U.S. patent application number 11/726564 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for capsular endoscope.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Noriyuki Fujimori, Kenji Miyata, Masanori Ogata.
Application Number | 20070173696 11/726564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34113927 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujimori; Noriyuki ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Capsular endoscope
Abstract
According to the present invention, a capsular endoscope having
at least an image pickup optical system, an illumination unit, an
image pickup portion, and a circuit board comprises a marker
shooting unit that indwells a marker member in a body cavity.
Consequently, a predetermined marker is indwelled in a desired
region such as a lesion discovered using the capsular endoscope so
that the region can be readily rediscovered during
reexamination.
Inventors: |
Fujimori; Noriyuki;
(Suwa-shi, JP) ; Ogata; Masanori; (Matsumoto-shi,
JP) ; Miyata; Kenji; (Okaya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCULLY SCOTT MURPHY & PRESSER, PC
400 GARDEN CITY PLAZA
SUITE 300
GARDEN CITY
NY
11530
US
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
34113927 |
Appl. No.: |
11/726564 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10900809 |
Jul 28, 2004 |
|
|
|
11726564 |
Mar 22, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/158 ;
600/156; 600/159; 600/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 1/00087 20130101;
A61B 1/00032 20130101; A61B 90/361 20160201; A61B 2090/309
20160201; A61B 2560/0214 20130101; A61B 5/4839 20130101; A61B 34/32
20160201; A61B 1/042 20130101; A61B 1/00029 20130101; A61B 34/72
20160201; A61B 2090/3987 20160201; A61B 2090/395 20160201; A61B
1/041 20130101; A61B 2090/3908 20160201; A61B 2090/3933 20160201;
A61B 2017/00893 20130101; A61B 90/39 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/158 ;
600/160; 600/156; 600/159 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/12 20060101
A61B001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2003 |
JP |
2003-286091 |
Claims
1. A capsular endoscope having at least an image pickup optical
system, an illuminating device, an image pickup device, and a
circuit board, comprising: a shooting unit for shooting a desired
member in a body cavity, wherein the shooting unit includes an
urging member for constraining, in the capsular endoscope, a
shooting force with which to shoot the desired member, while urging
the shooting force to the desired member.
2. The capsular endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the desired
member is liquid.
3. The capsular endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the urging
member is a pressurizing member for pressurizing the liquid desired
member in advance.
4. The capsular endoscope according to claim 3, wherein a reservoir
unit filled with the liquid desired member is attachable to and
detachable from a capsule main body.
5. The capsular endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a distal
part of a nozzle for ejecting the desired member is within an
observation field of view.
6. The capsular endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the liquid
desired member is a medicine.
7. The capsular endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the desired
member is a metallic member.
8. The capsular endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the desired
member as the metallic member is a marker member.
9. The capsular endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the desired
member is a marker member.
10. The capsular endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the marker
member is a fluorescent substance.
11. The capsular endoscope according to claim 9, wherein member is
a substance opaque to X-rays.
12. The capsular endoscope according to claim 9, wherein member is
a colorant.
13. The capsular endoscope according to claim 9, wherein member is
a clip.
14. The capsular endoscope according to claim 1, wherein member is
a medicine.
15. A method for performing a treatment in a living body,
comprising the steps of: applying a shooting force in a capsule;
filling a shooting member in the capsule; introducing the capsule
into the organic body; releasing the shooting force at a desired
region: and shooting the member at the desired location.
16. The method for performing a treatment in a living body
according to claim 15, wherein the step of shooting the member is a
step of shooting a marker member.
17. The method for performing a treatment in a living body
according to claim 15, wherein the step of shooting the member is a
step of shooting a medicine.
18. The method for performing a treatment in a living body
according to claim 15, further comprising the step of observing
inside of the organic body by the capsule.
19. The method for performing a treatment in a living body
according to claim 15, further comprising the step of detecting a
three dimensional posture of the capsule in the organic body.
20. The method for performing a treatment in a living body
according to claim 15, wherein the step of filling a shooting
member in the capsule is a step of selecting a reservoir unit
filled with the shooting member and attaching the reservoir unit to
the capsule.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/900,809 filed on Jul. 2, 2004 which claims
the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2003-286091 filed on Aug.
4, 2003, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a capsular endoscope, or
more particularly, to a capsular endoscope having an image pickup
optical system, image pickup means, and others integrated into a
substantially capsule-shaped housing.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the past, endoscope systems have been used in practice
and widely adopted for examination or the like of, for example,
body cavities. The endoscope system comprises a tubular insertional
unit having an image pickup device incorporated in the distal part
thereof, an operating unit coupled to the insertional unit, and
various pieces of equipment connected to the operating unit
including an image processing unit, a display device, and a light
source unit or the like. The insertional unit is inserted into a
body cavity through a subject's oral cavity or the like in order to
observe a desired region in the body cavity. In the conventional
endoscope device, a range that can be observed or examined is
limited due to restrictions including a restriction on the length
of the insertional unit to be inserted into a body cavity.
[0006] In recent years, various proposals have been made of a
capsular endoscope system comprising: a so-called capsular
endoscope that is a compact endoscope having image pickup means
which includes an image pickup optical system, illuminating means,
communicating means, and power receiving means or a power supply
incorporated in a capsule-shaped housing; communicating means for
communicating with the capsular endoscope by radio; recording means
for recording a received signal; and display means for displaying
the received signal on a CRT or an LCD or the like.
[0007] When a conventional capsular endoscope is used to examine an
intracavitary region, if a lesion or the like is discovered in the
subject's body cavity, close examination may be performed using a
general-purpose endoscope or the like or predetermined treatment
may be performed in addition to the close examination.
