JP5415717B2 - Inspection apparatus and magnetic induction system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for inspecting the characteristics of a magnet built in a capsule medical apparatus and a magnetic guidance system using the inspection apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, capsule medical devices that can be introduced into the digestive tract of a subject such as a patient have appeared. After the capsule medical device is swallowed from the subject's mouth, it moves in the digestive tract by peristaltic movement or the like, and is finally discharged out of the subject. Such a capsule medical device sequentially captures an image of the inside of the organ of the subject (hereinafter also referred to as an in-vivo image) during a period from introduction into the subject to discharge to the outside of the subject. The obtained in-vivo images are sequentially wirelessly transmitted to a receiving device outside the subject.

  In recent years, a system for guiding the capsule medical device inside the subject by magnetic force (that is, magnetically guiding) has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). For example, in the medical device guidance system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a capsule medical device having an imaging function and a magnet is introduced into the inside of a subject. By applying a rotating magnetic field to the capsule medical device, the capsule medical device is magnetically guided to a desired position inside the subject. In this case, the capsule medical device inside the subject moves as the magnet inside the capsule housing follows the rotating magnetic field applied from the outside.

JP 2004-255174 A

  By the way, in general, the magnetic force of the magnet may decrease due to the temperature state (particularly the high temperature state) of the storage environment. In other words, the magnet built in the capsule medical device causes not only the variation in magnetic force (magnetic field strength) due to individual differences between the capsule medical devices, but also a decrease in magnetic force due to the temperature state of the storage environment after manufacture. there is a possibility. For this reason, the above-described medical device guidance system more than necessary for the capsule medical device in order to compensate for the variation and decrease in the magnetic force of the magnet when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device inside the subject. A strong magnetic field may be applied. In this case, the power consumption in the magnetic induction of such a capsule medical device is unnecessarily high.

  In the field of the capsule medical device, in order to enable efficient magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device inside the subject, before introducing the capsule medical device inside the subject, There is a demand for an inspection device that can inspect characteristics such as magnetic force of a magnet inside a capsule medical device on the user side such as a nurse.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an inspection apparatus capable of inspecting the characteristics of a magnet inside a capsule medical device before introducing the capsule medical device into a subject, and the same An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic induction system using the.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a magnet characteristic measurement unit that measures characteristics of the magnet in an inspection apparatus that inspects a capsule medical apparatus including at least one magnet. It is provided with.

  In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the magnet characteristic measurement unit includes a magnetic moment measurement unit that measures a magnetic moment of the magnet.

  In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the magnetic moment measurement unit may be configured such that the magnetic moment measurement unit measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet, and the magnet based on the measurement result of the magnetic flux density measurement unit. And a magnetic moment calculation unit for calculating the magnetic moment of.

  The inspection apparatus according to the present invention is the inspection device according to the above aspect, wherein the magnetic moment measurement unit includes a magnetic torque measurement unit that measures the magnetic torque of the magnet, and the magnet based on a measurement result of the magnetic torque measurement unit. And a magnetic moment calculation unit for calculating the magnetic moment of.

  Further, in the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the magnet characteristic measurement unit rotates to rotate together with the measurement element around the capsule medical device with the measurement element of the magnetic flux density measurement unit fixed. A moving part is provided.

  Further, in the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the magnetic flux density measurement unit sequentially measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet via the measurement element that rotates and moves together with the rotational movement unit, and calculates the magnetic moment. The unit calculates a magnetic moment of the magnet by using a maximum value among measured values of magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux density measuring unit.

  Moreover, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes an image portion on which a directional image is drawn in the above-described invention, and the capsule medical device includes at least a reference direction of the image portion and a magnetization direction of the magnet. An image pickup unit that picks up an image of the image part in a manner in which the image pickup part matches, and a transmission part that wirelessly transmits the image picked up by the image pickup part to the outside. And an image acquisition unit that acquires image data from the transmission unit when the imaging unit images the image unit in a manner in which the magnetization direction of the magnet matches, a reference direction of the imaging unit, and a reference of the image unit An angle measuring unit that measures an angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit and the magnetization direction of the magnet, based on the reference image data in a mode that matches the direction and the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit; Specially equipped with To.

  Further, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the magnet characteristic measurement unit includes a magnetic field generation unit that generates a magnetic field that acts on the magnet to rotate the capsule medical device. To do.

  In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the angle measurement unit that measures an angle formed by the image portion on which a directional image is drawn, and the magnetization direction of the magnet and the reference direction of the image portion. The capsule medical device includes at least an imaging unit that captures an image of the image unit, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an image captured by the imaging unit to the outside, and the magnet characteristic measurement unit Includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the image unit captured by the imaging unit from the transmission unit, and the magnetic field generation unit includes a reference direction of the image acquired by the image acquisition unit and a reference direction of the image unit And generating a magnetic field for rotating the capsule medical device so that the magnetic field direction coincides with the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit and the reference of the image unit. With direction And measuring the angle.

  Moreover, the inspection device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the magnetic torque measurement unit measures the torque of the capsule medical device that rotates following the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit. To do.

  In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the measurement direction of the magnetic flux density measurement unit is the same as the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit.

  In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator is a magnetic field that rotates the capsule medical device one or more times.

  In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit is the same as the reference direction of the image unit.

  The inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a resonance characteristic measurement unit that measures resonance characteristics of the capsule medical device according to the above invention, and the capsule medical device further includes a resonance circuit, The measuring unit detects an induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit and measures resonance characteristics of the capsule medical device.

  Moreover, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, a support portion for supporting the capsule medical device is provided.

