Method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule and endoscopic apparatus for the method

• US 20070015961A1
• Filed: 07/03/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation), SRJ Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fujinon Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation), SRJ Incorporated
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Hironori, Ohashi, Katsuaki, Machiya, Mamoru
• Granted Patent: US 8,012,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule by holding the medical capsule using an endoscopic apparatus comprising: an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in a body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and an suction opening; a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening; and a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section, the method comprising: a sucking step of making an inside of the hood member vacuum by actuating the sucking device to suck the inside of the hood member through the suction opening; and a holding step of attracting and holding the medical capsule to the hood member sucked by the sucking step.

Claims

1. A method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule by holding the medical capsule using an endoscopic apparatus which has an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in a body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and an suction opening, a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening, and a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section,

the method comprising:

a sucking step of making an inside of the hood member vacuum by actuating the sucking device to suck the inside of the hood member through the suction opening; and

a holding step of attracting and holding the medical capsule to the hood member sucked by the sucking step.

2. An endoscopic apparatus, comprising:

an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and a suction opening;

a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening; and

a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section, wherein

the hood member has a holding section to attract and hold a medical capsule when the sucking device is actuated to suck the inside of the hood member via the suction opening to make the inside of the hood member vacuum.

3. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the hood member is configured to hold a medical capsule with at least a part of the medical capsule being pulled into the inside of the hood member.

4. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

at least a part of the hood member is transparent or semitransparent.

5. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

at least a part of the hood member is transparent or semitransparent.

6. The endoscopic apparatus according to- claim 2, further comprising:

a first expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of a distal end of the inserting section;

an insertion assisting tool into which the inserting section is inserted to be guided in a body cavity; and

a second expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool.

7. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a first expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of a distal end of the inserting section;

an insertion assisting tool into which the inserting section is inserted to be guided in a body cavity; and

a second expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool.

8. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a first expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of a distal end of the inserting section;

an insertion assisting tool into which the inserting section is inserted to be guided in a body cavity; and

a second expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool.

9. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a first expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of a distal end of the inserting section;

an insertion assisting tool into which the inserting section is inserted to be guided in a body cavity; and

a second expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool.

10. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the holding section includes a distal end of the hood member having an inner circumferential surface which has a curved portion corresponding to a curved shape of the medical capsule.

11. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member which is formed thinner than any other parts of the hood member.

12. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member having an inner circumferential surface in which a groove is formed in the circumferential direction.

13. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member having an outer circumferential surface in which a groove is formed.

14. The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein

a plurality of the grooves are provided in a direction along a central axis of the hood member with ribs being formed between the grooves.