CN101048100A - Capsule type medical device - Google Patents

Abstract

A capsule type medical device (1) is of a type of a capsule type medical device that is introduced inside the living body to gather in-vivo information, and comprises a capsule shaped casing (1); an in-vivo information acquisition device (2) for acquiring the in-vivo information; a communication device (4) for sending the in-vivo information acquired by the in-vivo information acquisition device to outside of the living body by wireless; at least one pair of first electrodes (6) provided in a vicinity of one end along an axis of the casing for giving electric stimulation to body tissue in the living body; a first current control device (3) for sending current to the first electrodes; and an interelectrode distance variation device (7) for changing a distance between the electrodes.

Description

Capsule type medical device

Technical field

The present invention relates to capsule type medical device that live body is observed, more particularly, make the device that to observe desired locations thereby relate to a kind of moving in vivo by providing electricity irritation to bodily tissue.

Background technology

Method for the people's that is checked health status is checked is widely known by the people such as the method for utilizing endoscope to carry out medical inspection or observation.And, the inspection method of the following capsule type medical device of known use (for example, referring to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, communique No.2003-135388 for the first time), promptly, in this capsule type medical device, the testing fixture that is configured as scrotiform is introduced in vivo, to be easy to the health inspection.Can utilize and the similar various types of capsule type medical devices of said apparatus, wherein a kind of is electric propulsion type device, in this electric propulsion type device, provide local electricity irritation by electrode to bodily tissue, utilize then this systemic contraction and mobile in vivo (for example, referring to PCT international publication No.WO 01/08549, and US patent application publication NO.0125388).

Usually, capsule type medical device by the wriggling such as the luminal organ of small intestinal, moves in digestive tract when being introduced into live body naturally.Yet, this electric propulsion type capsule type medical device is by providing local electricity irritation to the bodily tissue such as luminal organ, thereby cause with for the different contractile motion of (autonomous) wriggling of this bodily tissue nature (cause force wriggling or local muscle contraction), advance moving or moving in opposite direction forward.This makes can arrive position to be observed fast, perhaps observes in detail a position.Therefore, realized effective observation.

In the disclosed capsule type medical device, in order to deal with the diameter variation of luminal organ, electrode is set in the expandable air bag in PCT international publication No.WO 01/08548.Yet, in this device, must will be blown into such as the fluid of air this capsule type medical device from the outside of live body by using pipe etc., make airbag inflation.Therefore, need big relatively pipe that fluid is blown in the air bag, this makes and is difficult to dispose this device in vivo.And the people who is checked often does not feel like oneself or is inconvenient.In addition, if pipe is stuck in luminal organ (caught), then the stable propelling of this capsule type medical device may be interrupted.And, in PCT international publication No.WO 01/08548 in the disclosed capsule type medical device, do not provide and the structure detailed description relevant, thereby obviously require further improvement with mechanism to the power supply of electrode power supply.

In the description of US patent application publication 2003/0125788 in the disclosed capsule type medical device, the electrode that will be used for electricity irritation is installed in the wing (flap) that can swing, by using this wing of expandable airbag-releasing, make the diameter variation problem of luminal organ obtain solution then.Yet, with Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, for the first time be to need pipe to come blow air etc., like the disclosed model class among the communique No.2003-135399 so that airbag inflation.In addition, even this wing is being opened under the maximum sized situation, distance between electrodes is also approximately identical with the diameter of capsule, and therefore, following problem occurs: this device obviously can not be used for the diameter luminal organ bigger than the diameter of this capsule.

Summary of the invention

Capsule type medical device of the present invention is a kind of being introduced in vivo to collect the in vivo capsule type medical device of information, and this capsule type medical device comprises: the scrotiform housing; In vivo information acquisition device is used to obtain described in vivo information; Communicator sends to described live body outside with being used for the described in vivo information wireless that will be obtained by described in vivo information acquisition device; At least one pair of first electrode, it is arranged near an end of the axle of described housing, is used for providing electricity irritation to the bodily tissue of described live body; First current control device is used for carrying electric current to described first electrode; And the first interelectrode distance modifier, be used to change described first distance between electrodes.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention,, therefore make described electrode contact and provide electricity irritation with bodily tissue exactly because described capsule type medical device has the interelectrode distance modifier.Therefore, realized systemic contractile motion exactly, this makes it possible to stably advance described capsule type medical device.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, can be set at the twice at least of the external diameter of described housing by the ultimate range between described first electrode of described first interelectrode distance modifier change.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, described electrode and diameter are obviously contacted greater than the luminal organ of the diameter of described housing.

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: at least one pair of second electrode, it is arranged near the other end of the described axle of described housing, and is positioned at the position that does not overlap with described in vivo information acquisition device, is used for providing electricity irritation to described bodily tissue; Second current control device is used for carrying electric current to described second electrode; And the second interelectrode distance modifier, be used to change described second distance between electrodes.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, can described first electrode of subtend and the electric current carried of described second electrode control independently of one another, therefore, described capsule type medical device is freely moved forward and backward.In other words, described capsule type medical device is owing to move forward to the electricity irritation that described bodily tissue provides by described first electrode on the edge side that is arranged on described housing.Equally, described capsule type medical device is because the electricity irritation that provides to described bodily tissue by described second electrode on another edge side that is arranged on described housing and moving backward.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, the described first interelectrode distance modifier is formed by the flexible wires of locating to support described first electrode endways, and described flexible wires locates by described housing supporting at its cardinal extremity (base end), and protruding from described housing.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, the strain by described flexible wires make between described electrode and the described bodily tissue contact more accurate.And in the time of in described device is introduced into described luminal organ, the diameter variation of described luminal organ is compensated accurately, and described electrode is guaranteed with constant contact the between the described bodily tissue.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described flexible wires is a band shape, and the width of the width of described first electrode and described flexible wires is basic identical.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, electrically contact with described systemic larger area and to be guaranteed, therefore, carry to described bodily tissue with stable manner and to shrink the necessary magnitude of current.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described flexible wires comprises: wire element is used for from described cardinal extremity to described end feed electric current; And the insulation covering member, be used for described wire element is insulated and covers, and at least a in described wire element and the described insulation covering member has flexibility and elasticity.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, use insulation cladding material covers described wire element and insulate, and therefore, can accurately prevent the short circuit between the flexible wires, thereby make it possible to be provided with flexible wires close to each otherly.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described flexible wires is made by superelastic alloy and/or super-elasticity polymeric material.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, realized the big strain of described flexible wires, therefore the diameter variation of described intravital described luminal organ is compensated accurately, and described electrode is guaranteed with constant contact the between the described bodily tissue.

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: the line tying device, be used near described end, tying up described flexible wires, and this line tying device is in described in vivo dissolving.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, in described flexible wires under the situation that described end side is tied, make it possible to easily capsule type medical device is incorporated in the described live body, this is because when for example by swallowing described capsule type medical device this capsule type medical device being placed described live body, described flexible wires and electrode can not become obstacle.After disposing described capsule type medical device, described line tying device is by dissolvings such as gastric acid, and therefore, described lead scatters, and makes it possible to change interelectrode distance.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, the described first interelectrode distance modifier is the outer cover unit that can outwards be installed to movably on the described housing, and described first electrode is fixed on this outer cover unit.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, be fixed with a plurality of electrodes in the described outer cover unit, to form a unit,, described electrode is contacted with described bodily tissue by along the described electrode of moving radially of described outer cover unit.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, periphery along described housing is provided with two or more described first electrodes, and described capsule type medical device also comprises: the electrode selector, being used for selecting in the middle of described first electrode will be by the electrode from described current control device conveying electric current.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, to provide the position of electricity irritation to make described capsule type medical device also can accurately move by along continuous straight runs along peripheral selection.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described electrode selector is the electrode size modifier, and it changes the size that each first electrode of electricity irritation is provided to described bodily tissue by select some electrode arbitrarily in the middle of described first electrode.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, guarantee the optimum electrode size of each electrode by the size that changes each electrode, carry the expectation magnitude of current to become simple to described bodily tissue.

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: the line memory element is used for described flexible wires is stored in the described housing.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, when described electrode was not used, described flexible wires was stored in the described housing, made described flexible wires not stretch out from described housing.

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: rotating shaft, and it is connected to the described cardinal extremity of described flexible wires, and be can be rotated to support in the described line memory element; And actuator, be used to drive described rotating shaft.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, make described rotating shaft rotation by driving described actuator, realize the release or the winding of described flexible wires, therefore, can at random change interelectrode distance.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described flexible wires has shape memory characteristic, and described flexible wires is at 30 ℃ or more enter coiled type under the low temperature and twine state, and reverts to roughly straight line under 35 ℃ or higher temperature.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, described flexible wires is near under the room temperature condition (about 25 ℃) before in being incorporated into described live body, and therefore described flexible wires is stored in the described line memory element with coiled type winding state.And, be deployed in described in vivo after, described flexible wires is near under the body temperature condition (about 35 ℃), therefore described flexible wires reverts near linear state.Therefore, in case described capsule type medical device is swallowed, described flexible wires just can independently be launched from described line memory element.

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: heater, be used in described line memory element, heating, and described flexible wires has shape memory characteristic, by this characteristic, described flexible wires is twined the recovering state shape that is in line from the substantial line round under 40 ℃ or higher temperature.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, described flexible wires was in before entering described live body under the normal room temperature state (about 25 ℃), therefore, described flexible wires with the substantial line round the state that is wrapped on the described rotating shaft be stored in the described line memory element.Even after entering described live body, described flexible wires also remains below under 40 ℃ the body temperature (about 35 ℃), and therefore, described flexible wires remains in the described line memory element with keeping original shape.And when the temperature in the operation by heater makes described line memory element was elevated to and is higher than 40 ℃, described flexible wires reverted to basic rectilinear form.Therefore, operate, make and from described line memory element, to launch described flexible wires at described intravital desired locations place by after swallowing described capsule type medical device, driving described heater.

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: power supply is used for providing electric power to described first electrode; And lead, at least a portion of described lead has flexibility, be used for electricity and mechanically be connected described power supply and described electrode, wherein, but the described first interelectrode distance modifier comprises elastic expansion and also is installed in the elastic expansion unit on the described housing at least in part, and described first electrode is set on the described elastic expansion unit.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention,, make the inwall contact of described electrode and luminal organ (for example, the uneven digestive tract of external diameter) exactly by of the expansion of described elastic expansion unit at described intravital desired locations place.And, owing to connect the flexibility of the lead of described electrode and described power supply, so can deal with unitary expansion of described elastic expansion and contraction.In addition, can almost not have interruption stable electricity irritation is provided (for example disconnect by lead and causing).

Preferably, capsule type medical device of the present invention also comprises: expansion gear, and be used to make described elastic expansion unit to expand, wherein, described expansion gear and described housing branch are arranged, and are removably mounted on the described housing.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, owing to described expansion gear is arranged with described housing branch, so can fully simplify the structure of described housing.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described elastic expansion unit is removably mounted on the described housing.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, can according to the purposes of described capsule type medical device will be the most suitable described elastic expansion unit be installed on the described housing.And, for example be easy to reuse relatively costly main device, and after each the use, abandon relatively cheap elastic expansion unit.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, described elastic expansion unit is provided with than the hard hard member of unitary other parts of described elastic expansion, and described first electrode is set on the described hard member.

According to capsule type medical device of the present invention, if described electrode is by making as the material that does not expand basically or shrink of metal etc., then can be by described electrode is installed in the described hard member, the shrinkage factor between described electrode and the described elastic expansion unit and the mutual difference of expansion rate are diminished.Therefore, can under the state described electrode be installed in the described elastic expansion unit preferably, and remain in the described elastic expansion unit.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, preferably, 100Hz or lower pulse signal are modulated by using 1000Hz or higher pulse signal, generating will be to the electrical stimulation signal of described electrode transmission.

Description of drawings

Figure 1A is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the explanation first embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the side view of this capsule type medical device.

Figure 1B is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the explanation first embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the rearview of this capsule type medical device.

Fig. 1 C is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device of explanation in the first embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the rearview that will be arranged on the modified example of electrode in the capsule type medical device of Figure 1A and Figure 1B and flexible wires.

Fig. 2 illustrates the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention and the block diagram of external device (ED).

Fig. 3 is the side view that capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention state before in being incorporated into live body is shown.

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B illustrate capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention at the sketch map of the propulsion mode of enteral.

Fig. 5 is the side view that first modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. 6 A is the side view that second modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. 6 B is the rearview that second modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. 7 A is the side view that second modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. 7 B is the rearview that second modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. 8 is the side view that the 3rd modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. 9 is the enlarged drawing of the major part represented of the hacures by among Fig. 8 of this capsule type medical device.

Figure 10 A is the side view that the 4th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 10 B is the rearview that the 4th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 11 A is the side view that the 4th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 11 B is the rearview that the 4th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 12 A to Figure 12 C is the figure that the modified example of the electrode in the capsule type medical device of Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B is shown, and these figure are near the sections the electrode.

Figure 13 A is the side view that the 5th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 13 B is the rearview that the 5th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 14 A to Figure 14 E is the sketch map that the modified example of the electrode in the capsule type medical device of Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B is shown.

Figure 15 A to Figure 15 C illustrates the sketch map of the 5th modified example of capsule type medical device at the propulsion mode of big enteral.

Figure 16 is the side view that the 6th modified example of same capsule type medical device is shown.

Figure 17 A is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the explanation second embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the side view of this capsule type medical device.

Figure 17 B is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the explanation second embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the rearview of this capsule type medical device.

Figure 18 is the block diagram of the capsule type medical device in the explanation second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 19 is near the enlarged drawing of electrode of the capsule type medical device shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 A is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the explanation second embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the side view of this capsule type medical device.

Figure 20 B is the figure of the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the explanation second embodiment of the invention, and this figure is the rearview of this capsule type medical device.

Figure 21 illustrates the figure that same capsule type medical device is incorporated in vivo and the state of electricity irritation is provided according to the position.

Figure 22 is the figure of position example that the photo picture of stomach, small intestinal, large intestine and the anus taken by this capsule type medical device is shown.

Figure 23 A is the side view that first modified example of the capsule type medical device in the second embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 23 B is the rearview that first modified example of the capsule type medical device in the second embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 24 is the fragmentary cross-sectional view that second modified example of same capsule type medical device is shown.

Figure 25 A is the side view that the 3rd modified example of same capsule type medical device is shown.

Figure 25 B is the rearview that the 3rd modified example of same capsule type medical device is shown.

Figure 26 is the figure that the structure of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 27 A and Figure 27 B are the sketch maps that is illustrated in when providing electricity irritation to bodily tissue the wave mode of the pulse signal that will send to electrode.

Figure 28 A is the profile that first modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 28 B is the part enlarged drawing of first distorted pattern of the capsule type medical device shown in Figure 28 A.

Figure 29 A is the side view that second modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 29 B is the profile that second modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 30 to Figure 32 is the side view that the 3rd modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 33 to Figure 34 B is the side view that the 4th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 35 is the side view that the 5th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 36 is the profile that the 6th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 37 is the profile that the 7th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 38 is the profile that the 8th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 39 A to Figure 39 C is the profile that the 9th modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 39 D illustrates the profile that is arranged on the mobile member in the capsule type medical device shown in Figure 39 A to Figure 39 C.

