IN VIVO OBSERVATION DEVICE

• US 20080242928A1
• Filed: 03/18/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Kawano, Hironao, Uchiyama, Akio, Takizawa, Hironobu, Kikuchi, Akira
• Application Number:
  US12/050,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20080242928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00048 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00089 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

This in vivo observation device is equipped with a capsular casing that is taken orally into the body, and an observation device provided within said casing which observes the inside of the body through an observation wall surface of said casing; and, is provided with a contact auxiliary device that causes the observation wall surface to closely contact to body tissue during observation.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. An examination method comprising:

a step in which an in vivo observation device is introduced into a subject;

a step in which the location of the in vivo observation device within a living body is recognized;

a step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall based on the recognized location; and

a step in which an image of the closely contacted section is acquired.

35. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the location within the living body is recognized comprises recognizing with an image acquired by the in vivo observation device.

36. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the location within the living body is recognized comprises recognizing according to a timer installed in the in vivo observation device.

37. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the location within the living body is recognized comprises recognizing based on location information of the in vivo observation device.

38. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall comprises closely contacting by a fluid transfer device that aspirates a fluid such as body fluid or gas in the living body from the front in the direction of observation of the in vivo observation device and causes it to flow out to the rear.

39. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall comprises closely contacting a balloon to a body wall by supplying a fluid to an optically transparent balloon provided in the observation section in the in vivo observation device to expand the balloon.

40. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall is a step in which pushing pressure is applied from outside the living body to a portion where the in vivo observation device is present.

41. An examination method according to claim 34, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall comprises closely contacting by generating a magnetic field outside the living body and attracting a magnet or ferromagnetic body installed within the in vivo observation device.

42. An examination and treatment method comprising:

a step in which an in vivo observation device is introduced into a subject;

a step in which the location within a living body is recognized;

a step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall based on the recognized location;

a step in which an image of the closely contacted section is acquired;

a step in which the acquired image is confirmed; and

a step in which a drug is released if necessary.

43. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the location within the living body is recognized comprises recognizing with an image acquired by the in vivo observation device.

44. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the location within the living body is recognized comprises recognizing according to a timer installed in the in vivo observation device.

45. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the location within the living body is recognized comprises recognizing based on location information of the in vivo observation device.

46. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall comprises closely contacting by a fluid transfer device that aspirates a fluid such as body fluid or gas in the living body from the front in the direction of observation of the in vivo observation device and causes it to flow out to the rear.

47. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall comprises closely contacting a balloon to a body wall by supplying a fluid to an optically transparent balloon provided in the observation section in the in vivo observation device to expand the balloon.

48. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall is a step in which pushing pressure is applied from outside the living body to a portion where the in vivo observation device is present.

49. An examination and treatment method according to claim 42, wherein the step in which the in vivo observation device is closely contacted to a body wall comprises closely contacting by generating a magnetic field outside the living body and attracting a magnet or ferromagnetic body installed within the in vivo observation device.

50. An examination and treatment method comprising:

a step in which a capsular casing for examination and treatment within a living body is taken into the living body; and

a step in which a foreign object between a surface of a body tissue and the casing is removed.

51. An examination and treatment method according to claim 50, further comprising a step in which the casing captures an image within the living body.

52. An examination and treatment method according to claim 50, further comprising a step in which a drug administration device provided in the casing administers a drug to the living body.

53. An examination and treatment method according to claim 50, further comprising a step in which electrical power is supplied to the living body by an electrode provided on the surface of the casing, thereby contracting the body tissue to promote propulsion of the casing.

54. An examination and treatment method according to claim 50, wherein the step in which the foreign object between a surface of the body tissue and the casing is removed is achieved by causing the casing to closely contact to the surface of the body tissue.

55. An examination and treatment method according to claim 54, wherein the step in which the casing is closely contacted to the surface of the body tissue is achieved by pressing the living body from outside of the living body.