JP2006325874A - Capsule ultrasonic endoscope and capsule ultrasonic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capsule ultrasonic endoscope equipped with a main body of a capsule which is loaded with a medical solution and is easy to swallow. <P>SOLUTION: The capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 is equipped with the main body 10 of the capsule with an ultrasonic transducer 11, an inner space 31 filled with the medical solution working as an ultrasound transmitting medium 25 to transmit ultrasonic oscillations generated by the ultrasonic transducer 11, an electromagnet 27 which constitutes a medical solution releasing means to release the ultrasound transmitting medium 25 working as the medical solution filling the inner space 31 outside the main body 10 and is provided on a main body cover 21, and an abutting piece 28 which is provided on a transducer cover 22 and is made of a magnetic body, for example a metal. The transducer cover 22 opens to the main body cover 21 by switching the electromagnet 27 to an OFF state. Then, the medical solution in the inner space 31 is released outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capsule ultrasonic endoscope and a capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus on which a chemical solution is mounted.

  Conventionally, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal for observation from outside the body or from inside the body to living tissue, constructs an ultrasonic tomographic image based on echo data from the living tissue, and makes a diagnosis has been used. ing. In recent years, capsule-type endoscopes having functions such as sending capsules configured for medical use into body cavities to collect information on lesions in the body cavities and performing treatment by administering medicinal solutions Proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-228128 discloses a medical capsule capable of releasing a drug into a body cavity of a living body.

Also in the field of ultrasonic observation, an ultrasonic capsule endoscope capable of performing diagnosis by sending a capsule into a deep lower digestive tract or the like where an ultrasonic probe or the like is difficult to reach is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-275409. Proposed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-228128 JP 2004-275409 A

  However, in a capsule ultrasonic endoscope, if a treatment with chemicals can be performed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-228128, in addition to a configuration for performing ultrasonic observation, a chemical tank is provided in the capsule. There must be. And the capsule ultrasonic endoscope becomes large sized by taking the structure, and the malfunction that swallowing property deteriorates arises.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a capsule ultrasonic endoscope provided with a capsule main body capable of mounting a chemical solution and excellent in swallowability, and a capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus including the same The purpose is to provide.

  The capsule ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention includes a capsule main body including an ultrasonic vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibration for performing ultrasonic scanning, and is generated from the ultrasonic vibrator provided in the capsule main body. An internal space filled with a chemical solution that also serves as an ultrasonic transmission medium for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations, and the capsule body is provided with the chemical solution filled in the internal space from the internal space to the outside of the capsule body. And a chemical solution discharging means for discharging.

  According to this configuration, the capsule ultrasonic endoscope can be prevented from being enlarged by mounting the chemical liquid on the capsule body without newly providing a chemical tank for storing the chemical liquid.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the capsule ultrasonic endoscope provided with the capsule main body which can mount a chemical | medical solution and was excellent in swallowing property, and a capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus provided with the same are realizable.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a capsule ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic observation apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a configuration of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the main body cover and the vibrator cover that constitute the capsule main body of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 4 is filled in the capsule ultrasonic endoscope. It is a figure explaining the state which has discharged | emitted the chemical | medical solution.

As shown in FIG. 1, a capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 includes a capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 and an ultrasonic observation apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as an observation apparatus) 3 that also serves as an instruction apparatus. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes a capsule main body 10 including a cylindrical main body cover 21 having a hemispherical end and a vibrator cover 22. Yes. The vibrator cover 22 of the capsule body 10 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the body cover 21 as described later. The main body cover 21 is formed of a hard resin member having biocompatibility. The vibrator cover 22 is formed of a resin member having ultrasonic permeability and elastic force such as low density polyethylene or polymethylpentene.

  Inside the capsule body 10, there are an ultrasonic vibrator 11, a vibrator holding member 12, a partition wall member 13, a brush part 14, an encoder 15, a driving motor such as an ultrasonic motor 16, and a holding member 17. A power supply unit 18, a wireless transmission / reception unit (also referred to as a transmission / reception unit) 19, a capsule control unit 20, and the like are accommodated. The ultrasonic transducer 11 is fixed to the transducer holding member 12.