[0008] In such a case, if accurate positional information
representing the position of the lesion discovered through the
preceding examination performed using the capsular endoscope were
acquired, the lesion would be easily rediscovered during the close
examination such as endoscopic examination to be performed
later.
[0009] Accordingly, various proposals have been made of means for
detecting the position of a conventionally proposed capsular
endoscope that has been inserted into a body cavity for the purpose
of examination and diagnosis. For example, Japanese Unexamined
Patent Application Publication No. 2001-46357 has proposed such
means.
[0010] In a capsular endoscope system disclosed in the Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-46357, position
detecting means for detecting the position of the capsular
endoscope that has been inserted into a body cavity is incorporated
in an external receiving device. The position detecting means
receives a predetermined signal originating from the capsular
endoscope lying in the body cavity, and acquires information on the
position of the capsular endoscope in the body cavity on the basis
of the strength of the predetermined signal.
[0011] However, the position detecting means disclosed in the
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-46357
cannot presumably detect the position with satisfactory precision
because the signal sent from the capsular endoscope lying in a body
cavity is feeble.
[0012] Consequently, when close examination or the like is
performed later, an operator has to perform labor-intensive work of
rediscovering a lesion that is an object of examination and that
has been discovered through the previous examination performed
using the capsular endoscope.
[0013] As mentioned above, when the capsular endoscope is used for
examination, if positional information on a lesion discovered
through the examination is acquired, the positional information
will prove quite helpful. Provision of high-precision positional
information is therefore demanded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] According to the present invention, a capsular endoscope
comprises at least an image pickup optical system, illuminating
means, image pickup means, and a circuit board. The capsular
endoscope further comprises marking means for indwelling a marker
member in a body cavity.
[0015] The advantages of the present invention will be apparent
from the description made below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a capsular
endoscope in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention and the configuration of a capsular endoscope system
including the capsular endoscope;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing in enlargement
a main portion of the capsular endoscope shown in FIG. 1 including
an image pickup optical system, image pickup means, and a circuit
board;
[0018] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3F schematically show a process of
manufacturing the image pickup means included in the capsular
endoscope shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a capsular
endoscope in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention and the configuration of a capsular endoscope system
including the capsular endoscope;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main portion
of the capsular endoscope shown in FIG. 4 including the distal part
thereof;
[0021] FIG. 6 schematically shows the structure of a main capsule
that is one portion of a capsular endoscope in accordance with a
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 schematically shows the structure of a power capsule
that is the other portion of the capsular endoscope in accordance
with the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 schematically shows the use state of the capsular
endoscope in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 9 schematically shows a main capsule included in a
capsular endoscope in accordance with a variant of the third
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] A capsular endoscope in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention and a capsular endoscope system including
the capsular endoscope will be outlined in conjunction with FIG. 1
schematically showing the structure of the capsular endoscope. FIG.
1 shows a section of the capsular endoscope so as to present the
internal components.
[0026] A capsular endoscope system 1 including the first embodiment
comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a capsular endoscope 10 that has
various members incorporated in a capsule-like housing, and an
external controller 21 including control means for externally
controlling the capsular endoscope 10.
[0027] In addition to the control means, the external controller 21
includes: communicating means via which the external controller
communicates with the capsular endoscope 10; power feeding means
for feeding power, which is required by the internal electric
circuits of the capsular endoscope 10, by radio; recording means
for receiving and recording an image signal acquired by the
capsular endoscope 10; and display means (not shown) on which an
image is displayed according to the image signal acquired by the
capsular endoscope 10.
[0028] Power required by the internal electric circuits of the
capsular endoscope 10 is, as mentioned above, fed by radio from the
external controller 21. The external controller 21 therefore
includes predetermined power feeding means. Accordingly, the
capsular endoscope 10 includes a communication/power reception unit
19 that is the mate to the power feeding means.
[0029] The capsular endoscope 10 comprises: a housing 16 that is an
armor member that seals the interior of the housing in a
liquid-tight manner; illuminating means 15 including various
members incorporated in the housing 16, light emitting sources 15a
formed with light emitting diodes (LED) or the like for
illuminating an object such as any of the alimentary organs in a
body cavity, and a light emitting source mounting substrate 15b on
which the electric circuits for driving or controlling the light
emitting sources 15a are mounted; an image pickup optical system 11
including a group of lenses 11a that forms an optical image of the
object illuminated by the illuminating means 15 and a lens barrel
11b that holds the group of lenses 11a; image pickup means 12
formed with an image pickup device that receives the optical image
of the object formed by the image pickup optical system 11 and that
performs predetermined photoelectric conversion so as to produce an
image signal; a circuit board 13 including a plurality of
substrates 13a and 13b on which an electric circuit for performing
various kinds of signal processing (image signal processing and
communication) on the image signal received from the image pickup
means 12, a control circuit for controlling the internal electric
circuits of the capsular endoscope 10 on a centralized basis, and
other circuits are mounted; a flexible printed-circuit board (FPC)
14 that electrically links the plurality of substrates included in
the circuit board 13 and the substrates and a communication/power
reception unit 19 that will be described later; a marker shooting
unit 17 (marking means) (which will be detailed later); and posture
sensing means 18 mounted on the circuit board 13 for the purpose of
sensing the posture of the capsular endoscope 10.
[0030] The housing 16 of the capsular endoscope 10 is formed with a
rigid member made of, for example, a resin. The housing has: a
transparent window 16a which shields and protects the front part of
the capsular endoscope 10 and through which illumination luminous
flux emanating from the illuminating means 15 or luminous flux
incident on the image pickup optical system 11 pass; and a main
body 16b that is a main portion of the housing 16 and that encloses
and protects various internal members.
