Capsule endoscope system and endoscopic image filing method

• US 7,920,732 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2009
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kinjo, Naoto, Koike, Kazumi, Shimizu, Kunimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): PERUNGAVOOR, SATHYANARAYA V
• Application Number:
  US12/370,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20090203964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 382/128
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A capsule endoscope system includes a capsule endoscope, swallowable in a body, for forming an image. A receiver is positioned on the body, for wirelessly receiving the image from the capsule endoscope, to store the image. A workstation as information manager operates for image filing of the image from the receiver. A first wireless interface is incorporated in the receiver, for wirelessly transmitting the image during imaging with the capsule endoscope. A second wireless interface is positioned on the workstation, for wirelessly receiving the image from the first wireless interface. Furthermore, an image selector selects the image for image filing in the workstation among plural images received by the receiver. The first wireless interface transmits the selected image to the workstation. The receiver includes an image compressor for reducing a data size of the image received from the capsule endoscope before transmission in the first wireless interface.

Claims

1. A capsule endoscope system comprising:

a capsule endoscope, swallowable in a body, for forming an image in said body;

a receiver, positioned on said body, for wirelessly receiving said image from said capsule endoscope, to store said image;

an information manager for filing said image from said receiver, managing said image, and controlling display of said image;

a first wireless interface, positioned on said receiver, for wirelessly transmitting said image during imaging with said capsule endoscope;

a second wireless interface, positioned on said information manager, for wirelessly receiving said image from said first wireless interface;

an image selector for selecting said image for image filing in said information manager among plural images received by said receiver;

wherein said first wireless interface transmits said selected image to said information manager;

wherein said image selector is positioned on at least one of said receiver and said information manager; and

further comprising a memory, provided in one of said receiver and said information manager provided with said image selector, for storing a sample image feature value of a sample image;

said image selector extracts an image feature value from said image obtained by said capsule endoscope, and determines similarity degree between said image and said sample image by comparing said image feature value with said sample image feature value, wherein if said similarity degree is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, said image is selected as detected to correspond to said sample image, wherein said memory stores said sample image feature value in association with lesion type information of a type of a lesion;

further comprising an input interface for inputting said lesion type information;

said image selector reads said sample image feature value for comparison according to said input lesion type information.

2. A capsule endoscope system as defined in claim 1, wherein said image selector determines similarity degree between two images among plural images received from said capsule endoscope by said receiver, and if said similarity degree is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, selects one of said two images, and if said similarity degree is less than said threshold value, selects said two images.

3. A capsule endoscope system as defined in claim 1, wherein said image selector is positioned on said receiver.

4. A capsule endoscope system as defined in claim 1, wherein said image selector is positioned on said information manager.

5. A capsule endoscope system as defined in claim 4, wherein said receiver includes a data size reduction device for reducing a data size of said image received from said capsule endoscope before transmission in said first wireless interface.

6. A capsule endoscope system as defined in claim 4, wherein said second wireless interface transmits image selection information output by said image selector to said receiver;

said receiver designates said image according to said image selection information from said second wireless interface, and transmits said designated image with said first wireless interface.

7. A capsule endoscope system as defined in claim 6, wherein when there is a remaining image unselected with said image selector, said receiver abandons said remaining image or stores said remaining image in a modified form with a reduced size of data.

8. An endoscopic image filing method of filing an image formed in a body with a capsule endoscope swallowed in said body, comprising steps of:

wirelessly receiving said image from said capsule endoscope to a receiver positioned on said body, to store said image;

wirelessly transmitting said image from said receiver during imaging with said capsule endoscope;

filing said image wirelessly transmitted from said receiver;

further comprising selecting said image for image filing in said filing step among plural images received by said receiver;

wherein in said transmitting step, said selected image is transmitted, wherein a sample image feature value of a sample image is predetermined;

said selecting step includes;

extracting an image feature value from said image obtained by said capsule endoscope;

determining similarity degree between said image and said sample image by comparing said image feature value with said sample image feature value, wherein if said similarity degree is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, said image is selected as detected to correspond to said sample image, wherein said sample image feature value is predetermined in association with lesion type information of a type of a lesion; and

further comprising a step of inputting said lesion type information; and

in said selecting step, said sample image feature value is read for comparison according to said input lesion type information.

9. An endoscopic image filing method as defined in claim 8, wherein in said selecting step, similarity degree between two images is determined among plural images received from said capsule endoscope by said receiver, and if said similarity degree is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, one of said two images is selected, and if said similarity degree is less than said threshold value, said two images are selected.

10. An endoscopic image filing method as defined in claim 8, further comprising a step of reducing a data size of said image received from said capsule endoscope to said receiver before said transmitting step.

11. An endoscopic image filing method as defined in claim 8, further comprising an information transmitting step of transmitting image selection information output by said selecting step to said receiver;

said receiver designates said image according to said image selection information from said information transmitting step, and transmits said designated image in said transmitting step.

12. An endoscopic image filing method as defined in claim 11, wherein when there is a remaining image unselected with said selecting step, said receiver abandons said remaining image or stores said remaining image in a modified form with a reduced size of data.