Figure 40 A to Figure 40 B is the side view that the tenth modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 40 C is the profile that the tenth modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 41 A and Figure 41 B are the side views that the 11 modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 42 A is the profile that the 12 modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 42 B is the oblique view that the 12 modified example of the capsule type medical device in the third embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 43 A is the side view that the capsule type medical device in the fourth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 43 B and Figure 43 C are the profiles that the part enlarged drawing of the capsule type medical device shown in Figure 43 A is shown.

Figure 44 A and Figure 44 B illustrate the side view that capsule type medical device among the 4th embodiment is introduced into endoceliac state.

Figure 45 A is the profile that the capsule type medical device in the fifth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 45 B is the front view that the capsule type medical device in the fifth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 46 A and Figure 46 B are the side views that the fragmentary cross-sectional view of the endoscope in the sixth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 47 A to Figure 47 C is the side view that endoscope that sixth embodiment of the invention is shown is introduced into the state in the live body chamber.

Figure 48 is the side view that the endoscope in the sixth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 49 A is the side view that the modified example of the endoscope in the sixth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 49 B is the profile that the modified example of the endoscope in the sixth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 50 A is the profile that the modified example of the endoscope in the sixth embodiment of the invention is shown.

Figure 50 B and Figure 50 C are the side views that endoscope that sixth embodiment of the invention is shown is introduced into the state in the live body chamber.

The specific embodiment

Hereinafter, with reference to the embodiment of description of drawings capsule type medical device of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1A to Figure 15 the first embodiment of the present invention is described.Capsule type medical device C1 shown in Figure 1A to Fig. 2 is the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the present embodiment.This capsule type medical device C1 comprises: take unit (in vivo information acquisition device) 2; Control unit (current control device) 3; Radio transceiver unit (communicator) 4; And battery 5, be used for to each construction unit power supply as an integral body in the housing 1.And this capsule type medical device C1 comprises pair of electrodes 6 and flexible wires 7.Flexible wires 7 is as the interelectrode distance modifier that changes the distance between this counter electrode 6.

Housing 1 is formation such as the scrotiform of extending along axle L, and use plastics, with sealed inside.Be provided with hemispherical transparent dome 1d in the front portion of housing 1.(promptly in anterior (along the front side of axis L)) is provided with capturing element 2a and light-emitting component 2b in the transparent dome 1d.Capturing element 2a comprises the lens, CCD (charge-coupled image sensor) etc. that are used for obtaining by the part of taking live body photo picture.Light-emitting component 2b comprises by luminous and comes EL (electroluminescent cell), the LED (light emitting diode) etc. that are thrown light in the visual field of capturing element 2a.Obtain in vivo by taking that the shooting unit 2 of information comprises capturing element 2a and light-emitting component 2b in vivo.

Radio transceiver unit 4 comprises: transmission/reception main body (not shown); And send/receive antenna (transmitting antenna and reception antenna), its transmission and reception radio wave.Radio transceiver unit 4 in vivo information (that is the photo picture of being taken by capturing element 2a) is wirelessly transmitted to external device (ED) 100 (explanation after a while).And radio transceiver unit 4 receives the control signal (order) (explanation after a while) from external device (ED) 100 wireless transmissions, and they are sent to control unit 3.

Control unit 3 has according to the control signal (order) from radio transceiver unit 4, synthetically controls the function of the operation of the each several part in the capsule type medical device C1.And, in control unit 3, be provided with the electric current generation unit 3a that is used for carrying to electrode 6 electric current by flexible wires 7.In other words, control unit 3 has the function as the current control device that is used to control the electric current that will carry to electrode 6.

These flexible wires 7 are made by the compliant conductive member, and its cardinal extremity is supported in the rear side (along the other end of axle L) of housing 1 respectively.Flexible wires 7 is so that each lead stretches out from housing 1 with the mode that other leads separate, and the end bearing electrode 6 of each lead.In other words, electrode 6 is arranged on the rear side of this housing by flexible wires 7.Flexible wires 7 is connected to the control unit 3 in the housing 1, and carries electric current from current generating circuit 3a to each electrode 6.And flexible wires 7 has the function that changes distance between electrodes by strain.This function makes it possible to accurately compensate the luminal organ diameter in the live body.Flexible wires is preferably made by superelastic alloy.Superelastic alloy is used for flexible wires makes flexible wires 7 have more flexibility than common metal, therefore, the change of luminal organ diameter obtains offsetting more reliably (absorb) in the live body.

Electrode 6 contacts with bodily tissue, and provides electricity irritation to this bodily tissue.In order not hinder the propelling of capsule type medical device C1, these electrodes 6 are for roughly spherical.Electrode 6 is made by at least a material among rustless steel, platinum and the titanium, and rustless steel, platinum and titanium all have high conductivity, thereby makes it possible to realize that effective electric current flows.And this makes electrode and live body highly compatible.

Isolating ultimate range between the electrode 6 (that is, the maximum of the distance that changes because of flexible wires 7 between the electrode (X)) is preferably more than the twice of the external diameter (D) of capsule type medical device C1, and (X 〉=2D) is shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B.Consider capsule type medical device C1 introduced intravital easiness that the external diameter that makes capsule type medical device C1 unnecessarily very much not is preferred.For example, about 10mm (preferably about 11mm) is suitable.Yet, also be about 20～30mm even be considered to have the internal diameter of the small intestinal of one of internal diameter minimum in the middle of the luminal organ.Therefore, for the bodily tissue that makes electrode 6 inside intracavity provides electricity irritation exactly, the maximum spacing between the electrode 6 should be greater than the twice (preferably greater than 3 times) of the external diameter of this capsule type medical device.

And flexible wires 7 can comprise: wire element, and it carries electric current from the cardinal extremity terminad; And insulating component (for example resin), be used for this wire element is insulated and covers.Perhaps, can bare conductor member and electrode 6 is integrated, be used for providing electricity irritation to bodily tissue.If wire element exposes, can guarantee that then bigger electrical-contact area carries electric current, thereby can provide electricity irritation required constant current amount when bodily tissue provides electricity irritation.Here, can make flexible wires is band shape (for example lead of being represented by 7w), and can to make electrode be the essentially identical broad electrode of the width 6w of width and this flexible wires, shown in Fig. 1 C.Thus, obtained bigger electrical-contact area, and can realize more stably providing contraction required electric current to bodily tissue.

And itself does not have high resiliency as superelastic alloy lead, thereby wire element covered with insulating insulating component makes by having hyperelastic resin (super-elasticity polymeric material) etc.Therefore, can provide super-elasticity to flexible wires 7.In addition, center on the combination that capsule type medical device is provided with pair of electrodes 6 and flexible wires 7, two counter electrode (totally 4 electrodes) also can be set with 90 ° interval with 180 ° intervals.This makes electrode 6 to contact more accurately with bodily tissue.

External device (ED) 100 is from live body external control capsule type medical device.As shown in Figure 2, external device (ED) 100 comprises in this device main body (101): radio transceiver unit (transmitting element and detecting unit) 102 is used for sending information and receiving information from this capsule type medical device C1 to capsule type medical device C1; Record cell 103 (for example memorizer) is used to store above-mentioned in vivo information (that is photograph image); Control unit 104 is used to control each unit; And battery 105, be used for to each unit power supply.

This device main body 101 forms box-shaped by metal (for example, aluminum) and plastics, and can use band (belt) etc. to be installed on the people's who is checked the body.Thus, the people who is checked can be worn over external device (ED) 100 on the live body all the time.Identical with the radio transceiver unit 4 of capsule type medical device C1 is that radio transceiver unit 102 comprises: the main body (not shown) of transmission/receiving element; And send/receive antenna (transmitting antenna and reception antenna), be used for sending and receiving radio wave.Radio transceiver unit 102 receives the in vivo information (that is, photograph image) from capsule type medical device C1 wireless transmission, and this image is sent to control unit 104.

Control unit 104 is carried out predetermined process, for example the photograph image that receives is carried out Flame Image Process, then always with this image recording in record cell 103.And, embed in the control unit 104 and be useful on the position detecting circuit 104a that detects capsule type medical device C1 position in vivo.In position detecting circuit 104a, preset setting image (benchmark image), and this circuit compares by photograph image and this setting image that will receive, detect capsule type medical device C1 position in vivo.Here, position detecting circuit 104a also can detect the position of capsule type medical device C1 according to other features such as the predetermined color in the photograph image, shapes by photograph image is compared the position of detecting capsule type medical device C1 with setting image.

And position detecting circuit 104a can be according to outside that send or come the detection position from the radio intensity of wave (rather than photograph image) that in vitro receives to live body from radio transceiver unit 4.In this case, the wireless transmission/receiving element that externally installs 100 sides is provided with a plurality of antennas, according to the position and the radio intensity of wave of a plurality of antennas, by calculating locations such as triangulations.In addition, can generate coil or Magnetic Sensor on capsule type medical device C1 or external device (ED) 100, and detect the external magnetic field that in vivo generates or internally detect the outside magnetic field that generates of this live body, come calculating location by magnetic field is installed.

And control unit 104 sends the capsule type medical device corresponding control signal of bodily tissue (for example, stomach, small intestinal or large intestine) on every side that is detected by position detecting circuit 104a with its position by radio transceiver unit 102.

Next, following situation is described: use capsule type medical device C1 that the inside of the people's that is checked live body is checked with said structure.

At first, the people who is checked uses band to wait and wears external device (ED) 100.Then, this people eats (swallowing) capsule type medical device C1 from mouth, to dispose this capsule type medical device C1 in vivo.Before swallowing capsule type medical device C1, use can be tied up flexible wires 7 mutually in advance by the line tying band (line tying device) that the material (for example starch) that health absorbs is made, as shown in Figure 3.This makes and may be minimized by the obstacle that flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 cause in the process of swallowing capsule type medical device C1.In capsule type medical device C1, be provided with the switch (not shown).When swallowing capsule type medical device C1, open this switch, make it possible to from battery 5 to each assembly power supply.Thus, control unit 3 drives and takes unit 2 (that is, capturing element 2a and light-emitting component 2b).

Be introduced into that intravital capsule dress medical treatment device C1 moves in digestive tract along with this device and use capturing element 2a takes intravital part.Simultaneously, it sends photograph image from radio transceiver unit 4 to external device (ED) 100.Simultaneously, external device (ED) 100 receives these photograph images by radio transceiver unit 102, and uses control unit 104 to these photograph image carries out image processing, and these images are stored in the memory element 103 continuously.Control unit 104 sends the capsule dress medical treatment device corresponding control signal of bodily tissue (for example, stomach, small intestinal or large intestine) on every side that is detected by position detecting circuit 104a with its position continuously by radio transceiver unit 102.

When arriving stomach, the line tying band 7B of capsule type medical device C1 also in vivo is absorbed by the gastric acid dissolving.This makes electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 discharge from tying up the state of they, and distance between electrodes is changed.Thus, the operator is when observing photograph image, by providing electricity irritation to advance capsule type medical device C1 to bodily tissue (for example, stomach, small intestinal, large intestine and other) as required.In fact, to represent that capsule type medical device C1 moves too fast in the quick variation of photograph image.Therefore, the operator reduces number of times from electric current to electrode 6 that carry, to reduce the speed of capsule type medical device C1.On the other hand, the change hardly of this photograph image represents that capsule type medical device C1 moves hardly.Therefore, the operator improves the frequency of carrying electric current to electrode 6, and this has improved the translational speed of capsule type medical device C1.

Next, capsule type medical device C1 arrives small intestinal I after through the harmonization of the stomach duodenum state has been shown among Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B.In this case, control unit 3 receives order from external device (ED) 100 and the control signal of electricity irritation is provided and carries electric current to electrode 6, and provides electricity irritation to the wall Iw of small intestinal I, shown in Fig. 4 B.Near the electricity irritation position small intestinal I shrinks, and this causes pushing ahead the capsule type medical device that is promoted by the contraction of small intestinal I, shown in Fig. 4 B.At this moment, flexible wires is strain along with the contraction of small intestinal I, thereby the change of the diameter of small intestinal I has obtained accurate compensation.Thus, capsule type medical device moving in small intestinal I compared more accurate with the situation mobile by the autonomous wriggling of small intestinal I.Therefore, shorten the time that observation post needs, made it possible to effectively observe the inside of intestinal.

Capsule type medical device C1 next according to above similar mode by large intestine, and be discharged in vitro from anus.The in vivo information (that is photograph image) that bases such as doctor are recorded in the record cell 103 of external device (ED) 100 is checked this people's health status.

With estimate that according to the variation of photograph image the translational speed of capsule type medical device C1 is different as mentioned above, the translational speed that detects capsule type medical device such as the translational speed checkout gear of velocity sensor or acceleration transducer can be set, only in capsule type medical device C1, to adjust the amount and the timing of the electric current that is used for electricity irritation according to the testing result of this pick off.Thus, capsule type medical device C1 can irrespectively automatically move and obtain in vivo information with constant speed with external device (ED) 100.Only need external device (ED) 100 to receive and write down the in vivo information of obtaining by capsule type medical device C1, therefore handle becoming simple.

And, owing to do not carry out the comparison film treatment of picture, so there is no need on capsule type medical device C1, photo sensor to be installed.Therefore, can be without a doubt in that being installed on the capsule type medical device, the in vivo information with the function outside the photo function obtains pick off.Incidentally, this in vivo information obtain pick off and can comprise: the pH pick off is used for obtaining the pH value of live body; Ultrasonic sensor or light tomography (alight shielding layer) pick off is used to obtain the profile image of the pars intramuralis of luminal organ; The microwave imagery pick off is used to generate the image such as the given body tissue of tumor; Temperature sensor is used for detected temperatures; Hemorrhage pick off is used to detect intravital hemorrhage; Be used to detect the chemical sensor that produces by the specified disease zone such as the chemical substance of enzyme; And the chemical sensor that is used to detect the amount of the existence of antibacterial of enteral and antibacterial.

Owing to comprising flexible wires 7 conducts, this capsule type medical device C1 is used to change the interelectrode distance modifier of distance between electrodes, thus electrode 6 is contacted with bodily tissue, and electricity irritation is provided.This makes bodily tissue can carry out contractive action exactly.Therefore, can realize stable propelling to capsule type medical device C1.

And, because electrode 6 is made by rustless steel, platinum, titanium or other materials, flow so realized high conductivity and effective current.In addition, also provide the high health compatibility for electrode 6.

And owing to this interelectrode distance modifier comprises that outwardly directed, cardinal extremity is supported by housing 1 and the flexible wires of end bearing electrode 6, so this interelectrode distance modifier is simple in structure.In addition, flexible wires 7 is easy to strain.Therefore, by dispose this capsule type medical device C1 in luminal organ, the luminal organ diameter variation has obtained accurate compensation, thereby electrode 6 is contacted with bodily tissue.

And under the situation that flexible wires 7 is made by superelastic alloy, this flexible wires becomes and can produce very large deformation, and this makes it possible to more accurately compensate intravital luminal organ diameter variation.

And, owing to utilize the line tying band 7B that makes by the live body absorbing material that the end of flexible wires 7 is banded together mutually, so when swallowing capsule type medical device C1, electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 can not cause problem, make it possible to easily dispose this capsule type medical device in vivo.After swallowing this capsule type medical device, line tying band 7B is dissolved by gastric acid and is absorbed in live body.Therefore, unclamp tying up between the flexible wires 7, made it possible to change the distance between the electrode 6.

Next, the modified example of capsule type medical device C1 among above-mentioned first embodiment is shown.

