In-vivo image capturing apparatus

• US 20070185381A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Kimoto, Seiichiro, Akagi, Toshimasa
• Granted Patent: US 7,998,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/067 using accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/023 Multi-image cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 19/22 Double cameras

Abstract

Provided is an in-vivo image capturing apparatus comprising a capsule casing, a gravity sensor, and an image selector. The capsule casing is insertable into a body of a subject and it includes an imaging optical system which can obtain images in the both end directions. The gravity sensor detects a gravity direction of the capsule casing within the body of the subject. The image selector selects one of the both end directions as an imaging direction of the imaging optical system, according to the detected result of the gravity direction by the gravity sensor.

Claims

1. An in-vivo image capturing apparatus comprising:

a capsule casing insertable into a subject, the capsule casing including an imaging optical system capable of capturing images in both end directions;

a gravity sensor which detects a gravity direction of the capsule casing within the subject; and

an image selector which selects one of the both end directions as an imaging direction of the imaging optical system according to a result of detection in the gravity direction by the gravity sensor.

2. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the imaging optical system includes two imaging optical systems each having a different imaging device in imaging direction, and

the image selector selects one of the two imaging optical systems.

3. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the imaging optical system includes an imaging device shared for capturing images in the both end directions, two image forming optical systems respectively provided in the both end directions for forming the captured images on the imaging device, and a switching mirror which allows one of the two image forming optical systems to form the captured image on the imaging device, and

the image selector selects one of the two image forming optical systems by switching the switching mirror.

4. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the switching mirror is a micro electro mechanical system mirror.

5. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the gravity sensor is an acceleration sensor.

6. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the image selector selects one of the both end directions so as to fix the gravity direction detected by the gravity sensor as an imaging direction.

7. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the switching mirror is switched during a period other than a period when the imaging device captures the images.

8. An in-vivo image capturing apparatus comprising:

a capsule casing insertable into a subject, the capsule casing including an imaging optical system capable of capturing images only in a direction of one end; and

an orientation guide member provided in the other end of the capsule casing, the orientation guide member guiding the one end of the capsule casing to proceed forward within the subject.

9. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the orientation guide member is formed by a tail fin member.

10. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the orientation guide member is formed by a plurality of filament members.

11. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the orientation guide member is formed by a plurality of feather-shaped members.

12. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the orientation guide member is made of a material melting within the subject.

13. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the orientation guide member is formed by a separate member to be retrofitted to the capsule casing before the capsule casing is inserted into the subject.

14. An in-vivo image capturing apparatus comprising:

a capsule casing insertable into a subject, the capsule casing including an imaging optical system capable of capturing images only in a direction of one end; and

a pair of convex members which are arranged respectively at both sides in an end portion away from a center of gravity of the capsule casing.

15. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

the end portion is at the other end away from the center of gravity.

18. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

the center of gravity of the capsule casing is positioned in a center of the capsule casing.

19. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

the center of gravity of the capsule casing is at a position deviated from the center of the capsule casing toward one end.

16. An in-vivo image capturing apparatus comprising:

a capsule casing insertable into a subject, the capsule casing including an imaging optical system capable of capturing images only in a direction of one end; and

a pair of wheel members which are formed larger than the capsule casing in diameter and arranged rotatably in both sides of an end portion away from a center of gravity of the capsule casing in a rotatable way.

17. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein

the end portion is at the other end away from the center of gravity.

20. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein

the center of gravity of the capsule casing is positioned in the center of the capsule casing.

21. The in-vivo image capturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein

the center of gravity of the capsule casing is at a position deviated from the center of the capsule casing to one side.