  In the inspection device according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the support portion rotatably supports the capsule medical device.

  The inspection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the capsule medical device is housed in a package, and the support portion supports the capsule medical device via the package. To do.

  The inspection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the inspection apparatus includes a display unit that displays a measurement value of the magnet characteristic measurement unit.

  A magnetic guidance system according to the present invention includes a magnetic guidance device having a guidance magnetic field generation unit that generates a guidance magnetic field for guiding a capsule medical device introduced into a subject, and any one of the above inventions. And setting the operating conditions of the magnetic guidance device based on the measurement results of the magnetic properties of the capsule medical device measured before introduction into the subject. An operating condition setting unit is provided.

  In the magnetic induction system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the operation condition setting unit sets a magnetic field strength condition of the induction magnetic field generation unit.

  The magnetic guidance system according to the present invention includes a position detection device that detects at least one of a position and a direction of the capsule medical device in the subject in the above-described invention, and the position detection device includes: A detection magnetic field generation unit that generates a detection magnetic field for the capsule medical device, a magnetic field detection unit that detects an induced magnetic field generated from a resonance circuit of the capsule medical device by the detection magnetic field, and the magnetic field detection unit A calculation unit that calculates at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device in the subject based on the detection result of The operating condition of the position detecting device is set based on the measurement result of the resonance characteristic of the capsule medical device measured in (1).

  In the magnetic induction system according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the operating condition setting unit sets a frequency condition of the detection magnetic field generated by the detection magnetic field generation unit.

  The magnetic induction system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the magnetic guidance system further comprises a display unit for displaying the operation condition set by the operation condition setting unit.

  Since the inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a magnet characteristic measurement unit that measures the characteristics of the magnet inside the capsule medical device that can be guided by the magnetic force of the magnetic guidance device, the capsule type is difficult to visually recognize from the appearance of the capsule medical device. The current characteristics of the magnet inside the medical device can be easily inspected by the user, so that before the capsule medical device is introduced into the subject (particularly immediately before the introduction), the characteristics of the magnet inside the capsule medical device are measured. It is possible to realize an inspection apparatus that can inspect the above.

  Further, in the magnetic guidance system according to the present invention, the inspection device measures the magnetic characteristics of the capsule medical device before being introduced into the subject, and the operation condition setting unit of the inspection device is used for the capsule medical device. Based on the measurement results of the magnet characteristics, the operating conditions of the magnetic induction device are set, and the magnetic induction device generates a magnetic field for induction based on the operating conditions set by the operating condition setting unit, and the magnetic field for induction Since the capsule medical device inside the subject is magnetically guided, the capsule medical device can be magnetically guided by applying a minimum guidance magnetic field to the capsule medical device inside the subject. In addition, there is an effect that the capsule medical device inside the subject can be magnetically guided efficiently without consuming electric power.

  Hereinafter, an inspection apparatus which is the best mode for carrying out the present invention and a magnetic induction system using the inspection apparatus will be described. In the following description, an inspection apparatus that inspects a capsule medical device in a state of being accommodated in a predetermined package, and a magnetic guidance system that magnetically guides the capsule medical apparatus inspected by the inspection apparatus after being introduced into the subject. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a storage unit 4 that stores a capsule medical device 2 that can be magnetically guided by a predetermined magnetic guiding device 104 together with its package 3, and this capsule type. A magnet characteristic measuring unit 5 that measures the characteristic of the magnet 27 inside the medical device 2 and a resonance characteristic measuring unit 6 that measures the resonance characteristic of the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2 are provided. The inspection apparatus 1 also includes an input unit 7 for inputting various information, a display unit 8 for displaying various information such as operating conditions of the magnetic guidance device 104, and an output for outputting operating condition information to the magnetic guidance device 104. Unit 9, a storage unit 10 that stores various information, and a control unit 11 that controls each component of the inspection apparatus 1.

  The capsule medical device 2 is a capsule medical device that acquires an in-vivo image of a subject, and includes an imaging function and a wireless communication function inside a capsule-type housing. The capsule medical device 2 is a device that can be magnetically guided by a predetermined magnetic guiding device 104, and includes a magnet 27 and a resonance circuit 28 inside a capsule-type housing. The capsule medical device 2 is sterilized after manufacture, and then stored in the package 3. The capsule medical device 2 is stored in the package 3 until it is shipped to the user such as a doctor or nurse and immediately before being introduced into the subject.

  The package 3 has a structure in which the capsule medical device 2 can be stored, and is formed in an outer shape in which the longitudinal direction of the stored capsule medical device 2 can be visually recognized. The package 3 removably supports the capsule-type medical device 2 after sterilization and accommodates it in a sealed state. The capsule medical device 2 stored (supported) inside the package 3 cannot move freely inside the package 3 (that is, the relative position and direction with respect to the package 3 are not changed).

  The storage unit 4 functions as a support unit that supports the capsule medical device 2 to be examined. Specifically, the storage portion 4 is formed with a recess (shaded portion shown in FIG. 1) in which the package 3 can be stored while defining the direction of the package 3. The storage unit 4 rotatably supports the package 3 fitted in the recess by a bearing structure or the like. The storage unit 4 stores the capsule medical device 2 while rotatably supporting the capsule medical device 2 via the package 3. In this case, the package 3 stored in the storage unit 4 can rotate about the central axis CL1 of the package 3. The central axis CL1 of the package 3 is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the internal capsule medical device 2 (the central axis CL2 in the longitudinal direction of the capsule casing 20 described later), It is desirable to coincide with the longitudinal axis of the capsule medical device 2.

