JP2003325440A - Capsule medical treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capsule medical treatment device equipped with an extracorporeal unit which can continue examination or the like without any discontinuation of the examination even in the exchange of batteries. <P>SOLUTION: In the extracorporeal unit 3 provided with a wireless circuit 14 which receives by radio the image signals of photographs taken by an intracorporeal capsule 2, batteries 22a and 22b are freely detachably mounted in the socket 21, and an electric power monitoring circuit 26 detects the voltages of the two batteries 22a, 22b to monitor their residual powers, and if the one battery (e.g. 22a) is lowered in residual power, the monitoring circuit blinks the LED28a to warn for exchange of batteries and turns the relay 24b ON, and then turns the relay 24a OFF to exchange the battery 22a to the other battery 22b, so that the 22a having a lowered residual power is made possible to be exchanged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capsule medical device equipped with an extracorporeal unit which is inserted into a living body and used together with a capsule for obtaining biological information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various capsule medical devices have been proposed in the form of capsules for obtaining biological information in a body cavity. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-46357 discloses a capsule receiving system including a radio capsule that is placed inside a living body and an extracorporeal unit that includes a receiving antenna.

In this system, the extracorporeal unit operates on a power source, but it is necessary to keep the power source capable of receiving data by the radio capsule. The extracorporeal unit will be battery powered as a source of electricity to avoid interfering with the patient's operation.

[0004]

However, in order to continuously operate for a long time, a battery having a large capacity must be mounted, which causes a problem that it becomes heavy. When the battery runs out, the battery cannot be replaced without turning off the power supply, and the operation is interrupted. There is a problem that the state of wireless communication is initialized and it takes time to restart communication.

In addition, PCT application WO 01/6599
No. 5 discloses a capsule provided with an optical system, but there was the same problem as the above-mentioned conventional example with respect to the extracorporeal unit.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and a capsule having an extracorporeal unit that can continue inspections without interruption even when a power source such as a battery is replaced. The purpose is to provide a medical device.

[0007]

In a capsule medical device which is inserted into a living body and comprises a capsule having a biological information detecting means for obtaining biological information, and an extracorporeal unit arranged outside the living body, the extracorporeal unit is operated. At least 2
By providing two power sources and power source selecting means for selecting the power source, even if the power source is replaced by a battery or the like, the operation such as inspection can be continued without interruption. I have to.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a capsule medical device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a power supply unit. The operation | movement explanatory drawing of is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule medical device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a capsule endoscope (capsule endoscope or capsule that is inserted into a body cavity by being swallowed from the mouth of a patient. 2) and an extracorporeal unit 3 installed outside the body, for example, near the body surface of the patient by a belt or the like, and accumulating biometric information obtained by the capsule endoscope 2.

The capsule endoscope 2 includes an illuminating element 5 for illuminating the inside of the capsule-like container 4, an image pickup element 6 for picking up an image of a body cavity illuminated by the illuminating element 5, and driving of the illuminating element 5 and the image pickup element 6. And a control circuit 7 for performing signal processing on the imaged signal, a wireless circuit 8 for wirelessly transmitting the image signal generated by the control circuit 7, and the illumination element 5, the imaging element 6, the control circuit 7, and the wireless circuit. A battery 9 for supplying operating power is built in the circuit 8.

On the other hand, the extracorporeal unit 3 includes a control unit 11 for performing processing for accumulating image signals wirelessly transmitted from the capsule endoscope 2, and a power supply unit 12 for supplying operating power to the control unit 11. Consists of.

The control unit 11 includes a wireless circuit 14 for receiving an image signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless circuit 8 of the capsule endoscope 2 and a memory for storing data such as the image signal received by the wireless circuit 14. 15, a control circuit 16 for controlling each circuit in the control unit 11 including the wireless circuit 14 and the like,
Display device 17 for displaying information on the state of the extracorporeal unit 3
And an external interface 18 including a USB connector or the like for transferring the data accumulated in the memory 15 by connecting to an external personal computer or the like (not shown), and an operation in which an operator or the like performs an instruction operation or the like by being connected to the control circuit 16. Part 19
Have and.

A power supply unit 12 for supplying operating power to the control unit 11 is provided with a socket 21, and a plurality of power supply sources, for example, two batteries 22a and 22b are detachably attached to the socket 21. I am able to do so. As the batteries 22a and 22b, for example, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can be adopted.

The power of the batteries 22a and 22b is composed of two systems, that is, the main switch 23 and the respective switches 23a and 2b.
3b is supplied to (switches of) the relays 24a, 24b, and a voltage detection circuit 25a for performing voltage detection,
25b is input. The switches 23a and 23b constituting the main switch 23 are interlocking switches, and can be turned on / off in conjunction with user operation.

The voltage detection circuits 25a and 25b transmit the detected voltage value to the power supply monitoring circuit 26. Power supply monitoring circuit 26
Is based on the values detected by the voltage detection circuits 25a and 25b, and determines whether the remaining state of the two batteries 22a and 22b is sufficient or the state in which the two batteries 22a and 22b are low and battery switching is to be performed (battery switching threshold, etc.), LE for announcing the judgment result
D27a, 28a, 27b, and 28b are displayed separately.