[0031] The image pickup optical system 11 includes the group of
lenses 11a and the lens barrel 11b that holds the group of lenses
11a. The image pickup means 12 is mounted on the mounting surface
of the predetermined substrate 13a included in the circuit board 13
located at a predetermined position behind the image pickup optical
system 11.
[0032] The image pickup means 12 is, as mentioned above, located at
the predetermined position behind the image pickup optical system
11. The image pickup means 12 comprises an image pickup device such
as a CCD or CMOS that receives an optical image of an object
transmitted and formed by the image pickup optical system 11 and
performs photoelectric conversion, and an electric circuit that
includes a plurality of electric parts and drives the image pickup
device to perform predetermined signal processing. The electric
circuit and image pickup device are mounted on the predetermined
substrate 13a included in the circuit board 13.
[0033] Consequently, the illuminating means 15 illuminates an
object. Luminous flux reflected from the object is concentrated on
the image pickup optical system 11 and transmitted thereby.
Thereafter, an optical image of the object is formed on the light
receiving surface of the image pickup device included in the image
pickup means 12.
[0034] The image pickup means 12 performs predetermined signal
processing such as photoelectric conversion on the received optical
image of the object formed by the image pickup optical system 11,
and produces an electric signal (image signal) representing the
optical image of the object.
[0035] The circuit board 13 comprises, as mentioned above, the
plurality of substrates 13a and 13b. For example, electric circuits
for performing various kinds of image signal processing, driving
and controlling, and signal communication, and a control circuit
for controlling the entire capsular endoscope 10 are mounted on the
circuit board 13. Each of the electric circuits is realized with,
for example, one semiconductor chip.
[0036] Now, the detailed structures of the image pickup means 12
and circuit board 13 will be described below.
[0037] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the main
portion of the capsular endoscope of the present embodiment
including the image pickup optical system, image pickup means, and
circuit board. Moreover, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3F schematically show a
process of manufacturing the image pickup means. FIG. 3F shows the
state of a section of the image pickup means attained at the
completion of the process of manufacturing the image pickup
means.
[0038] The image pickup means 12 is, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
3F, made by joining a glass member 12a and an image pickup device
(hereinafter an image sensor) 12c. In this case, the glass member
12a is attached to the front side of the image sensor 12c, that is,
the side of the image sensor that faces the image pickup optical
system 11 and that forms the image pickup surface.
[0039] Electrodes formed on the front side of the image sensor 12c
(a junction between the image sensor and glass member 12a) cannot
be connected to an external component. In order to connect the
electrodes on the front side of the image sensor 12 to a component
located behind the rear side of the image sensor 12, the image
sensor 12c is provided with penetrating electrodes 12d and
projecting electrodes (bumps) 12e. Namely, the electrodes on the
front side of the image sensor 12 are connected to a component
located behind the rear side thereof via the penetrating electrodes
12d and projecting electrodes 12e.
[0040] The penetrating electrodes 12d are realized with very small
bores penetrating through the image sensor 12c, and the same number
of penetrating electrodes as the number of electrodes is formed.
The projecting electrodes 12e are associated with the penetrating
electrodes 12d, and are simultaneously formed on a wafer through
plating (will be detailed later).
[0041] Moreover, the glass member 12a has a concave part formed on
the side thereof facing the image sensor 12c. The concave part is
intended to hermetically seal the surface of the image sensor 12c
when the glass member 12a and image sensor 12c are joined.
Consequently, when the glass member 12a and image sensor 12c are
joined, an air layer 12b is formed in a predetermined field between
them (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3F).
[0042] The image pickup means 12 having the foregoing structure is
manufactured according to a process described below.
[0043] To begin with, a reinforcement member 100 is, as shown in
FIG. 3B, temporarily bonded to an image sensor wafer 12cc, which is
a raw material as shown in FIG. 3A, using a temporary bonding
member 101 such as a predetermined adhesive.
[0044] Thereafter, the image sensor wafer 12cc shown in FIG. 3B is
polished to have a predetermined thickness using a predetermined
machine tool or the like. This results in the state shown in FIG.
3C.
[0045] The polishing changes the state of the image sensor wafer
12cc into a state like a very thin film. In this state, it is hard
to perform various kinds of machining on the image sensor wafer
12cc.
[0046] For this reason, the reinforcement member 100 is bonded to
the thin-film image sensor wafer 12cc in order to reinforce the
image sensor wafer 12cc for fear the image sensor wafer 12cc may be
broken during machining.
[0047] The predetermined number of penetrating electrodes 12d is
formed at predetermined positions in the image sensor wafer 12cc
(having a specified thickness) in the state shown in FIG. 3C. This
brings the image sensor 12c to the state shown in FIG. 3D. For
formation of the penetrating electrodes 12d, for example, a dry
etching technique is adopted.
[0048] Thereafter, the projecting electrodes 12e are simultaneously
formed over the penetrating electrodes 12d in the image sensor 12c
shown in FIG. 3D by performing plating or the like. This brings the
image sensor 12c to the state shown in FIG. 3E.
[0049] The reinforcement member 100 and temporary bonding member
101 are removed from the image sensor in the state shown in FIG.