  The magnet characteristic measuring unit 5 measures the characteristics of the magnet 27 built in the capsule medical device 2. Specifically, the magnet characteristic measuring unit 5 measures a magnetic moment which is an example of the characteristic of the magnet 27, and calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 stored in the storage unit 4. A magnetic moment measuring unit 13 for measuring and a magnetization direction control unit 14 for controlling the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 by a magnetic force are provided.

  The magnetic moment measuring unit 13 measures the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 through measurement of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, and the magnetic flux density measuring unit that measures the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27. 13a and a magnetic moment calculation unit 13b for calculating the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 based on the measurement result of the residual magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13a.

  The magnetic flux density measurement unit 13 a is disposed in the vicinity of the storage unit 4 and is positioned in the vicinity of the capsule medical device 2 in the package 3 stored in the storage unit 4. The magnetic flux density measuring unit 13a measures the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 indicating the maximum strength (maximum magnetic force) of the magnetic field that can be generated by the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 based on the control of the control unit 11. To do. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 13a transmits the measurement result of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 to the magnetic moment calculation unit 13b.

  The magnetic moment calculation unit 13b calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 based on the measurement result of the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13a. Specifically, the magnetic moment calculation unit 13b acquires the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 from the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13a. Further, the magnetic moment calculation unit 13 b acquires the magnet volume information 10 a read from the storage unit 10 by the control unit 11 from the control unit 11. Based on the control of the control unit 11, the magnetic moment calculation unit 13 b multiplies the residual magnetic flux density (measured value) of the magnet 27 by the magnet volume information 10 a (volume of the magnet 27), and calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27. calculate. The magnetic moment calculation unit 13b transmits the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 thus calculated to the control unit 11 as a magnetic moment measurement result of the magnet 27.

  The magnetization direction control unit 14 controls the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 by applying a magnetic field to the capsule medical device 2 described above. Specifically, the magnetization direction control unit 14 includes a magnetic field generation coil 14a, a signal generation unit 14b, and a drive unit 14c. The magnetization direction control unit 14 rotates the capsule medical device 2 in the package 3 in the state accommodated in the accommodation unit 4 together with the package 3 by a magnetic force, whereby the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 by the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13 is rotated. The magnetization direction of the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 is controlled in a direction suitable for the measurement.

  The magnetic field generating coil 14a generates a guiding magnetic field M1 based on the current supplied by the driving unit 14c, and applies the generated guiding magnetic field M1 to the capsule medical device 2 in the package 3. The guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetic field generating coil 14a is a magnetic field for guiding the capsule medical device 2, and acts on the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2. Thus, the capsule medical device 2 changes the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 toward the magnetic flux density measuring unit 13 while rotating following the guidance magnetic field M1. That is, the magnetic field generating coil 14a matches the magnetization direction of the guiding magnetic field M1 applied to the capsule medical device 2 with the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2.

  The signal generation unit 14b generates a current signal based on the control of the control unit 11, and transmits the generated current signal to the drive unit 14c. The drive unit 14c amplifies the current signal generated by the signal generation unit 14b, and transmits the amplified current signal to the magnetic field generation coil 14a. As a result, the drive unit 14c supplies the magnetic field generating coil 14a with electric power (current) necessary for generating the above-described guidance magnetic field M1.

  The resonance characteristic measurement unit 6 measures the resonance characteristic of the resonance circuit 28 built in the capsule medical device 2. Specifically, the resonance characteristic measuring unit 6 includes a magnetic field generating unit 15 that applies a magnetic field to the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2 housed in the housing unit 4, and the strength of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28. And an induced magnetic field measuring unit 16 for measuring

  The magnetic field generation unit 15 is for generating an induction magnetic field in the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2, and includes a magnetic field generation coil 15a, a signal generation unit 15b, and a drive unit 15c. The magnetic field generating coil 15a generates the magnetic field M2 while changing the frequency based on the current supplied by the driving unit 15c, and sequentially applies the generated magnetic field M2 of each frequency to the capsule medical device 2 in the package 3. Apply. The magnetic field M2 of the magnetic field generating coil 15a acts on the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2. In this case, the resonance circuit 28 receives the magnetic field M2 to be in a resonance state and generates an induction magnetic field. The induction magnetic field of the resonance circuit 28 is a magnetic field output (response) by the resonance circuit 28 upon receiving the magnetic field M2 of the magnetic field generating coil 15a.

  The signal generation unit 15b generates a frequency sweep signal based on the control of the control unit 11, and transmits the generated frequency sweep signal to the drive unit 15c. The drive unit 15c power-amplifies the frequency sweep signal generated by the signal generation unit 15b, and transmits this frequency-amplified frequency sweep signal to the magnetic field generation coil 15a. As a result, the drive unit 15c supplies the magnetic field generating coil 15a with electric power (current) necessary for generating the magnetic field M2 described above. The signal generation unit 15b may generate a signal having at least one frequency based on the control of the control unit 11, and may transmit the generated signal having one or more frequencies to the driving unit 15c. That is, the frequency of the signal generated by the signal generator 15b (electric signal applied to the magnetic field generating coil 15a) may be at least one point or a continuous frequency.

  The induced magnetic field measuring unit 16 is for measuring the strength of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2 and responds to the magnetic field M2 of the magnetic field generating coil 15a described above in response to the capsule medical device 2. A magnetic field sensor 16a that detects an induced magnetic field generated by an internal resonance circuit 28 and an induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b that performs predetermined signal processing on the detection result of the magnetic field sensor 16a are provided.

  The magnetic field sensor 16a is realized using a coil or the like, detects an induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2, and converts the detected induced magnetic field into a voltage signal. The magnetic field sensor 16a transmits this voltage signal to the induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b as a detection result of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28.