The LEDs 27a and 28a are, for example, the battery 2
It displays the remaining amount state of 2a. When the remaining amount is sufficient, the LED 27a that emits green light is turned on, and when the remaining amount is small, the LED 28a that emits yellow light is turned on. Further, when the remaining amount becomes small and becomes equal to or less than the switching threshold, the LED 28a that emits yellow light is blinked to notify the replacement.

Similarly, the LEDs 27b and 28b display, for example, the remaining amount of the battery 22b. When the remaining amount is sufficient, the LED 27b that emits green light is turned on, and when the remaining amount is small, the LED 28b emits yellow light. Light up. LED that emits yellow light when the remaining amount becomes low
Notify to flash 28b to prompt replacement.

Further, the power supply monitoring circuit 26 includes a battery 22.
Information of the remaining amount states of a and 22b is sent to the control circuit 16 so that the control circuit 16 can display the remaining amount state on the display device 17.

Further, the power supply monitoring circuit 26 is responsive to the detection outputs of the voltage detection circuits 25a and 25b to relay 24.
Relay control output 2 to control ON / OFF of a and 24b
6a and 26b are output to the relays 24a and 24b via the AND circuits 29a and 29b, and the relays 24a and 24b are turned off.
Control N / OFF.

Specifically, as will be described later, for example, when one battery 22a is being used and the value of the detected voltage reaches a switching threshold value or less, the other battery 2a is used.
ON / OFF control for turning off the relay 24a connected to the battery 22a is performed immediately after the relay 24b is turned on so as to select 2b and the power is supplied from the other battery 22b.

The relays 24a and 24b are relays that are closed (ON) when power is not supplied (for example, ON when the main switch 23 is OFF), and output signals of the AND circuits 29a and 29b. ON / OFF is controlled by. In addition, the relays 24a, 24
For example, b is turned on at "L" and turned off at "H".

Further, in the present embodiment, the timer circuit 31 is provided so as to maintain a predetermined control operation state in the initial state where the main switch 23 is turned on,
The timer circuit 31 is connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 26 via the AND circuits 29a and 29b and relay switches 24a and 24a.
Control ON / OFF of b.

Specifically, the timer circuit 31 holds the two relays 24a and 24b in the ON state regardless of the state of the power supply monitoring circuit 26 when the main switch 23 is turned ON. In other words, in this case, the output of the timer circuit 31 to the AND circuits 29a and 29b holds "L", and after that, the voltage detection circuits 25a and 25b, the power supply monitoring circuit 26, and the like reach a stable operation state. , "H" and holds the relay control outputs 26a, 26 of the power supply monitoring circuit 26.
The state in which the ON / OFF control of the relays 24a and 24b is possible is held by b.

The timer circuit 31 includes a relay 24
Power required for operation is supplied from the batteries 22a and 22b through the resistor R from the power supply terminal connected to the control unit 11 through a and 24b. The resistance value of the resistor R is the battery 22a, 22b by the voltage detection circuits 25a, 25b.
It is a large value that does not affect the voltage detection of. Although not shown, the power supply start circuit 26 and AND circuits 29a and 29b
Etc., the power necessary for the operation is supplied by the same method as the power supply to the timer circuit 31.

In this way, in the initial state when the main switch 23 is turned on, even if either the battery 22a or the battery 22b is consumed or the socket 21 is not attached, the control unit 11 and Electric power is supplied to the power supply unit 12. Then, after the time interval in which the operation of the power supply monitoring circuit 26 or the like becomes stable, the timer circuit 31 causes the relay 24a,
The state of the control signal of 24b is changed. Specifically, the output of the timer circuit 31 becomes "H".

Therefore, thereafter, the connection of the batteries 22a and 22b is controlled under the control of the power supply monitoring circuit 26. The power supply monitoring circuit 26 turns on the connection of one battery (for example, the battery 22a) and turns off the other connection.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of electric power sources are detachably (replaceable) provided in the electric power supply unit 12 which supplies electric power for operation to the control unit 11 in the extracorporeal unit 3, and the electric energy of each electric power source is supplied. The remaining amount is monitored, and when the remaining amount of electric energy of the power source that is actually being used is low, a power source selecting unit that switches to the other power source with a sufficient remaining amount of electric energy is formed. This configuration is characterized in that even during operation, it is possible to replace a power source with a low remaining electric energy without interrupting the operation.

The operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the OFF state before the main switch 23 is turned on (ON), the relays 24a and 24b are kept ON, and when the main switch 23 is turned ON, the power supply unit 12 such as the power supply monitoring circuit 26 and the timer circuit 31. At the same time, electric power is supplied to the control unit 11.

When power is supplied, the timer circuit 31 rises to the operating state in a shorter time than the power supply monitoring circuit 26, holds the output of the timer circuit 31 at "L", while the power supply monitoring circuit 26 and the voltage are maintained. Detection circuits 25a and 25b
And so on.

Then, the voltage detection circuits 25a and 25b detect the voltages of the batteries 22a and 22b, and the detection output is input to the power supply monitoring circuit 26. The power supply monitoring circuit 26 detects the input voltage detection value as a switching threshold value. It is determined whether or not the following. When both the voltage detection values of the batteries 22a and 22b exceed the switching threshold as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the relay control output 26a is set to "L" and the other relay control output 26b is set to "H".

Thereafter, the output of the timer circuit 31 is switched to "L", and the relay control outputs 26a and 26b by the power supply monitoring circuit 26 and the like cause the relays 24a and 24b to be turned ON / OF.
F is in a controlled state. In this case, the relay 24
a is turned on and relay 24b is turned off.

