JP2000342526A - Swallow type endoscopic device - Google Patents

Swallow type endoscopic device

Info

Publication number
JP2000342526A
JP2000342526A JP11160031A JP16003199A JP2000342526A JP 2000342526 A JP2000342526 A JP 2000342526A JP 11160031 A JP11160031 A JP 11160031A JP 16003199 A JP16003199 A JP 16003199A JP 2000342526 A JP2000342526 A JP 2000342526A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
endoscope
bending
observation
signal
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP11160031A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Teruo Ouchi
輝雄 大内
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pentax Corp
Original Assignee
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd filed Critical Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority to JP11160031A priority Critical patent/JP2000342526A/en
Priority to DE2000128081 priority patent/DE10028081A1/en
Publication of JP2000342526A publication Critical patent/JP2000342526A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/041—Capsule endoscopes for imaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
    • A61B1/00011—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission
    • A61B1/00016—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by signal transmission using wireless means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/07—Endoradiosondes
    • A61B5/073—Intestinal transmitters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/24—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
    • G02B23/2476—Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00002—Operational features of endoscopes
    • A61B1/00025—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by power management
    • A61B1/00027—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by power management characterised by power supply
    • A61B1/00029—Operational features of endoscopes characterised by power management characterised by power supply externally powered, e.g. wireless
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
    • A61B1/0676—Endoscope light sources at distal tip of an endoscope
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
    • A61B1/0684—Endoscope light sources using light emitting diodes [LED]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/273—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
    • A61B1/2733—Oesophagoscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/273—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
    • A61B1/2736—Gastroscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/31—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, colonoscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2560/00—Constructional details of operational features of apparatus; Accessories for medical measuring apparatus
    • A61B2560/02—Operational features
    • A61B2560/0204—Operational features of power management
    • A61B2560/0214—Operational features of power management of power generation or supply
    • A61B2560/0219—Operational features of power management of power generation or supply of externally powered implanted units

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen the pain on a testee by building an illumination means, an observation means, a signal transmission means for radio transmitting the observation image obtained by the observation means and a power source supply means into an endoscope consisting of a bar-like body and disposing a signal reception means at an external apparatus. SOLUTION: An endoscope body has, successively from its front end, a first rigid part 12, a curving part 13 and a second rigid part 14 and is covered with an outer cover elastic material having good slipperiness over the entire part. The observation means 15, illumination windows 16 and air feed ports 17 are disposed in the first and second rigid parts 12 and 14. A manipulation signal from an extracorporeal signal transmission section of the external apparatus is received by a signal reception/ transmission means 13b in the body and remotely manipulates the respective parts. Illumination light is supplied by an LED 16a to the illumination window 16 of the first rigid part 12 and the image of the subject is formed on the image pickup plane of a CCD 15b. An image signal is amplified in an amplifier circuit 13a, is transmitted from the signal reception/transmission means 13b and is received by the extracorporeal signal reception section of the external apparatus. The received image signal is processed in a video circuit of the external apparatus and is observed on a monitor.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【技術分野】本発明は、観察盲点が少なく、体内に長時
間留置できる飲み込み型内視鏡装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a swallowable endoscope apparatus which has few observation blind spots and can be left in the body for a long time.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来技術およびその問題点】内視鏡検査では、従来操
作部に連結された体内挿入部を口から導入して目的箇所
を観察するが、強く屈曲した大腸等においては観察しに
くい盲点が生じることは避けられない。また、体内患部
の経過観察や日常生活における被験者の生体情報の観
察、記録のためには、内視鏡の体内挿入が長時間にわた
ることがあり、口から内視鏡を長時間導入し続けること
は被験者にとって大きな苦痛であった。2. Description of the Related Art In endoscopy, a target portion is observed by introducing a body insertion portion connected to a conventional operation portion through a mouth, but a blind spot that is difficult to observe occurs in a strongly bent large intestine or the like. That is inevitable. In addition, insertion of the endoscope into the body for a long period of time may be required for observation of the affected area in the body or observation and recording of the subject's biological information in daily life. Was a great pain for the subject.

