Capsular endoscope device with an orientation/release mechanism

• US 20070173686A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Everest Display, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Everest Display, Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Chun, Lu, Shih
• Application Number:
  US11/434,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20070173686A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes

Abstract

The present invention discloses a capsular endoscope device with an orientation/release mechanism. The capsular endoscope device of the present invention has a casing with the front end thereof having a hose, and the front end of the hose has a capsular-endoscope control device, which a capsular endoscope can be attached to. A deflection control device, which is installed to the casing, is used to deflect the capsular-endoscope control device so that the capsular endoscope will be moved to have an elevation angle. A rotation/release control device, which is installed inside the casing, is used to rotate the capsular-endoscope control device so that the capsular endoscope will be rotated also. The rotation/release control device can also release the capsular endoscope from the capsular-endoscope control device. Therefore, the capsular endoscope device with an orientation/release mechanism proposed by the present invention can enable the user to control the orientation of the camera lens of the capsular endoscope to fully inspect the tissue inside a human body cavity.

Claims

1. A capsular endoscope device with an orientation/release mechanism, comprises:

a casing, having a hose at the front end thereof;

a capsular-endoscope control device, disposed at the front end of said hose, and able to install a capsular endoscope;

a deflection control device, installed to said casing, used to deflect said capsular-endoscope control device so that said capsular endoscope will be driven to move by said capsular-endoscope control device; and

a rotation/release control device, installed inside said casing, used to drive said capsular-endoscope control device to rotate so that said capsular endoscope will be driven to rotate by said capsular-endoscope control device, and used to release said capsular endoscope from said capsular-endoscope control device.

2. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein said hose may be a single-channel hose or a multi-channel hose.

3. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein said capsular-endoscope control device further comprises:

a rotation member;

a first elastic element, fixedly installed to said rotation member; and

a flexible casing, sleeving said first elastic element.

4. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 3, wherein said first elastic element is a spring.

5. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 3, wherein said rotation member further comprises:

a fixing element, used to fix said hose;

an installation element, disposed at the front end of said fixing element, and used to install said flexible casing; and

an actuating element, installed inside said installation element, and coupled to said first elastic element.

6. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 3, wherein a drive element is further installed at the front end of said first elastic element, and the size of said drive element is slightly smaller that the inner diameter of said flexible casing so that said first elastic element can drive said flexible casing more easily.

7. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein deflection control device further comprises:

a winding wheel element, installed inside said casing;

a connecting line, installed to said winding wheel element, and passing through said hose to connect with said capsular-endoscope control device;

an operation element, used to control the rotation of said winding wheel element, and able to rewind or release said connecting line so that said capsular-endoscope control device will be deflected and said capsular endoscope will be moved.

8. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 7, wherein said connecting line is a metallic thread.

9. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein said rotation/release control device further comprises:

a connecting element, passing through said hose to connect with said capsular-endoscope control device; and

an operation element, inserted into said casing, able to move back and forth, and coupled to said connecting element so that when said operation element is rotated, said operation element can actuate said connecting element to rotate, and said connecting element further drive said capsular-endoscope control device and said capsular endoscope to rotate;

when said operation element is pressed into said casing, said connecting element can push said capsular endoscope out of said capsular-endoscope control device.

10. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 9, wherein said connecting element is made of a metallic material.

11. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 10, wherein said metallic material is iron.

12. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 9, wherein said casing further comprises a second elastic element, and said second elastic element is pressed against said operation element;

when said operation element has been pressed into said casing, the elastic force of said second elastic element will restore said operation element to its original position.

13. The capsular endoscope device according to claim 12, wherein said second elastic element is a spring.