That is, the controller 1 is powered by the battery 22a.
1 and the power supply unit 12 are in the operating state. And
When the voltage of the battery 22a decreases with the passage of time and the value becomes equal to or lower than the switching threshold value, the relay control output 2
6b is switched to "L", the relay 24b is switched to ON, and immediately thereafter, the relay control output 26a is switched to "H", and the relay 24a is switched to OFF.

In this case, although not shown in FIG.
28a blinks to prompt replacement of the battery 22a. Then, this time, the control unit 11 and the power supply unit 12 are continuously maintained in the operating state by the battery 22b.

When the battery 22a is replaced during that time, the power supply monitoring circuit 26 detects that the voltage is equal to or higher than the switching threshold value through the detection of the voltage detection circuit 25a. Then, as time passes, the battery 22
When the voltage of b becomes below the switching threshold value, the relay control output 26
a is switched to "L", the relay 24a is switched to ON, and immediately thereafter, the relay control output 26b is switched to "H", and the relay 24b is switched to OFF.

In this case, the LED 28b is turned on to prompt replacement of the battery 22b. In this way, in the present embodiment, continuous operation for a long time becomes possible.

The present embodiment has the following effects. In this embodiment, a plurality of batteries 22a and 22b are used,
When the remaining battery level of one battery becomes low, it is automatically switched to the other battery that has a sufficient remaining battery level. It is possible to continuously operate for a long time without interrupting the operation of the unit 3.

Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the limit of the driving time due to the capacity of the battery. Further, since such a configuration and operation are possible, the weight and size of the extracorporeal unit 3 attached to the body can be suppressed. Further, the extracorporeal unit 3 can be configured to be lightweight.

In the description of the configuration and operation with reference to FIG. 1, for example, the LED 28a has been described as being lit in the remaining amount state before reaching the switching threshold value, but in the remaining amount state which becomes the switching threshold value in the timing chart of FIG. You may make it light. In addition, the LED 27 indicates the remaining amount of the battery 22a or the like.
In addition to the visual notification using a, 28a, etc., an acoustic notification may be given using a buzzer or the like.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the capsule medical device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows an operation explanatory diagram of the power supply unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule medical device 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention is
In the capsule medical device 1 of FIG. 1, the power supply unit 12 is further provided with an external input terminal 31 to which electric power from the external power source is supplied so that the external power source can be detachably connected. The power supply voltage is detected by the voltage detection circuit 25c and input to the power supply monitoring circuit 26.

The external input terminal 31 is supplied with operating power to the control unit 11 via the DC-DC converter 32, and the output terminal of the DC-DC converter 32 is connected to the capacitor 33 as a storage means. And store electricity.

An LED 27c for notifying the voltage state (remaining amount) of the external power supply is connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 26, and if the voltage of the external power supply is above a usable predetermined level, it is LE.
LED27 lights up when D27c lights up and drops below a predetermined level.
c flashes. It should be noted that, like the LEDs 27a and 28a,
One LED may be provided and the same control as the LEDs 27a and 28a may be performed.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. As an example of use in this case, an operation in which the operation is first performed as in the first embodiment and an external power supply is connected in the middle will be described. Note that FIG.
The voltage at the output end of the capacitor 33 at is described as the P point voltage.

Before the main switch 23 is turned on, it is assumed that the external power supply is not connected. In this case, the main switch 23 is turned on, and the power supply monitoring circuit 26
The battery 22a is selected by and the battery 22a operates at that voltage, as in the first embodiment.

When this battery 22a is selected and an external power source is connected while operating at that voltage, the voltage is detected and the P point voltage through the capacitor 33 rises exponentially. .

When the voltage of the external power source is higher than the predetermined level, the power source monitoring circuit 26 outputs the relay control output 26a after the time required for the voltage passing through the capacitor 33 to rise above the switching threshold value. Switching from "L" to "H", relay 24a is turned on by this switching
To OFF.

By this switching, the power supply from the battery 22a is turned off and the control unit 11 and the power supply unit 12 are in a state of being operated by the power supply from the external power source. The period indicated by reference numeral T1 in FIG. 4 at the time of this switching is the period during which power is supplied by both the battery 22a and the external power supply.

When used in this state, if the external power supply is disconnected from the external input terminal 31 and power supply from the external power supply is stopped midway, the voltage from the external power supply is detected and the power supply monitoring circuit 26 sets the relay control output 26a to " Switching from "H" to "L", the relay 24a is switched from OFF to O
Switch to N.

By this switching, the control unit 11 and the power supply unit 12 are turned off by the power supply from the external power source, and are brought into a state of being operated by the power supply by the battery 22a. Note that this switching causes the voltage held by the capacitor 33 to decrease exponentially, and the voltage will soon become zero. In this case, the period T2 is the same as the period T1 in the battery 2
It is a period in which electric power is supplied from 2a and an external power source.

According to the timing chart of FIG. 4, by connecting the external power source on the way, it is possible to operate the battery 22a for a longer period of time than when it is operated by the battery 22a.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, the batteries 22a and 22b are operated during the period of being operated by the external power source.
Can also be exchanged.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the battery 22
Even when both a and the battery 22b are consumed, the battery 22a
And 22b can be replaced. Further, by using the external power source in the middle, it can be used for a longer time than when it is used by the batteries 22a and 22b.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the capsule medical device according to the third embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a state in which an external unit is connected to a personal computer, and a time schedule is input, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an operation procedure. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation.

