Capsule type endoscope

• US 20070135680A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Mizuno, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,704,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes

Abstract

A capsule-type endoscope comprising a capsule body, an image pickup element, illuminating elements, an image signal processing circuit, a memory, an image information transmitting circuit and an antenna for wireless transmission. The capsule body contains the pickup element, the illuminating elements, the processing circuit, the memory, transmitting circuit and the antenna. While the capsule body remains in a living body, the image pickup element takes images of an interior of the living body. The processing circuit processes the image, generating image information. The memory stores the information. The transmitting circuit reads the information and supplies it to the antenna. The antenna transmits the information by radio, from the living body.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining images of a subject using a capsule type medical device, the method comprising:

preparing a swallowable capsule type medical device including at least an imaging device and a memory for storing a setting associated with an operation of the imaging device;

changing the setting stored in the memory;

introducing the capsule type medical device into the subject; and

controlling the imaging device based on the setting.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing comprises changing at least one of an image taking rate by the imaging device and an operation schedule of the imaging device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing is performed prior to the introducing.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing is performed after the introducing.

5. A capsule type medical device comprising:

a swallowable case;

an imaging device arranged in the case, the imaging device being operated based on a setting stored in a memory disposed in the case; and

a receiver arranged in the case adapted to receive an instruction to change the setting from outside of the case.

6. The capsule type medical device according to claim 5, wherein the receiver is adapted to receive an instruction of changing at least one of an image taking rate by the imaging device and an operation schedule of the imaging device.

7. A method of performing a medical action in a subject using a capsule type medical device, the method comprising:

preparing a swallowable capsule type medical device including a memory for storing a setting associated with an operation;

changing the setting stored in the memory;

introducing the capsule type medical device into the subject; and

controlling the operation based on the setting.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the capsule type medical device includes an imaging device, the operation is an imaging operation and the changing comprises changing at least one of an image taking rate by the imaging device and an operation schedule of the imaging device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the capsule type medical device includes a transmitting circuit, the operation is a transmission of data and the changing comprises changing a transmission rate from the transmitting circuit.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the operation is a storage of data in a storage portion and the changing comprises changing at least one of a timing and time for allowing the storing of the data into the storage portion.

11. The method according to claim 10. wherein the storage portion is provided in the memory.