【０００３】被験者の苦痛を軽減できる内視鏡の従来例
として特開昭６４−７６８２２号公報の第１図のものが
ある。この内視鏡はカプセル状で、腸紐誘導用の柔軟連
続部材の中途に設置されている。被験者が検査前日の夕
方前記柔軟連続部材の先端に形成された軟球を飲み、翌
日肛門から軟球が体外へ放出される。この柔軟連続部材
の先端部と後端部を術者が引張調整することによりカプ
セルの部位を誘導する。FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-76822 shows a conventional example of an endoscope capable of reducing the pain of a subject. The endoscope is in the form of a capsule and is installed in the middle of a flexible continuous member for guiding the intestinal cord. The subject drinks the soft sphere formed at the tip of the flexible continuous member in the evening of the day before the examination, and the soft sphere is released from the anus the next day to the outside of the body. The operator adjusts the distal end and the rear end of the flexible continuous member to adjust the tension, thereby guiding the capsule.

【０００４】上記実施例によるカプセル状の内視鏡は、
一般的な内視鏡と比較して被験者の苦痛は小さい。しか
し被験者は１２時間以上柔軟連続部材を口から出した状
態にしておかなければならず、会話や食事が不可能であ
り苦痛軽減の大きな効果は期待できない。また、カプセ
ル状の内視鏡は姿勢制御が困難である。[0004] The capsule endoscope according to the above embodiment is
The subject suffers less pain than a general endoscope. However, the subject must keep the flexible continuous member out of the mouth for at least 12 hours, and cannot speak or eat, and cannot expect a great effect of reducing pain. Further, it is difficult to control the posture of the capsule endoscope.

【０００５】[0005]

【発明の目的】本発明は、被験者の苦痛が小さい飲み込
み型内視鏡を提供し、詳細で確実な観察を可能とするこ
とを目的とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a swallowable endoscope in which a subject suffers little pain and to enable detailed and reliable observation.

【０００６】[0006]

【発明の概要】本発明の飲み込み型内視鏡は、全体を口
から体腔内に飲み込むことができる棒状体の内視鏡と、
内視鏡を無線操作するための、および内視鏡からの情報
を受信して利用するための外部装置とで構成される。上
記棒状体からなる内視鏡は、体腔の湾曲に沿って湾曲可
能な湾曲部からなり、照明手段、観察手段、この観察手
段による観察像を無線で送信する送信手段、電源供給手
段を内蔵している。無線による上記観察像を受信するた
めに、外部機器には受信手段が備えられている。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A swallowable endoscope according to the present invention comprises: a rod-shaped endoscope which can be swallowed entirely from a mouth into a body cavity;
It comprises an external device for wirelessly operating the endoscope and for receiving and using information from the endoscope. The endoscope made of the rod-like body is formed of a curved portion that can be bent along the curvature of the body cavity, and includes an illumination unit, an observation unit, a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an image observed by the observation unit, and a power supply unit. ing. The external device is provided with a receiving means for receiving the observation image by wireless.

【０００７】上記湾曲部を無線操作で湾曲操作可能な湾
曲駆動部とし、無線駆動手段を内蔵して湾曲させること
ができる。無線操作は、外部機器に備えた外部湾曲操作
部を操作して無線操作信号を送信し、これを受けた無線
駆動手段によって行われる。上記無線駆動は、形状記憶
合金からなる複数の湾曲駆動ワイヤを選択加熱すると、
小型化を図れるので好ましい。上記電源供給手段は電池
でもよく、外部からのマイクロウェーブを作動電源とし
て供給してもよい。マイクロウェーブによる電力供給で
は、電池残量を気にすることなく内視鏡を動作させるこ
とができ、十分な観察を行うことができる。The bending portion can be a bending drive portion that can be operated by a wireless operation, and can be bent by incorporating a wireless driving means. The wireless operation is performed by a wireless drive unit that transmits a wireless operation signal by operating an external bending operation unit provided in the external device and receives the signal. The wireless drive selectively heats a plurality of curved drive wires made of a shape memory alloy,
This is preferable because the size can be reduced. The power supply means may be a battery, or may supply an external microwave as operating power. With power supply by microwaves, the endoscope can be operated without worrying about the remaining battery level, and sufficient observation can be performed.