3E. Thereafter, the glass member 12a is bonded to the predetermined
side (front side) of the image sensor 12c. This results in the
state shown in FIG. 3F. The side of the glass member 12a having the
concave part is opposed to the front side (image pickup surface) of
the image sensor 12c. Consequently, the air layer 12b is formed in
the predetermined field between the glass member 12a and image
sensor 12c. This is the state attained when the manufacture of the
image pickup means 12 is completed, that is, the state shown in
FIG. 3F. The image pickup means 12 is mounted on the substrate 13a
included in the circuit board 13.
[0050] The substrates 13a and 13b constituting the circuit board 13
have, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, an inductor 13aa, an
integrated circuit (IC) 13ab, a thin film resistor 13ba, and a
capacitor 13bb embedded therein.
[0051] Referring back to FIG. 1, the posture sensing means 18 is
mounted on the substrate 13b that is included in the circuit board
13 and that is located substantially in the center of the capsular
endoscope 10. The posture sensing means 18 is realized with a
gyroscope or the like for sensing the three-dimensional posture of
the capsular endoscope 10 that is inserted into a body cavity and
put to use. Based on data detected by the posture sensing means 18,
the posture of the capsular endoscope 10 is controlled.
[0052] Moreover, the communication/power reception unit 19 is, as
mentioned above, disposed at a predetermined position near one end
of the capsular endoscope 10 within the capsular endoscope 10. The
communication/power reception unit 19 fills the role of means via
which the capsular endoscope 10 communicates with the external
controller 21, and also fills the role of means for receiving power
from the external controller 21.
[0053] Specifically, the communication/power reception unit 19
comprises: radio-communication means realized with an antenna
member or the like via which various communication signals are
transferred between the capsular endoscope 10 being used in, for
example, a body cavity and the external controller 21 located
outside the body cavity or via which an image signal representing
an object and being acquired by the capsular endoscope 10 is
transmitted to the external controller 21; and power receiving
means for receiving power fed by radio from the external controller
21 and distributing the power to the internal electric circuits of
the capsular endoscope 10.
[0054] The communication/power reception unit 19 comprises, for
example, an electric double-layer capacitor (so-called super
capacitor), a non-directional antenna, a voltage-controlled
oscillator (communicating means), a regulator, and a power
receiving antenna (power receiving means).
[0055] The illuminating means 15 comprises the light emitting
sources 15a realized with a plurality of light emitting diodes
(LEDs) for illuminating an object, and the light emitting source
mounting substrate 15b on which the light emitting sources 15a are
mounted and on which an electric circuit for driving or controlling
the light emitting sources 15a is also mounted.
[0056] To be more specific, the plurality of light emitting sources
15a is located near the periphery of the lens barrel 11b of the
image pickup optical system 11. The plurality of light emitting
diodes realizing the respective light emitting sources 15a is
disposed so that predetermined luminous flux will be emitted to the
front side of the capsular endoscope 10.
[0057] Moreover, the marker shooting unit 17 serving as marking
means that shoots a predetermined marker member 20 (which will be
detailed) so as to indwell it in a body cavity is located at a
predetermined position in the capsular endoscope 10. The marker
shooting unit 17 comprises a nozzle 17a, a reservoir 17c, and the
marker member 20 poured into the reservoir 17c.
[0058] The reservoir 17c is located behind the light emitting
source mounting substrate 15b within the housing 16 of the capsular
endoscope 10, or in other words, is located substantially in the
center of the capsular endoscope 10. The reservoir 17c is filled
with the marker member 20 that is pressurized in advance. The
marker member 20 is shot to adhere to any region in a body cavity
for the purpose of marking a lesion or the like.
[0059] As the marker member 20, for example, a fluorescent
substance, a substance opaque to X-rays, or a dye that is a liquid
is adopted. Means for pressurizing the marker member 20 pressurizes
the marker member 20 in advance by utilizing, for example, an
electromagnetic force or an electrostatic force.
[0060] The nozzle 17a is realized with a tubular member whose
diameter is very small. The nozzle 17a extends from a predetermined
portion of the reservoir 17c through the light emitting source
mounting substrate 15b to the transparent window 16a of the housing
16. The distal part of the nozzle 17a lies at a predetermined
position near the transparent window 16a so that it will not jut
out of the external surface of the transparent window 16a.
Moreover, the distal part of the nozzle 17a is disposed to fall
within the field of view offered by the image pickup optical system
11.
[0061] A valve 17b is disposed in a predetermined portion of the
nozzle 17a (near the reservoir 17c). The valve 17b is realized with
a piezoelectric valve that opens or closes due to the piezoelectric
effect, a pneumatic valve that opens or closes with air pressure,
or an electromagnetic valve that utilizes electromagnetism.
Consequently, the reservoir 17c and nozzle 17a freely communicate
with each other by opening the valve 17b.
[0062] When the valve 17b is opened, the marker member 20 in the
reservoir 17c is shot to a target object such as a target lesion,
which is located externally ahead of the capsular endoscope 10,
over the nozzle 17a due to the internal pressure of the reservoir
17c.
[0063] Controlling shooting of the marker member 20 to be achieved
by opening or closing the valve 17b is executed remotely using the
external controller 21. Namely, an operator of the system 1
manipulates a predetermined manipulation member of the external
controller 21, whereby the shooting is controlled. The marker
shooting unit 17 serves as shooting means for shooting the marker
member 20.
[0064] On the other hand, the external controller 21 comprises: as
mentioned previously, the control means that is used mainly to
externally control the capsular endoscope 10 and that controls the
entire system on a centralized manner; image processing means for
receiving an image signal or the like that is acquired by the
capsular endoscope 10 and transmitted by radio from the
radio-communication means included in the capsular endoscope 10,
and performing predetermined signal processing; communicating means
via which the external controller 21 communicates with the capsular
endoscope 10; recording means for recording the received image
signal; display means on which a discernible image is displayed
according to the image signal having undergone the predetermined
signal processing; and power feeding means for feeding required
power to the capsular endoscope 10 by radio.