The capsule medical device 41 shown in FIG. 5 is a capsule endoscope (abbreviated as capsule endoscope or capsule) 42 which is inserted into a body cavity when swallowed from the mouth of a patient, and outside the body, for example, a belt. For example, the external unit 43 installed near the body surface of the patient and accumulating the biological information obtained by the capsule endoscope 42 is detachably connected to the external unit 43 as shown in FIG. And a personal computer 50 that transfers data to the external unit 43.

The capsule endoscope 42 is a capsule-shaped container 44.
A lighting element 45 that illuminates the inside, an image pickup element 46 that picks up an image of a body cavity illuminated by the lighting element 45, a control circuit 47 that drives the lighting element 45 and the image pickup element 46, and performs signal processing on picked-up signals. And a wireless circuit 48 for wirelessly transmitting an image signal generated by the control circuit 47 to the outside and receiving a signal from the outside, and these lighting elements 4
5, an image pickup device 46, a control circuit 47, and a battery 49 that supplies operating power to the wireless circuit 48 are incorporated. Note that the wireless circuit 48 also includes an antenna.

On the other hand, the extracorporeal unit 43 includes a wireless section 51 for maintaining a wireless communication state with the capsule endoscope 42,
The control unit 52 performs other control operations and the like, and the power supply unit 53 that supplies power to the wireless unit 51 and the control unit 52.

The radio section 51 includes a radio circuit 55 that communicates with the radio circuit 48 of the capsule endoscope 42, an antenna 56 that emits and receives radio waves by radio, and the capsule endoscope 42 takes an image of the radio circuit 55. Even when the capsule endoscope 42 is not in operation, the wireless circuit 48 on the side of the capsule endoscope 42 and the wireless control circuit 57 for controlling so as to maintain the communication state are included.

The control section 52 is connected to the radio control circuit 57 and controls the whole, and the control circuit 58.
A memory 59 for storing image data and the like connected to
An external interface 60 connected to an external device, a display device 61 for displaying the state of the extracorporeal unit 43, a trigger button 62 for performing a timer start operation, a real time clock (abbreviated as RTC) 63 for measuring time, and a patient's SRAM 64 for holding setting data such as data, and RTC
63 and a maintenance power supply 65 for supplying power to the SRAM 64 in an always operating state.

The setting data is the SRA with the maintenance power supply 65.
Since it is stored in M64, the power to the control unit 52 is turned off.
Even if set to FF, the setting data is retained without disappearing. The maintenance power supply 65 also supplies the RTC 63 with electric power required for constant operation. The RTC 63 has a built-in timer circuit having an alarm output for notifying that the set time has elapsed. The timer circuit is set by the operator when patient data is input, as will be described later. input.

Further, the power supply unit 53 has a battery 66 for supplying power, and this battery 66 is an O for power supply.
Power switch (main switch) 67 for turning N / OFF
The power is supplied to the power supply control circuit 68 that controls the power supply to the control unit 52 via the power supply unit and the wireless unit 51.

The power supply control circuit 68 controls ON / OFF of the relay 69 connected in series to the power switch 67 connected to the battery 66, so that the battery supplied to the control unit 52 via the relay 69. The power supply / interruption from 66 is controlled.

A manual switch 70 is connected to the power supply control circuit 68 so that it can be controlled manually. Further, the power supply control circuit 68 includes a wireless control circuit 57 and an RTC.
The relay 69 is connected to control the ON / OFF of the relay 69 based on these outputs.

In the present embodiment, the radio section 51 is the capsule 4
The power is constantly supplied to maintain the state of communicating with the power supply unit 2. However, the control unit 52 controls the power supply control circuit 53 of the power supply unit 53 so that the power is turned off in the state where the image acquisition is not performed. Is controlled so that the driving time by the battery 66 can be extended.

Next, the operation when the patient data 71 and the time schedule data are input to the external unit 43 by the personal computer 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The operator installs the extracorporeal unit 43 on the personal computer 50 as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the main body 50a of the patient via the external interface 60, and the patient data 7 is transferred from the keyboard 50b of the personal computer 50.
1. Input the time schedule data 72.

The time schedule data 72 is the time from the time when the capsule 42 is swallowed until the start of photographing (imaging), and the photographing interval. Then, the patient data 71 and the time schedule 72 are displayed on the display 50c of the personal computer 50, and if the data are OK, the transfer instruction operation is performed from the keyboard 50b and the setting data is transmitted to the external unit 43. The control circuit 58 of the extracorporeal unit 43 stores the transmitted data in the SRAM 64.

Further, the timer setting time data and the like in the time schedule data 72 until the start of photographing is RTC6.
Will be set to 3. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described first with reference to FIG.

As shown in step S1 of FIG. 7, the patient data is input by operating the personal computer 50, and then the personal computer 50 and the external unit 43 are operated as shown in step S2.
Is connected, and the power of the extracorporeal unit 43 is turned on. In addition,
In FIG. 7 and the like, the personal computer is abbreviated as PC.

Then, as shown in step S3, the setting data is transferred from the personal computer 50 to the external unit 43. Then, as shown in step S4, the timer set time or the like is set. Then, after establishing communication between the capsule 42 and the extracorporeal unit 43, the trigger button 62 is pressed as shown in step S5, and the patient swallows the capsule 42.