  A through hole 13 a is formed at the center of the partition wall member 13. The partition member 13 is provided with an opening / closing contact portion 13b and a flange portion 13c. The opening / closing contact portion 13b has a cylindrical shape, and an opening side end portion of the vibrator cover 22 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface. The flange portion 13c having a diameter larger than that of the opening / closing contact portion 13b is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position on the opening side of the main body cover 21 by adhesion or welding.

  At least one (a plurality in this embodiment) electromagnets 27 constituting the chemical solution discharge means are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening / closing contact portion 13b. On the other hand, the opening-side end portion of the transducer cover 22 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening / closing contact portion 13b is configured as an opening / closing convex portion 22a. The inner peripheral surface of the open / close convex portion 22a is disposed with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the open / close contact portion 13b. The opening / closing convex portion 22 a is provided with a contact piece 28 made of, for example, metal, which is a magnetic body that constitutes the chemical solution discharging means so as to face the electromagnet 27.

  The vibrator shaft 12 a protruding from the vibrator holding member 12 is inserted into the through hole 13 a of the partition wall member 13. The end of the transducer shaft 12a inserted into the through hole 13a is disposed in the encoder 15 that detects the rotation of the transducer shaft 12a. The encoder 15 is provided in the central recess of the holding member 17 disposed at a predetermined position in the main body cover 21.

  The vibrator shaft 12a is provided with an O-ring 23 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 13a. The inner peripheral surface of the O-ring 23 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator shaft 12a, and the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 23 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 13a. Thereby, the space between the vibrator shaft 12a and the through hole 13a is maintained in a liquid-tight state.

  A ball bearing 24 that rotatably supports the vibrator shaft 12a is provided in the through hole 13a. The ball bearing 24 holds the vibrator shaft 12 a parallel to the longitudinal axis direction of the capsule body 10. The ball bearing 24 is disposed closer to the main body cover 21 than the O-ring 23.

  The ultrasonic motor 16 has a ring shape, and is constituted by a rotor portion 16a and a stator portion 16b formed by being divided. A plurality of protrusions (not shown) are formed on the surface of the stator portion 16b that contacts the rotor portion 16a. A piezoelectric element array portion (not shown) in which a plurality of alternately polarized piezoelectric elements are arrayed is provided on the base end side of the stator portion 16b.

  A rotational force transmission member 26 is integrally fixed to one end surface of the rotor portion 16a of the ultrasonic motor 16 by, for example, adhesion. A through-hole 26a through which the vibrator shaft 12a is inserted is formed at the center of the rotational force transmitting member 26. The rotational force transmission member 26 is integrally fixed to a predetermined position of the vibrator shaft 12a.

  On the other hand, the stator portion 16 b of the ultrasonic motor 16 is disposed at a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the main body cover 21 directly or via the holding member 17. A brush portion 14 and an encoder 15 are disposed in the inner hole of the ultrasonic motor 16 configured in a ring shape.

  A slip ring 12b is provided on the base end side of the vibrator shaft 12a. The brush 14a of the brush portion 14 is in electrical contact with the slip ring 12b by an urging force. Therefore, the conduction state is maintained when the vibrator shaft 12a is rotated.

  The holding member 17 is provided with a storage battery, a dry battery or the like and a mounting substrate. The storage battery and the dry battery serve as the power supply unit 18. The storage battery can be charged by, for example, an external electromagnetic wave. The mounting board is provided with a transmission / reception circuit that constitutes the transmission / reception unit 19, a transducer scanning circuit, a power supply control circuit, a signal processing circuit, an open / close control circuit, and the like. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing convex portion 22a of the vibrator cover 22 and the opening / closing contact portion 13b of the partition wall member 13 are integrally formed by bonding, heat welding, permanent magnets, or the like in a coupling range A indicated by hatching. Yes. Therefore, the vibrator cover 22 is prevented from being separated from the main body cover 21.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the side end portion of the open / close convex portion 22 a constituting the vibrator cover 22 protrudes from the contact piece 28 toward the main body cover 21. Since the vibrator cover 22 is formed of a resin member, the vibrator cover 22 has an elastic force that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body cover 21 as shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing with the coupling range A in FIG. 3 as a fulcrum. Yes. The open / close convex portion 22a is provided over the entire circumference of the opening side end portion in order to keep the shape of the vibrator cover 22 in a bowl shape.