[0065] As the display means, for example, a cathode-ray tube (CRT)
type display device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma
display device, an electroluminescent display device, or any other
typical display device is adopted.
[0066] The operation of the capsular endoscope 10 having the
foregoing components and the operation of the capsular endoscope
system 1 including the capsular endoscope 10 will be described
below.
[0067] To begin with, the capsular endoscope 10 inserted into a
body cavity acquires an image signal representing a desired object,
performs predetermined processing on the image signal, and
transmits the resultant signal to the external controller 21 via
the communication/power reception unit 19. The concrete process
will be described below.
[0068] In order to perform examination using the capsular endoscope
10, first, a subject is asked to gulp down the capsular endoscope
10.
[0069] The capsular endoscope 10 advances along a body cavity due
to the peristalsis of each of the subject's intracavitary organs or
predetermined moving means, and duly reaches a target region (near
an object) whose observation and examination is desired. At this
time, the external controller 21 starts feeding power to the
capsular endoscope 10.
[0070] The timing of feeding power from the external controller 21
to the capsular endoscope 10 is not limited to the above one.
Alternatively, the feeding of power may be started immediately
before a subject gulps down the capsular endoscope 10 or may be
started according to any other timing.
[0071] When the capsular endoscope 10 is activated with the power
received from the external controller 21, the illuminating means 15
is turned on at the same time. The capsular endoscope 10 moves
while the illuminating means 15 is illuminating the interior of the
body cavity. At this time, the image pickup optical system 11 forms
an intracavitary optical image on the light receiving surface of
the image pickup means 12.
[0072] The image pickup means 12 in turn performs predetermined
photoelectric conversion. An electric signal (image signal)
representing an image equivalent to the optical image of the object
is produced through the photoelectric conversion. The image signal
is transmitted to a predetermined device mounted on the circuit
board 13 over the flexible printed-circuit board 14, and then
subjected to various kinds of signal processing.
[0073] The resultant image signal representing the object image is
transmitted to the external controller 21 via the
communication/power reception unit 19. The external controller 21
in turn performs predetermined processing on the received image
signal. Thereafter, an electric signal of a predetermined form that
can be handled by the recording means or display means included in
the external controller, that is, a recording image signal suitable
for recording or a display image signal suitable for display is
transmitted to the recording means or display means.
[0074] Specifically, the image signal of the object is converted
into the recording image signal of a predetermined form suitable
for recording, transferred to the recording means, and then
recorded in a predetermined recording field on a predetermined
recording medium (not shown but included in the recording means).
Moreover, the image signal is also converted into the display image
signal of a predetermined form suitable for display, transferred to
a display device, and displayed as a discernible image using a
display unit of the display device.
[0075] Consequently, the image of the object displayed on the
display unit of the display device is viewed in order to examine
and diagnose the object.
[0076] When the capsular endoscope 10 inserted into the body cavity
as mentioned above stays near the region (object) desired to be
observed and examined, the operator of the system 1 manipulates the
external controller 21 so as to actuate the marker shooting unit 17
incorporated in the capsular endoscope 10, and thus controls
shooting of the marker member 20.
[0077] At this time, since the nozzle 17a of the marker shooting
unit 17 falls within the field of view offered by the image pickup
optical system 11, at least the distal part of the nozzle 17a is
visualized together with the object by means of the display unit
(not shown) of the display device included in the external
controller 21. Therefore, the operator manipulates the marker
shooting unit 17 so as to shoot the marker member 20 while viewing
the image of the object that is a target to be marked with the
marker member 20, and the image of the nozzle 17a alike.
[0078] Consequently, a predetermined amount of the marker member 20
is shot from the marker shooting unit 17. The marker member 20 is
indwelled in the desired target region in the body cavity. Thus,
the object such as a lesion is marked.
[0079] The shooting should be performed at least once during one
examination. Alternatively, the shooting may be performed a
plurality of times.
[0080] As described above, the first embodiment includes the marker
shooting unit 17 serving as marking means. While the image pickup
means 12 is used to observe the inside of a body cavity, the marker
member 20 is indwelled in an object that is a desired region, for
example, a lesion in order to mark the object. Therefore, after the
capsular endoscope 10 is used for examination, when another
examination is performed, the object such as a previously
discovered lesion can be rediscovered readily.
[0081] In this case, assuming that a dye is adopted as the marker
member 20, when examination is performed later, for example, when
close examination is performed using an ordinary endoscope or the
like, the region (object such as a lesion) in which the marker
member 20 is indwelled can be rediscovered readily.
[0082] Moreover, assuming that a fluorescent substance is adopted
as the marker member 20, the lesion or the like can be readily
rediscovered by performing fluorescent observation.
[0083] Assuming that a substance opaque to X-rays is adopted as the
marker member 20, after examination is performed using the capsular
endoscope 10, radiographic examination is carried out in order to
extracorporeally accurately grasp the position of a region such as
a lesion.
[0084] Moreover, since the nozzle 17a of the marker shooting unit
17 falls within the field of view offered by the image pickup
optical system 11, the distal part of the nozzle 17a and an object
can be simultaneously visualized using the display unit (not shown)
of the display device included in the external controller 21.
Consequently, shooting is performed readily using the marker
shooting unit 17.
