JP2001046358A - Radio capsule receiving system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with correction) [PROBLEMS] A radio capsule receiving system capable of safely detecting the position of a radio capsule in a living body and collecting biological information. SOLUTION: In a receiving system including an illuminating means, a sensor for detecting biological information, and a transmitter, and a radio capsule to be placed in a living body; and an extracorporeal unit having a receiving antenna 29, the extracorporeal unit includes: , Light receiving element array 12; memory 14; receiving module 13
A power supply 15; and a capsule position specifying means for specifying a position where the illumination light is emitted;
Signal demodulating means for demodulating a signal into biological information; information adding means for adding specified position information and reception time to the biological information; dynamic biological information signal including the biological information, position information and time information Is stored in the memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio capsule receiving system having a radio capsule placed in a living body and an extracorporeal unit for receiving biological information transmitted from the radio capsule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sensor and a small transmitter are provided for measuring and observing a physical quantity such as a temperature and a pH value in a body cavity for a long period of time. There is known a radio capsule for transmitting the radio wave to the outside of the body by radio. To detect the position of this radio capsule,
There is a thing by X-ray fluoroscopy, but the human body of the subject and the operator
It is necessary to take measures that will not be harmed by the lines.
Alternatively, a detection device that does not harm the human body, such as capsule position detection using a magnetic field, has been proposed, but the subject must be restrained during measurement.

[0003]

An object of the present invention is to provide a radio capsule receiving system capable of safely detecting the position of a radio capsule in a living body and collecting biological information without restraining a subject and without causing any danger to the human body.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an illumination means for emitting illumination light in a living body, a sensor for detecting biological information, and a transmitter for transmitting biological information modulated after being detected by the sensor. A radio capsule to be placed in the body;
And an extracorporeal unit having a receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the radiocapsule. In the radiocapsule receiving system, the extracorporeal unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements configured to receive illumination light emitted from the radio capsule. A receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the radio capsule; a memory; a receiving module; and a power supply for supplying power to the receiving module. Capsule position specifying means for specifying the position of emission; signal demodulating means for demodulating a signal received from the radio capsule into biological information; specifying the biological information demodulated by the signal demodulating means by the capsule position specifying means Information adding means for adding the position information, including the biological information and the position information It is characterized in that a; the Biomedical signal and means for storing in the memory.

[0005] In this radio capsule receiving system, it is preferable to have display means for displaying biological information and position information of the dynamic biological information signal stored in the memory. It is more preferable to include recording means for recording the biological information and the position information. Further, it is practical to provide a filing system that makes available the biological information and the position information recorded in the recording means.

[0006] In this radio capsule receiving system, it is desirable that the information adding means of the receiving module further adds the time when the signal from the radio capsule is received, and the dynamic biometric information includes this time information. The biological signal and the position information of the dynamic biological information signal stored in the memory may be displayed on the display unit based on the time information. Further, it is preferable that a storage unit for storing such information is provided, and it is more practical to provide a filing system that can use each information recorded in this recording unit.

[0007] The power source provided in the extracorporeal unit is preferably a rechargeable battery. It is practical that the memory is detachable from the extracorporeal unit.

If the sensor is an image sensor, this radio capsule receiving system can be used as a receiving system of a capsule endoscope for capturing a living body image and transmitting it outside the body.

If a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged along the organ position of the subject, the capsule position can be detected more easily. In particular, a plurality of light receiving elements may be arranged in such a manner that the position of the radio capsule in the small intestine of the subject can be detected. Specifically, it is preferable to arrange the external unit in such a manner that the unit reciprocates left and right and repeats up and down. Further, it is practical if the positions of the plurality of light receiving elements can be adjusted with respect to the extracorporeal unit.

