor drive circuit 24, and the image signal processing while the determination result that the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are in the open state is output from the determination circuit 29. The control for stopping the operation of each part of the circuit 25 and the modulation circuit 26 is continued.
• the operation of the light emitting element 21 constituting the illumination unit of the present embodiment and the image sensor 23 constituting the imaging unit of the present embodiment also stop. Then, by performing the control as described above in the control circuit 32, the power consumption of the capsule medical device 2 when not in use is suppressed.
• the capsule medical device 2 is placed in the body cavity when the subject 1 is swallowed after being taken out from the cage / cage 51.
• the communication electrodes 27a and 27b shift from the open state to the non-open state, so that the voltage value at the GND level is changed. fluctuate. As a result, the voltage value difference between the electrode drive signals output from the drive circuit 28 is reduced.
• the determination circuit 29 detects that the difference between the voltage values of the electrode drive signals is equal to or less than the value of the comparison voltage Vref by the differential amplifier 44 and the comparator 45, the communication electrodes 27a and 27b are turned off. If it is in the open state, the determination result is output to the control circuit 32 via the buffer 46.
• the control circuit 32 In response to this, control for operating each part of the light emitting element driving circuit 22, the imaging element driving circuit 24, the imaging signal processing circuit 25, and the modulation circuit 26 is performed. Thereby, in addition to the above-described parts, the light emitting element 21 and the image pickup element 23 also start operation.
• the capsule medical device 2 of the present embodiment has a configuration that does not include a dedicated switch or the like for causing the device to transition to an operating state.
• the capsule-type medical device 2 according to the embodiment has a configuration that can be reduced in size compared to the conventional one.
• the power consumption when not in use can be suppressed.
• the capsule medical device 2 of the present embodiment is not limited to a device that communicates with the communication device 3 disposed on the external surface of the subject 1 by passing a current through the surface of the subject 1.
• the communication with the communication device 3 may be performed by generating an electric field or a magnetic field in the surface direction of the subject 1.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Endoscopes (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=39331153

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2006
  • 2006-11-01 JP JP2006298092A patent/JP5074006B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-09-04 KR KR1020097007915A patent/KR101003631B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-09-04 EP EP07806663A patent/EP2087831B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2007-09-04 WO PCT/JP2007/067208 patent/WO2008053634A1/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2007-10-25 US US11/977,680 patent/US8430818B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events