Here, each structural detail such as taking unit 2 (capturing element 2a and light-emitting component 2b), control unit 3, radio transceiver unit 4 and battery 5 of capsule type medical device C1 is the public structural detail that is arranged in a comparable manner in each modified example of following capsule type medical device.Here, in following example, omit expression and detailed description to these structural details.And, with structural detail among the capsule type medical device C1 similarly other structural details and omit detailed description by identical symbolic representation.

Fig. 5 shows first modified example.

In capsule type medical device C2, the front side of the housing 1 of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C1 (along another edge side of axle) is provided with a pair of front side electrode (second electrode) 8.And, be provided with as changing this front side flexible wires 9 the second interelectrode distance modifier of the distance between the front side electrode 8.These front side electrode 8 and front side flexible wires 9 have the structure identical with electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 in fact.

(along the other end of axle L) located but at the cardinal extremity of supporting front side, the rear side place of transparent dome 1d flexible wires 9 in the front side of housing 1.Front side flexible wires 9 is so that each lead can reach the outside from housing 1 away from the mode that another lead moves, and supporting front side electrode 8.In other words, electrode 8 is arranged on the front side of housing 1 by flexible wires 9, and with take unit 2 and separate.Therefore, electrode 8 does not hinder by taking the shooting that unit 2 carries out.

And, front side flexible wires 9 is connected to control unit 3 in the housing 1 (shown in Fig. 2), and carries electric currents to each front side electrode 8, and the mode by strain changes the distance between the front side electrode 8 from current generating circuit 3a.This control unit has the function as second current control device, and it be according to control will be transported to the electric current of front side electrode 8 from the control signal (order) of radio transceiver unit 4, and has nothing to do with control to the electric current that will be transported to electrode 6.

In capsule type medical device C2, front side electrode 8 and front side flexible wires 9 and the electrode 6 at the rear portion that is arranged on housing 1 and the front portion that flexible wires 7 is arranged on housing 1 separately, and the electric current that will carry is independently controlled, made capsule type medical device C2 freely to move forward and backward in vivo.In other words, 6 pairs of bodily tissues of electrode of the rear side of capsule type medical device C2 by being arranged on housing 1 carry out electricity irritation and move forward, and 8 pairs of bodily tissues of front side electrode of the front side by being arranged on housing 1 carry out electricity irritation and move backward.Thus, the operator can be in the luminal organ such as small intestinal and large intestine, for example when observing photograph image, and mobile forward or backward as required capsule type medical device C2, this has improved operational capacity.And the operator can easily handle this device, and enters irrelevant with capsule type medical device C2 from which direction (front side or rear side) of narrow luminal organ.In addition, all be available owing to move forward and backward, therefore can observe any possible position in the luminal organ.

Here, control unit 3 has as the function of first current control device with as the function of second current control device, but two control units 3 can be arranged to one as first current control device and another is as second current control device.And, can will take the rear portion that the unit is arranged on housing 1.Thus, can observe any possible position in the luminal organ.

Fig. 6 A to Fig. 7 B shows second modified example.

The structure of the housing 11 of capsule type medical device C3 is different with the structure of the housing of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C1.In the housing 11 of capsule type medical device C3, form the groove 11g that is useful on storage electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 along excircle.Before being deployed in capsule type medical device C3 in vivo, utilize the line tying band (line fixture) made by live body absorbing material (for example starch) with electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 predetermined fixed in groove 11g, shown in Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B.Thus, when swallowing capsule type medical device C3, flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 can not become obstacle.

When 1 reaches in the stomach, the line tying band of capsule type medical device C3 is by the gastric acid dissolving and in vivo be absorbed.This makes electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 unclamp from their state of tying up, and the distance between the electrode 6 is changed, shown in Fig. 7 A and 7B.

In capsule type medical device C3, be useful on the groove 11g of storage electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 along the excircle formation of housing 11.Therefore, so that the minimized mode of memory space is stored flexible wires 7, and when not using electrode 6, flexible wires 7 is not stretched out from the outer surface of housing 11.

And, owing to use the line tying band 11B that makes by the live body absorbing material that electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 are fixed in the groove 11g, so when swallowing capsule type medical device C3, electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 can not become obstacle, make it possible in vivo easily dispose.After disposing, line tying band 11B also in vivo is absorbed by the gastric acid dissolving, and electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 are released, thereby the distance between the electrode 6 freely changes.Therefore, electrode 6 and flexible wires have been realized accurately operating in vivo.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 have described the 3rd modified example.

The structure of the housing 12 of capsule type medical device C4 is different with the structure of the housing of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C1.In addition, the structure of flexible wires 71 is different with the structure of the flexible wires of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C1.In the housing 12 of capsule type medical device C4, in housing 12, be provided with the line memory element 21 that is used for storing separately flexible wires 71 and electrode 6.

Line memory element 21 has the opening 21h that is formed on the rear portion of housing 12 with groove shapes.Electrode 6 and flexible wires 71 can appear at the outside or disappear from the outside by opening 21h.Line memory element 21 internal supports have the rotating shaft 21r that rotates freely.Each cardinal extremity of flexible wires 71 is connected to rotating shaft 21r.Electric current flows to electrode 6 from control unit 3 by rotating shaft 21r and flexible wires 71.

Flexible wires 71 is made by marmem, and is endowed following shape memory characteristic: be in coiled type and twine state under 30 ℃ or lower temperature, and revert to the near linear shape under 35 ℃ or higher temperature.Before being deployed to capsule type medical device C4 in the live body, flexible wires 71 is under the room temperature (about 25 ℃), thereby flexible wires 71 is stored in the online memory element 21 under their substantial line round winding state.And after being deployed to capsule type medical device C4 in vivo, flexible wires 71 is near under the body temperature condition (about 36 ℃), thereby this flexible wires reverts near linear state.Therefore, in case swallow capsule type medical device C4, flexible wires 71 just can automatically be launched from line memory element 21.

In capsule type medical device C4, electrode 6 and flexible wires 71 are stored in the electrode memory element 21, so that when swallowing capsule type medical device C4, there is not object to stretch out, thereby make it possible to easily swallow capsule type medical device C4 from housing 12.Be introduced in the live body and after temperature rose near body temperature, electrode 6 and flexible wires 71 launched to go forward side by side line operate, provide electricity irritation exactly to bodily tissue at this capsule type medical device.

Capsule type medical device of the present invention preferably also comprises and is used for heater that the inside of line memory element is heated, and flexible wires preferably has following shape memory characteristic: under 40 ℃ or higher temperature, twine the recovering state shape that is in line from the substantial line round.

Here, can give the shape memory characteristic of flexible wires below 71: be higher than under 40 ℃ the temperature, flexible wires 71 is twined recovering state from their coiled type and is become near rectilinear form.In addition, can be provided with by control unit 3 control and heater (not shown) that the inside of line memory element 21 is heated.If make this shape of flexible wires 71 memories before leading in the live body in that capsule type medical device C4 is incorporated into, then before flexible wires 71 is in being deployed to live body, be under the room temperature (about 25 ℃), so can be with substantial line round winding state storage flexible wires 71 around rotating shaft 21r.Even after entering live body, flexible wires 71 also remains below under 40 ℃ the body temperature (about 35 ℃), and therefore, flexible wires 71 is kept original shape ground and kept in the online memory element 21.And the temperature in the operation by heater makes line memory element 21 rises to when being higher than 40 ℃, and flexible wires reverts to rectilinear form.Therefore, operate, make and from line memory element 21, to launch flexible wires in desired locations place in vivo by after swallowing capsule type medical device C4, driving heater.

In capsule type medical device C4, electrode 6 and flexible wires 71 are stored in the electrode memory element 21, so that when swallowing capsule type medical device C4, there is not object from housing 12, to stretch out, thereby make it possible to easily swallow capsule type medical device C4.By heater is operated after capsule type medical device C4 is introduced in the live body, electrode 6 and flexible wires 71 are unfolded the line operate of going forward side by side, and provide electricity irritation exactly to bodily tissue.

Figure 10 A to Figure 12 C has described the 4th modified example.

The structure of the interelectrode distance modifier of this capsule type medical device C5 is different with the structure of the interelectrode distance modifier of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C1.This capsule type medical device C5 comprises a pair of outer cover unit 72a, 72b.Be fixed with a plurality of electrodes at this on to outer cover unit 72a, 72b, and this mode that outer cover unit 72a, 72b are outwards moved with respect to housing 13 away from each other with these outer cover units is installed in the outside of housing 13.

Each outer cover unit 72a, 72b have semi-spherical shape, and are installed in such a way on the housing 13: this hemisphere along the length of housing 13 from covering the back edge part of housing 13 near the center.Under outer cover unit 72a, 72b closing state, along the length of housing 13 from being covered by outer cover unit 72a, 72b up to the back edge part near the center, shown in Figure 10 A and 10B.Between outer cover unit 72a, 72b and housing 13, the spring 72s to each outer cover unit of extrapolation 72a, 72b is installed radially.And, in the external stability of outer cover unit 72a, 72b a plurality of electrodes 61 are arranged.Each electrode 61 is electrically connected to control unit 3, and electric current flows out from this control unit 3.

And, in capsule type medical device C5, be provided with by control unit 3 engagement device (not shown) control, that be used to keep and discharge outer cover unit 72a, 72b.Before capsule type medical device C5 is introduced live body, make outer cover unit 72a, 72b stop at closed condition by this engagement device, shown in Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B.After being incorporated into capsule type medical device C5 in the live body, control unit 3 these engagement devices of control, the engagement state of releasing outer cover unit 72a, 72b is shown in Figure 11 A and 11B. Outer cover unit 72a, 72b are promoted by spring 72s and outwards move, and begin operation, thereby make it possible to freely change the distance between the electrode 61.

In capsule type medical device C5, on outer cover unit 72a, 72b, be equipped with do as a whole outwards and a plurality of electrodes 61 that move inward, and electrode 61 is contacted with bodily tissue.And for example, if be better than the momentum (momentum) of spring 72s from the pressure of luminal organ, then outer cover unit 72a, 72b move, so that these outer cover units are closed as required, make it possible to stably advance capsule type medical device C5.

Figure 12 A to Figure 12 C shows the modified example of electrode 61.Electrode 61a is from the outstanding dome electrode of the outer surface of outer cover unit 72a, 72b, shown in Figure 12 A.Utilize kind electrode, become easy with systemic the contact.And, owing to there is not the angle, therefore realized in luminal organ, advancing reposefully capsule type medical device C5.

Electrode 61b is from the outstanding cylindrical electrode of the outer surface of outer cover unit 72a, 72b, shown in Figure 12 B.Utilize kind electrode, enlarge, thereby even also can provide electricity irritation exactly bodily tissue such as mucosa with systemic contact area.

Electrode 61c is the electrode that is embedded among outer cover unit 72a, the 72b, so that the outer surface smoother of electrode and outer cover unit 72a, 72b is continuous, shown in Figure 12 C.Utilize kind electrode,, therefore realized steady propelling capsule type medical device C5 not from the outstanding part of the outer surface of outer cover unit 72a, 72b.

In fact, though not shown this structure can be made electrode with whole casing unit 72a, 72b.In this case, eliminate the outstanding of electrode, therefore, when keeping stable electrode contact surface to amass, realized in luminal organ, advancing more reposefully capsule type medical device C5.

Here, after outer cover unit 72a, 72b began operation, outer cover unit 72a, 72b can be bonded in the housing 13.

Can water absorbent gel be installed between outer cover unit 72a, 72b and housing 13 and replace spring 72s.When the capsule type medical device C5 with water absorbent gel is introduced in the live body, water absorbent gel expands by the water that absorbs in the live body, this outwards moves outer cover unit 72a, 72b, makes it possible to utilize simple structure accurately to change distance between the electrode 61.As another kind of structure, spring 72s can be made by marmem, and spring 72s can stretch with intravital temperature, thereby outer cover unit 72a, 72b are moved.

Figure 13 A to Figure 15 shows the 5th modified example.

Capsule type medical device C6 comprises a large amount of electrodes and flexible wires, and the device (electrode selector) that is used to select to be transferred the electrode of electric current.

Shown in Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B,, in capsule type medical device C6,, be provided with a large amount of electrodes 6 and flexible wires 7 at the rear portion of housing 14 with roughly the same interval along the periphery of housing 14.The cardinal extremity of these flexible wires 7 is connected to the electrode selector that is arranged in the housing 14.Electrode selector 6s selects the pair of electrodes that will be transferred electric current by control unit 3 controls from a plurality of electrodes 6.To flow to pair of electrodes 6 from the electric current of control unit 3 by electrode selector 6s and flexible wires 7.

Figure 14 A to Figure 14 E shows the 6th modified example of electrode 6.

Electrode 6 shown in Figure 14 A is an almost spherical.Electrode 6a shown in Figure 14 B is a hook-type.Electrode 6b shown in Figure 14 C is an annular.Electrode 6c shown in Figure 14 D is a rod.Electrode 6d shown in Figure 14 E is broadened to guarantee bigger contact area.Use pattern according to capsule type medical device C6 is selected different electrodes.

Figure 15 A to Figure 15 C shows the state that the capsule type medical device C6 with above structure arrives large intestine R.In big relatively luminal organ, not only need to move forward and backward but also need move left and right capsule type medical device C6 usually, to change the visual field such as large intestine R.When move left and right capsule type medical device C6, by selecting to be in the electrode 6 on the direction opposite with the expectation direction of propulsion, and the electrode that is transferred electric current is contacted with internal chamber wall (intestinal wall Rw), along front and back and about combinations of directions advance capsule type medical device C6.Here, by the impedance of carrying very weak test currents to each electrode 6 and measuring each time finding out and intestinal wall Rw electrodes in contact 6, thereby realization to the selection of intestinal wall Rw electrodes in contact 6.

In capsule type medical device C6, in housing 14, be provided with a plurality of electrodes 6 and flexible wires 7, and from these a plurality of electrodes 6, select to be transferred the electrode of electric current.Here, guaranteed the move left and right of capsule type medical device C6, made it possible in luminal organ each possible position and observe.

Figure 16 shows the 6th modified example.

Capsule type medical device C7 comprises the whole basically lip-deep electrode that is arranged on outer cover unit 72a, 72b, and wherein these electrodes are divided into a plurality of groups of a plurality of electrode 61d.Any selection will be transferred the electrode of electric current in the middle of these a plurality of electrode 61d.

These a plurality of electrode 61d are the plane-shaped electrodes that are arranged in thick and fast on the outer surface of outer cover unit 72a, 72b.One group will be carried out paired positive pole and negative pole and be provided with a plurality of positive poles and a plurality of negative pole of being separated by limit (pole).These a plurality of electrode 61d are connected to the electrode selector 6s2 that is arranged in the housing 13.As the electrode selector 6s among the above-mentioned capsule type medical device C6, electrode selector 6s2 be can be in the middle of a plurality of electrode 61d arbitrarily selection to be transferred the device of the electrode of electric current.Electrode selector 6s2 selects one group or more groups will carry out paired positive pole and negative pole, and carries electric current to the electrode of all selections simultaneously.If selected the electrode of lesser amt by electrode selector 6s2, then provide the area of electrode of electricity irritation less to bodily tissue, and if select the electrode of larger amt, then electrode area is bigger.