  In a state where the capsule body 10 is configured by integrating the vibrator cover 22 and the main body cover 21, the vibrator cover 22 tries to open the vibrator cover 22 with respect to the main body cover 21 by its own elastic force. To do.

  The plurality of electromagnets 27 are provided so as to form substantially the same surface as the outer peripheral surface of the opening / closing contact portion 13 b of the partition wall member 13. Each electromagnet 27 is fixed by, for example, adhesion in an electromagnet disposition recess provided in the opening / closing contact portion 13b. On the other hand, each contact piece 28 provided on the opening / closing convex portion 22a of the vibrator cover 22 is provided with a contact piece disposing concave portion so as to face the plurality of electromagnets 27 respectively. The plurality of contact pieces 28 form substantially the same surface as the inner peripheral surface of the open / close convex portion 22a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule control unit 20 is provided with an opening / closing control unit 29, an ultrasonic drive control unit 30 and the like constituting a chemical solution releasing means. The open / close control unit 29 controls the ON / OFF state of the electromagnet 27. When the electromagnet 27 is turned ON / OFF according to the control of the opening / closing control unit 29, the vibrator cover 22 is changed from the closed state to the open state, or from the open state to the closed state. When the vibrator cover 22 is closed, the electromagnet 27 is in an ON state, and the electromagnet 27 and the contact piece 28 are maintained in a state of being attracted by magnetic force. At this time, the opening / closing convex portion 22 a of the vibrator cover 22 biases the opening side end surface of the main body cover 21. As a result, the vibrator cover 22 is disposed in close contact with the main body cover 21 and the liquid-tight state is maintained.

  The ultrasonic transducer 11 and the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 are filled in the internal space 31 formed by the partition wall member 13, the O-ring 23, and the transducer cover 22. The ultrasonic transmission medium 25 in the present embodiment is a chemical solution including, for example, water having a characteristic of transmitting ultrasonic waves and a laxative component such as magnesium oxide or carboxymethylcellulose. That is, the internal space 31 also serves as a chemical tank for mounting a chemical solution.

  In addition, as a configuration in which the vibrator cover 22 and the main body cover 21 are held in a liquid-tight state, an urging portion may be provided on the inner space side of the opening / closing convex portion 22a of the vibrator cover 22. As a result, the urging portion comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the opening / closing contact portion 13b of the partition wall member 13 being urged.

  The ultrasonic drive control unit 30 includes a transducer scanning circuit (not shown) that outputs a transducer drive signal to the ultrasonic motor 16 that rotates the ultrasonic transducer 11, and detects the rotational state of the rotating ultrasonic transducer 11. A rotation detection circuit (not shown) that is electrically connected to the encoder 15, an ultrasonic transducer 11 and an echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 11 through the slip ring 12 b and the like. A signal processing circuit (not shown) for transmitting and receiving, and performing predetermined processing on the ultrasonic image signal processed by the signal processing circuit and transmitting ultrasonic data from the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 to the observation device 3 A wireless transmission circuit (not shown) and the like are provided.

  On the other hand, the observation device 3 includes an antenna unit 32, a wireless transmission / reception unit 33, an observation device control unit 34 that performs various controls, an instruction unit 35, a setting unit 36, and an ultrasonic observation image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as an image). 37, which is described as a processing unit), a power source unit 38 for supplying power to each unit, and an instruction switch 39. A monitor 4 is connected to the observation apparatus 3 via a video cable.

  The antenna unit 32 exchanges signals with the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 provided in the capsule ultrasound endoscope 2. The wireless transmission / reception unit 33 performs processing of a signal output from the antenna unit 32 and processing of a signal received by the antenna unit 32. The image processing unit 37 generates the image signal for ultrasonic observation transmitted from the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 as a video signal such as a B-mode image, a Doppler image, or a harmonic imaging image. The monitor 4 displays an ultrasonic observation image corresponding to the video signal output from the image processing unit 37. Note that the observation device 3 is provided with an amplification circuit (not shown) that amplifies at least a signal related to the ultrasonic observation image transmitted from the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2.