  The induction magnetic field calculation unit 16b is realized using an A / D conversion unit, an FFT processing unit, and the like. The induction magnetic field calculation unit 16b acquires a voltage signal, which is the detection result of the above-described induction magnetic field, from the magnetic field sensor 16a, and digitally converts the acquired voltage signal. Thereafter, the induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b performs fast Fourier transform processing (FFT processing) on the digitized voltage signal, and the FFT processing result (that is, the measured value of the induced magnetic field emitted by the resonance circuit 28) is controlled by the control unit. 11 to send. The induction magnetic field calculation unit 16b may be preset with the magnetic field strength information of the magnetic field M2 of the magnetic field generating coil 15a as a calculation parameter, or may be acquired from the control unit 11. In this case, the induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b subtracts the magnetic field strength information (magnetic field strength setting value) of the magnetic field M2 from the magnetic field detection result (magnetic field strength measurement value) of the magnetic field sensor 16a, thereby generating the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28. Magnetic field strength measurements may be obtained.

  The input unit 7 is realized by using an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and inputs various types of information to the control unit 11 in accordance with an input operation by a user such as a doctor or a nurse. As various types of information that the input unit 7 inputs to the control unit 11, for example, magnet information such as the volume of the magnet 27 built in the capsule medical device 2, and the magnetic guidance device 104 indicates the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. Magnetic guidance information such as magnetic torque necessary for magnetic guidance, frequency information of the alternating magnetic field of the position detection device 105 that detects the position of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject, and various instructions that are given to the control unit 11 Information etc. are mentioned.

  The display unit 8 is realized using various displays such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and displays various types of information instructed to be displayed by the control unit 11. Specifically, the display unit 8 displays the measurement result of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 (measurement result of the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13) and the guidance from the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2. The measured value of the magnetic field (measurement result of the induction magnetic field measurement unit 16), information on each operation condition of the magnetic induction device 104 and the position detection device 105, etc. are displayed.

  The output unit 9 performs information communication with the magnetic guidance device 104 based on the control of the control unit 11, and outputs information (specifically, operating condition information of the magnetic guidance device 104) output by the control unit 11 to the magnetic guidance device. 104. Further, the output unit 9 performs information communication with the position detection device 105 based on the control of the control unit 11, and outputs information (specifically, operation condition information of the position detection device 105) output by the control unit 11. It transmits to the detection apparatus 105. The output unit 9 may perform wireless communication with the magnetic guidance device 104 and the position detection device 105 or may perform wired communication.

  The storage unit 10 is realized by using various storage media that store information in a rewritable manner such as a RAM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or a hard disk. The storage unit 10 stores various types of information instructed to be stored by the control unit 11, and sends the information instructed to be read out by the control unit 11 from the stored various types of information to the control unit 11. Based on the control of the control unit 11, the storage unit 10 magnetically guides the magnet volume information 10 a indicating the volume of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 and the capsule medical device 2 introduced into the subject. The magnetic torque information 10b indicating the torque required for the storage is stored. In addition to the magnet volume information 10a and the magnetic torque information 10b, the storage unit 10 includes the measurement result of the magnetic moment measurement unit 13, the measurement result of the induction magnetic field measurement unit 16, the operation condition information of the magnetic induction device 104, The operation condition information of the position detection device 105 is stored.

  The control unit 11 controls the operation of each component (the magnet characteristic measurement unit 5, the resonance characteristic measurement unit 6, the input unit 7, the display unit 8, the output unit 9, and the storage unit 10) of the inspection apparatus 1, and each of the components. Controls input and output of signals between parts. Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 8 to display various information such as the various measurement results and the operation condition information of the magnetic guidance device 104 described above, and outputs the operation condition information to the magnetic guidance device 104. The output unit 9 is controlled to output the operation condition information to the position detection device 105, and various information such as the above-described various measurement results and the operation condition information of the magnetic induction device 104 are stored. The storage unit 10 is controlled to do so.

  Further, the control unit 11 controls the magnet characteristic measuring unit 5 so as to measure the characteristic of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 based on the instruction information input by the input unit 7. In this case, the control unit 11 controls the signal generation unit 14b so as to generate a current signal necessary for generating the above-described guidance magnetic field M1, and generates a magnetic field of the magnetic field generation coil 14a through the control of the signal generation unit 14b. Control the behavior. The control unit 11 controls the magnetic field generating coil 14a so as to apply the guidance magnetic field M1 to the capsule medical device 2 for a predetermined time, thereby changing the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 to the magnetic flux density. Oriented to the measurement unit 13a side. Thereafter, the control unit 11 controls the signal generation unit 14b so as to stop the generation of the current signal, and stops the generation of the guidance magnetic field M1 by the magnetic field generation coil 14a (magnetic field application to the capsule medical device 2). The control unit 11 controls the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13 to measure the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 at this magnetic field stop timing, and calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 based on the measured value of the residual magnetic flux density. Thus, the magnetic moment calculation unit 13b is controlled. The control unit 11 acquires the calculated value of the magnetic moment calculating unit 13b, that is, the measured value of the magnetic moment measuring unit 13.

  Furthermore, the control unit 11 controls the resonance characteristic measuring unit 6 so as to measure the resonance characteristic of the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2 based on the instruction information input by the input unit 7. In this case, the control unit 11 controls the signal generation unit 15b so as to generate a current signal necessary for generating the magnetic field M2, and the magnetic field generation operation of the magnetic field generation coil 15a is controlled through the control of the signal generation unit 15b. Control. Further, the control unit 11 controls the induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b so as to calculate the measurement value of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28, and acquires the measurement value of the induced magnetic field from the induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b.