Although the form of the extracorporeal unit does not matter, for example, if the extracorporeal unit is formed as a vest type that can be worn by a subject, a plurality of light receiving elements constituting a light receiving element array are provided in such a manner that the inside position of the radio capsule can be detected. It is easy.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A radio capsule receiving system according to the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG.
A radio capsule (capsule endoscope) 28 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image sensor 28a that captures an in-vivo image, a transmitter 28b that transmits an image signal from the image sensor 28a, a lighting unit 28c, a battery 28d that supplies power to these,
A transmission antenna 28e. The image sensor 28a is used for photographing in a body cavity, and the transmitter 2
8b can transmit this photographed image. FIG.
Shows the extracorporeal unit 10. The extracorporeal unit 10 is of a vest type worn by a subject, and includes a light receiving element array 12 in which a plurality of light receiving elements 11 are arranged, and a receiving antenna 2.
9, a receiving module 13, a memory 14 detachable from the extracorporeal unit 10, and a power supply 15 are provided. FIG.
Shows an outline of the flow of the received signal. Receiving antenna 2
The signal received at 9 is processed by the receiving module 13,
Stored in the memory 14. Power supply 15 is extracorporeal unit 10
A rechargeable battery that can be removed from the battery and charged, connected to the receiving module 13 to supply power thereto. FIG. 3 shows a filing system 22 including a display unit (monitor) 25 and a recording device 26. The filing system 22 includes a memory reading device 23, a personal computer 24, and a keyboard (input device) 27.
Can be read by inserting the memory 14 removed from the extracorporeal unit 10 into the memory slot 23a.

At the time of measurement observation with the capsule endoscope 28, the subject swallows the capsule endoscope 28 in advance, introduces it into the body cavity, and wears the extracorporeal unit 10. The swallowed capsule endoscope 28 transmits an image signal captured in the body cavity, and receives the transmitted signal with a receiving antenna 29 provided on the extracorporeal unit 10. Since all the received image signals are stored in the memory 14, when the measurement observation is completed, the memory 14 is removed from the extracorporeal module 10, read by the memory reading device 23, displayed on the monitor 25, or recorded on the recording device 26 for filing. Used by the system 22.

The signal processing at the time of measurement observation will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope 28 in the body is received by the receiving antenna 29 provided in the extracorporeal unit 10 worn by the subject, and is input to the receiver 16 provided in the receiving module 13. The signal input to the demodulation circuit 17 via the receiver 16 is demodulated into image information, and this image information is sent to the information compression circuit 18 in the receiving module 13.
At the same time, the illumination light emitted from the capsule endoscope 28 is received (scanned) by the light receiving element array 12, and this information is sent to the amplifier 30 in the receiving module 13. The position specifying means 19 via the amplifier 30 determines the intensity of the received illumination light, the position of the light receiving element 11 that has received the strong light, the light receiving state of the light receiving element 11 located in the vicinity thereof, the light receiving position thereof, and the like. (Endoscope position) and output position information. This position information is sent to the microcomputer 20 in the receiving module 13, and the RTC (Real Time Cl
ock) 21 to the information compression circuit 18 together with the time information. The dynamic image information signal including the image information, the position information, and the time information sent to the information compression circuit 18 is compressed and stored in the memory 14. Since all the measured and observed dynamic biological information signals are stored in the memory 14, the subject can act without inconvenience such as being fixed to the bed or being unable to leave the vicinity of the measuring device.

After the measurement observation, data processing is performed according to the block diagram shown in FIG. The memory 14 storing the compressed dynamic biological information signal is removed from the extracorporeal unit 10, and the information signal is read by the memory reader 23. The read information signal is decompressed by the personal computer 24, displayed on the monitor 25, and recorded on the recording device 26. At this time, further information can be added or the information can be processed and recorded or displayed using the keyboard 27 connected to the personal computer 24. Also, the personal computer 24 can extract necessary information from the recorded information and use it. FIG. 5 shows a certain dynamic biological information displayed on the monitor 25. The left side shows image information taken by the capsule endoscope 28 (in this example, an image of a lumen where a polyp occurs), and the right side schematically shows the position where the capsule endoscope 28 has detected this information. And
The detected time can be checked at the same time.

In this embodiment, if the position of the light receiving element 11 with respect to the extracorporeal unit 10 can be adjusted according to the physique of the subject and the position of the target organ, the signal can be received more reliably and the transmission position of the signal can be specified. Is also easy (FIG. 6). Further, in this embodiment, the memory 14 and the power supply 15 are all provided on the vest type extracorporeal unit 10, but only the light receiving element array 12 is provided on the vest, and other components are connected to the light receiving element array 12 by wire. If the subject is carried as another portable unit, for example, a belt pouch type or a shoulder bag type, the weight of the vest is reduced, and the behavior of the subject can be further facilitated.