  The instruction unit 35 and the setting unit 36 are connected to the observation device control unit 34. Setting contents and the like are appropriately input to the observation apparatus control unit 34 by using, for example, a keyboard as the setting unit 36. From the instruction unit 35, a cover opening / closing instruction signal for instructing opening / closing of the transducer cover 22, an ultrasonic observation instruction signal for instructing start / stop of ultrasonic scanning, and the like are output to the observation device control unit 34. It is like that. An instruction switch 39 is connected to the instruction unit 35. Therefore, when the user appropriately operates the instruction switch 39, an ultrasonic observation instruction signal, a cover opening / closing instruction signal, or the like corresponding to the operation is output from the observation apparatus 3 to the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2.

The operation of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 including the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 will be described.
In performing ultrasonic observation, a user prepares a capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 in which an internal space 31 of the capsule body 10 is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 25 that also serves as a chemical solution. The subject swallows the capsule ultrasound endoscope 2. The capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 passes through the esophagus and stomach by peristaltic movement. Then, the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 reaches the target observation site, for example, near the small intestine. Here, the surgeon operates the instruction switch 39 of the observation apparatus 3 to output the ultrasonic observation instruction signal. By this operation, an ultrasonic observation instruction signal is output toward the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 through the antenna unit 32 of the observation apparatus 3.

  The radio transmission / reception unit 19 of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 receives the ultrasonic observation instruction signal. Then, the ultrasonic motor 16 is driven, and a vibrator drive signal is output to the ultrasonic vibrator 11 via the brush 14a, the slip ring 12b, and the like. From the ultrasonic transducer 11 that has received the transducer drive signal, ultrasonic pulses are repeatedly oscillated toward the living body, and radial scanning is performed. At this time, the ultrasonic transducer 11 receives an echo signal reflected from the living tissue. The echo signal is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 19 via the slip ring 12b, the brush 14a, and the like, and is generated into an ultrasonic observation image signal by the signal processing circuit. The ultrasonic observation image signal is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 to the observation apparatus 3. In the observation device 3, the image signal for ultrasonic observation transmitted wirelessly is received by the antenna unit and transmitted to the image processing unit 37. The image processing unit 37 generates an ultrasonic observation image signal as a predetermined video signal and outputs it to the monitor 4. Then, an ultrasonic observation image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 4.

  Thereafter, when the surgeon confirms the completion of the examination, the instruction switch 39 is operated so that the cover opening instruction signal for turning off the electromagnet 27 is output from the observation device 3. By this operation, a predetermined cover opening / closing instruction signal is output toward the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the antenna unit 32 of the observation device 3. The cover opening / closing instruction signal is received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2.

  The cover opening instruction signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 is input to the opening / closing control unit 29 of the capsule control unit 20. Then, the opening / closing control unit 29 outputs a predetermined control signal toward the electromagnet 27 to turn the electromagnet 27 in the ON state to the OFF state. As a result, the attracting state between the electromagnet 27 and the contact piece 28 is released, and the vibrator cover 22 is urged from the opening / closing convex portion 22a of the vibrator cover 22 by the two-dot chain line in FIG. As shown in FIG. Then, the medicinal solution filled in the internal space 31 is released into the body cavity. Discharge of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 to the outside of the body is promoted by the effect of the released chemical solution, and the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 is smoothly discharged to the outside of the body.

  After the release of the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 is completed, the surgeon again operates the instruction switch 39 of the observation device 3 to output a cover close instruction signal for turning on the electromagnet 27. As a result, the plurality of OFF-state electromagnets 27 arranged are switched to the ON state again, and the vibrator cover 22 changes from the open state to the closed state.