  In addition, the control unit 11 includes an operation condition setting unit 12 that sets each operation condition of the magnetic guidance device 104 and the position detection device 105. The operation condition setting unit 12 operates the magnetic guidance device 104 when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject based on the measurement result of the magnet characteristic measurement unit 5 or the measurement result of the resonance characteristic measurement unit 6. Conditions and operating conditions of the position detection device 104 when detecting the position of the capsule medical device 2 magnetically guided by the magnetic guidance device 104 inside the subject are set. The operation condition setting unit 12 includes a magnetic field strength calculation unit 12 a that calculates a magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic guidance device 104 and a frequency calculation unit 12 b that calculates a frequency condition of the position detection device 105.

  The magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a calculates the magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic induction device 104 based on the measurement result of the magnetic moment measurement unit 13 described above. Specifically, the magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a acquires the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 from the magnetic moment calculation unit 13b. Further, the magnetic field strength calculation unit 12 a acquires the magnetic torque information 10 b read from the storage unit 10 based on the control of the control unit 11. The magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a calculates the magnetic field strength by dividing the magnetic torque information 10b (required torque during magnetic induction) by the magnetic moment (measured value) of the magnet 27. The magnetic field strength calculated by the magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a is a magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic guidance device 104 when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. The operation condition setting unit 12 sets the calculation result (magnetic field strength) of the magnetic field strength calculation unit 12 a as the magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic induction device 104.

  The frequency calculation unit 12b calculates the frequency condition of the position detection device 105 based on the FFT processing result of the induction magnetic field calculation unit 16b described above. Specifically, the frequency calculation unit 12b acquires the measured value of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28 (that is, the FFT processing result) from the induced magnetic field calculation unit 16b. The frequency calculation unit 12b calculates a frequency at which the measured value of the induced magnetic field becomes a maximum value and a frequency at which the measured value of the induction magnetic field becomes a minimum value (that is, frequencies before and after the resonance point of the resonance circuit 28). Each frequency calculated by the frequency calculation unit 12b is a frequency condition of the position detection device 105 when detecting a magnetic field (guide magnetic field) from the capsule medical device 2. The operation condition setting unit 12 sets the calculation result (frequency) of the frequency calculation unit 12 b as the frequency condition of the position detection device 105. Note that the frequency calculation unit 12b may calculate the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 28 based on the FFT processing result of the induction magnetic field calculation unit 16b as the frequency condition of the position detection device 105.

  Here, the magnetic guidance device 104 is an external device for magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 introduced into the subject. The magnetic guidance device 104 performs information communication with the output unit 9 described above, and acquires operation condition information indicating a condition setting result of the operation condition setting unit 12. The operation condition information from the operation condition setting unit 12 includes the magnetic field strength condition calculated by the above-described magnetic field strength obtaining calculation unit 12a. The magnetic guidance device 104 sets such a magnetic field strength condition as an initial magnetic field strength condition when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject, and then, if necessary, the capsule medical device 2. The intensity of the magnetic field applied to the is adjusted. The magnetic guidance device 104 uses the magnetic field strength condition by the operation condition setting unit 12 as the maximum strength value of the magnetic field necessary for the magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject.

  On the other hand, the position detection device 105 is an external device for detecting the position of the capsule medical device 2 introduced into the subject. The position detection device 105 performs information communication with the output unit 9 described above, and acquires operation condition information indicating a condition setting result of the operation condition setting unit 12. The operation condition information from the operation condition setting unit 12 includes the frequency condition calculated by the frequency calculation unit 12b described above. The position detection device 105 appropriately selects each frequency indicated by the acquired frequency condition (specifically, the frequency corresponding to the maximum value and the minimum value of the intensity detection value of the induced magnetic field). The position detection device 105 applies the magnetic field of the selected frequency to the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject, thereby detecting the strength of the magnetic field (guide magnetic field) generated from the capsule medical device 2. The position detection device 105 calculates (detects) the position of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject based on the intensity detection value of the induced magnetic field from the capsule medical device 2. The magnetic guidance device 104 described above performs magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 using the position detection result of the capsule medical device 2 by the position detection device 105.

  The frequency indicated by the frequency condition by the operation condition setting unit 12 (that is, the calculation result of the frequency calculation unit 12b) may be the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 28 inside the capsule medical device 2, and the position detection device 105. May apply a magnetic field of this resonance frequency to the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject to detect the position of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject.

  Below, the structure of the capsule type medical device 2 which is a test object of the test | inspection apparatus 1 concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a capsule medical device that is an inspection target of the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule medical device 2 to be examined includes a capsule housing 20 formed by a cylindrical housing 20a and a dome-shaped housing 20b, an illumination unit 21 such as an LED, An imaging unit 22 that captures an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit 21. The capsule medical device 2 includes a signal processing unit 23 that generates an image signal of image data captured by the imaging unit 22, a transmission unit 24 that wirelessly transmits the image signal to the outside, and the capsule medical device 2. The control part 25 which controls each structure part and the power supply parts 26, such as a battery, are provided. Furthermore, the capsule medical device 2 includes a magnet 27 that operates following an external magnetic field, and a resonance circuit 28 that includes a coil and a capacitor.