【０００８】[0008]

【発明の実施の形態】図１と図２は、本発明による内視
鏡の第一の実施形態を示す。本実施形態は、全体を口か
ら飲み込むことのできる内視鏡本体１０と、外部機器１
１で構成される（図１）。この内視鏡本体１０は先端部
から順に、第１硬質部１２、湾曲部１３、第２硬質部１
４を備え、全体が滑りのよい外皮弾性体２４で被覆され
ている。第１硬質部１２と第２硬質部１４は例えばプラ
スチックのようなマクロに見て変形しない材質からな
り、湾曲部１３は、例えば金属網状管等からなる柔軟な
材質であり、全体を湾曲することができる。1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an endoscope according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, an endoscope main body 10 that can be swallowed entirely from the mouth, and an external device 1
1 (FIG. 1). The endoscope body 10 includes a first hard part 12, a curved part 13, and a second hard part 1 in this order from the distal end.
4 and the whole is covered with a slidable outer skin elastic body 24. The first hard portion 12 and the second hard portion 14 are made of a material that does not deform macroscopically, for example, such as plastic, and the bending portion 13 is a flexible material made of, for example, a metal mesh tube, and is entirely curved. Can be.

【０００９】第１硬質部１２と第２硬質部１４にはそれ
ぞれ、観察手段１５、照明窓１６、送気口１７が備えら
れている。観察手段１５は、対物光学系１５ａ、ＣＣＤ
１５ｂを備えている。ＣＣＤ１５ｂは信号線１８を介
し、湾曲部１３に内蔵される増幅回路１３ａに接続さ
れ、増幅回路１３ａはさらに、受信／発信手段１３ｂに
接続されている。照明窓１６にはＬＥＤ１６ａが固定さ
れ、ＬＥＤ１６ａは信号線１８を介して制御回路１３ｄ
に接続している。送気口１７は第１硬質部１２、湾曲部
１３導通した送気チューブ１９に連通していて、この送
気チューブ１９は湾曲部１３に内蔵された圧縮空気タン
ク１３ｆに接続している。圧縮空気タンク１３ｆはバル
ブ１３ｅを有しており、このバルブ１３ｅは制御回路１
３ｄによって開閉できる。受信／発信手段１３ｂと制御
回路１３ｄには電源供給手段１３ｃが接続している。電
源供給手段１３ｃは、マイクロウェーブ受信手段１３ｇ
にて受信される電力伝送用マイクロウェーブを作動電源
として供給する。The first hard part 12 and the second hard part 14 are provided with an observation means 15, an illumination window 16, and an air supply port 17, respectively. The observation means 15 includes an objective optical system 15a, a CCD
15b. The CCD 15b is connected via a signal line 18 to an amplifier circuit 13a built in the bending section 13, and the amplifier circuit 13a is further connected to a receiving / transmitting means 13b. An LED 16a is fixed to the illumination window 16, and the LED 16a is connected to a control circuit 13d via a signal line 18.
Connected to The air supply port 17 communicates with an air supply tube 19 that is connected to the first hard portion 12 and the curved portion 13, and the air supply tube 19 is connected to a compressed air tank 13 f built in the curved portion 13. The compressed air tank 13f has a valve 13e.
Can be opened and closed by 3d. A power supply unit 13c is connected to the reception / transmission unit 13b and the control circuit 13d. The power supply unit 13c includes a microwave receiving unit 13g.
The microwave for power transmission received at is supplied as operating power.

【００１０】図１に示す外部機器１１は、体外受信部１
１ａ、モニタ１１ｂ、体外送信部１１ｄ、映像回路１１
ｅ、バルブ操作部１１ｈ、マイクロウェーブ送信部１１
ｉを有している。マイクロウェーブ送信部１１ｉからは
電力伝送用マイクロウェーブが送信され、このマイクロ
ウェーブは内視鏡１０のマイクロウェーブ受信手段１３
ｇで受信され、電源供給手段１３ｃから電力として供給
される。バルブ操作部１１ｈを操作し、体外送信部１１
ｄを介して内視鏡本体１０のバルブ１４ｅを操作するた
めの操作信号を送信する。体外受信部１１ａは、内視鏡
１０の受信／発信手段１３ｂから発信される画像信号を
受信し、この画像信号は映像回路１１ｅで処理され、モ
ニタ１１ｂで観察することができる。The external device 11 shown in FIG.
1a, monitor 11b, extracorporeal transmitter 11d, video circuit 11
e, valve operation unit 11h, microwave transmission unit 11
i. A microwave for power transmission is transmitted from the microwave transmitting unit 11i, and the microwave is transmitted to the microwave receiving unit 13 of the endoscope 10.
g and is supplied as power from the power supply means 13c. By operating the valve operation unit 11h, the extracorporeal transmission unit 11
An operation signal for operating the valve 14e of the endoscope main body 10 is transmitted via d. The extracorporeal receiving unit 11a receives an image signal transmitted from the receiving / transmitting unit 13b of the endoscope 10, the image signal is processed by the video circuit 11e, and can be observed on the monitor 11b.