  In this way, the vibrator cover constituting the capsule body is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the body cover. An electromagnet is provided at a predetermined position of the partition wall member fixed to the main body cover, and an abutment piece is provided on the opening / closing convex portion constituting the vibrator cover so as to face the electromagnet. Then, the electromagnet is turned on in a state where the vibrator cover and the main body cover are integrated. As a result, the vibrator cover is disposed in close contact with the main body cover while maintaining a liquid-tight state. At this time, an internal space is formed in the capsule body, and an ultrasonic transmission medium that also serves as a chemical solution is filled in the internal space. As a result, it is possible to configure a capsule ultrasonic endoscope in which the chemical liquid is mounted in the capsule main body without providing a tank for storing the chemical liquid, that is, without increasing the size of the capsule main body.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic transmission medium filled in the internal space of the capsule body is a chemical liquid containing a laxative component, the subject can use the capsule ultrasonic endoscope after the test is completed. It is no longer necessary to take laxatives to drain out of the body. This can save labor for ultrasonic inspection.
In the present embodiment, a chemical solution containing an ultrasonic transmission medium laxative component is used. However, the chemical solution is not limited to laxatives, and may be, for example, insulin or an anti-inflammatory agent. That is, for example, insulin is filled in the internal space 31 provided in the capsule body 10 as an ultrasonic transmission medium to form a capsule ultrasonic endoscope. As a result, insulin can be directly released into the body cavity from the capsule ultrasonic endoscope that reaches the small intestine. Therefore, the absorption of insulin can be improved and the effect on diabetic patients can be enhanced. In addition, insulin can be administered in parallel with a test for retrograde esophagitis or gastric dysfunction found in diabetic patients.

  Further, in the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 that also serves as a chemical solution is filled in the internal space 31 in advance. For this reason, the vibrator cover 22 is in a closed state with respect to the main body cover 21. Therefore, power is always supplied to the electromagnet 27 from the power supply unit 18. Therefore, the electric power of the power supply unit 18 is wasted before the inspection, and there is a risk that the electric power is insufficient during the inspection.

  In order to prevent this problem, when using the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2, the user performs a charging operation as necessary when the power supply unit 18 is a storage battery. On the other hand, when the power supply unit 18 is a disposable dry battery, the user performs the following operations when using the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2. That is, the user takes out the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2 on which the chemical solution is mounted from the sterile bag. Thereafter, the subject swallows the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 2.

5 and 6 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configuration of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 6 shows the release of the drug solution from the capsule ultrasonic endoscope. FIG.
The capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the observation apparatus 3 and the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 shown in FIG. Therefore, the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 will be described, and the description of the observation apparatus 3 will be omitted. By operating the instruction switch 39, an ultrasonic observation instruction signal is output, and a valve opening / closing instruction signal is output instead of the cover opening / closing instruction signal.

  A capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes a capsule main body 10A in which a cylindrical main body cover 21A having a hemispherical end and a vibrator cover 22A are integrally formed. A substantially cylindrical main body member 51 is disposed inside the capsule main body 10A and mainly on the main body cover 21A side.

  The vibrator cover 22 </ b> A is fixedly disposed in a liquid-tight state with respect to one end side of the main body member 51. A main body cover 21A is fixedly disposed on the main body member 51 in a liquid-tight state. The main body cover 21A is formed of a hard resin member having biocompatibility, and the vibrator cover 22A is formed of a resin member having ultrasonic permeability.

  The main body member 51 is provided with a member arrangement through hole (hereinafter abbreviated as a through hole) 52 and a flow path through hole (hereinafter abbreviated as a flow path) 53 constituting the chemical solution discharging means. The through hole 52 is formed along an axis C oblique to the axial line B, and includes a large diameter hole 52a and a small diameter hole 52b. The front end surface of the main body member 51 is formed as an inclined surface 51 a that is substantially orthogonal to the axis C.

  The vibrator shaft 12a is inserted through the small diameter hole 52b. An O-ring 23 is provided on the vibrator shaft 12a. The O-ring 23 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator shaft 12a and the inner peripheral face of the small-diameter hole 52b to ensure a liquid-tight state and supports the vibrator shaft 12a. Then, the internal space 31A formed by the transducer cover 22A, the main body member 51, and the O-ring 23 is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 similar to the first embodiment that also serves as a chemical solution.