In capsule type medical device C7, be used for providing the electrode area of electricity irritation to change with limit to bodily tissue, can select the optimum position of electrode and can guarantee the optimum electrode area by limit.This makes it possible to easily provide to bodily tissue the magnitude of current of expectation.Therefore, for example be used to carry the electrode area of the required magnitude of current of effective contraction of intestinal to be guaranteed, and can select simultaneously to have and electrode such as the systemic favourable contact condition of interior intestinal wall.

With reference to Figure 17 A to Figure 25 B explanation second embodiment of the present invention.Here, use the similar construction unit of construction unit among identical symbolic representation and first embodiment, and omit detailed description.

Shown in Figure 17 A to Figure 20 B, capsule type medical device C10 is the basic structure of the capsule type medical device in the present embodiment.Capsule type medical device C10 can at random launch and twine flexible wires and the electrode among the medical treatment device C10 as among above-mentioned first embodiment.In fact, the rotating shaft 22r that is provided with motor (actuator) M among the capsule type medical device C10 and drives, rather than the rotating shaft 21r that rotates freely by motor M.

In housing 12, be respectively arranged with two motor M near the online memory element 21, and these two motor M are by control unit 3 controls.By the rotation driving power of these motor M being sent to rotating shaft 22r such as the power transmission device of gear.In other words, motor M and rotating shaft 22r constitute the expansion/winding mechanism of flexible wires 7.Motor M is controlled by external control signal, and comes drive electrode 6 by locating to launch flexible wires at an arbitrary position.Perhaps, motor M stores flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 in the online memory element 21 fully by twining flexible wires 7.For motor M, can use any motor/actuator such as electromagnetic motor, ultrasonic motor or electrostatic motor.

Here, different with above-mentioned capsule type medical device C4, capsule type medical device C10 does not utilize the automatic shape of flexible wires to change and launches/twine flexible wires.Therefore, C1 is identical with capsule type medical device, uses the flexible wires of being made by superelastic alloy etc. 7, and marmem is not used for flexible wires.

Thereby Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B show nearly all flexible wires 7 and are wound electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 and store state in the online memory element 21 fully.Swallowing capsule type medical device C10 or when anus was discharged it, flexible wires 7 remained this state, will be further detailed it after a while.Simultaneously, following state has been shown among Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B: flexible wires 7 is launched fully, and electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 are in the operation.When capsule type medical device arrived stomach etc., flexible wires 7 was in this state, will be further detailed it after a while.

Here, M can change the amount of the expansion and the winding of flexible wires 7 arbitrarily by the control motor, and for example can produce following state: launch flexible wires 7 a little from complete store status, thereby only electrode 6 stretches out from opening 21h, as shown in figure 19.

Next, illustrate that use has capsule type medical device C10 in vivo the observing the people of said structure.

At first, the people who is checked uses band to wait and wears external device (ED) 100.This people eats capsule type medical device C10 from mouth then, to dispose capsule type medical device C10 in vivo.Before swallowing capsule type medical device C10, flexible wires 7 and electrode are stored in the online memory element 21 fully, shown in Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B.This makes and may be minimized by the obstacle that flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 cause in the process of swallowing capsule type medical device C10.In capsule type medical device C10, be provided with unshowned switch.When swallowing capsule type medical device C10, open this switch, make it possible to from battery 5 to each assembly power supply.Thus, control unit 3 drives and takes unit 2 (that is, capturing element 2a and light-emitting component 2b).

Being introduced in intravital capsule type medical device C10 moves in digestive tract along with this device and uses capturing element 2a to take intravital part.Simultaneously, it sends photograph image from radio transceiver unit 4 to external device (ED) 100.Simultaneously, external device (ED) 100 receives these photograph images by radio transceiver unit 102, and the photograph image that uses 104 pairs of control units to be recorded in all the time in the record cell 103 carries out Flame Image Process.Control unit 104 sends and the corresponding control signal of bodily tissue (for example, stomach, small intestinal or large intestine) that wherein has capsule type medical device C10 (its position is detected by position detecting circuit 104a) by radio transceiver unit 102 all the time.

When capsule type medical device C10 arrived stomach (referring to Figure 21 (1)), capturing element 2a was at gastrophotography, and photograph image is sent to external device (ED) 100 (referring to Figure 22 (1)).Position detecting circuit 104a compares with setting image the photograph image that receives by the aspects such as apparent condition at brightness, color frequency division cloth, mucosa, confirms that capsule type medical device C10 is arranged in stomach.Because stomach is the organ with big inner chamber, so control unit 104 is driven into their maximum capacity with electrode 6 and flexible wires 7, as Figure 21 and shown in Figure 22.And control unit 104 transmits control signal by radio transceiver unit 102, to provide electricity irritation by electrode 6 to bodily tissue.By such electricity irritation, caused the wriggling of stomach, and produced local muscle contraction.Capsule type medical device C10 is promoted by the wriggling of stomach and local muscle contraction, through stomach, arrives duodenum then.

When capsule type medical device C10 arrived duodenum, capturing element 2a took a picture in duodenum, and photograph image is sent to external device (ED) 100.Position detecting circuit 104a by the photograph image that will receive with image be set compare, confirm that capsule type medical device C10 is arranged in duodenum.In response to this, control unit 104 sends signal to twine flexible wires 7 by radio transceiver unit 102.Capsule type medical device C10 twines flexible wires 7 when receiving this control signal, launch flexible wires 7 then from line memory element 21 a little, only stays electrode 6 and stretches out from opening 21h.

When capsule type medical device C10 passed through duodenum and arrives small intestinal (referring to Figure 21 (2)), capturing element 2a took a picture in small intestinal, and photograph image is sent to external device (ED) 100 (referring to Figure 22 (2)).Position detecting circuit 104a according to above similar mode, compare with setting image by the photograph image that will receive, confirm that capsule type medical device C10 is arranged in small intestinal.In response to this, control unit 104 sends signal by radio transceiver unit 102, electricity irritation to be provided or to twine flexible wires 7 to bodily tissue by electrode 6 as required.Capsule type medical device C10 provides electricity irritation or winding or launches flexible wires 7 to bodily tissue by electrode 6 as required when receiving this control signal.Thus, the operator is when observing photograph image, by providing electricity irritation to promote capsule type medical device C10 to bodily tissue (for example, stomach, small intestinal, large intestine etc.) as required.In fact, to represent that capsule type medical device C10 moves too fast in the quick variation of photograph image.Therefore, the operator reduces number of times from electric current to electrode 6 that carry, to reduce the speed of capsule type medical device C10.On the other hand, it is mobile hardly that photograph image changes expression capsule type medical device C10 hardly.Therefore, the operator improves the frequency of carrying electric current to electrode 6, and this has improved the translational speed of capsule type medical device C10.

When capsule type medical device C10 was arranged in small intestinal, radio transceiver unit 4 received the control signal that sends from external device (ED) 100.Control unit 3 is when receiving these signals, to controlling to the magnitude of current of electrode 6 conveyings or the operation of motor M.Electrode 6 provides electricity irritation to shrink with this bodily tissue to bodily tissue (intestinal wall) when receiving electric current.By systemic contraction, capsule type medical device C10 moves forward, as being pushed away.Therefore, compare with the situation mobile by autonomous wriggling, capsule type medical device C10 can move in small intestinal more accurately, makes it possible to effectively observing in small intestinal short observing time.

When capsule type medical device C10 passed through small intestinal and arrives large intestine (referring to Figure 21 (3), (4)), capturing element 2a took pictures at big enteral, and photograph image is sent to external device (ED) 100 (referring to Figure 22 (3), (4)).Position detecting circuit 104a according to above similar mode, compare with setting image by the photograph image that will receive, confirm that capsule type medical device C10 is arranged in large intestine.In response to this, control unit 104 drive electrodes 6 provide electricity irritation from electrode 6 to bodily tissue, and send signals by radio transceiver unit 102.Control unit 3 when receiving these signals, actuating motor M and drive electrode 6.At this moment, different with under one's belt situation, electrode 6 is operated with maximum capacity, and flexible wires is launched longlyer than the situation in small intestinal.This is because the luminal organ of large intestine is bigger than small intestinal, but the luminal organ of large intestine is much smaller than stomach.Thus, in the luminal organ large intestine bigger than small intestinal, with electrode 6 exactly attached to bodily tissue in, provide electricity irritation to bodily tissue (intestinal wall).Therefore, with small intestinal in similar mode, utilize and be implemented in the effective and stable observation of big enteral short observing time.

When capsule type medical device C10 passed through large intestine and arrives near anus (rectum) (referring to Figure 21 (5)), capturing element 2a took a picture at anal, and photograph image is sent to external device (ED) 100 (referring to Figure 22 (5)).Position detecting circuit 104a according to above similar mode, compare with setting image by the photograph image that will receive, confirm that capsule type medical device C10 is arranged near anus (rectum).In response to this, control unit 104 complete storage electrode 6 and flexible wires 7, and by radio transceiver unit 102 transmission signals, with the electricity irritation that stops to be undertaken by electrode 6.Control unit 3 when receiving these signals, actuating motor M, and restPose by electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 are stored in the online memory element 21 fully.This has improved capsule type medical device C10 in the discharge ability of finishing after observing.

Perhaps, can stretch out a little from the top of the outer surface of capsule type medical device by making electrode 6, with the discharge of expectation regularly (for example, when the washroom is gone in expectation) provide electricity irritation at internal rectum, come control is initiatively carried out in discharge.In this case, when in the washroom, having finished, successfully realize the discharge of capsule type medical device C10 to the preparation of discharging.

And, externally install and be provided for sending the localized notifying device that capsule type medical device C10 locates near anus (rectum) in 100, wait indication to discharge regularly Xiang the doctor thus, this can improve the availability of this device.

Simultaneously, bases such as doctor the in vivo information (that is photograph image) in the record cell 103 of external device (ED) 100 of being recorded in is diagnosed patient's health.

In capsule type medical device C10, use the rotation that drives rotating shaft 22r by the motor M of control unit 3 controls.Therefore, at random carry out the expansion and the winding of flexible wires 7, make it possible to locate at an arbitrary position to change arbitrarily the distance between the electrode 6 by the control of control unit 3.Thus,, also can easily deal with, make, also can accurately provide electricity irritation regardless of the position by the length that changes flexible wires 7 even the area of luminal organ changes with organ.And motor M only drives the expansion/winding of thin flexible wires, thereby power consumption is less.Therefore, motor M can be to not causing big burden by battery-driven capsule type medical device C10.

Hereinafter, will the modified example of the capsule type medical device C10 among above-mentioned second embodiment be described.Here, each structural detail such as taking unit 2 (capturing element 2a and light-emitting component 2b), control unit 3, radio transceiver unit 4 and battery 5 of capsule type medical device C10 is the public structural detail that is arranged in a similar fashion in each modified example of following capsule type medical device.Therefore, in following example, omit expression and detailed description to these structural details.And, with similar other structural details of the structural detail among the capsule type medical device C10 by identical symbolic representation, and omit detailed description.

Figure 23 A and Figure 23 B show first modified example.In capsule type medical device C11, directly be fixed with pair of electrodes on the housing, and the intravital side that is fixed with electrode of this shell is provided with weight.

In the groove of the position at the rear portion of housing 16, form line memory element 21, and push electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 are released to the outside by unit, hole 21h.At the rear side place of housing 16, on the opposite side across diameter of online memory element 21, on the outer surface of housing 16, integrally be equipped with and electrode 6 paired fixed electrodes (electrode) 62 as one.Flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 are connected to control unit 3 in the housing 16.The opposite side across diameter of online memory element 21 is provided with weight G in the housing 16.Thus, fixed electrode 62 sides are always faced down, fixed electrode 62 and mucosa etc. are contacted.

In capsule type medical device C11, because line memory element 21 and motor M are unit, thus simple in structure, and also accurately carry out the expansion of flexible wires 7 and the control of winding easily.

Here, in this example, weight G is set contacts, but, make center of gravity move on to the position of fixed electrode 62 sides, can omit weight G by changing the layout of the each several part in the housing 16 to guarantee fixed electrode 62 and mucosa etc.

Figure 24 shows second modified example.In capsule type medical device C12, on the front portion of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C, pair of electrodes is installed.

In the front side of housing 16 (along another edge side of axle L) but at the cardinal extremity of supporting front side, the rear side place of transparent dome 1d flexible wires 9.Front side flexible wires 9 is so that lead is protruding from this housing 16 away from the mode that housing 16 outwards moves, and supporting front side electrode 8.In other words, electrode 8 is arranged on the front side of housing 16 by flexible wires 9, and takes unit 2 and separates.Therefore, electrode 8 does not hinder by taking the shooting that unit 2 carries out.Here, front side flexible wires 9 is provided with on the same side of online memory element 21.

And on the outer surface of transparent dome 1d, (that is, on a side identical with fixed electrode 62) is equipped with and front side electrode 8 paired front side fixed electrodes (second electrode) 82 as a unit on the opposite side across diameter of front side electrode 8.This front side fixed electrode 82 is arranged on the position outside than the visual field V of capturing element 2a, not hinder by taking the shooting that unit 2 carries out.Here, front side fixed electrode 82 can be a transparency electrode, and can be arranged in the V of the visual field.In this case, can use to have and be easier to and bodily tissue position contacting and electrodes sized.

Front side flexible wires 9 and front side fixed electrode 82 are connected to control unit 3 (shown in Fig. 2) in the housing 1.Here, control unit 3 has the function as second control device, it is used for according to from the control signal of radio transceiver unit 4 electric current that will be transported to front side electrode 8 and front side fixed electrode 82 being controlled, and irrelevant with the control to the electric current that will be transported to electrode 6 and fixed electrode 62.

And the opposite side across diameter of online memory element 21 is provided with weight G in the housing 16, makes the fixed electrode side always face down.Here, fixed electrode 62 and accurate contact of front side fixed electrode 82 have been realized with mucosa etc.

Here, when swallowing capsule type medical device C12, preferably swallow backward, become obstacle to prevent front side electrode 8 and front side flexible wires.

In capsule type medical device C12, the electrode 6 and fixed electrode 62 on the rear side that is arranged on housing 16, front side electrode 8 and front side fixed electrode 82 are set on the front side also, and the electric current to each electrode is carried out independent control.For this reason, make among line memory element 21 and the motor M each become a unit, so that it is when realizing this device moving freely in bodily tissue, simple in structure.In other words, provide electricity irritation to bodily tissue, realize moving forward of capsule type medical device C12 by making electrode 6 on the rear side that is arranged on housing 16 and fixed electrode 62.Opposite is, provides electricity irritation by making front side electrode 8 on the front side that is arranged on housing 16 and front side fixed electrode 82 to bodily tissue, realizes moving backward of capsule type medical device C12.Thus, the operator can be in the luminal organ such as small intestinal or large intestine, for example when observing photograph image, and mobile forward or backward as required capsule type medical device C12, this has improved operational capacity.And the operator can easily handle this device, and to enter the direction (front side or rear side) of narrow luminal organ irrelevant with capsule type medical device C12.In addition, all be available owing to move forward and backward, therefore can observe any possible position in the luminal organ.

Next, Figure 25 A and Figure 25 B show the 3rd modified example.In capsule type medical device C13, the line memory element be used to launch different with the mechanism of twining flexible wires and above-mentioned capsule type medical device C10.