  The capsule-type housing 20 is a capsule-type housing formed in a size that can be introduced into the organ of a subject, and the other end (open end) of the cylindrical housing 20a, one end of which forms a dome shape. It is formed by being closed by the shape housing 20b. The dome-shaped housing 20b is a dome-shaped optical member that is transparent to light in a predetermined wavelength band (for example, visible light). On the other hand, the cylindrical housing 20a is a housing that is substantially opaque to visible light. Inside the capsule casing 20 formed by the cylindrical casing 20a and the dome-shaped casing 20b, there are an illumination section 21, an imaging section 22, a signal processing section 23, a transmission section 24, a control section 25, a power supply section. 26, the magnet 27, and the resonance circuit 28 are accommodated in a liquid-tight state.

  The illumination unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 are function execution units for capturing an in-vivo image of the subject when the capsule medical device 2 is introduced into the subject. Specifically, the illumination unit 21 is realized by using a light emitting element such as an LED, and illuminates the subject of the imaging unit 22 through the dome-shaped housing 20b.

  The imaging unit 22 includes an optical system 22a such as a condensing lens, and a solid-state imaging device 22b such as a CCD or a CMOS image sensor. It is fixedly arranged inside the capsule-type housing 20 in such a manner that the radial direction of 20 coincides. The optical system 22a condenses the reflected light from the subject illuminated by the illuminating unit 21, and forms an optical image of the subject on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 22b. The solid-state imaging device 22b captures an optical image of the subject, that is, an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit 21 (for example, an in-vivo image of the subject).

  The signal processing unit 23 acquires a signal photoelectrically converted by the solid-state imaging device 22b of the imaging unit 22, performs predetermined signal processing on the acquired signal, and performs image data (subject to be captured) of the subject of the imaging unit 22. An image signal including an in-vivo image of the specimen) is generated. The transmission unit 24 includes a coiled antenna 24a, and performs wireless communication with the outside using the antenna 24a. Specifically, the transmission unit 24 acquires the image signal generated by the signal processing unit 23, performs a modulation process or the like on the acquired image signal, and generates a radio signal including the image signal. The transmission unit 24 wirelessly transmits a wireless signal including the image signal to the outside via the antenna 24a.

  The control unit 25 controls each component (the illumination unit 21, the imaging unit 22, the signal processing unit 23, and the transmission unit 24) of the capsule medical device 2, and controls input / output of signals between the respective component units. To do. Specifically, the control unit 25 controls the operation timing of the illumination unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 so that the imaging unit 22 captures an image of the subject at the timing when the illumination unit 21 illuminates the subject of the imaging unit 22. The control unit 25 controls the illumination unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 so as to repeat the imaging operation at a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.5 second interval). In addition, the control unit 25 controls the signal processing unit 23 and the transmission unit 24 so as to wirelessly transmit an image signal including image data captured by the imaging unit 22 to the outside.

  The power supply unit 26 is realized using a switch circuit, a button-type battery, and the like. When the power supply unit 26 is turned on by the switch circuit, the power supply unit 26 supplies power to the illumination unit 21, the imaging unit 22, the signal processing unit 23, the transmission unit 24, and the control unit 25, and is switched to the off state by the switch circuit. In such a case, the supply of electric power to each component is stopped. The switch circuit of the power supply unit 26 may be a magnetic switch that switches on and off by the action of a magnetic field applied from outside, or light that switches on and off by an optical signal such as infrared light incident from the outside. It may be a switch.

  The magnet 27 is, for example, a permanent magnet, and is disposed at a predetermined position inside the capsule casing 20 (for example, near the center of the capsule casing 20). In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnet 27 has a mode in which the direction perpendicular to the central axis CL2 in the longitudinal direction of the capsule housing 20 (that is, the radial direction of the capsule housing 20) coincides with the magnetization direction. It is fixed to the capsule casing 20. The magnet 27 operates following the magnetic field of the external magnetic guidance device 104, thereby moving the capsule medical device 2 or stopping the capsule medical device at a desired position such as a body part of the subject. Let That is, the capsule medical device 2 incorporating the magnet 27 can be magnetically guided by the external magnetic guidance device 104.

  The resonance circuit 28 is realized by connecting a coil and a capacitor. For example, the resonance circuit 28 is fixedly disposed inside the capsule casing 20 in such a manner that the axial direction of the coil coincides with the longitudinal direction of the capsule casing 20. The resonance circuit 28 has a predetermined resonance frequency and generates an induction magnetic field in response to a magnetic field applied from the outside (specifically, the magnetic field M2 of the magnetic field generating coil 15a or the magnetic field of the position detection device 105). To do.

  Next, a magnetic guidance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the magnetic guidance system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic guidance system 101 according to the first embodiment is introduced into the inspection apparatus 1 for inspecting the capsule medical device 2 before being introduced into the subject, and inside the organ of the subject. Capsule type medical device 2, receiving device 103 that receives in-vivo images captured by capsule type medical device 2 inside the subject, magnetic guidance device 104 that magnetically guides capsule type medical device 2 inside the subject, and A position detection device 105 that detects the position and direction of the capsule endoscope 2 inside the subject, and an image display device that displays various information such as in-vivo images captured by the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. 106.

  The capsule medical device 2 has an imaging function and a wireless communication function as shown in FIG. 2 described above, and sequentially introduces in-vivo images of the subject when introduced into the organ of the subject by ingestion or the like. The obtained in-vivo images are sequentially wirelessly transmitted to the external receiving device 103. The capsule medical device 2 includes the magnet 27 and the resonance circuit 28 as described above. The capsule medical device 2 is magnetically guided by the magnetic guidance device 4 and is detected by the position detection device 105.