  On the other hand, a rotation drive unit 55 that rotates the ultrasonic transducer 11 is provided in the large-diameter hole 52a. The rotation drive unit 55 includes a slip ring unit 56, an encoder 57, and a drive motor 58. The vibrator shaft 12 a is rotatably supported by, for example, a ball bearing (not shown) provided in the slip ring portion 56. The rotating shaft 59 of the drive motor 58 and the vibrator shaft 12a are mechanically connected and fixed integrally.

  The main body member 51 is provided with a power supply unit 61 and a circuit board 62. The circuit board 62 has a drive motor rotation control circuit (not shown) that controls the rotation of the drive motor 58 with electric power supplied from the power supply unit 61, and a transducer drive signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 11 via the slip ring unit 56. A signal processing circuit (not shown) that generates a transmitted or received echo signal as an ultrasonic observation image signal, and performs predetermined processing on the ultrasonic observation image signal generated by the signal processing circuit to generate ultrasonic data. A wireless transmission circuit (not shown) for transmitting from the wireless transmission / reception unit to the observation device 3 is provided.

  An opening 63 is provided in the main body cover 21A. The opening 63 is provided so as to communicate with the flow path 53. In the flow path 53, a valve portion 64 constituting a chemical solution discharge means is provided. The valve part 64 is provided in the vicinity of the opening 63 and closes and opens the flow path 53. The main body member 51 is provided with a valve control unit 65 that constitutes a chemical solution discharging unit that controls the valve unit 64.

  The valve portion 64 is provided with, for example, a rotatable cylindrical portion 66. The cylindrical portion 66 is provided with a discharge hole 66a. In the closed state shown in the figure, when a control signal is output from the valve control unit 65, the cylindrical portion 66 is rotated, the discharge hole 66a is placed in communication with the flow path 53, and the open state is switched. As a result, the inside of the internal space 31 </ b> A of the vibrator cover 22 </ b> A and the outside of the capsule body 10 </ b> A are in communication with each other through the flow path 53, the discharge hole 66 a of the valve portion 64, and the opening 63. When the flow path 53 is closed by the valve portion 64, the internal space 31A is in a liquid-tight state.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
First, when performing ultrasonic observation, the user operates the instruction switch 39 of the observation apparatus 3 to output a valve opening signal toward the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50. Then, a valve opening signal is supplied to the valve control unit 65. Then, the discharge hole 66a of the valve portion 64 is in communication with the flow path 53, whereby the internal space 31A of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 and the outside of the capsule body 10A are in communication. In this state, the user fills the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 into the internal space 31 </ b> A via the opening 63 and the flow path 53 by, for example, a syringe. When the filling of the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 is completed, the user outputs a valve closing signal toward the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50. Then, the valve closing signal is supplied to the valve control unit 65, and the valve unit 64 is changed from the open state to the closed state, so that the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 is configured. The subject swallows the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50.

  Thereafter, the inspection is completed as in the first embodiment. After completion of the examination, the operator operates the instruction switch 39 to output a valve opening signal toward the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50. Then, under the control of the valve control unit 65, as shown in FIG. 6, the valve unit 64 is switched from the closed state to the open state, and the internal space 31A of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 communicates with the outside of the capsule body 10A. It becomes a state. Then, the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 in the internal space 31A is released from the capsule body 10A into the body cavity.

  As described above, the flow path is provided in the capsule body constituting the capsule ultrasonic endoscope, and the valve portion is provided in the middle of the flow path. The valve unit is configured to be switched between a closed state and an open state by the valve control unit. As a result, even when the vibrator cover is in contact with, for example, the lumen wall, the drug solution can be released by switching the valve portion to the open state. Other operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Note that the capsule ultrasonic endoscope may be provided with both the chemical solution releasing means of the first embodiment and the chemical solution releasing means of the second embodiment. Thus, the drug solution may be selectively released depending on the orientation of the capsule ultrasound endoscope located in the body cavity. And different chemical | medical solutions may be mounted.