【００１１】以上の構成の本内視鏡装置は、被験者が内
視鏡本体１０全体を口から飲み込む。飲み込まれた内視
鏡本体１０は全体が柔軟な構造であるので、蠕動運動に
より抵抗なく徐々に消化管内を進行する。内視鏡が目的
箇所に到達したら、次のように観察や生体情報の収集を
行うことができる。In the endoscope apparatus having the above configuration, the subject swallows the entire endoscope main body 10 from the mouth. Since the swallowed endoscope body 10 has a flexible structure as a whole, it gradually advances through the digestive tract without resistance by peristaltic movement. When the endoscope reaches the destination, observation and collection of biological information can be performed as follows.

【００１２】すなわち本内視鏡は、体内において外部機
器１１の体外送信部１１ｄからの操作信号を発信／受信
手段１３ｂにて受信し、各部を遠隔操作することができ
る。電源供給手段１３ｃはマイクロウェーブを利用した
電力供給を行うので、電池残量を気にせずに内視鏡を動
作させることができ、十分な観察ができる。第１硬質部
１２の照明窓１６には、電源供給手段１３ｃから信号線
１８を介して電力を得たＬＥＤ１６ａによって照明光が
供給される。照明光を受けた被写体の像は対物光学系１
５ａによってＣＣＤ１５ｂの撮像面に結像し、ＣＣＤ１
５ｂから出力された画像信号が増幅回路１３ａで増幅さ
れる。この画像信号が受信／発信手段１３ｂから発信さ
れて外部機器１１の体外受信部１１ａで受信される。受
信された画像信号は外部機器１１の映像回路１１ｅで処
理され、モニタ１１ｂ上で観察することができる（図
９）。このとき外部機器１１のバルブ操作部１１ｈを操
作し、体外送信部１１ｄから送信された操作信号を内視
鏡本体１０の受信／発信手段１３ｂにてこの操作信号を
受信し、バルブ１３ｅを操作して圧縮空気タンク１３ｆ
から送気チューブ１９を通じて送気口１７より送気を行
って管腔を膨張させれば、第１硬質部１２と消化管内壁
との距離をとることができ、観察がしやすくなる。以
上、第１硬質部による観察について述べたが、第２硬質
部１４による観察についても同様である。That is, this endoscope can receive the operation signal from the extracorporeal transmission section 11d of the external device 11 by the transmission / reception means 13b inside the body and remotely control each section. Since the power supply means 13c supplies power using microwaves, the endoscope can be operated without concern for the remaining battery level, and sufficient observation can be performed. Illumination light is supplied to the illumination window 16 of the first hard part 12 by the LED 16a that has obtained power from the power supply means 13c via the signal line 18. The image of the subject receiving the illumination light is the objective optical system 1
5a forms an image on the imaging surface of the CCD 15b,
The image signal output from 5b is amplified by the amplifier circuit 13a. This image signal is transmitted from the receiving / transmitting means 13b and received by the extracorporeal receiving section 11a of the external device 11. The received image signal is processed by the video circuit 11e of the external device 11, and can be observed on the monitor 11b (FIG. 9). At this time, the valve operating section 11h of the external device 11 is operated, the operation signal transmitted from the extracorporeal transmitting section 11d is received by the receiving / transmitting means 13b of the endoscope body 10, and the valve 13e is operated. Compressed air tank 13f
When the air is supplied from the air supply port 17 through the air supply tube 19 to expand the lumen, the distance between the first hard part 12 and the inner wall of the digestive tract can be increased, and observation becomes easy. The observation with the first hard portion has been described above, but the same applies to the observation with the second hard portion 14.