When the trigger button 62 is pressed, the timer set in the RTC 63 is started as shown in step S6. In this state, the power supply control circuit 68 receives the timer output from the RTC 63 and turns off the relay 69 to turn off the control unit 5.
The power supply to 2 is cut off. In this state, the wireless unit 51
Is in an energized state, and it is always in a state where it can be confirmed that communication with the capsule 42 is possible.

When an irregular state such as disconnection of communication with the capsule 42 occurs, the wireless control circuit 57 outputs a power supply request to the power supply control circuit 68 and causes the control unit 52 to restart power supply. The control unit 52 is the wireless control circuit 5
7 to determine the status, and display device 61 if necessary.
The status is displayed by and the patient and the operator are notified of the status.

After step S6, the RTC 63 determines whether the time until the start of photographing has elapsed, waits for the elapse of that time, and outputs an alarm output to the power supply control circuit 68 after the elapse of that time. Then, as shown in step S8, the power supply control circuit 68 turns on the relay 69 so that power is supplied to the control unit 52.

Further, the RTC 63 notifies the control circuit 58 that the time until the start of photographing has elapsed, and the control circuit 58 issues a photographing (imaging) request to the wireless section 5 as shown in step S9.
2 to the capsule 42.

The capsule 42 receives this signal, and the control circuit 47 sets the illumination element 45 and the image pickup element 46 in the operating state. Then, the lighting element 45 lights up the LED inside thereof to illuminate the inside of the body cavity of the patient, the inside of the illuminated body cavity is imaged by the imaging element 46, the control circuit 47 performs signal processing, and the wireless circuit 48 wirelessly. Then, the captured image data is transmitted to the external unit 43 outside the body (step S10).

Then, as shown in step S11, the extracorporeal unit 43 determines whether or not to end. For example, it is determined whether or not the shooting is finished depending on whether a predetermined number of shots or a predetermined time has been shot from the start of shooting. Send it.

After a predetermined number of images have been taken, the control circuit 58 sends an end command to the capsule 42 side via the wireless control circuit 57 to end the imaging operation, and the power supply control circuit 68. To the end of shooting signal,
The power supply control circuit 68 turns off the relay 69 and terminates (step S12).

FIG. 8 shows a typical operation example of this embodiment with a timing chart. After the power switch 67 of the extracorporeal unit 43 is turned on, the setting data such as the patient and time schedule input to the personal computer 50 is transferred from the personal computer 50 to the extracorporeal unit 43.

The time schedule data in the setting data transferred to the external unit 43 is RTC63.
Then, the patient data is written in the SRAM 64.

After that, the trigger button 62 is operated,
An inspection start signal is input to the control circuit 58 and the RTC 63
This activates the timer operation, and the relay 69 is turned off during the timer operation.

Then, by the timer operation, after a lapse of time until the start of photographing, the relay 69 is turned on, the extracorporeal unit 43 transmits a photographing request signal to the capsule 42, and the capsule 42 side receives the signal and photographs. (Imaging) is performed, and the captured image data is transmitted to the external unit 43 side.

In this case, the extracorporeal unit 43 sends a shooting request signal at a predetermined shooting interval until a preset number of images is reached, and as long as this signal is transmitted, the capsule 42 shoots image data. Will be sent.

This embodiment has the following effects. The operation of the circuit of the main part of the extracorporeal unit 43 can be completely turned off until the set time when the image acquisition is required, so that the power consumption of the extracorporeal unit 43 can be saved and the required operation can be performed for a long time. Can be done on time. Therefore, since the electric energy capacity of the battery 66 can be reduced, it is possible to provide a small-sized external unit 43 and the like that is comfortable to wear.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a capsule medical device 41B according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the capsule medical device 41B according to the third embodiment, instead of the power supply control circuit 68 of the extracorporeal unit 43,
An extracorporeal unit 43B having a power supply unit 53B that employs a clock device 81 that switches between high-speed and low-speed clocks for output is employed.

In the power supply section 53B, the power control circuit 68 does not employ the relay 69 for ON / OFF control, and the power of the battery 66 is also supplied to the control section 52 via the power switch 67. ing. Further, the clock device 81 supplies the clock generated by the clock device 81 to the control unit 52, and the control unit 52 operates by the clock supplied from the clock device 81.

In the present embodiment, the clock device 52 supplies a high-speed clock to the control unit 52 during the period when the image is acquired from the capsule 42, and supplies the low-speed clock to the control unit 52 during the period when the image is not acquired. .

That is, when the image acquisition is not performed, the control unit 52 operates in a power saving mode with low power consumption with a low speed clock, and operates with a high speed clock when high speed processing such as image acquisition is required. I am trying.

That is, in the third embodiment, the control unit 52 is turned off during the period when the image acquisition is not performed, but in the present embodiment, the power saving mode is set, and the image acquisition is performed in the third embodiment. During the period in which power is supplied to the control unit 52, the high-speed clock (in the present embodiment) is used. The configuration and operation other than those described above are similar to those of the third embodiment.

This embodiment has the following effects. Since the system clock is switched to the low speed in the state where the image acquisition is not performed and the clock can be switched to the high speed side in the period when the image acquisition is started, it is possible to realize the power-saving operation. Therefore, the electric energy capacity of the battery 66 of the extracorporeal unit 43B can be reduced, and the compact and lightweight extracorporeal unit 43B can be provided.