[0085] According to the first embodiment, the reservoir 17c is, as
shown in FIG. 1, fixed at a predetermined position in the capsular
endoscope 10. If this structure is adopted, the same number of
types of capsular endoscopes 10 as the number of kinds of marker
materials 20 to be poured into the reservoir 17c must be made
available. A desired capsular endoscope 10 would be selected from
among the plurality of types of capsular endoscopes 10 according to
the examination to be performed.
[0086] Otherwise, for example, the reservoir 17c may be formed as a
unit so that it can be freely attached or detached to or from the
capsular endoscope 10.
[0087] In this case, when the use of the capsular endoscope 10 is
started, a reservoir unit filled with a desired marker member 20
suitable for an intended examination is selected, and attached to
the capsular endoscope 10.
[0088] Namely, in this case, the main body structure of the
capsular endoscope 10 is used in common, and the reservoir unit
alone is selected arbitrarily and attached to the main body of the
capsular endoscope 10. Thus, the marker member 20 suitable for the
desired examination can be selected accordingly.
[0089] Consequently, a system enabling efficient management of
resources can be configured. Moreover, talking of manufacture, only
reservoir units should be manufactured and managed in association
with the kinds of marker member 20. This leads to an efficient
manufacturing process and contributes to reduction of the cost of
manufacture.
[0090] According to the first embodiment, as a method of feeding
power to the capsular endoscope 10, an externally power feeding
method using the communication/power reception unit 19 that
receives power fed from the external controller 21 by radio is
adopted. Alternatively, any other different power feeding method,
for example, a built-in power supply method in which a source
battery composed of primary or secondary cells is incorporated in
the capsular endoscope 10 may be adopted for the capsular endoscope
10.
[0091] In this case, the power feeding means need not be included
in the external controller 21. A communication unit equivalent to
the communication/power reception unit 19 that has power receiving
means removed therefrom is adapted to the capsular endoscope
10.
[0092] Although the usable time during which the capsular endoscope
is usable depends on the battery capacity, the internal electric
circuitry of the capsular endoscope can be simplified. This
contributes to reduction of the cost of manufacture.
[0093] According to the first embodiment, the marker member 20 with
which an object and its surroundings are marked is poured into the
reservoir 17c included in the marker shooting unit 17. Instead of
the marker member 20, an agent for medical or therapeutic treatment
that acts on a lesion or the like may be poured into the reservoir
17c.
[0094] In this case, the capsular endoscope 10 is used to acquire
an optical image and a reconstructed image is displayed, whereby
visual examination is carried out. Moreover, if a lesion is
discovered during the examination, the marker shooting unit 17 is
used to shoot the agent. Thus, simple therapeutic or medical
treatment can be achieved.
[0095] On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, a
liquid member is shot as the marker member 20 to an object. The
marker member 20 is not limited to the liquid member.
Alternatively, the marker member 20 may be, for example, like the
one employed in a second embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
[0096] FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a capsular
endoscope in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention and the configuration of a capsular endoscope system
including the capsular endoscope. FIG. 4 shows a section of the
capsular endoscope to present the internal components thereof. FIG.
5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main portion of the
capsular endoscope 10 including the distal part thereof, wherein a
solid marker member is shot from the capsular endoscope in order to
mark a desired object.
[0097] The present embodiment has, as shown in FIG. 4,
substantially the same components as the aforesaid first embodiment
does. A marker shooting unit incorporated in the capsular endoscope
is a bit different from the one included in the first embodiment.
Therefore, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the
components of the present embodiment identical to those of the
first embodiment, and the description of the identical components
will be omitted. Different components alone will be described in
conjunction with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 below.
[0098] A marker shooting unit 17A included in the present
embodiment is designed to shoot a marker member 17Ad formed with a
clip-like solid. The marker shooting unit 17A comprises a
cylindrical shooting pipe 17Aa and a constraining member 17Ae such
as a spring for shooting the marker material 17Ad.
[0099] A plurality of marker members 17Ad is incorporated in the
shooting pipe 17Aa. A predetermined mechanism is constructed so
that the constraining member 17Ae can shoot the marker members 17Ad
to outside at any time.
[0100] The marker members 17Ad are members formed with, as
mentioned above, clip-like solids, for example, metallic members.
When the marker members 17Ad are incorporated in the shooting pipe
17Aa, they have a substantially particulate shape as shown in FIG.
4. When the marker members 17Ad are shot at any time, a needle-like
portion 17Add is, as shown in FIG. 5, jutted substantially out of
the distal end of each of the marker members. The needle-like
portion 17Add pieces an object 103 and is thus indwelled in the
region.
[0101] The other components are identical to those of the first
embodiment. The operation of the present invention is substantially
identical to that of the first embodiment except the working of the
marker members 17Ad to be shot from the marker shooting unit
17A.
[0102] As mentioned above, according to the second embodiment, the
same advantages as those of the first embodiment can be
provided.
[0103] Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the solid
marker members 17Ad formed with metallic members or the like are
indwelled in a desired intracavitary region. After examination is
performed using the capsular endoscope 10A, if radiographic
examination is carried out, the position of a lesion or the like
can be accurately extracorporeally grasped.
[0104] Next, a capsular endoscope in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention and a capsular endoscope system
will be described below.
[0105] FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show the capsular endoscope in accordance
with the present embodiment. FIG. 6 schematically shows a main
capsule that is part of the capsular endoscope. FIG. 7
schematically shows a power capsule that is other part of the
capsular endoscope. FIG. 8 shows the use state of the capsular
endoscope in which the main capsule shown in FIG. 6 and the power
capsule shown in FIG. 7 are coupled to each other.