【００１３】さらに、内視鏡本体１０に生体情報、例え
ばＰＨ値、温度、血液内の酸素量、細胞表面の硬さ等を
測定する測定手段２１を内蔵することも可能である。測
定した生体内情報を受信／発信手段１３ｂから発信し、
外部機器１１の体外受信部１１ａで受信する。受信した
生体内情報を分析装置１１ｆで分析し、分析記録装置１
１ｇで記録すれば生体内情報を分析、記録することがで
きる（図９）。Further, the endoscope main body 10 may be provided with a built-in measuring means 21 for measuring biological information, for example, PH value, temperature, oxygen content in blood, hardness of cell surface, and the like. Transmits the measured in-vivo information from the receiving / transmitting means 13b,
It is received by the extracorporeal receiver 11a of the external device 11. The received in-vivo information is analyzed by the analysis device 11f, and the analysis recording device 1
If the information is recorded in 1 g, the in-vivo information can be analyzed and recorded (FIG. 9).

【００１４】図３と図４に本発明の第２の実施形態を示
す。本実施形態は、第１の実施形態の内視鏡本体１０に
おける湾曲部１３を、無線操作による湾曲操作が可能な
湾曲駆動部２０としたものである。FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the bending section 13 in the endoscope main body 10 of the first embodiment is a bending drive section 20 that can perform a bending operation by wireless operation.

【００１５】本実施形態においては、図１に示す外部機
器１１は体外受信部１１ａ、モニタ１１ｂ、体外送信部
１１ｄ、映像回路１１ｅ、バルブ操作部１１ｈ、マイク
ロウェーブ送信部１１ｉに加え、湾曲操作部１１ｃを有
している。湾曲操作部１１ｃを操作し、体外送信部１１
ｄを介して内視鏡１０の湾曲駆動部２０を操作するため
の操作信号を送信する。In the present embodiment, the external device 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a bending operation unit in addition to an extracorporeal receiving unit 11a, a monitor 11b, an extracorporeal transmitting unit 11d, a video circuit 11e, a valve operating unit 11h, and a microwave transmitting unit 11i. 11c. By operating the bending operation section 11c, the extracorporeal transmission section 11
An operation signal for operating the bending drive unit 20 of the endoscope 10 is transmitted via d.

【００１６】図１０は、湾曲駆動部２０の具体例を示
す。この例は、一平面内での湾曲を可能にした例で、多
数の湾曲節環２２を同一平面状に平行に並ぶ複数の軸２
２ａにより回動自由に連結し、この連結された湾曲節環
２２を、金属網状管２３および外皮弾性材２４で被覆し
てなっている。この湾曲駆動部２０は全体を湾曲するこ
とができる。FIG. 10 shows a specific example of the bending drive section 20. This example is an example in which the bending in one plane is enabled, and a plurality of curved nodes 22 are arranged in parallel on the same plane.
2a, the curved curved ring 22 is covered with a metal mesh tube 23 and a skin elastic member 24. This bending drive unit 20 can bend as a whole.

【００１７】湾曲駆動部２０にはＳＭＡ合金（形状記憶
合金）からなる複数本（この例では２本）の湾曲駆動ワ
イヤ２０ａが内蔵されている（図３）。各湾曲駆動ワイ
ヤ２０ａの両端部は、第１硬質部１２および第２硬質部
１４に固定されていて、湾曲駆動部２０を導通してい
る。各湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａは中間部で、湾曲駆動部２
０に内蔵された湾曲駆動装置（選択加熱手段）２０ｂに
接続されている。各湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａは通電加熱に
より曲げることができるＳＭＡ合金である。The bending drive section 20 incorporates a plurality (two in this example) of bending drive wires 20a made of an SMA alloy (shape memory alloy) (FIG. 3). Both ends of each bending drive wire 20a are fixed to the first hard portion 12 and the second hard portion 14, and conduct the bending drive portion 20. Each bending drive wire 20a is an intermediate portion, and the bending drive portion 2
0 is connected to a bending driving device (selective heating means) 20b built in the camera. Each bending drive wire 20a is an SMA alloy that can be bent by electric heating.