By the way, a capsule 82 as shown in FIG. 10 may be adopted as the above-mentioned capsules 2, 42 and the like.

In this case, in the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 10D, the image pickup section 84 inside the capsule outer container 83, the control circuit 85 for controlling the image pickup section 84, the image pickup section 84 picks up an image, and the control circuit. A wireless circuit 86 for wirelessly transmitting the image data processed by 85, an antenna 87 for radiating a signal that has passed through the wireless circuit 86 as a radio wave, and a battery 88 for supplying operating power to the imaging unit 84 and the like are incorporated. Inside the capsule, the GND of the antenna 87, the imaging unit 84, the control circuit 85,
The wireless circuit 86 and the GND of the battery 88 are connected.
Note that in FIG. 10, the image capturing unit 84 collectively shows the image capturing element and the illumination element that performs illumination.

In this conventional example, since the GND area of the antenna 87 is small, the antenna gain is increased in the present embodiment as shown in FIGS. 10 (A) to 10 (C). In the capsule 82A shown in FIG.
In (D), the portion indicated by a thick line is a new portion, and the GND terminal of the antenna 87 is the capsule outer container 83.
GND of an electric circuit which is connected to the external terminal 89 of the and which is composed of the image pickup section 84, the control circuit 85, the wireless circuit 86 and the like.
It is common with.

The external terminal 89 exposed to the outside of the capsule outer container 83 comes into contact with the human body. Therefore, since the human body can be used as GND, the GND area can be increased. Therefore, the antenna 87 is used to use the human body as GND.
The GND area is increased, and the antenna gain characteristic can be improved.

Also in the capsule 82B of FIG. 10B, the portion indicated by the thick line is new. This capsule 82B is shown in FIG.
In (A), the GND of the electric circuit further including the imaging unit 84, the control circuit 85, the wireless circuit 86, etc. is connected to the GND of the antenna 87 via the high-pass filter 90. The external terminal 89 is designed to come into contact with the human body.

This high-pass filter 90 should be designed so as to have a low impedance at radio frequencies. At this frequency, since the human body can be used as GND, the GND area becomes large.

In the capsule 82C of FIG. 10C, the portion shown by the thick line is new. This capsule 82C is shown in FIG.
In (A), the GND of the electric circuit configured by the image pickup unit 84, the control circuit 85, the wireless circuit 86, and the like is further connected to the GND of the antenna 87 via the series resonance circuit 91. The external terminal 89 is adapted to come into contact with the human body.

The series resonance circuit 91 is designed to have a low impedance at a radio frequency, and the human body can be used as a GND at this frequency, so that the GND area can be increased.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a capsule 111 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
In this capsule 111, a watertight capsule body 112 is formed by a cylindrical part and a cover that covers both ends thereof in a round shape.
For example, the pH for detecting the pH in the body cavity on one end side thereof
The detection portion of the sensor 113 is provided so as to project (or be exposed). When the detection part of the pH sensor 113 is projected from the hole of the capsule body (container) 112, it is fixed with an adhesive having a high water-tight function to have a water-tight structure inside.

The rear end side of the pH sensor 113 is a pH detection process provided inside the capsule body 112 and the detected pH.
Is connected to the circuit board 114 having a function of a communication unit or the like for accumulating data of or transmitting to the outside. Further, the circuit board 114 is connected to a battery 115 that supplies power to operate the circuit board 114. This battery 1
No. 15 uses, for example, silver oxide or a highly efficient fuel cell having a high degree of freedom in shape.

Further, in the present embodiment, the capsule body 1
A permanent magnet or a magnetic material 116 is housed in the vicinity of 12 in the vicinity of the end opposite to the pH sensor 113. If the capsule 111 is clogged in a stenosis or the like, it can be recovered by a recovery tool having a long and narrow tube shape such as an ileus tube and containing a permanent magnet near the tip.

In this embodiment, the pH sensor 113 for detecting pH is adopted as the (medical) biological information detecting means, but in addition to this, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or a blood sensor (specifically, For example, a hemoglobin detection sensor) or the like may be adopted. For other transmission / reception methods between the capsule 111 and the extracorporeal unit 5, for example, the third method is used.
This is the same as the embodiment.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sensor portion (detection portion) allows the chemical amount (pH value) of the in-vivo fluid, the temperature of each organ, the pressure applied from the inner surface of the lumen to the outer surface of the capsule when passing through the capsule, Information such as the in-vivo brightness and the amount of hemoglobin in each organ (whether there is bleeding) is obtained, and the obtained data is transmitted to the wireless section 51 of the external unit 43 placed outside the body by the wireless communication means inside the capsule. To be done.

Then, the data obtained from the memory 59 from the radio section 51 via the control circuit 58 of the control section 52 is accumulated and compared with a reference value to judge the presence or absence of abnormality such as illness or bleeding, The determination of the passing position and the passing state can be performed outside the body by a medical staff such as a doctor or a comedic.

In particular, the capsule 111 enables the subject to measure the pH value and the amount of hemoglobin in the digestive tract of a living body without any pain, and is effective in diagnosing digestive diseases and performing physiological analysis. . By preparing a plurality of types of various sensors according to the purpose, efficient inspection can be performed. Since transmission / reception is performed efficiently, there is an effect that long-term measurement can be performed while maintaining a long battery life.