  Further, the vibrator cover 22A may be configured by an ultrasonically transparent member having elasticity. Thus, after the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 is released, the transducer cover 22A is contracted, so that the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 can be reduced and the discharge performance can be improved.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a capsule ultrasonic endoscope including a balloon according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50A according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. Specifically, in the ultrasonic endoscope 50 </ b> A, in addition to the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50, a balloon 71 that covers the transducer cover 22 </ b> A is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the main body cover 21. The balloon 71 is formed of an elastic member having ultrasonic permeability. The balloon space 72 formed by the balloon 71, the transducer cover 22, and the main body cover 21 is in a liquid-tight state. The main body member 51A is provided with a flow path 53A for communicating the balloon space 72 and the outside, instead of the flow path 53 for communicating the internal space 31A and the outside. In this embodiment, the balloon space 72 is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 25a containing an anti-inflammatory agent instead of the ultrasonic transmission medium 25 containing a laxative component. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  According to the configuration described above, the balloon 71 is in close contact with the lumen wall 73 when the inside of the lumen wall 73 is inspected with the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50 </ b> A. If, for example, an ulcer 74 is found during the examination, the surgeon operates the instruction switch 39 to output a valve opening signal toward the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50A. Then, the drug solution in the balloon space 72 of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope 50A is released into the lumen. As a result, since the medical solution can be released to the treatment site at the pinpoint at the same time as the ultrasonic examination, recovery of the patient can be promoted.

  The capsule body may be provided with a punching means such as a needle for making a hole in the vibrator cover, and the hole may be made in the cover by this punching means to release the drug solution.

  In the embodiment described above, a timer may be provided in the capsule body as the chemical solution releasing means. As a result, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the medical solution can be automatically released to the outside of the capsule body without operating the instruction switch.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a capsule ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic observation apparatus. Longitudinal cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a capsule ultrasonic endoscope The perspective view explaining the structure of the main body cover and vibrator cover which comprise the capsule main body of a capsule ultrasonic endoscope The figure explaining the state which has discharge | released the chemical | medical solution with which the capsule ultrasonic endoscope was filled 5 and 6 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configuration of a capsule ultrasonic endoscope. The figure explaining the state which has discharged | emitted the chemical | medical solution from a capsule ultrasonic endoscope The figure explaining the capsule ultrasonic endoscope provided with the balloon which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 2 ... Capsule ultrasonic endoscope 3 ... Ultrasonic observation apparatus 10 ... Capsule main body 11 ... Ultrasonic transducer
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Partition member 21 ... Main body cover 22 ... Vibrator cover 25 ... Ultrasonic transmission medium 27 ... Electromagnet 28 ... Contact piece 29 ... Opening / closing control part 31 ... Internal space
35 ... Indicating part 39 ... Indicating switch

Claims (4)

A capsule body including an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations for performing ultrasonic scanning;
An internal space provided in the capsule body and filled with a chemical solution that also serves as an ultrasonic transmission medium that transmits ultrasonic vibration generated from the ultrasonic transducer;
A chemical solution releasing means that is provided in the capsule body and discharges the chemical solution filled in the internal space from the internal space to the outside of the capsule body;
A capsule ultrasonic endoscope characterized by comprising: The capsule body includes a body cover and a vibrator cover, and the vibrator cover can be opened and closed with respect to the body cover.
The chemical solution releasing means includes
An electromagnet provided on the body cover;
A magnetic body provided on the vibrator cover;
An opening / closing controller provided in the capsule body for controlling the electromagnet;
The capsule ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, comprising: The chemical solution releasing means includes
A through hole for a flow path that communicates the internal space with the outside of the capsule body;
A valve portion provided in the flow path;
A valve control unit for controlling the open / closed state of the valve unit;
The capsule ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, comprising: A capsule ultrasonic endoscope having a drug solution releasing means for discharging a drug solution also serving as an ultrasonic transmission medium filled in an internal space provided in a capsule body provided with an ultrasonic transducer to the outside of the capsule body;
An instruction device for instructing the chemical solution releasing means of the capsule ultrasonic endoscope to release the chemical solution in the internal space;
A capsule ultrasonic endoscope apparatus comprising:

Images