In capsule type medical device C13, in housing 17, be formed with the line memory element 26 that is used to store flexible wires 7 and electrode 6.Line memory element 26 forms a space in the position (that is, in tapering part) near the rear portion of housing 17, and makes electrode 6 and flexible wires 7 appear at the outside by opening 26h and disappear from the outside.Form each opening 26h in the symmetrical position of axle L that makes these openings with respect to housing 17.In the online memory element 26, be supported with the roughly turntable 26r of dish type in the following manner: its rotating shaft is roughly identical with axle L, and rotates freely.The cardinal extremity of flexible wires 7 is connected respectively to two positions that are mutually symmetrical with respect to axle L on the outer circumferential sides of turntable 26r.In other words, the electric current from control unit 3 flows to electrode 6 by turntable 26r and flexible wires 7.

With turntable 26r be connected to than line memory element 26 be provided with motor (actuator) M2 after more.The motion of motor M2 is by control unit 3 controls.Rotary driving force from motor M2 is sent to turntable 26r.In other words, motor M2 and the turntable 26r mechanism that is configured for launching/twining flexible wires 7.In utilizing the expansion/winding mechanism of this mechanism, the motion of motor M2 is controlled by external control signal, locates at an arbitrary position by launching flexible wires 7 electrode 6 to be operated.Perhaps, can flexible wires 7 and electrode 6 be stored in the online memory element 26 fully by twining.To be used as motor M2 such as any motor/actuator of electromagnetic motor, ultrasonic motor, electrostatic motor etc.

In capsule type medical device C13, because a motor M2 is carried out this whole expansion/winding to flexible wires 7 and electrode 6, therefore simple in structure, and easy and accurate to the control of expansion/winding.And, because being arranged on, line memory element 26 and motor M2 trend towards becoming in the tapering in dead band near the rear portion of housing 17, therefore effectively utilized the confined space in the housing 17.

Here, in each in above embodiment, use the example that applies the present invention to wireless capsule type medical device to provide description.Yet the present invention can be applied to utilize cable etc. that wired capsule type medical device of electric power is provided.Thus, battery needn't be installed on capsule type medical device, perhaps make the less or low capacity of battery.And, in most of the cases, be used to provide the cable of electric power can be very thin, for the people who is checked, this feasible discomfort minimizes, and the misgivings that make cable become obstacle in luminal organ drop to minimum.

And, in each in above embodiment, provided and be used to obtain the in vivo description of the structure of the in vivo information acquisition device of information (for example image) being provided with.Yet, except this in vivo information acquisition device, can be provided for as required expectation part locate medication the Drug therapy device, be used for the therapy equipment of the ill part of calcination or be used to extract the extraction element etc. of body fluid.Use this capsule type medical device to make it possible to carry out Drug therapy, treatment or sampling after the information obtaining in vivo.Therefore, only use a capsule type medical device just can carry out a series of different operations in vivo.

Below with reference to Figure 26 to 40 explanation third embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the elastic expansion device forms the interelectrode distance modifier.Capsule type medical device C14 shown in Figure 26 is the basic structure of the capsule type medical device of present embodiment.This capsule type medical device C14 is provided with capsule main body (apparatus main body or housing) 201, air bag (elastic expansion part) 202, at least one pair of bipolar electrode 203, lead 204, battery (power supply) 5 and expansion and contracting mechanism unit (expansion gear) 16.Air bag 202 is installed at least a portion of capsule main body 201, and can elastic expansion.Electrode 203 is installed on the air bag 202, and the collapsible tissue (bodily tissue) in the live body chamber provides electricity irritation.

Capsule main body 201 is provided with in housing 211 at the live body intracavity and obtains in vivo the shooting unit of information (in vivo information acquisition device) 212, control unit (control device) 213, wireless transceiver (communicator) 214 and battery (power supply) 205, and has the function of capsule type endoscope.In addition, in housing 211, also be provided with expansion and the contracting mechanism unit 216 that makes air bag 202 expand and shrink.

Housing 211 is to be oval-shaped capsule when observing from the side, and is formed by plastics etc., to seal its inside.Be provided with in the front (right side among the figure) of housing 211 by what transparent material constituted and be formed dome-shaped observation window (not shown among Figure 26).In this observation window, that is, the front of capsule main body 201 accommodates at the live body intracavity and obtains the in vivo shooting unit 212 of information.Taking unit 212 disposes and is used to the capturing element unit 212a that takes the various zones of live body intracavity and obtain image, and, obtain in vivo information by the photograph image that obtains the live body intracavity by sending the light-emitting component 212b that illumination light is thrown light on to the visual field of capturing element unit 212a.Image-forming component 212a is made up of lens and CCD (charge-coupled image sensor) etc.Light-emitting component 212b is made up of EL (electroluminescent) element, LED (light emitting diode) etc.Except taking unit 212, in vivo information acquisition device of various pick offs (for example, pH value pick off, hemoglobin sensor, special light response sensor etc.) conduct can be set in observation window as required.

Radio transceiver unit 214 is provided with the transceiver antennas (being omitted among the figure) of unshowned transceiver unit main body and transmission and reception radio wave.Radio transceiver unit 214 wirelessly sends in vivo information (that is, by taking the photograph image that unit 212 is taken) to following external device (ED) 300.In addition, radio transceiver unit 214 wirelessly receives the various control signals (instruction) that wirelessly send from external device (ED) 300, and transfers them to control unit 213.

Control unit 213 has following function: according to the control signal (instruction) from radio transceiver unit 214, synthetically control each unitary action of capsule type medical device C14.Specifically, this unit execution wireless transceiver is controlled (action of control radio transceiver unit 214), shooting and is thrown light on and controls (controlling the action of taking unit 212) and (controlling the action of expansion and contracting mechanism unit 216) controlled in the expansion and the contraction of air bag 202.In addition, be provided with square wave (pulse) in the control unit 213 circuit 213a takes place, be used for carrying electric current via lead 204 to electrode 203 from battery 205.In other words, control unit 213 has the function of the control device that is used to control the electric current that flows to electrode 203, and is as described below.Include the amplitude limiter function among the square wave generation circuit 213a, it guarantees that the electric current that surpasses setting value can not flow to electrode 203.

In Figure 26, according to square wave generation circuit 213a being set with the integrated mode of control circuit 13, but also can be according to the integrated mode of battery 205 this circuit being set.

Air bag 202 is arranged in the capsule main body 201, with at least a portion of the outer surface of covering shell 211.This air bag 202 is made of elastica (made by the elastomeric material that demonstrates flexibility, for example, flexible rubber), and expands and shrink by being arranged on expansion in the housing 211 and contracting mechanism unit 216.Expansion and contracting mechanism unit 216 expand air bag 202 by the fluid such as air or foaming agent is provided in air bag 202, and by these fluids of sucking-off in air bag 202 air bag 202 are shunk.Air bag 202 fully closely contacts with the outer surface of housing 211 when shrinking, and makes that capsule main body 201 is easy to be inserted in the live body chamber via mouth or anus.

In Figure 26, the front and rear of capsule main body 201 exposes, and air bag 202 covers capsule main bodys 201 covering the peripheries at middle part, and air bag 202 is sentenced general toroidal at two fixed cells 220 of the front and rear of capsule main body 201 and is fixed on the capsule main body 201.Yet, only expose the front portion that is provided with observation window of capsule main body 201, and the almost whole surface of its back being covered by air bag 202 all, this also is fine.In this case, air bag 202 is fixed on the capsule main body 201 at fixed cell 220 places of the forward observation window back that is arranged on capsule main body 201.

On the outer surface of air bag 202, at least one pair of bipolar electrode 203 is installed.These electrodes 203 contact with the inwall (that is, contractile tissue) of small intestinal and large intestine, and provide electricity irritation to these contractile tissues.Electrode 203 be shaped as roughly hemispherical or general plane shape, make not hinder travelling forward of capsule type medical device C14.Like this, according to the integrated mode of air bag 202 this at least one pair of electrode 203 being set, so the distance between this counter electrode 203 is along with the expansion of air bag 202 and contraction and change.Therefore, even the diameter of inner chamber changes, also can provide accurate electricity irritation to the intraorganic contractile tissue of inner chamber.These electrodes 203 are preferably by making with the metal (for example, rustless steel, platinum, titanium etc.) or the conductive material (for example, conductive rubber etc.) of live body highly compatible, and are as described below.

In Figure 26, be provided with two counter electrode 203 altogether, front side (right side among the figure) go up and rear side (left side among the figure) on respectively be provided with a pair ofly, still can suitably change the quantity and the installation site thereof of the electrode of being installed.

Lead 204 is made of the conductive material such as the flexibility of metal etc. at least in part.The cardinal extremity of lead 204 is connected to square wave generation circuit 213a in the housing 211, and end is connected to electrode 203.That is, with electrode 203 machinery be electrically connected to the capsule main body 201 that accommodates battery 205.Owing to use like this flexible wires 204, so lead 204 adapts to the contraction of air bag 202 with folded state, and when air bag 202 expanded, lead 204 extended.Therefore, can provide electric power consistently to electrode 203 from the square wave generation circuit 213a the control unit 213.

When air bag 202 shrank, the external diameter of the capsule type medical device C14 of formation as implied above was about 15mm, made this device be easy to through digestive tract and anus.In addition, when air bag 202 expand into its full-size, the external diameter of capsule type medical device C14 was about 40mm, made that electrode 203 suitably contacts with bodily tissue when this device process large intestine.

External device (ED) 300 is from the external control capsule type medical device C14 of live body.As shown in figure 26, external device (ED) 300 disposes: radio transceiver unit (transmitting element and detecting unit) 302 is used for sending information and receiving information from capsule type medical device C14 to capsule type medical device C14; Record cell 303 (for example memorizer etc.) is used to store above-mentioned in vivo information (that is photograph image); Control unit 304, it controls each unit; And battery 305, it provides electric power to each unit, and these unit are all in apparatus main body 301.

Apparatus main body 301 forms box-shaped by plastics or such as the metal of aluminum, and can be installed on examinate's the health by examinate's belt.Thus, the examinate can be installed in external device (ED) 300 on its health all the time.

Similar to the radio transceiver unit 4 of capsule type medical device C14, radio transceiver unit 302 is provided with unshowned Transmit-Receive Unit main body and is used to send and receive the transceiver antennas (transmitting antenna and reception antenna) of radio wave.Radio transceiver unit 302 receives photograph image,, from the in vivo information of capsule type medical device C14 wireless transmission, and sends it to control unit 304 that is.

Control unit 304 transmits control signal to capsule type medical device C14 via radio transceiver unit 302 according to the bodily tissue (for example, stomach, small intestinal or large intestine) around the capsule type medical device C14 that is arranged in live body.In addition, control unit 304 is after the predetermined processing of carrying out such as Flame Image Process etc., and the photograph image that will receive is recorded in the record cell 303 when needed.

The situation that is to use as mentioned above the capsule type medical device C14 that constitutes that examinate's body cavity is observed and studied below.

At first, the examinate waits by band external device (ED) 304 is installed to its abdominal part or other places.Then, (swallow), capsule type medical device C14 is incorporated in the live body chamber by capsule type medical device C14 is inserted in the mouth.When inserting from mouth, air bag 202 shrinks, and making does not become obstacle.Except when digestive tract moves down, the various piece of live body intracavity being taken, also wirelessly send photograph image to external device (ED) 300 from radio transceiver unit 214 by capturing element unit 212a.On the other hand, external device (ED) 300 receives photograph images via radio transceiver unit 302, by control unit 304 comparison film image carries out image processing etc., and when needed with image recording in record cell 303.Control unit 304 sends the control signal that is used to control capsule type medical device C14 via radio transceiver unit 302 when needed to capsule type medical device C14.

When capsule type medical device C14 had passed through the harmonization of the stomach duodenum and arrived small intestinal, control unit 213 expanded air bag 202 by the control signal from external device (ED) 300, and provides suitable electricity irritation to advance capsule type medical device C14 by the inwall to small intestinal.In small intestinal, air bag 202 expand into about 5-15mm, and the external diameter of capsule type medical device C14 (capsule main body 201 is together with the external diameter of air bag 202) becomes about 20-30mm, makes electrode suitably contact the inwall of small intestinal.

For the contractile tissue to small intestinal provides electricity irritation and it is shunk, and use this contractility, need a few milliwatt to tens milliwatts usually as the thrust that is used for capsule type medical device C14.Therefore, the square wave generation circuit 213a square wave current that makes a few milliwatt to tens milliwatts flows to electrode 203 with the pulse of predetermined period.Specifically, the frequency of this moment is a few Hz to tens Hz, and pulse width is set at several milliseconds to a few tens of milliseconds.Use also is fine as this pulse signal by the synthetic signal of several kilo hertzs to tens kilo hertzs high-frequency signal.This modulation wave signal is exported several kilo hertzs of pulses to the hundreds of kilohertz with several hertz to tens hertz cycle.

The waveform of this impulse wave can be square or sinusoidal.In addition, this square wave can be the waveform of only exporting with plus or minus usually, and shown in Figure 27 A, can be output by anti-phase and on minus side and positive side equal waveforms of output (bilateral amplitude).In addition, this sinusoidal wave form can be that a side is by the waveform of rectification, shown in Figure 27 B.Square wave generation circuit 213a output waveform has made up the signal of various above-mentioned waveforms, and provides electricity irritation to bodily tissue.

When the inwall to small intestinal provided this electricity irritation, the place that the quilt of small intestinal stimulates shrank, thereby capsule type medical device C14 is squeezed and the intestinal propulsion that shrinks to the forward position.At this moment, because air bag 202 and lead 204 are according to the contraction of small intestinal and strain, so can accurately offset the change of the diameter of small intestinal.Thus, can move through small intestinal, and can the time that shortening observation post needs, observe and study the inside of small intestinal effectively by the wriggling that quickens small intestinal.When capsule type medical device C14 has arrived its target location, can capsule type medical device C14 be stopped at this target location by stopping electricity irritation.At this moment, air bag 202 is expanded, thereby the contact pressure of increase and small intestinal, to stop capsule type medical device C14 more accurately.

In this way, capsule type medical device C14 next also can be according to main points discussed above through large intestine.When through large intestine, make air bag 202 expand into 5-25mm, thereby the external diameter of capsule type medical device C14 become  20-40mm, so that electrode contacts the inwall of large intestine exactly.As capsule type medical device C14 during near anus, make air bag 202 and when from mouth, inserting this device, shrink similarly, so that the external diameter of capsule type medical device C14 becomes less, thereby can discharge this device from anus.

Next, the doctor diagnoses examinate's health status according to photograph image (these photograph images are the in vivo information that is recorded in the record cell 303 of external device (ED) 300).

In this capsule type medical device C14, can expand at the desired locations place by making air bag 202, make the electrode 203 different gastral inwall of contact diameter exactly.In addition, because lead 204 is flexible,, and almost do not take place such as the inconvenience that disconnects etc. so they can adapt to the expansion and the contraction of air bag 202, and can provide stable electricity irritation.In addition,, air bag 202 is expanded, capsule type medical device C14 can be stopped at this position, can observe this position then, and study in great detail by various pick offs by stopping electricity irritation in target location.In addition, after finishing observation and research, discharging the side contraction, can make this device mobile rapidly, and at short notice this device is discharged to the outside of live body by making air bag 202.

Next, will the modified example of the capsule type medical device C14 of above-mentioned the 3rd embodiment be described.Indicate identical label with the common element of each element of capsule type medical device C14, and omit detailed description thereof here.In addition, below among each figure of reference, the situation that exists the diagram of lead 204 suitably to be omitted in these cases, similarly is that each electrode 203 is via the lead electricity and be mechanically connected to capsule main body 201 with above-mentioned capsule type medical device C14.