[0106] A capsular endoscope 10B in accordance with the present
embodiment comprises two capsular housings, that is, as shown in
FIG. 6, a main capsule 10Ba accommodating major members that
include image pickup means, and a power capsule 10Bb accommodating
members that constitute power supply means and include a source
battery as shown in FIG. 7. The two separate capsules (main capsule
10Ba and power capsule 10Bb) are coupled to each other using
predetermined coupling means (that will be detailed later). When
the two capsules are coupled to each other, they function as the
capsular endoscope 10B.
[0107] The same reference numerals will be assigned to the internal
components of the capsular endoscope 10B in accordance with the
present invention which have the same capabilities as those of the
capsular endoscope 10 in accordance with the first embodiment. The
description of the identical components will be omitted. FIG. 8
shows, as mentioned above, the main capsule shown in FIG. 6 and the
power capsule shown in FIG. 7 that are coupled to each other. The
reference numerals are omitted from FIG. 8 in efforts to avoid the
complexity of the drawing.
[0108] The main capsule 10Ba comprises a housing 16A serving as an
armor member that seals the interior thereof in a liquid-tight
manner and various members incorporated in the housing 16A.
[0109] The housing 16A is shaped like a capsule whose one end is
made planar. Specifically, the housing 16A is shaped like a hollow
hemisphere using a rigid member made of, for example, a transparent
resin. The housing 16A comprises: a transparent window 16Aa that
covers and protects the front side of the capsular endoscope 10B
and that transmits illumination luminous flux emitted from the
illuminating means 15 and luminous flux incident on an image pickup
optical system 11B; and a main body 16Ab that is shaped
substantially like a cylinder, of which one end has an opening,
using a rigid member made of, for example, a resin, that serves as
a main portion of the housing 16A, and that externally covers and
protects various members incorporated therein.
[0110] In the housing 16A, as shown in FIG. 6, the image pickup
optical system 11B, the image pickup means 12, a circuit board 13
including a plurality of substrates 13a and 13b, a flexible
printed-circuit board 14, the illuminating means 15 including light
emitting sources 15a and a light emitting source mounting substrate
15b, the posture sensing means 18, a permanent magnet 22a serving
as coupling means, and a transformer 23a are disposed at
predetermined positions.
[0111] The image pickup optical system 11B selectively introduces
one of luminous fluxes (O1 and O2 in FIG. 6), which fall thereon in
two predetermined lateral directions relative to the
longitudinal-axis direction of the capsular endoscope 10B, into the
light receiving surface of the image pickup means 12.
[0112] The image pickup optical system 11B therefore comprises a
first group of lenses 11a and a second group of lenses 11e that are
opposed to each other in order to introduce luminous fluxes which
fall thereon in two different directions, a third group of lenses
11c located near the front side of the light receiving surface of
the image pickup means 12, and a reflecting mirror 11d that
receives one of the luminous fluxes transmitted by the first group
of lenses 11a and the second group of lenses 11e and introduces the
luminous flux to the third group of lenses 11c.
[0113] The reflecting mirror 11c is disposed to freely swivel in
the directions of arrows R within a predetermined range centered on
a position X shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the movable range of
the reflecting mirror 11c is a range defined between a position at
which the reflecting mirror meets the ray axis O1 of the luminous
flux transmitted by the first group of lenses 11a at an angle of
substantially 45.degree. and a position at which the reflecting
mirror meets the ray axis O2 (indicated with a dashed line) of the
luminous flux transmitted by the second group of lenses 11e at an
angle of substantially 45.degree..
[0114] In the present embodiment, communicating means via which the
capsular endoscope 10B communicates with an external controller
(not shown) is mounted on the circuit board 13.
[0115] On the other hand, the power capsule 10Bb comprises a
housing 16Ac serving as an armor member that seals the interior
thereof in a liquid-tight manner and various members incorporated
in the housing 16Ac.
[0116] The housing 16Ac is shaped substantially like the housing
16A of the main capsule 10Ba as a whole. The entire housing 16Ac is
formed with a rigid member made of a resin in the same manner as
the main body 16Ab of the main capsule 10Ba is.
[0117] The housing 16Ac accommodates a source battery 19A including
a plurality of primary or secondary cells, a permanent magnet 22b
serving as coupling means, and transformers 23b.
[0118] The permanent magnet 22b exhibits a polarity opposite to the
polarity of the permanent magnet 22a included in the main capsule
10Ba. Consequently, the main capsule 10Ba and power capsule 10Bb
(housing 16Ab and housing 16Ac) are coupled to each other as shown
in FIG. 8 owing to magnetic forces induced by the permanent magnet
22a included in the main capsule 10Ba and the permanent magnet 22b
included in the power capsule 10Bb.
[0119] Moreover, when the transformers 23b are used in combination
with the transformers 23a included in the main capsule 10Ba, power
can be fed in a non-contact state.
[0120] Specifically, when the main capsule 10Ba and power capsule
10Bb are coupled to each other as shown in FIG. 8, if the
transformers are actuated, although the transformers do not come
into contact with each other, power is fed from the power capsule
10Bb to the main capsule 10Ba.
[0121] The operation of the capsular endoscope 10B in accordance
with the present embodiment having the foregoing components will be
described below.
[0122] When the capsular endoscope 10B is used for examination, a
subject is first asked to gulp down the main capsule 10Ba and the
power capsule 10Bb separately. The main capsule and power capsule
are coupled to each other in a body cavity owing to the attractions
of the permanent magnets 22a and 22b.
[0123] When the main capsule and power capsule are coupled to each
other as shown in FIG. 8, the transformers 23a and 23b are
actuated. Predetermined power is fed from the power capsule 10Bb to
the main capsule 10Ba, whereby the capsular endoscope 10B starts
functioning.
