Capsule-type medical device

• US 7,558,620 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Ishibashi, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur; Eric F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Laryea; Lawrence N
• Application Number:
  US11/482,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20060264702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 600/160, 600421-424, 600/549, 600/476, 600/407, 600/310, 600/106, 600/478, 600/114, 600/118, 600/109, 128/899, 343/908, 343/855, 343/879, 343/788
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

In order to realize a capsule-type medical device suitable for improving efficiency of wireless transmission/reception using an antenna to increase radiowave power, a capsule-type medical device is configured so as to comprise an image-capturing illumination unit in which an illumination optical system and an image-capturing unit are provided as a function executing unit for executing a predetermined function within a subject to be examined, an RF unit serving as a wireless unit for communicating a signal generated by this image-capturing illumination unit being driven, or a signal for controlling driving of the image-capturing illumination unit with the outside of the subject to be examined wirelessly, and an antenna, which is provided in this RF unit, including a pair of antenna elements formed in a tubular shape for covering the outer circumference of the image-capturing illumination unit.

Claims

1. A capsule-type medical device comprising:

a function executing unit for executing a predetermined function within a subject to be examined;

a wireless unit for wirelessly sending a signal generated by the function executing unit being driven or for receiving a signal for controlling driving of the function executing unit; and

an antenna having a pair of antenna elements in electrical connection with the wireless unit and formed in a tubular shape;

wherein the antenna covers the outer circumference of the function executing unit.

2. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 1, wherein the function executing unit includes an illumination unit for illuminating the subject to be examined, and an image-capturing unit for taking in reflected light from the subject to be examined to form an image and capture this.

3. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connection between the wireless unit and the antenna passes through the inside of the pair of antenna elements.

4. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna includes a slit portion in the direction of an axis in a tubular shape between the pair of antenna elements, and wherein the electrical connection between the wireless unit and the antenna is disposed in the slit portion.

5. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of antenna elements are mutually disposed with an interval of equal to or more than one antenna element length therebetween.

6. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 2, wherein, the pair of antenna elements are configured with two electroconductive films formed on one board, and the one board is formed in a cylindrical shape;

wherein the antenna elements surround at least one of the image-capturing unit, the illumination unit, and the wireless unit.

7. The capsule medical device according to claim 6, wherein the board is a flexible board.

8. The capsule medical device according to claim 2, further comprising a capsule frame body including the image-capturing unit, the illumination unit, and the wireless unit,

wherein the pair of antenna elements are configured by forming two electroconductive membranes on an inner wall of the capsule frame body.

9. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 8, wherein the electrical connection between the two electroconductive membranes and the wireless unit is via two contact terminals having a spring function and being provided on the wireless unit.

10. The capsule medical device according to claim 8, wherein the two electroconductive membranes have a different shape.

11. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection between the wireless unit and the antenna passes through the inside of the pair of antenna elements.

12. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna includes a slit portion in the direction of an axis in a tubular shape between the pair of antenna elements, and wherein the electrical connection between the wireless unit and the antenna is disposed in the slit portion.

13. The capsule-type medical device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of antenna elements are mutually disposed with an interval of equal to or more than one antenna element length therebetween.