Figure 28 A and 28B show first modified example.

In this capsule type medical device C15, air bag 202A is removably mounted on the capsule main body 201A by installation unit 220A.In addition, lead 204 is detachably connected to capsule main body 201A by adapter 204C.

The formation of capsule main body 201 is except the fact that is provided with housing 211A, and is similar with capsule main body 201 among the above-mentioned capsule type medical device C14.The difference of housing 211A and above-mentioned housing 211 is: it is provided with groove 211g, installs and mobile air bag 202A so that be easy to; And on the rear surface, be formed with recessed adapter 242.Label 211d represents observation window.

Among the groove 211g in being formed on housing 211A, form installation unit 220A by the detachable outstanding unit 202t that is formed among the air bag 202A with groove 211g removably engages.In addition, recessed adapter 242 constitutes adapter 204C in couples with male connector 241 on the cardinal extremity that is arranged on lead 204, by this adapter 204C, removably connects lead 204 and housing 211A.In addition, the mode in the outside of air bag 202 with integral body is provided with electrode 203, and electrode 203 is made of conductive rubber (being made by conductive silicon rubber or conduction nylon etc.).

Because electrode 203 is made of conductive rubber in this wise, so when air bag 202A expanded, the electrode 203 on the air bag 202A can extend similarly, thereby air bag 202A can expand more equably.

In addition, owing to capsule main body 201A, air bag 202A, electrode 203 and lead 204 are removably installed,, replace air bag 202A, electrode 203 and lead 204 with best item so be easy to behaviour in service according to capsule type medical device C15.In addition, relatively costly capsule main body 201A be can reuse, and after each the use, relatively cheap air bag 202A, electrode 203 and lead 204 abandoned simply.

Figure 29 A and 29B show second modified example.

This capsule type medical device C16a is the example that is provided with hard member in the air bag.This hard member is formed on thick an of part of above-mentioned air bag 202, and harder than other parts.

In the capsule type medical device C16a shown in Figure 29 A and the 29B, air bag 202B1 is connected to capsule main body 201 by fixed cell 220, to cover the side towards observation window 211d rear portion of capsule main body 201.In this air bag 202B1, be formed with hard member 221a, encircle on rear side, to form, and a plurality of electrodes 203 are installed around the periphery of this hard member 221a.

As mentioned above, air bag 202 is formed by the retractable material such as flexible rubber, thereby when electrode 203 was formed by gold or other non-retractable basically materials, the percentage elongation of the two was obviously different.In other words, installation and the maintenance of electrode 203 on air bag becomes difficult, and this setting is unable to undergo to use for a long time.Therefore,, can reduce the difference of the percentage elongation between the two, make and electrode 203 more easily can be installed and remained on the air bag by in the zone that electrode 203 is being installed on the air bag at least, forming thick hard unit.

Figure 30 to Figure 32 shows the 3rd modified example.

These capsule type medical devices C16b, C16c and C16d are the modified examples of capsule type medical device C16a, and the position that wherein hard member is formed on the air bag is different.

In the capsule type medical device C16b shown in Figure 30, air bag 202B2 is connected to capsule main body 201 by fixed cell 220, to cover the side towards observation window 211d rear portion of capsule main body 201.On the leading edge and back edge of this air bag 202B2, all be formed with thick hard member 221b, and a plurality of electrodes 203 be installed around the periphery of this hard member 221b.

In addition, in the capsule type medical device C16c shown in Figure 31, air bag 202B3 is installed on the capsule main body 201 by fixed cell 220, to cover the side towards observation window 211d rear portion of capsule main body 201.Near the edge of electrode 203 and with top and bottom electrode 203, in the middle section of preset distance, be formed with thick hard member 221c on the top of this air bag 202B3 and the bottom.

In addition, in the capsule type medical device C16d shown in Figure 32, air bag 202B4 forwardly is installed on the capsule main body 201 with two positions at rear portion by fixed cell 220, to cover the middle body of capsule main body 201, exposes leading edge and back edge simultaneously.On the neighboring of this air bag 202B4, be formed with thick hard member 221d with spiral-shaped, and a plurality of electrodes 203 are installed on the periphery of this hard member 221d.

In this way, according to the quantity and the arrangement that are installed in the electrode 203 on the air bag, can change the shape and the location of hard member as required.

Figure 33 and 34 shows the 4th modified example.

These capsule type medical devices C16e and C16f are other modified examples of capsule type medical device C16a, and show following example: above-mentioned air bag 202 is provided with independently hard member, and this hard member is regional harder than other.

In the capsule type medical device C16e shown in Figure 33, air bag 202B5 is installed on the capsule main body 201 by fixed cell 220, covers capsule main body 201 with the rear side at observation window 211d.In this air bag 202B5, on rear side, be provided with a plurality of hard member 221e around periphery.These hard member 221e apply the outer surface of above-mentioned air bag 202 and its sclerosis are formed by using binding agent.On each hard member 221e, electrode 203 is installed.

In addition, in the capsule type medical device C16f shown in Figure 34 A and the 34B, air bag 202B6 is installed on the capsule main body 201 by fixed cell 220, covers capsule main body 201 with the rear side at observation window 211d.This air bag 202B6 is equipped with the electrode with hard member 221f one, and these hard members are by constituting than air bag 202 hard hard rubber, and these hard members are arranged on the neighboring of rear side of above-mentioned air bag 202.

In this way, after this hard member of being made by the material different with air bag 202 is installed, therefore, the structure of air bag 202B5 and air bag 202B6 is become simply, and be easy to make.

Figure 35 shows the 5th modified example.

Capsule type medical device C17 is following example: when airbag inflation, and longitudinal profile shape (from top view time section shape) distortion.

Air bag 202C among the capsule type medical device C17 shown in Figure 35 expands, and makes that longitudinal profile is a star.End at this star air bag 202C is provided with electrode 203.When this star air bag 202C was expanded, only terminal inwall with luminal organ (here by small intestinal I representative) contacted.Between in these ends each, air bag 202C has female.As a result, between these females and small intestinal I, be formed with the space Ih that extends along capsule type medical device C17 the place ahead and rear along the inside of small intestinal I.

Owing to formed these spaces Ih, so, also can not block the inside of small intestinal I even when air bag 202C expands.Therefore, the fluid such as the material that has digested that exists among the small intestinal I can suitably flow along the length of capsule type medical device C17.

Capsule type medical device C20 shown in capsule type medical device C19 shown in capsule type medical device C18, Figure 37 shown in Figure 36 and Figure 38 is the modified example of this capsule type medical device C17.In in these modified examples each, changed the longitudinal profile shape of capsule type medical device.According to purpose or the condition checked, these longitudinal profile shapes in the time of can suitably changing airbag inflation.

Figure 36 shows the 6th modified example.

Air bag 202D among this capsule type medical device C18 is fixed by fixed cell 220B, this fixed cell 220B is formed on two positions (top among the figure and bottom position) at the symmetric position place on the neighboring of capsule main body 201, and when this airbag inflation, expand along left and right-hand roughly symmetry.As a result, between fixed cell 220B and small intestinal I, be formed with the space Ih that passes from front to back along the capsule type medical device C18 in the luminal organ.

Figure 37 shows the 7th modified example.

Air bag 202E among this capsule type medical device C19 expands, so that longitudinal profile is oval.As a result, between the long limit (top among the figure and bottom) of air bag 202E and small intestinal I, be formed with space Ih.

This capsule type medical device C19 is provided with capsule main body 201B and power subsystem (power supply) 205A.The capsule main body 201B here is above-mentioned capsule main body 201B, is used for battery and the square wave generation circuit that counter electrode 203 applies electricity irritation but therefrom omitted.In addition, the battery and the square wave generation circuit that will be used for applying to electrode 203 electricity irritation is incorporated in power subsystem 205A in integrated mode.The operation of this power subsystem 205A is controlled by the control signal that directly receives from external device (ED) 300 or by the control signal that the control unit 213 (being omitted in the figure) in the capsule main body 201B receives.

In this way, the power supply that is used to apply electricity irritation is made by the material different with capsule main body 201B with square wave generation circuit, so capsule main body 201B's is simple in structure.In addition, the battery 205 (being omitted in the figure) in the capsule main body 201B also is not used in and applies electricity irritation, so battery 205 can use for a long time.

Figure 38 shows the 8th modified example.

Air bag 202F is provided with the through hole 222 that passes capsule type medical device C20 from front to back among this capsule type medical device C20.Therefore, utilize these through holes 222 to guarantee and above-mentioned space Ih identical functions.

Figure 39 A to 39D shows the 9th modified example.

The expansion of this capsule type medical device C21 and the structure of contracting mechanism are different with above-mentioned capsule type medical device C14's.In the capsule main body 201C of this capsule type medical device C21, the various composed components of above-mentioned capsule main body 201 are arranged among the housing 211B in integrated mode.In addition, in housing 211B, be formed with locker room 261, pilot hole 262a, pilot hole 262b and screwed hole 263, and mobile member 264 interlocks in this screwed hole 263.By these various composed components, guaranteed and above-mentioned expansion and contracting mechanism unit 216 corresponding functions.

Shown in Figure 39 A to 39C, in the locker room 261 in being arranged on capsule main body 201C, come storing pressurized gas g, and after storage, this hole is blocked by rubber cap 261s by the hole of running through from the outside.As described below, can replace this gas-pressurized g with foaming agent.In addition, this locker room 261 is connected to the screwed hole 263 that makes mobile member 264 can be rotated motion via pilot hole 262a, and this screwed hole 263 also is connected to the outside of capsule type medical device C21 via screwed hole 262b.The back edge opening of this screwed hole 263 is to the outside of capsule type medical device C21.

In addition, the back edge side of capsule main body 201C is covered by air bag 202, and the front edge side of this air bag 202 is fixed in gastight mode near the central authorities of capsule main body 201B by banded fixed component 220.Back edge side at air bag 202 is fixed with electrode 203, and these electrodes are by flexible wires 204 electricity be mechanically connected to capsule main body 201C.

Mobile member 264 for example comprises: the permanent magnet 264m of bar shaped, and it is along being magnetized to north and south poles with the orthogonal direction of its longitudinal direction; And the gum elastic 264g of external screw thread shape, it covers this permanent magnet 264m.

To describe following situation below: use the capsule type medical device C21 that constitutes as mentioned above to observe and study the inside in examinate's live body chamber.

At first, the examinate waits by band external device (ED) 300 and following rotating excitation field generator is installed to its abdominal part or other place.Then, by from mouth, inserting capsule type medical device C21 capsule type medical device C21 is incorporated in the live body chamber.When being incorporated into capsule type medical device C21 in the live body chamber, air bag is shunk, shown in Figure 39 A.

Before capsule type medical device C21 is advanced to duodenum and arrives the position for the treatment of optionally to be studied by the various pick offs in the observation window 211d, apply rotating excitation field by being placed on sv unshowned rotating excitation field generator.Thus, make mobile member 264 along screwed hole 263 rotation and make mobile member 264 move to the front portion of housing.

When mobile member 264 moved to housing anterior, locker room 261 was connected to air bag 202 via pilot hole 262a and screwed hole 263, shown in Figure 39 B.Thus, gas-pressurized g flows in the air bag 202 as shown by arrows, and air bag 202 is expanded.Can use foaming agent to replace gas-pressurized g.In this case, preferably apply the inside of air bag 202 to react with a spot of water.

When air bag 202 expanded thus, near the inwall of the digestive tract (luminal organ) the electrode 203 on the air bag 202 and this position contacted.In addition, carry the square wave current of several milliamperes to electrode 203, by electricity irritation the gastral inwall in this zone is shunk, and, this device is advanced to the target location by converting this contractility to propulsive force by pulse with specific period.Next, when arriving this target location, stop electric current, make this device remain on this position, and finish detection by various pick offs.Next, after enough various pick offs are finished the time of detection, make current direction electrode 203 once more, and the contractility by causing by electricity irritation, this device is advanced to anus.

In addition, just before anus, apply rotating excitation field, make mobile member 264 forward edge side shiftings, thus, the inside of air bag 202 is connected to the outside of capsule type medical device C21 via screwed hole 263 and pilot hole 262b.That is, will make air bag 202 expansible gas-pressurizeds be discharged to the outside, thereby air bag 202 shrink, shown in Figure 39 C.Next, capsule type medical device C21 is discharged from live body by anus.

Because this expansion and contracting mechanism unit have this structure, so can realize the expansion and the contraction of air bag 202 easier and more accurately.

Next, Figure 40 A to 40C shows the tenth modified example.

The air bag 202H of this capsule type medical device C22 is different with above-mentioned air bag 202, and its material by not elastic expansion or contraction basically constitutes.As the concrete example of this material, be fit to by the PFA (tetrafluoroethene-perfluor (alkoxyl vinyl Ether) copolymer) or Teflon (registered trade mark) film of PTFE formations such as (politef).In addition, lead 204 is printed on the flexible printed circuit board 204F, and this flexible printed circuit board 204F is sticked on the inner surface of air bag 202H in integrated mode.

When inserting this capsule type medical device C22 from mouth, air bag 202H is rolled in around the capsule main body 201, and by by starch, starch paper formations such as (oblate) be with 223 to pinion, shown in Figure 40 A.When this device arrives stomach under this state, be with 223 dissolved, thereby air bag 202H can expand.Then, air bag 202H is expanded, and when the inwall by 203 pairs of luminal organ of electrode applies electricity irritation, capsule type medical device C22 is suitably advanced.

Because this air bag 202H not elastic expansion or contraction basically do not surpass predetermined maximum outside diameter so it can not expand.Therefore, set the length of lead 204 according to the maximum swelling of air bag 202H, and can be according to the integrated mode of flexible printed circuit board 204F lead 204 being sticked in the air bag 202H.Therefore, can not consider basically owing to reusing the disconnection that lead 204 causes, so this device can stand the use of longer time.

Figure 41 A and 41B show the 11 modified example.In this capsule type medical device C24, connect capsule main body 201D and air bag 202I by shape memory coil (expansion gear) 216c.

In capsule main body 201D, expansion and contracting mechanism unit 216 from above-mentioned capsule main body 201, have been omitted.In addition, the material of air bag 202I is identical with above-mentioned air bag 202, further stretches out backward from the back edge side of capsule main body 201D but be shaped as when shrinking.The fluid (water, air etc.) of predetermined is sealed in this air bag 202I.In addition, the shape memory coil 216c that is made by marmem extends from the back edge of capsule main body 201D, and its end is connected to the back edge of air bag 202I by connector 216d.This shape memory coil 216c has shape memory characteristic, so that it is stretched to long shape when ambient temperature is lower than body temperature, and is shrunk to coil shape when ambient temperature reaches body temperature.

The examinate is inserted into capsule type medical device C24 in the live body chamber by the state shown in Figure 41 A from mouth.In the live body chamber, it is roughly identical with body temperature that the environment temperature of capsule type medical device C24 becomes, so shape memory coil 216c shrinks.Therefore, air bag 202I distortion and lateral expansion shown in Figure 41 B, make that the electrode 203 on the air bag 202I contacts with the inwall of luminal organ.

In this way, use shape memory coil 216c to make airbag inflation and contraction, therefore can from the capsule main body, dispense and expand and the contracting mechanism unit, make that thus its structure is simpler.

Except being set at, the shape memory temperature with shape memory coil 216c is higher than the body temperature, can also have following structure: can be by the heater of control unit 213 (being omitted in the figure) control etc. by being provided with, can locate to make air bag 202I to expand at an arbitrary position or shrink.