In the above embodiment, the radio capsule is a capsule endoscope having an image sensor (imaging system). However, the radio capsule is not provided with an imaging system, but is provided with a sensor for measuring a ph value and a temperature in a body cavity. Of course, a radio capsule receiving system may be used. In this case, since it is unnecessary to illuminate the inside of the body cavity, the illuminating means of the radio capsule is used only for detecting the position in the body.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, the position where the signal is transmitted by the capsule endoscope can be specified, and the biological information, the position information and the time information are all stored in the memory provided in the extracorporeal unit worn by the subject. Since the subject can be memorized, the subject can freely work without being fixed to the bed or the like even during the measurement observation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view of a vest type extracorporeal unit to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. (B) It is a rear view of the vest type extracorporeal unit to which the example of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a signal flow on the extracorporeal unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a radio capsule receiving system according to the present invention;
It is a block diagram of a filing system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a radio capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a monitor displaying image information, position information, and time information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an extracorporeal unit in which a light receiving element array is arranged according to the shape of the small intestine of the subject.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 extracorporeal unit 11 light receiving element 12 light receiving element array 13 receiving module 14 memory 15 power supply 16 receiver 17 demodulation circuit 18 information compression circuit 19 position specifying means 20 microcomputer 21 RTC (Real Time Clock) 22 filing system 23 memory reading device 23a memory insertion Mouth 24 personal computer 25 monitor 26 recording device 27 keyboard (input device) 28 radio capsule (capsule endoscope) 28a image sensor 28b transmitter 28c lighting means 28d battery 28e transmitting antenna 29 receiving antenna 30 amplifier

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Nakamura 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Asahitsu Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaru Eguchi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Manabu Asahi Inside Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Fushimi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Taichi Nakanishi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Manabu Asahi Within Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Ohara 2-36-9 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo F-term within Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. 2F065 AA01 CC16 FF01 FF04 HH14 JJ03 JJ19 JJ26 MM22 PP21 QQ23 QQ31 SS02 SS03 SS13 4C027 AA00 BB03 CC04 EE01 FF11 GG05 HH11 JJ00 JJ03 KK01 KK03 KK05 4C038 CC03 CC05 CC06 CC08 CC09

Claims (16)

[Claims] An illumination means for emitting illumination light in a living body,
A sensor for detecting biological information, and a transmitter for transmitting modulated biological information after being detected by the sensor,
A radio capsule receiving system comprising: a radio capsule placed in a living body; and an extracorporeal unit having a receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the radio capsule, wherein the extracorporeal unit includes illumination light emitted by the radio capsule. A light receiving element array comprising a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light; a receiving antenna for receiving a signal transmitted from the radio capsule; a memory; a receiving module; and a power supply for supplying power to the receiving module; A receiving module comprising: a capsule position specifying means for specifying a position at which the radio capsule emits illumination light; a signal demodulating means for demodulating a signal received from the radio capsule into biological information; Information adding means for adding the position information specified by the capsule position specifying means to the information And a means for storing a dynamic biological information signal including the biological information and the position information in the memory. 2. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying biological information and position information of a dynamic biological information signal stored in said memory. 3. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit for recording biological information and position information. 4. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 3, further comprising a filing system for making use of biological information and position information recorded in said recording means. 5. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the information adding means of the receiving module further adds a time at which a signal from the radio capsule is received, and the time information is added to the dynamic biological information. Radio capsule receiving system including. 6. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 5, further comprising display means for displaying biological information and position information of a dynamic biological information signal stored in said memory based on time information. Capsule receiving system. 7. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 5, further comprising recording means for recording biological information, position information and time information. 8. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 7, further comprising a filing system for making use of biological information, position information, and time information recorded in said recording means. 9. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeable rechargeable battery. 10. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein said memory is detachable from an extracorporeal unit. 11. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is an image sensor. 12. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receiving elements are arranged along a position of an organ of a subject. 13. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in such a manner that the position of the radio capsule in the small intestine of the subject can be detected. Receiving system. 14. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a manner to vertically connect to the extracorporeal unit while repeating reciprocating left and right. Capsule receiving system. 15. The radio capsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of light receiving elements can be adjusted in position relative to an extracorporeal unit. 16. The radiocapsule receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the extracorporeal unit is formed as a vest type that can be worn by a subject, and the plurality of light receiving elements constituting the light receiving element array are: A radio capsule receiving system provided in the vest type extracorporeal unit in such a manner that the position of the radio capsule in the body can be detected.