Further, although the capsule 111 provided with various sensors has been described with reference to FIG. 11, FIG.
The capsule 14 provided with the ultrasonic probe 142 as shown in FIG.
1 is acceptable.

In this capsule 141, the capsule body 1
An acoustic lens 144 provided on the front surface of the ultrasonic probe 142 is disposed on the front surface of the ultrasonic probe 142 so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the capsule body 143, and the acoustic lens 144 is watertightly fixed to the capsule body 143 with an adhesive or the like. The inside of the capsule has a watertight structure.

Inside the capsule on the back side of the ultrasonic probe 142, an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving circuit and a circuit board 114 for performing processing for generating an ultrasonic tomographic image from the signal are arranged.
The circuit board 114 is driven by the power supply from the battery 115. A permanent magnet 116 is housed on the rear end side.

In this capsule 141, the circuit board 114
An ultrasonic wave transmission / reception circuit formed by the above generates an ultrasonic tomographic image in the body cavity, and the obtained data is transmitted to the extracorporeal unit 43 as in the case of FIG. This allows
It is possible to diagnose for a long time whether or not there is an abnormality in the depth direction inside the body cavity such as the small intestine. Both may be provided with an optical observation means (imaging means), and with such a configuration, diagnosis of the inner surface of the body cavity and the deep part can be performed at one time.

FIG. 13 shows a capsule 121 of the second modification. In this capsule 121, a capsule main body 122 is formed by a cylinder and a cover whose both ends are roundly covered, and further, the capsule main body 122 is divided at two positions in the longitudinal direction, respectively.
Partitions 23a and 123b form three storage means including a medicine storage portion 124, a permanent magnet / magnetic body storage portion 125, and a body fluid suction portion 126.

The medicine storage unit 124 stores the medicine 1 for treatment.
27 is provided, and a medication port 128 is provided as an opening means for releasing the stored drug 127 to the outside.
The body fluid inhalation section 126 provided on the opposite side of the medicine storage section 124 is also provided with a body fluid inhalation port 129 for inhaling body fluid from the outside of the capsule body 122.

In addition, the permanent magnet / magnetic material housing portion 125 houses a permanent magnet or a magnetic material 130. Dissolving films 128a and 129a made of gelatin digested by gastric juice or fatty acid film digested by intestinal juice are provided at the openings of the administration port 128 and the body fluid inhalation port 129.

When the capsule 121 reaches the target site, the capsule 121 receives it by transmitting a control signal from the extracorporeal unit 43, and the dissolution film 128a is received.
It is possible to administer the therapeutic drug 127 and inhale body fluid by digesting the above substances. Further, the release signal can be sent from the extracorporeal unit and received by the capsule medical device 121 to control the release. Thus, according to this modification,
Inhalation of body fluid for treatment or examination can be performed at the target site.

FIG. 14 shows a capsule 131 of the third modification. In this capsule 131, a capsule main body 132 is formed by a cylinder and a cover whose both ends are roundly covered, and an opening 133 is provided on one end side thereof so that, for example, a drug injection needle 134 can be projected and retracted. . This capsule body 132
A driving means for projecting and retracting the drug injection injection needle 134 and a control means thereof are arranged inside, and a control signal is sent from an external extracorporeal unit and received by the capsule 131, whereby the drug injection injection needle 134 is received. So that the drug can be injected. In addition, a permanent magnet or a magnetic material 135 is housed in the vicinity of the end of the capsule body 132 opposite to the opening 133.

After confirming the bleeding site with a blood sensor or observing means, the operation tools such as a hemostatic agent injection needle housed inside the capsule are instructed by communication from outside the body, and the hemostatic agent, ethanol or powdered medicine, is used to bleed the site Can be sprayed on to stop bleeding.

According to this modification, it is possible to perform treatment such as hemostasis while keeping the battery life long. The embodiments and the like configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like belong to the present invention.

[Additional Notes] 1. A capsule medical device which is inserted (or swallowed) into a living body and comprises a capsule equipped with a biological information detecting means for obtaining biological information, and an extracorporeal unit arranged outside the living body,
A capsule medical device comprising: trigger means for starting an operation; and timer means for setting a pause time from when a trigger signal generated from the trigger means is received until when biometric information acquisition is started. 1.1. In Appendix 1, the biological information detecting means is an imaging means for acquiring an image, and the timer means sets a pause time from the reception of the trigger signal to the start of image acquisition. 2. In Appendix 1, there is a timer setting means for setting the idle time of the timer means.

3. In a capsule medical device that is inserted (or swallowed) into a living body and has a biometric information detection unit that obtains biometric information, and an extracorporeal unit that is arranged outside the living body, a trigger unit that starts operation,
A capsule medical device comprising: an operation setting means for setting an image acquisition interval after the trigger means is generated, and performing an image acquisition operation according to a time schedule set by the operation setting means. 4. In Supplementary Note 3, the external unit is disposed.
It has a memory for recording the operation contents set by the operation setting means.