  The receiving device 103 includes a plurality of receiving antennas 103a, and receives in-vivo images of the subject from the capsule medical device 2 via the plurality of receiving antennas 3a. Specifically, the plurality of receiving antennas 103a are distributed on the body surface of the subject into which the capsule medical device 2 described above is introduced into the digestive tract, and move along the digestive tract (or are magnetically induced). The radio signal from the capsule medical device 2 is captured. The receiving device 103 receives a radio signal from the capsule medical device 2 via the plurality of receiving antennas 103a, performs predetermined demodulation processing on the received radio signal, and is included in the radio signal. Extract the image signal. The image signal extracted by the receiving device 103 is a signal including an in-vivo image captured by the capsule medical device 2 described above. The receiving device 103 sequentially transmits the image signal from the capsule medical device 2 to the image display device 106.

  The magnetic guidance device 104 is for magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject, and generates a magnetic field for guidance that generates a guidance magnetic field for magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. Each component of the magnetic guiding device 104, the coil power supply unit 104b for supplying current to the coil of the magnetic field generating unit 104a, the operation unit 104c for operating the magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2, and the magnetic guiding device 104 A magnetic induction control unit 104d for controlling the unit.

  The guidance magnetic field generation unit 104a is realized by combining a plurality of electromagnets such as Helmholtz coils, and generates a guidance magnetic field capable of realizing magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. Specifically, the guiding magnetic field generation unit 104a has a three-axis orthogonal coordinate system (hereinafter referred to as an absolute coordinate system) defined by three orthogonal axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis). A magnetic field having a desired strength is generated for each axial direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction). The guiding magnetic field generating unit 104a is formed by the magnetic field in each axial direction of the absolute coordinate system inside the three-dimensional space S of the absolute coordinate system (that is, inside the space surrounded by the plurality of electromagnets of the guiding magnetic field generating unit 104a). A guidance magnetic field that is a three-dimensional rotating magnetic field or gradient magnetic field is generated. The guiding magnetic field generation unit 104a applies the guiding magnetic field to the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 located inside the subject (not shown) on the bed moved into the three-dimensional space A. Is applied. The guiding magnetic field generation unit 104a magnetically guides the capsule medical device 2 with the guiding magnetic field.

  The coil power supply unit 104b supplies the guidance magnetic field generation unit 104a with a current necessary for generating a guidance magnetic field to be applied to the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. Specifically, the coil power supply unit 104b has a plurality of power supply units corresponding to the plurality of coils (not shown) in the guidance magnetic field generation unit 104a. The coil power supply unit 104b supplies an alternating current to each coil of the induction magnetic field generation unit 104a based on the control of the magnetic induction control unit 104d, thereby generating the above-described induction magnetic field.

  The operation unit 104c is realized using an input device such as a joystick and an input button. In response to an input operation by a user such as a doctor or a nurse, the operation unit 104c inputs instruction information for instructing magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 to the magnetic guidance control unit 104d.

  The magnetic induction control unit 104d controls the energization amount of the coil power supply unit 104b to the induction magnetic field generation unit 104a based on the instruction information input by the operation unit 104c, and guides through the control of the coil power supply unit 104b. The guidance magnetic field generation operation of the magnetic field generation unit 104a is controlled. In this case, the magnetic guidance control unit 104d receives position information (hereinafter referred to as capsule position information) and direction information (hereinafter referred to as capsule position) of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject from a position detection control unit 105d of the position detection device 105 described later. Direction information), and the magnetic field strength and magnetic field direction of the guidance magnetic field applied to the capsule medical device 2 are controlled based on the acquired capsule position information and capsule direction information. The magnetic guidance control unit 104d controls the magnetic field strength and the magnetic field direction of the guidance magnetic field in this way, so that the capsule medical device 2 can be moved to a desired position or a desired direction corresponding to the instruction information from the operation unit 104c. Control magnetic induction. The magnetic guidance control unit 104d transmits magnetic guidance information including the magnetic field strength and magnetic field direction of the guidance magnetic field when controlling the magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 to the image display device 106.

  Further, as described above, the magnetic guidance control unit 104d acquires the operation condition information by the operation condition setting unit 12 from the inspection apparatus 1. The magnetic guidance control unit 104d sets the magnetic field strength condition included in the acquired operating condition information as an initial magnetic field strength condition when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. In this case, the magnetic guidance control unit 104d sets the set magnetic field strength condition as the maximum strength value of the guidance magnetic field necessary for magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. The magnetic induction control unit 104d controls the induction magnetic field within a range equal to or less than the initially set magnetic field strength condition.

  On the other hand, the position detection device 105 detects at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject positioned inside the three-dimensional space S as described above. Specifically, the position detection device 105 includes a detection magnetic field generation unit 105a that applies a detection magnetic field to the resonance circuit 28 in the capsule medical device 2, and a coil power source that supplies a current to the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a. Unit 105b, a magnetic field detection unit 105c that detects the induced magnetic field emitted by the resonance circuit 28, and a position detection control unit 105d that controls each component of the position detection device 105 to acquire capsule position information and capsule direction information. Is provided.

  The detection magnetic field generation unit 105a is realized by using one or more coils, and generates a detection magnetic field that is an alternating magnetic field for detecting at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. . Based on the current supplied by the coil power supply unit 105b, the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a generates a detection magnetic field having the optimum strength and direction in the position of the resonance circuit 28 and the coil axis direction in the three-dimensional space S. This detection magnetic field is applied to the resonance circuit 28 in the capsule medical device 2. The detection magnetic field generator 105a generates an induction magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28 by the action of the detection magnetic field.

  The coil power supply unit 105b has one or more power supply units corresponding to the number of coils included in the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a. The coil power supply unit 105b supplies an alternating current to the coil of the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a based on the control of the position detection control unit 105d, thereby generating a detection magnetic field from the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a. .