Figure 42 A and 42B show the 12 modified example.

This capsule type medical device C25 is the modified example of above-mentioned capsule type medical device C24.On above-mentioned capsule main body 201D, be provided with, be used to replace above-mentioned air bag 202 by having the elastic expansion unit 202J that elastomeric flexible rubber (lactoprene) is made.Store lead 204 (being omitted in the figure) with the watertight state in this lactoprene.

When from mouth, inserting this capsule type medical device C25, make elastic expansion unit 202J folding, so that external diameter is very little, and be stored in the capsule of making by starch, starch paper etc. 224 with the state that diameter reduces.When it arrives stomach with this state, capsule 224 dissolvings, making the 202J elastic expansion of elastic expansion unit is the wide diameter state.After this, when the inwall by 203 pairs of luminal organ of electrode applies electricity irritation, suitably advance capsule type medical device C25.Because this elastic expansion unit 202J has high resiliency, so also easily deformable.Therefore, when when anus is discharged, it can strain, so that can be easily with its discharge.

Because this device is equipped with this elastic expansion unit 202J, thus expansion and contracting mechanism unit from the capsule main body, omitted, so that its structure becomes simpler.

With reference to Figure 43 A to 43C the fourth embodiment of the present invention is described below.In this embodiment, indicate identical label, and omit detailed description thereof with the common composed component of composed component among above-mentioned the 3rd embodiment.

Figure 43 A shows the structure of front edge side of the endoscope apparatus (capsule type medical device) of this embodiment.Figure 43 B and 43C show near the structure of insertion mouth of the capsule type medical device of this embodiment.In addition, Figure 44 A and 44B show the endoscope apparatus that is made of this capsule type medical device and be released state afterwards in gastral luminal organ (such as small intestinal).

Shown in Figure 43 A to 43C, endoscope apparatus (capsule type medical device) S1 is provided with: capsule type medical device C26; Hollow pipe 206 can freely be installed to it this capsule type medical device C26 and go up or dismantle from this capsule type medical device C26; And endoscope 207, it can be inserted in this pipe 206.Capsule type medical device C26 makes to omit from the capsule type medical device C1 above-mentioned the 3rd embodiment and expands and contracting mechanism unit 216.

Capsule type medical device C26 is provided with in the observation window of the top end of capsule main body 201E: light-emitting device unit 212b, for example white light LEDs etc.; And capturing element unit 212a, it is made of optical system (such as object lens) and solid-state capturing element (such as CCD or cmos imager), in addition, on the side of its rear side, by make such as the elastomeric material of silicone rubber or latex rubber etc., its whole periphery can be installed on the fixed cell 220 by retainer ring etc. by easily expansible air bag 202K, and in addition, in order to provide fluid, back edge to be provided with inlet 217a to the inside of air bag 202K (being the space between air bag 202K and the capsule main body 201E strictly speaking).This inlet 217a is connected to the inside of air bag 202K via fluid passage 217.In order to provide fluid, pipe 206 freely can be installed to this inlet 217a and go up or dismantle from this inlet 217a to air bag 202K.

The leading edge of pipe 206 is the aciculiform narrow diameter unit 206t that can be easily mounted on the inlet 217a.In addition, on unshowned closed side, have the closed side that can freely connect fluid implantation tool (for example syringe) and open hardware.In addition,, inject fluid among the air bag 202K via fluid passage 217 by providing fluid from this inlet 217a so that this air bag 202K may be expanded to its can be at least with small intestinal I in the degree (about 20-30mm) that closely contacts of luminal organ.

The inlet 217a that is arranged on the rear edge of capsule main body 201 has the feather valve structure as the valve on the soft tennis, so that after swallowing air bag 202K, even dismounting pipe 206, air bag 202K still seals.In addition, in capsule main body 201E, be provided with battery 205, and on a side of the back edge surface of air bag 202K, be fixed with a pair of bipolar electrode 203, by flexible ribbon conductor 204 electricity and mechanically connection electrode 203 and battery 205 as power supply.

Endoscope 207 is provided with along the axial passage 271 of long and narrow insertion unit 270.On the other hand, pipe 206 length is longer than the length of this passage 271, and has the external diameter that makes it possible to insert smoothly or extract passage 271, can provide fluid such as air or water from managing 206 cardinal extremity forward edge.

Shown in Figure 43 B, the rubber cap 217v that demonstrates flexibility is installed among the inlet 217a.Be in blocked state when the aciculiform narrow diameter unit 206t of preformed narrow passage 2171 on the leading edge of pipe 206 do not pass it among this rubber cap 217v.In this case, the back edge of this passage 2171 has labelling, so that can know on position, and has female 217u, so that can easily insert aciculiform narrow diameter unit 206t.

Shown in Figure 43 C, when being inserted into aciculiform narrow diameter unit 206t among the inlet 217a, aciculiform narrow diameter unit 206t passes passage 2171.By under this state, injecting fluid, the outside unitary air bag 202K of fluid storage that comprises is expanded, shown in Figure 44 A and 44B such as liquid or gas from aciculiform narrow diameter unit 206t.Be installed under the situation of inlet 217a of capsule main body 201E will managing 206, when from the cardinal extremity of the terminal insertion tube 206 of passage 271, the cardinal extremity of pipe 206 stretches out (being omitted in the figure) from the cardinal extremity of passage 271.

Apply by cardinal extremity and to make pipe 206 pulling force that do not drop out the pipe 206 that stretches out, perhaps by on the back edge of capsule type medical device C26, aspirating via passage 271, capsule type medical device C26 can be detachably fixed to the end of endoscope 207, shown in Figure 43 A.When fixing capsule type medical device C26,, can between the end of capsule type medical device C26 and endoscope 207, add the absorbent 7a that constitutes by gum elastic etc. in order to promote absorption function by the suction mode.

In order to help to discharge capsule type medical device C26, to have the gripping tool 272F that grasps function is inserted in the second channel 272 that is arranged in the endoscope 207, and the grip unit of the end of this gripping tool 272F grasps near the extracting projection 201t the back edge that is arranged on capsule type medical device C26, and air bag 202K is expanded.

When from mouth, inserting this endoscope apparatus S1, capsule type medical device C26 is set to be fixed on the state on the end of endoscope 207, and air bag 202K is in contraction state (being in the fully tight state of contact of periphery of air bag 202K and capsule main body 201E), shown in Figure 43 A, and capsule type medical device C26 and endoscope 207 are inserted in the live body chamber in the mode of integral body.In addition, capsule type medical device C26 is arrived as the position of checking target, for example small intestinal I.

In this state, provide fluid via pipe 206 to the inside of air bag 202K, contact with the inwall of small intestinal I around the adequately expanded air bag 202K of its whole periphery, then when pipe 206 is removed and extracted to capsule type medical device C26 almost fixed during the inside of the luminal organ of small intestinal I central, from inlet 217a.Manage 206 by removing, fixedly being released between capsule type medical device C26 and the tube body 206, tube body 206 and endoscope 207 are pulled out the live body outside, and only capsule type medical device C26 remains among the small intestinal I.

Rotation and the inclination of the resistance control capsule type medical device C26 that produces by the inwall of expansible air bag 202K and small intestinal I, and after staying capsule type medical device C26 in the small intestinal, even in the motor process that is caused by wriggling, the position of capturing element unit 212a that roughly is positioned at the center of luminal organ also is maintained.

Figure 44 A and 44B show the situation after the release of capsule type medical device C26.The axis that Figure 44 A shows capsule type medical device C26 remains along the state at the center of inner chamber, and this is the state that capturing element unit 212a takes, and the visual field is the forward side of inner chamber.In addition, Figure 44 B shows following state: the rear portion of the capsule type medical device C26 shown in Figure 44 A drops to the bottom side of inner chamber, thus the axis that makes capsule type medical device C26 centroclinal with respect to inner chamber.Even in this situation, also can use capturing element unit 212a photographic images, and the visual field is the forward side of this inner chamber.

When air bag 202K was expanded, this counter electrode 203 on the outer surface of air bag 202K contacted with the inwall of digestive organs (for example small intestinal I).In this state, flow to the electricity irritation that electrode 203 causes off and on from battery 205, can promote wriggling or cause Alimentary local contraction by making electric current.Therefore, pass through the wriggling or the local contraction that are excited, capsule type medical device C26 can be pushed into than faster under the normal condition.In addition, the lead in the air bag 202K is flexible, and the lead 204 in the air bag 202K freely is out of shape, so that can prevent the problem that disconnects such as lead 204 when making airbag inflation and shrinking.

Active wriggling by small intestinal I or small intestinal I by the contractive action that electricity irritation caused, air bag 202K is transported to large intestine, the visual field is whole periphery simultaneously, and after this also observes large intestine up to anus.When air bag 202K was difficult to be sent to anus outside, the pin that is used for forming at air bag 202K the hole can pierce through this air bag from the anus outside.

Make the expansible position of air bag 202K of capsule type medical device C26 need not to be small intestinal I, and can be stomach or duodenum, and use conventional upper digestive tract endoscope this moment.In addition, can use the endoscope guide tube (guide member) that simply has crooked function to replace having the endoscope of finder.

In this endoscope apparatus S1, can make it simple in structure not making under the bigger situation of capsule type medical device C26, and can the air bag 202K of live body intracavity be expanded by simple method.In addition, can after airbag inflation, only capsule type medical device C26 be stayed (in the luminal organ) in the live body chamber, to realize good observation and research.

In above-mentioned third and fourth embodiment, shown structure is the structure that at least one pair of bipolar electrode is installed on the flexible expansion unit, but this only is illustrative, rather than it is restrictive, because at least one electrode (in other words a, electrode in the only paired electrode) is installed to the elastic expansion unit also to be fine.In this case, another electrode of this centering directly can be installed on the capsule main body, thereby the spacing between the electrode is variable.

Below with reference to Figure 45 A and the 45B explanation fifth embodiment of the present invention.In this embodiment, indicate identical label, and omit detailed description thereof with the common element of element among the above-mentioned first or the 4th embodiment.

In soft endoscope (apparatus main body) 207S of endoscope apparatus of the present invention (capsule type medical device) S2, be equipped with and above-mentioned air bag 202 similar air bag 202L, electrode 203 and flexible wires 204.

Shown in Figure 45 A, soft endoscope 207S has the hard member 275 of the end that is arranged on flexible member 276 and is arranged on connector unit 278 on the cardinal extremity.In hard member 275, be provided with object lens 275a, illuminating lens 275b and passage 275c, shown in Figure 45 B.In addition, connector unit 278 is positioned at the live body outside, and is detachably connected to the connector unit 318 of following external device (ED) 310.

Air bag 202L is fixed on the rear side of the hard member 275 among the 207S of endoscope.Label 220e among the figure represents 207S of endoscope and air bag 202L.At least one pair of bipolar electrode 203 is installed on the rear side surface of this air bag 202L.Connect these electrodes and connector unit 278 by flexible wires 204.

In addition, in order will to be injected into such as the fluid of air or water among the air bag 202L, and discharge this fluid from the inside of air bag 202L, the flexible member 276 in the inside that is arranged in air bag 202L is formed with and injects and outlet 277.This injection and outlet 277 are connected to connector unit 278, so that can inject and eject the fluid from following external device (ED) 310.

External device (ED) 310 is provided with power supply 311, amplitude limiter 311L, light supply apparatus 312, fluid injection and discharger (expansion gear) 313, video processor 314, monitor 315 and connector unit 318.If connector unit 278 is connected to connector unit 318, then the illumination light from light supply apparatus 312 can be sent to illuminating lens 275b, and the image from object lens 275a can be sent to video processor 314, and be stored in it in memorizer or be presented on the monitor 315.In addition, by lead 204 machinery and electric connection of power supply 311 and electrodes 203, thereby can cause that the electric current of electricity irritation is directed to electrode 203 from power supply 311 with being used to via lead 204.In addition, fluid injection and discharger 313 are connected to injection and outlet, make it possible to achieve to inject fluid among the air bag 202L or from air bag 202L and discharge fluid.

In Figure 45 A, show to be in and be inserted into endoscope apparatus S2 under the state the large intestine R from anus.When inserting this endoscope apparatus S2, air bag 202L is in contraction state (outer surface of air bag 202L and flexible unit 276 is state of contact fully closely).In addition, after inserting, inject and the action of discharger 313 makes air bag 202L expansion by fluid, and power supply 311 is operated, so that square wave current flows to electrode 203 with the form of pulse, the inwall of large intestine R is applied electricity irritation, thereby advance endoscope apparatus S2.When this device has arrived the target location, stop electricity irritation, or air bag 202L is expanded, to remain on this position, carry out observation and research then to large intestine R.At this moment, prevent to set value by amplitude limiter 311L or higher electric current flows to electrode 203.

In addition, after finishing observation and research, when endoscope apparatus S2 is shifted out from large intestine R, make air bag 202L and when inserting, shrink in the same manner, thereby make it be easy to pass through from anus.

In this endoscope apparatus S2, the structure of soft endoscope comprises air bag, electrode and flexible wires, thus, can add the function that contractile tissue is applied stable electricity irritation to conventional soft endoscope.In addition, owing to apply the power supply of electricity irritation and the expansion gear of air bag is set at the outside, so the structure that is inserted into the part in the live body chamber of this endoscope apparatus can become simple.

With reference to Figure 46 A to 50C the sixth embodiment of the present invention is described below.In this embodiment, indicate identical label, and omit detailed description thereof with the common element of element among above-mentioned the 3rd, the 4th and the 5th embodiment.

Shown in Figure 46 A and 46B, gas bag unit 208 is installed on capsule main body (apparatus main body) 201G of endoscope apparatus (capsule type medical device) S3.

Capsule main body 201G is a general cryptomere endoscope, and it has structurally omitted square wave generation circuit 213a and expansion and contracting mechanism unit 216 in the capsule main body 201 from above-mentioned capsule type medical device C14.The housing of capsule main body 201G can be divided into procapsid 211x and back casing 211y, shown in Figure 46 B, and button cell 205 can be installed within it.In the periphery of this housing (the back casing 211y among Figure 46 B), be formed with groove 211h.

Gas bag unit 208 is provided with flexible pipe 281, installation unit 282, air bag (elastic expansion unit) 202M, at least one pair of electrode 203 and the flexible wires 204 identical with above-mentioned air bag 202.

The cardinal extremity of pipe 281 is connected to unshowned external device (ED), and installation unit 282 is installed to the end of pipe 281 in the mode of integral body.The mode of installation unit 282 with integral body can be releasably attached on the capsule main body 201G, and it is provided with hoop (band) the unit 282b that is made by elastomer, the groove unit 211h interlocking of this hoop unit 282b and capsule main body 201G.Air bag 202M is fixed on the pipe 281 at the rear side of this installation unit 282.Label 220g among the figure represents the fixed cell of stationary pipes 281 and air bag 202M.The rear side surface of air bag 202M removably is equipped with at least one pair of bipolar electrode 203.Be equipped with on these electrodes 203 and pass the flexible wires 204 that pipe 281 inside and its cardinal extremity are connected to external device (ED).That is to say,, and can flow to electrode 203 via flexible wires 204 from the electric current of external device (ED) by flexible wires 204 machinery and electrode electrically connected 203 and external device (ED)s.

In addition, at the pipe 281 that is arranged in air bag 202M inside, be formed with and be used for injecting fluid into air bag 202M neutralization and discharge fluidic injection and outlet 281h from air bag 202M.This injection and outlet 281h are connected to external device (ED), so that can inject fluid into this external device (ED) and discharge fluid from this external device (ED).