【００１８】２本の湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａは、円柱状で
ある湾曲駆動部２０の直径方向の対向位置に内蔵され、
先端部が第１硬質部１２および第２硬質部１４に固定さ
れ、後端部が選択加熱手段２０ｂに接続される。選択加
熱手段２０ｂはこれら湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａを選択通電
する選択加熱通電回路である。この選択加熱手段２０ｂ
は受信／発信手段１３ｂを介し、いずれかの湾曲駆動ワ
イヤ２０ａに選択加熱（通電）し、湾曲駆動部２０を湾
曲させることが可能である。The two bending drive wires 20a are built in diametrically opposed positions of the cylindrical bending drive unit 20,
The front end is fixed to the first hard part 12 and the second hard part 14, and the rear end is connected to the selective heating means 20b. The selective heating means 20b is a selective heating energizing circuit for selectively energizing these bending drive wires 20a. This selective heating means 20b
It is possible to selectively heat (energize) one of the bending drive wires 20a via the receiving / transmitting means 13b, and to bend the bending drive unit 20.

【００１９】湾曲駆動部２０の湾曲方向を一方向とする
ときには湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａは２本で足り、図１０の
ような一平面内で湾曲可能な湾曲駆動部２０を用いれば
よい。これに対し、図１１は、直交二方向に湾曲できる
ようにした湾曲駆動部２０の例であり、湾曲節環２２を
互いに直交し交互に位置する軸２２ａ、２２ｂにより接
続している。図１１では金属網状管２３と外皮弾性材２
４の図示を省略している。この例では、４本の湾曲駆動
ワイヤ２０ａの先端部は、第１硬質部１２および第２硬
質部１４に固定される。湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａは、直径
方向の対向する２本の湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａ毎に選択加
熱手段２０ｂに接続される。図３では、２本の湾曲駆動
ワイヤ２０ａのみを示したが、残りの２本についても同
様である。When the bending direction of the bending drive section 20 is set to one direction, two bending drive wires 20a are sufficient, and a bending drive section 20 that can bend in one plane as shown in FIG. 10 may be used. On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows an example of a bending drive unit 20 capable of bending in two orthogonal directions, in which the bending node rings 22 are connected by axes 22a and 22b which are orthogonal to each other and alternately located. In FIG. 11, the metal mesh tube 23 and the outer elastic material 2
4 is omitted. In this example, the distal ends of the four bending drive wires 20a are fixed to the first hard portion 12 and the second hard portion 14. The bending drive wire 20a is connected to the selective heating means 20b for every two diametrically opposed bending drive wires 20a. FIG. 3 shows only two bending drive wires 20a, but the same applies to the remaining two wires.

【００２０】以上の構成である第２の実施形態による内
視鏡本体１０は、外部機器１１の湾曲操作部１１ｃを操
作することにより、体外送信部１１ｄより送信された操
作信号によって選択加熱手段２０ｂを操作して湾曲駆動
部１３を湾曲させることができる（図４）。湾曲操作に
よって曲折した管腔内への導入がさらに容易になり、詳
細な観察が可能となる。By operating the bending operation section 11c of the external device 11, the endoscope main body 10 according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration can be selectively heated by the operation signal transmitted from the extracorporeal transmission section 11d. Can be operated to bend the bending drive unit 13 (FIG. 4). The bending operation further facilitates introduction into a bent lumen, and enables detailed observation.

【００２１】図５に本発明の第３の実施形態を示す。本
実施形態は、第２の実施形態にて説明した湾曲駆動構造
において、選択加熱手段２０ｂを２個用いたものであ
る。先端側を湾曲させる湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａを第１硬
質部１２と第１の選択加熱手段２０ｂに固定し、後端側
を湾曲させる湾曲駆動ワイヤ２０ａを第２の選択加熱手
段２０ｂと第２硬質部１４に固定することで、内視鏡の
前端部と後端部の湾曲を別に操作することができる。す
なわち、前端部と後端部を図４のように同方向に湾曲さ
せ、あるいは図６のように逆方向に湾曲させることが可
能となり、複雑に屈曲した体腔にさらに導入しやすくな
る（図７、図８）。FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, two selective heating means 20b are used in the bending drive structure described in the second embodiment. A bending drive wire 20a for bending the front end side is fixed to the first rigid portion 12 and the first selective heating means 20b, and a bending drive wire 20a for bending the rear end side is connected to the second selective heating means 20b and the second rigid portion. By fixing the endoscope 14, the curvature of the front end and the rear end of the endoscope can be separately operated. That is, the front end portion and the rear end portion can be curved in the same direction as shown in FIG. 4 or can be curved in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. 6, thereby facilitating introduction into a complicatedly bent body cavity (FIG. 7). 8).