[0124] The orientation of the reflecting mirror 11d included in the
image pickup optical system 11B is controlled by the external
controller (not shown). Consequently, an object located in one of
two predetermined lateral directions of the capsular endoscope 10B
can be selectively observed. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the
reflecting mirror 11d is positioned in order to introduce luminous
flux, which is transmitted by the first group of lenses 11a, to the
image pickup means 12.
[0125] After examination is completed, the capsular endoscope 10B
is evacuated due to the peristalsis of each of the subject's
intracavitary organs.
[0126] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the
main capsule 10Ba and power capsule 10Bb are formed separately from
each other, and coupled using the permanent magnets 22a and 22b.
When the main capsule and power capsule are coupled to each other,
power is fed from the power capsule 10Bb to the main capsule
10Ba.
[0127] Consequently, the unit size of each of the capsules can be
reduced.
[0128] Moreover, even if the sizes of the capsules are increased, a
subject can gulp down the capsules. The size of a capsular
endoscope can be increased without an increase in a load on the
subject. This means that each of the capsules can offer a large
volume. Owing to the larger volume, for example, the main capsule
10Ba can accommodate a larger number of members. Eventually, higher
performance and a larger number of capabilities can be realized.
Moreover, for example, the power capsule 10Bb can accommodate a
larger number of source cells. This contributes to extension of a
use time. Furthermore, a different kind of source battery, for
example, a generation device composed of, for example, fuel cells
but not of primary or secondary cells can be incorporated in the
power capsule.
[0129] According to the third embodiment, the permanent magnets 22a
and 22b are adopted as the coupling means for coupling the main
capsule 10Ba and power capsule 10Bb. The coupling means is not
limited to the permanent magnets.
[0130] For example, at least one of the permanent magnets 22a and
22b may be replaced with an electromagnet. In this case, when the
external controller is used to control the magnetic force of the
electromagnet, the main capsule 10Ba and power capsule 10Bb can be
uncoupled from each other at any time. After the main capsule and
power capsule are gulped down separately from each other, they are
coupled to each other in order to perform desired examination.
Thereafter, the main capsule and power capsule are uncoupled from
each other. In this case, the capsules 10Ba and 10Bb can be
evacuated readily.
[0131] According to the third embodiment, the source battery is
incorporated in the power capsule 10Bb. Aside from the source
battery, power receiving means for receiving power externally fed
by radio may be included as it is included in the first embodiment.
In this case, both the source battery and power receiving means are
used to adopt both the built-in power method and externally power
feeding method. Otherwise, one of the methods may be adopted.
[0132] According to the third embodiment, the image pickup optical
system 11B is designed so that an object located in one of two
predetermined lateral directions of the capsular endoscope 10B can
be selectively observed. Alternatively, the image pickup optical
system may be designed so that a predetermined range defined in one
of the lateral directions of the capsular endoscope 10B or defined
ahead of the capsular endoscope 10B can be observed.
[0133] FIG. 9 schematically shows the structure of a main capsule
included in a capsular endoscope in accordance with a variant of
the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0134] The variant, as shown in FIG. 9, is different from the third
embodiment in the optical elements of an image pickup optical
system 11C that is one of the components of a main capsule 10Ca.
Therefore, the components of the main capsule 10Ca other than the
image pickup optical system 11C and the components of the power
capsule are identical to those of the third embodiment. The
illustration and description of the identical components will
therefore be omitted.
[0135] The image pickup optical system 11C incorporated in the main
capsule 10Ca included in the capsular endoscope in accordance with
the variant comprises two groups of lenses that introduce luminous
fluxes which fall thereon in two different directions, that is, a
first group of lenses 11a and a second group of lenses 11f, a third
group of lenses 11c disposed near the front side of the light
receiving surface of the image pickup means 12, and a reflecting
mirror 11d that receives one of the luminous fluxes transmitted by
the first group of lenses 11a and second group of lenses 11f and
introduces the luminous flux to the third group of lenses 11c as
shown in FIG. 9.
[0136] The first group of lenses 11a out of the two groups of
lenses is, similarly to the one included in the third embodiment,
located at a position at which the first group of lenses can
transmit luminous flux falling thereon in a predetermined one of
the lateral directions of the capsular endoscope, whereby a lateral
field of view is ensured. Moreover, the second group of lenses 11f
is located at a position at which the second group of lenses can
transmit luminous flux falling thereon from ahead of the capsular
endoscope, whereby a front field of view is ensured.
[0137] The reflecting mirror 11c is disposed so that it can freely
swivel in the directions of arrows R within a predetermined range
centered on a position X1 in FIG. 9. In this case, the movable
range of the reflecting mirror 11c is defined between a position
(indicated with a solid line in FIG. 9) at which the reflecting
mirror 11c meets the ray axis O1 of luminous flux, which has passed
through the first group of lenses 11a, at an angle of substantially
45.degree. and a position (indicated with an alternate long and two
short dashes line in FIG. 9) at which the reflecting mirror recedes
from luminous flux (ray axis O3) that has passed through the second
group of lenses 11f. The other components and operations thereof
are substantially identical to those of the third embodiment.
[0138] As described above, even the variant provides the same
advantages as the third embodiment does. In addition, either of the
front field of view and the lateral field of view offered by the
capsular endoscope can be selected for observation.
[0139] According to the present invention, it is apparent that a
wide range of different embodiments can be constructed based on the
invention without a departure from the spirit and scope of the
invention. The present invention will be limited to the appended
Claims but not restricted to any specific embodiment.
* * * * *