5. In a capsule medical device that is inserted (or swallowed) into a living body and has a biometric information detection unit that obtains biometric information, and an extracorporeal unit that is arranged outside the living body, a trigger unit that starts operation,
It has a timer means for setting a pause time from when the trigger signal generated from the trigger means is received until when the biological information acquisition is started, and the power supply to at least a part of the extracorporeal unit is stopped while the timer means is operating. A capsule medical device having a power supply control means for controlling the capsule medical device. 5.1. In Appendix 5, the biological information detecting means is an image capturing means for acquiring an image, and the timer means sets a pause time from the reception of the trigger signal to the start of image acquisition. 6. In Supplementary Note 5, the part of the power supply control means for stopping the power supply is other than the wireless means for communicating between the capsule and the extracorporeal unit.

7. In a capsule medical device that is inserted (or swallowed) into a living body and has a biometric information detection unit that obtains biometric information, and an extracorporeal unit that is arranged outside the living body, a trigger unit that starts operation,
It has a timer means for setting a pause time from when the trigger signal generated from the trigger means is received until the biological information acquisition is started, and at least part of the extracorporeal unit is operated in the power saving mode while the timer means is operating. A capsule medical device having a power control means for controlling the capsule medical device. 7.1. In Supplementary Note 7, the biological information detecting means is an imaging means for acquiring an image, and the timer means sets a pause time from the reception of the trigger signal to the start of image acquisition.

(Background of Supplementary Notes 1-7.1) The capsule endoscope is a capsule endoscope main body (hereinafter referred to as a capsule), and an external unit and an external unit for storing (image) data transmitted by communicating with the capsule. It is composed of a display unit for displaying the data stored in.

The extracorporeal unit must be attached to or in the vicinity of the patient so that it can always communicate during observation with the capsule. The storage unit is driven by a battery so as not to interfere with the patient's operation, but a battery having a large capacity must be mounted for continuous operation for a long time, which causes a problem that the storage unit becomes heavy.

Further, the data photographed during the period until the capsule body arrives at the site to be examined becomes unnecessary. Further, since power is consumed when the normal operating state is maintained, it is necessary to take measures such as increasing the size of the battery.

(Purposes of Supplements 1 to 7.1) The constitutions of Supplements 1 to 7.1 are provided for the purpose of providing a capsule medical device equipped with a lightweight extracorporeal unit.

8. In the capsule medical device, the GND terminal of the antenna is provided on the exterior of the capsule. 9. In Appendix 8, the GND of the antenna is connected to the GNDs of other electric circuits inside the capsule via a high-pass filter circuit. 10. In Appendix 9, the impedance decreases at the carrier frequency output from the high-pass filter circuit as a radio wave. 10. In Appendix 8, the GND of the antenna is connected to the GNDs of other electric circuits inside the capsule through a series resonance circuit. 11. In Supplementary Note 10, the impedance decreases at the carrier frequency output from the series resonant circuit as a radio wave.

(Background of Supplementary Notes 8 to 11) In the case of a small antenna, the antenna gain characteristic is secured by securing the GND area. However, in the case of the capsule medical device, the GND area of the electric circuit becomes very small, and it becomes difficult to secure the antenna gain characteristic. (Purposes of Supplementary Notes 8 to 11) Therefore, the configurations of Supplementary Notes 8 to 11 are adopted for the purpose of providing a capsule medical device which improves the antenna gain characteristic without changing the size of the capsule medical device.

[0122]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a capsule medical device comprising a capsule equipped with biometric information detecting means for obtaining biometric information, which is inserted into a living body, and an extracorporeal unit arranged outside the living body. Since at least two power sources for operating the extracorporeal unit and power source selecting means for selecting the power source are provided, the operation may be interrupted even when the power source is replaced by a battery or the like. You can continue the operations such as inspection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a capsule medical device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the power supply unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a capsule medical device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart diagram for explaining the operation of the power supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a capsule medical device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the external unit is connected to a personal computer and a time schedule or the like is input.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operation procedure.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a capsule medical device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a capsule of a modified example or the like.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a capsule according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a capsule of a first modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a capsule of a second modified example.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a capsule of a third modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Capsule medical device 2 ... Capsule (endoscope) 3 External unit 4 ... Capsule container 6 ... Image sensor 7, 16 ... Control circuit 8, 14 ... Wireless circuit 9 ... Battery 11 ... Control unit 12 ... Power supply unit 17 ... Display device 19 ... Operation part 21 ... Socket 22a, 22b ... Battery 23 ... Main switch 24a, 24b ... Relay switch 25a, 25b ... Voltage detection circuit 26a, 26b ... Relay control output 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b ... LED 29 a, 29 b ... AND circuit 31 ... Timer circuit 32 ...

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A capsule medical device which is inserted into a living body and comprises a capsule equipped with biometric information detecting means for obtaining biometric information, and an extracorporeal unit arranged outside the body, wherein at least two electric power for operating the extracorporeal unit. A capsule medical device comprising a power source and a power source selecting means for selecting the power source. 2. The power source, wherein the power source is a removable first battery, a removable second battery,
When the first battery is in use, the second battery is in a dormant state, and when the second battery is in use,
A power source selecting unit that puts the first battery in a sleep state;
2. A notification means for urging attention when at least one of the batteries runs low.
The capsule medical device described. 3. The capsule medical device according to claim 1, wherein the power source selecting means detects the output voltage of the power source and switches the power source before the voltage drops. 4. The power source selecting means disconnects the connection with the power source currently in use after connecting with the power source to be used in the future when switching the power source. Item 1. The capsule medical device according to Item 1.