【００２２】なお、本発明は上記実施例に限定されるも
のではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形
実施できることは勿論である。It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

【００２３】[0023]

【発明の効果】以上のように、本発明の飲み込み型内視
鏡装置によれば、外部機器との有線接続が不要なので被
験者の苦痛が小さく、また内視鏡全体が自由に湾曲でき
るので、より複雑な屈曲箇所への導入が可能となる。As described above, according to the swallowable endoscope apparatus of the present invention, since the wired connection with the external device is not required, the pain of the subject is small, and the entire endoscope can be freely bent. Introduction into a more complicated bending portion becomes possible.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図１】本発明による飲み込み型内視鏡と、外部機器を
示す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a swallowable endoscope according to the present invention and external devices.

【図２】本発明による飲み込み型内視鏡の一実施形態を
示す、断面図である。FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a swallowable endoscope according to the present invention.

【図３】本発明による飲み込み型内視鏡の、第２の実施
形態を示す図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a swallowable endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

【図４】本発明による内視鏡の全体が湾曲する状態を示
す図である。FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the entire endoscope according to the present invention is curved.

【図５】本発明による内視鏡の、湾曲構造の別の実施形
態を示す図である。FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of the curved structure of the endoscope according to the present invention.

【図６】図５の構造により湾曲する状態を示す図であ
る。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of being curved by the structure of FIG. 5;

【図７】本発明による内視鏡が屈曲した管腔内に導入さ
れた状態を示す図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the endoscope according to the present invention is introduced into a bent lumen.

【図８】本発明による内視鏡が屈曲した管腔内に導入さ
れた状態を示す図である。FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the endoscope according to the present invention is introduced into a bent lumen.

【図９】内視鏡からの信号を外部機器で受信した後の処
理図である。FIG. 9 is a processing diagram after a signal from an endoscope is received by an external device.

【図１０】一方向湾曲の場合の湾曲駆動部材を示す図で
ある。FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a bending drive member in the case of one-way bending.

【図１１】二方向湾曲の場合の湾曲駆動部材を示す図で
ある。FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a bending drive member in the case of bidirectional bending.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１０ 内視鏡本体 １１ 外部機器 １１ａ 体外受信部 １１ｂ モニタ １１ｃ 湾曲操作部 １１ｄ 体外送信部 １１ｅ 映像回路 １１ｆ 分析装置 １１ｇ 分析記録装置 １１ｈ バルブ操作部 １１ｉ マイクロウェーブ送信部 １２ 第１硬質部 １３ 湾曲部 １３ａ 増幅回路 １３ｂ 受信／発信手段 １３ｃ 電源供給手段 １３ｄ 制御回路 １３ｅ バルブ １３ｆ 圧縮空気タンク １４ 第２硬質部 １５ 観察手段 １５ａ 対物光学系 １５ｂ ＣＣＤ １６ 照明窓 １６ａ ＬＥＤ １７ 送気口 １８ 信号線 １９ 送気チューブ ２０ 湾曲駆動部 ２０ａ 湾曲駆動ワイヤ ２０ｂ 湾曲駆動装置（選択加熱手段） ２１ 測定手段 ２２ 湾曲節環 ２２ａ ２２ｂ 軸 ２３ 金属網状管 ２４ 外皮弾性材 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope main body 11 External device 11a Extracorporeal receiving part 11b Monitor 11c Bending operation part 11d Extracorporeal transmitting part 11e Video circuit 11f Analysis device 11g Analysis recording device 11h Valve operation part 11i Microwave transmission part 12 First hard part 13 Bending part 13a Amplifier circuit 13b Reception / transmission means 13c Power supply means 13d Control circuit 13e Valve 13f Compressed air tank 14 Second hard part 15 Observation means 15a Objective optical system 15b CCD 16 Illumination window 16a LED 17 Air supply port 18 Signal line 19 Air supply tube DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Curve drive part 20a Curve drive wire 20b Curve drive (selective heating means) 21 Measuring means 22 Curved node ring 22a 22b Shaft 23 Metal net tube 24 Skin elastic material