Figure 47 A shows the state when anus P is inserted into the large intestine R with endoscope apparatus S3.When inserting this endoscope apparatus S3, air bag 202M is in contraction state (air bag 202M is in the fully tight state of contact of outer surface with pipe 281).After inserting, external device (ED) is operated, shown in Figure 47 B and 47C, air bag 202M is expanded, and power supply 311 is operated, thereby square wave current flows to electrode 203 with the form of pulse, inwall to large intestine R applies electricity irritation, thereby endoscope apparatus S3 is advanced.When this device has arrived the target location, stop electricity irritation, or air bag 202M is expanded, to remain on this position, carry out observation and research then to large intestine R.

In addition, after finishing observation and research, when endoscope apparatus S3 is shifted out from large intestine R, make air bag 202M and when inserting, shrink in the same manner, thereby make it be easy to pass through from anus.

As shown in figure 48, if endoscope apparatus S3 and soft endoscope 207W are used in combination, then can easily realize the observation and the research in the darkest zone (that is, vermiform appendix A and ileocecum lobe V) to large intestine R.Specifically,, use pipe 281 guide wires then, can easily realize this endoscope is inserted into (this need insert the technical ability of operation) among the large intestine R as soft endoscope 207W by at first inserting endoscope apparatus S3.

In addition, preferably, soft endoscope 207W is a dual pathways type as shown in figure 48.If this endoscope is a dual pathways type, then the pipe 281 of endoscope apparatus S3 can be passed first passage Ch1, and pliers F etc. can be passed second channel Ch2.That is to say, can pass through the S3 of endoscope and realize observing and research, and simultaneously by the treatment of pliers F realization to pathological changes (for example polyp).

Gas bag unit 209 is installed on capsule main body (apparatus main body) 201H of endoscope apparatus (capsule type medical device) S4, shown in Figure 49 A and 49B.

Capsule main body 201H has the front side that is formed on above-mentioned capsule main body 201 and observation window 211d1 and the 211d2 on the rear side, and is provided with the in vivo information acquisition device of being made up of above-mentioned shooting unit 212 and various pick off (being omitted in the figure) in these observation windows 211d1 and 211d2 here.The operation of the in vivo information acquisition device between front side and the rear side is by suitably control of various control units 213 (being omitted in the figure here).In addition, on the front side of this capsule main body 201H and in the rear side each, all be formed with a groove unit 211h.

Gas bag unit 209 is provided with above-mentioned air bag 202 similar air bag (elastic expansion unit) 202N, hoop unit 291, at least one pair of electrode 203, flexible wires 204, pipe 292 and line cover 293 is installed, shown in Figure 49 A, 49B and 50A.

On the leading edge and back edge of air bag 202N, respectively with the mode of integral body be provided with constitute by elastomer, respectively with the installation hoop unit 291b of the groove unit 211h interlocking of capsule main body 201H.By these hoop unit 291b is installed, air bag 202N is releasably attached on the capsule main body 201H in the mode of integral body.Flexible pipe 292 is connected to the rear side of this air bag 202N.Be formed with the adapter 292c that is connected to external device (ED) on the cardinal extremity of this pipe 292.Here, show the example of syringe (expansion gear) 321 and two-port valve (two-way valve) (expansion gear) 321v as this external device (ED).By operating syringe 321 and two-port valve 321v, can inject fluid among the air bag 202N and can from air bag 202N, discharge fluid.

In addition, at least one pair of bipolar electrode 203 is installed on the front side surface of air bag 202N.Flexible wires cover 293 that passes the rear side that is installed in air bag 202N and the flexible wires 204 that is connected to cardinal extremity adapter 293c are installed on these electrodes 203.Adapter 293c is connected to the adapter 322c on the supply unit 322 in the example that is arranged on external device (ED).That is to say,,, thereby can flow to electrode 203 via lead 204 from the electric current of supply unit 322 then by flexible wires 204 machinery and electrode electrically connected 203 and supply units 322 if adapter 293c is connected with adapter 322c.

Figure 50 B shows with the state of endoscope apparatus S4 when anus P is inserted into the large intestine R.When inserting this endoscope apparatus S4, air bag 202N is in contraction state (air bag 202N is in the fully tight state of contact of outer surface with capsule main body 201H).In addition, under the trailing flank situation forward of capsule main body 201H, (that is, be positioned at observation window 211d2 under the situation of front side), this device is inserted among the large intestine R.When inserting this device by this way, electrode 203 is positioned at rear side (anus P side), makes this device to be advanced towards the depths of large intestine R part.After inserting this device, by operating syringe 321 and two-port valve 321v air bag 202N is expanded, and make square wave current flow to electrode by making supply unit 322 carry out work, thereby the inwall of large intestine R is applied electricity irritation, endoscope apparatus S4 is advanced with the form of pulse.In addition, when arriving the target location, stop electricity irritation, and this device remains on this position, thereby by preceding observation window 211d1 and back observation window 211d2 realization observation and the research to large intestine R.

In addition, when finish observe and research after when from large intestine R, shifting out endoscope apparatus S4, pull out this pipe 292 and line from the live body outside and overlap 293, thus capsule main body 201H towards with the side of this point of its arrival in the opposite direction.In this way, electrode 203 is positioned at front side (towards a side of the depths of large intestine R part), thereby this device is advanced towards anus P.

As capsule main body 201H during near anus P, make air bag 202N and when inserting, shrink in the same manner, make and can easily from anus P, take out this device.

These endoscope apparatus S3 and S4 are as capsule type medical device, and its structure has air bag, electrode and the flexible wires that is installed on the capsule main body, thus, can add the function that contractile tissue is applied stable electricity irritation to conventional capsule type endoscope.In addition, owing to apply the power supply of electricity irritation and the expansion gear of air bag is set at the outside, so the structure of the part that is inserted into the live body intracavity of this endoscope apparatus can become simple.

In the above-mentioned the 5th and the 6th embodiment, structure is that one or more pairs of electrodes are installed on the air bag, but this only is illustrative, rather than restrictive, and this is owing at least one electrode (that is in the only paired electrode) can be installed on the air bag.In this case, in the paired electrode another is installed on examinate's the surface of health, thereby provides electric current to flow to the monopolar electrode structure of two electrodes from external device (ED).

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, can also be provided with above-mentioned flexible wires is fixed in the above-mentioned groove and dissolved in vivo line fixture.

Owing to by such line fixture flexible wires is fixed in the groove, therefore when being incorporated into capsule type medical device in the live body (for example, when swallowing this device), flexible wires and electrode can not become obstacle, make and can more easily be incorporated in the live body.In addition, after introducing this device, for example dissolve this line fixture, thus, being fixed in vivo of flexible wires is released, make that the spacing between the electrode can change by gastric acid.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, can between above-mentioned outer cover unit and above-mentioned housing, be provided with and push above-mentioned outer cover unit to outside spring.

If use spring by this way, then can outer cover unit be moved to the outside by predetermined driving force (energizingforce), make that the spacing between the electrode can change, thereby can accurately offset the difference of the diameter of intravital luminal organ.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, expansible water absorbent gel in the time of can between above-mentioned outer cover unit and above-mentioned housing, being inserted in suction.

If use water absorbent gel by this way, then can after this device being incorporated in the live body, when suction, outer cover unit be moved to the outside, therefore, can utilize simple structure accurately to change distance between electrodes.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned electrode can be the dome electrode that forms from the outstanding hemisphere of the outer surface of above-mentioned outer cover unit.

If electrode has this semi-spherical shape, then can be so that be easy to the body contact tissue, and, therefore can control the puzzlement that advancing of capsule type medical device blocked owing to there is not the bight.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned electrode can be the cylindrical electrode that forms from the outstanding cylinder of the outer surface of above-mentioned outer cover unit.

If electrode has this cylindrical shape, then can expand the area that contacts with bodily tissue, therefore, for example even to bodily tissue also can apply electricity irritation exactly such as mucosa.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned electrode can be the embedded electrode that is embedded in the above-mentioned outer cover unit, to have the surface roughly the same with the outer surface of above-mentioned outer cover unit.

If intercalation electrode then can make this device continuous smoothly by this way, and do not have electrode outstanding, therefore, can eliminate the puzzlement that advancing of capsule type medical device blocked substantially from the outer surface of outer cover unit.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned electrode can be dismantled from above-mentioned elastic expansion unit.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned expansion cell can be an expansible air bag when inwardly injecting fluid.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned expansion cell can be can be by folding the flexible rubber that shrinks.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned electrode can be a conductive rubber.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, the said apparatus main body can make cryptomere endoscope.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, the said apparatus main body can be a soft endoscope.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned elastic expansion unit can be following shape: can form and pass this unit from front to back to above-mentioned systemic space.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned expansion gear can be to be connected to the fluid injection of live body outside and the flexible pipe of discharger.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, aforementioned tube can be dismantled after above-mentioned airbag inflation.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned expansion gear can be a following release of fluid mechanism: it is discharged into gas-pressurized or foaming agent in the above-mentioned air bag in the said apparatus main body by the operation from the live body outside.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, the unitary external diameter of above-mentioned elastic expansion can be set at about 15mm when shrinking, and when expanding into maximum about 40mm.

In capsule type medical device of the present invention, above-mentioned electrode need not in pairs.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention more than have been described, but these embodiment only are illustrative, rather than restrictive.Under the situation that does not depart from main points of the present invention, can add, omit, change these embodiment and other changes.The present invention is limited by the scope of claims, and can't help the qualification of above-mentioned explanation.In addition, the device that suitably combines above-mentioned various embodiment and its modified example is contained in the present invention.

Industrial usability

Capsule type of the present invention medical treatment device is a kind ofly to be introduced in the live body and to detect in vivo information Capsule type medical treatment device, this device disposes: the housing of scrotiform; Be arranged in this housing in vivo The acquisition of information device, it obtains in vivo information; Communicator, it will be by acquisition of information in vivo The in vivo information that device obtains wirelessly sends to the live body outside; At least one pair of first electrode, its Be arranged on an edge of housing, and intravital bodily tissue is applied electro photoluminescence; First electricity Flow Control device processed, its control flows to the electric current of first electrode; And the interelectrode distance modifier, It changes the distance between first electrode. Utilize capsule type medical treatment device of the present invention, can be greatly Change the distance between the intravital electrode, therefore can make electrode even have big inner chamber device Also can contact exactly with bodily tissue in official's the organ. Therefore, can make capsule type medical treatment device with Stable mode in vivo advances.

Present patent application requires the Japanese patent application No.2004-261015 that submitted in 8th in JIUYUE in 2004 and the priority of the Japanese patent application No.2004-296178 that submits on October 8th, 2004, by reference its content is herein incorporated.

Claims (20)

1, a kind of being introduced in vivo to collect the in vivo capsule type medical device of information, this capsule type medical device comprises:

The scrotiform housing;

In vivo information acquisition device is used to obtain described in vivo information;

Communicator sends to described live body outside with being used for the described in vivo information wireless that will be obtained by described in vivo information acquisition device;

At least one pair of first electrode, it is arranged near an end of the axis of described housing, and being used for provides electricity irritation to the bodily tissue of described live body;

First current control device is used for carrying electric current to described first electrode; And

The first interelectrode distance modifier is used to change described first distance between electrodes.

2, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, wherein,

Can be set at the twice at least of the external diameter of described housing by the ultimate range between described first electrode of described first interelectrode distance modifier change.

3, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, this capsule type medical device also comprises:

At least one pair of second electrode, it is arranged near the other end of the described axis of described housing, and is positioned at the position that does not overlap with described in vivo information acquisition device, is used for providing electricity irritation to described bodily tissue;

Second current control device is used for carrying electric current to described second electrode; And

The second interelectrode distance modifier is used to change described second distance between electrodes.

4, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, wherein,

The described first interelectrode distance modifier is formed by the flexible wires of locating to support described first electrode endways, and

Described flexible wires is supported by described housing at its cardinal extremity place, and protruding from described housing.

5, capsule type medical device according to claim 4, wherein,

Described flexible wires is band shape, and the width of the width of described first electrode and described flexible wires is basic identical.

6, capsule type medical device according to claim 4, wherein,

Described flexible wires comprises: wire element is used for from described cardinal extremity to described end feed electric current; And the insulation covering member, be used for described wire element is insulated and covers, and

In described wire element and the described insulation covering member at least one has flexibility and elasticity.

7, capsule type medical device according to claim 4, wherein,

Described flexible wires is made by superelastic alloy and/or super-elasticity polymeric material.

8, capsule type medical device according to claim 4, this capsule type medical device also comprises: the line tying device, be used near described end, tying up described flexible wires, wherein,

Described line tying device is in described in vivo dissolving.

9, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, wherein,

The described first interelectrode distance modifier is the outer cover unit that can outwards be installed in movably on the described housing, and

Described first electrode is fixed on the described outer cover unit.

10, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, wherein,

Periphery along described housing is provided with two or more described first electrodes, and

Described capsule type medical device also comprises: the electrode selector, being used for selecting in the middle of described first electrode will be by the electrode from described current control device conveying electric current.

11, capsule type medical device according to claim 10, wherein,

Described electrode selector is the electrode size modifier, and it changes the size that each first electrode of electricity irritation is provided to described bodily tissue by select some electrode arbitrarily in the middle of described first electrode.

12, capsule type medical device according to claim 4, this capsule type medical device also comprises: the line memory element is used for described flexible wires is stored in the described housing.

13, capsule type medical device according to claim 12, this capsule type medical device also comprises:

Rotating shaft, it is connected to the described cardinal extremity of described flexible wires, and be can be rotated to support in the described line memory element; And

Actuator is used to drive described rotating shaft.

14, capsule type medical device according to claim 12, wherein,

Described flexible wires has shape memory characteristic, and wherein,

Described flexible wires is at 30 ℃ or more enter coiled type under the low temperature and twine state, and reverts to roughly straight line under 35 ℃ or higher temperature.

15, capsule type medical device according to claim 12, this capsule type medical device also comprises heater, this heater is used for described line memory element inside is heated, wherein,

Described flexible wires has shape memory characteristic, and by this characteristic, described flexible wires is twined the recovering state shape that is in line from the substantial line round under 40 ℃ or higher temperature.

16, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, this capsule type medical device also comprises:

Power supply is used for providing electric power to described first electrode; And

Lead, at least a portion of described lead has flexibility, is used for electricity and mechanically is connected described power supply and described electrode; Wherein,

But the described first interelectrode distance modifier comprises elastic expansion and is installed in elastic expansion unit on the described housing at least in part, and

Described first electrode is arranged on the described elastic expansion unit.

17, capsule type medical device according to claim 16, this capsule type medical device also comprises expansion gear, this expansion gear is used to make described elastic expansion unit to expand, wherein,

Described expansion gear and described housing branch are arranged, and are removably mounted on the described housing.

18, capsule type medical device according to claim 16, wherein,

Described elastic expansion unit is removably mounted on the described housing.

19, capsule type medical device according to claim 16, wherein,

Described elastic expansion unit is provided with than the hard hard member of unitary other parts of described elastic expansion, and described first electrode is arranged on the described hard member.

20, capsule type medical device according to claim 1, wherein,

By using 1000Hz or higher pulse signal that 100Hz or lower pulse signal are modulated, generate the electrical stimulation signal that will send to described electrode.

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