Capsule-type medical apparatus, guidance system and guidance method therefor, and intrasubject insertion apparatus

• US 8,740,774 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Takizawa, Hironobu, Kawano, Hironao, Uchiyama, Akio, Tanaka, Shinsuke, Chiba, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLQUE, RONALD DAVID
• Application Number:
  US13/788,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20130184526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 348/65, 600/117, 600/101, 600/109, 600/114, 600/12, 600/409, 600/424, 600/431, 600/420, 600/118, 606/33, 128/899, 607/116, 607/103
• US Class Current: 600/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/73 Manipulators for magnetic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50

Abstract

Using a guidance system with a simple configuration, propulsive motion along a longitudinal direction and changing of the propulsion direction are easily performed with good precision and stability. There is provided a capsule-type medical apparatus which is inserted into the body of a subject and is guided by an external magnetic field, the capsule-type medical apparatus comprising: a substantially cylindrical capsule; a propulsion mechanism for converting rotary motion about a longitudinal axis R of the capsule into propulsive motion along the longitudinal axis R; a magnet accommodated inside the capsule and disposed in such a manner that the magnetic-pole direction thereof can be switched between a direction along the longitudinal axis R and a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis R; and a securing portion for securing the magnet to the capsule in each of the switched states of the magnetic-pole direction.

Claims

1. A medical capsule endoscope which is inserted into the body of a subject and is guided by an external magnetic field, the medical capsule endoscope comprising:

a substantially cylindrical capsule;

a magnet accommodated inside the capsule and configured so that a magnetic-pole direction thereof can be switched between a direction along a longitudinal axis and a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis; and

a securing portion for securing the magnet to the capsule in each of the switched states of the magnetic-pole direction

wherein the magnet is secured by the securing portion in one of a first state in which magnetic poles of the magnet are aligned in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the capsule, and a second state in which the magnetic poles of the magnet are in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the capsule.

2. The medical capsule endoscope according to claim 1, wherein

the magnet is made of a permanent magnet, and

the securing portion includes an engagement member which is engaged with the magnet at a location where magnetic poles are oriented in a direction along the longitudinal axis and at a location where the magnetic poles are oriented in the direction intersecting the longitudinal axis.

3. The medical capsule endoscope according to claim 2, comprising:

a magnetic-pole-direction switching device for switching the magnetic-pole direction of the magnet, wherein

the magnetic-pole-direction switching device includes a motor for pivoting the magnet about an axis along a radial direction of the capsule.

4. The medical capsule endoscope according to claim 1,

wherein in the first state, the capsule is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the capsule by the external magnetic field, and

in the second state, the direction of the longitudinal axis of the capsule is changed by the external field.