Claims (5)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】全体を口から体腔内に飲み込むことのでき
る棒状体からなる内視鏡本体と、この内視鏡本体とは機
械的に非接続の体外に置かれる外部機器とからなる飲み
込み型内視鏡装置であって、 上記棒状体からなる内視鏡本体は、全体が体腔の湾曲に
沿って湾曲可能な湾曲部からなること；前記棒状体内
に、照明手段、観察手段、この観察手段による観察像を
無線で送信する送信手段、および電源供給手段を有して
いること；および上記外部機器は、前記無線による観察
像を受信するための外部受信手段を有していること；を
特徴とする飲み込み型内視鏡装置。1. An endoscope body comprising a rod-shaped body which can be swallowed into a body cavity from the mouth, and a swallowing type comprising an external device which is mechanically disconnected and placed outside the body. An endoscope apparatus, wherein the endoscope main body including the rod-shaped body is entirely formed of a curved portion that can be bent along the curvature of a body cavity; an illumination unit, an observation unit, and an observation unit in the rod-shaped body. Transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an observation image obtained by wireless communication, and power supply means; and the external device has external reception means for receiving the observation image obtained by wireless communication. Swallowing endoscope device. 【請求項２】請求項１に記載の飲み込み型内視鏡装置に
おいて、湾曲部は無線操作で湾曲操作可能な湾曲駆動部
であり、外部機器からの無線操作信号を受けて上記湾曲
駆動部を湾曲させる無線駆動手段を内蔵し、 外部機器は、この無線操作信号を送信する外部湾曲操作
部を有する飲み込み型内視鏡装置。2. The swallowable endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the bending section is a bending drive section that can perform a bending operation by a wireless operation, and receives the wireless operation signal from an external device to operate the bending drive section. A swallowable endoscope device having a built-in wireless drive unit for bending and an external device having an external bending operation unit for transmitting the wireless operation signal. 【請求項３】請求項２に記載の飲み込み型内視鏡装置に
おいて、無線駆動手段は、形状記憶合金からなる複数の
湾曲駆動ワイヤと、該湾曲駆動ワイヤを選択加熱させる
手段とを有する飲み込み型内視鏡装置。3. The swallowable endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wireless driving means has a plurality of curved drive wires made of a shape memory alloy, and means for selectively heating the curved drive wires. Endoscope device. 【請求項４】請求項１から３のいずれか１項に記載の飲
み込み型内視鏡装置において、電源供給手段は内蔵電池
である飲み込み型内視鏡装置。4. The swallowable endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means is a built-in battery. 【請求項５】請求項１から３のいずれか１項に記載の飲
み込み型内視鏡装置において、電源供給手段は外部から
のマイクロウェーブを作動電源として供給する装置であ
り、このマイクロウェーブを内視鏡に供給する手段を外
部機器に有する飲み込み型内視鏡装置。5. The swallowable endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply means is a device for supplying a microwave from outside as an operation power supply. A swallowable endoscope apparatus having means for supplying to an endoscope in an external device.
JP11160031A 1999-06-07 1999-06-07 Swallow type endoscopic device Pending JP2000342526A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP11160031A JP2000342526A (en) 1999-06-07 1999-06-07 Swallow type endoscopic device
DE2000128081 DE10028081A1 (en) 1999-06-07 2000-06-07 Endoscope for medical use, comprises transmitter which transmits observed image through wireless signal to external receiver

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP11160031A JP2000342526A (en) 1999-06-07 1999-06-07 Swallow type endoscopic device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2000342526A true JP2000342526A (en) 2000-12-12

Family

ID=15706468

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP11160031A Pending JP2000342526A (en) 1999-06-07 1999-06-07 Swallow type endoscopic device

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Country Link
JP (1) JP2000342526A (en)
DE (1) DE10028081A1 (en)

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US7030904B2 (en) 1997-10-06 2006-04-18 Micro-Medical Devices, Inc. Reduced area imaging device incorporated within wireless endoscopic devices
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