  The magnetic field detection unit 105c detects an induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28, which is a magnetic field necessary for detecting at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. The magnetic field detection unit 105c transmits the detection result of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28 to the position detection control unit 105d.

  When the position detection control unit 105d detects at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject, the position detection control unit 105d includes the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a, the coil power supply unit 105b, and the magnetic field detection unit 105c. Control. Specifically, as described above, the position detection control unit 105d acquires the operation condition information by the operation condition setting unit 12 from the inspection apparatus 1. The position detection control unit 105d sets the frequency condition included in the acquired operation condition information as the operation condition when the detection magnetic field is generated. The position detection control unit 105d controls the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a so as to apply a detection magnetic field having a frequency indicated by the set frequency condition to the resonance circuit 28 of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. In this case, the position detection control unit 105d controls the energization amount of the coil power supply unit 105b to the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a, and controls the detection magnetic field generation operation of the detection magnetic field generation unit 105a through the control of the energization amount. .

  The position detection control unit 105d includes a position calculation unit 105e. The position detection control unit 105d controls the input / output of signals from the magnetic field detection unit 105c, and acquires the detection result of the induced magnetic field from the resonance circuit 28 detected by the magnetic field detection unit 105c. The position calculation unit 105e calculates at least one of the position coordinate and the direction vector of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject based on the detection result of the induced magnetic field acquired from the magnetic field detection unit 105c. The position coordinates calculated by the position calculation unit 105e are capsule position information indicating the position of the capsule medical device 2 in the three-dimensional space A described above. The direction vector calculated by the position calculation unit 105e is capsule direction information indicating the direction of the capsule medical device 2 in the three-dimensional space A described above. The position detection control unit 105d transmits the capsule position information and capsule direction information calculated (detected) in this way to the magnetic guidance control unit 104d. The capsule position information and the capsule direction information by the position detection control unit 105d are transmitted to the image display device 106 together with the magnetic guidance information by the magnetic guidance control unit 104d.

  On the other hand, the image display device 106 has a configuration like a workstation that displays various information such as the in-vivo image group by the capsule medical device 2 described above. Specifically, the image display device 106 sequentially captures the image signals received by the receiving device 103, and generates an image captured by the capsule medical device 2, that is, an in-vivo image of the subject, based on the captured image signals. . The image display device 106 sequentially displays the in-vivo images of the subject generated in this way on the display, and sequentially stores the data of the in-vivo images in the storage medium.

  Further, the image display device 106 acquires magnetic guidance information from the magnetic guidance control unit 104d, and further acquires capsule position information and capsule direction information from the position detection control unit 105d via the magnetic guidance control unit 104d. Based on the magnetic guidance information, capsule position information, and capsule direction information, the image display device 106 captures the imaging position of the currently displayed in-vivo image, the movement locus of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject, Various information useful for magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 such as the direction and strength of the magnetic field for guidance applied to the capsule medical device 2 is displayed. A user (operator) such as a doctor or a nurse refers to various display information of the image display device 106 while observing the in-vivo image of the subject displayed on the image display device 106, and the capsule medical device 2. Manipulate the magnetic induction.

  Next, the operation of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention measures the magnetic moment of the magnet inside the capsule medical device. Hereinafter, the operation of the inspection apparatus 1 when measuring the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical apparatus 2 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the capsule medical device 2 to be examined is stored in the recess of the storage unit 4 in a state of being stored in the package 3 (see FIG. 1). The storage unit 4 rotatably supports the capsule medical device 2 via the package 3. That is, the capsule medical device 2 stored in the storage unit 4 can rotate with the package 3 about the central axis CL1 of the package 3. Note that the capsule medical device 2 has a rotationally symmetric outer shape with respect to the central axis CL2 of the capsule casing 20 described above. For this reason, it is difficult to visually recognize the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 from the outside.

  Here, the magnetic field generating coil 14 a generates the guiding magnetic field M <b> 1 based on the control of the control unit 11 as described above, and applies the guiding magnetic field to the capsule medical device 2 inside the package 3 housed in the housing unit 4. Apply M1. In this case, the guiding magnetic field M1 acts on the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, and the magnet 27 operates following the guiding magnetic field M1. The capsule medical device 2 is rotated together with the package 3 around the center axis CL1 by the action of the magnet 27, thereby changing the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 toward the magnetic flux density measuring unit 13a of the magnetic moment measuring unit 13. Let As a result, the magnet 27 enters a state in which the magnetization direction is directed to the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13a side (state A1).

  Thus, in the state where the capsule medical device 2 has the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 directed toward the magnetic flux density measuring unit 13a, the magnetic field generating coil 14a stops the guidance magnetic field M1 based on the control of the control unit 11. Thus, the magnetic flux density measuring unit 13a can receive the magnetic field from the magnet 27 without receiving the guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetic field generating coil 14a. The magnetic flux density measuring unit 13 a measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 and calculates the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 based on the control of the control unit 11. The magnetic moment calculation unit 13b of the magnetic moment measurement unit 13 calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 by multiplying the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux density measurement unit 13a and the volume value of the magnet 27 by the magnet volume information 10a. To do. (State A2).

  Thereafter, the magnetic moment measuring unit 13 transmits the calculated magnetic moment value of the magnet 27 by the magnetic moment calculating unit 13b to the control unit 11 as a measured magnetic moment value. The control unit 11 acquires the magnetic moment measurement value of the magnet 27 from the magnetic moment measurement unit 13, and the operating condition setting unit 12 uses the acquired magnetic moment measurement value to record the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject. The magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic guidance device 104 when magnetically guiding the magnetic field is set.

  Here, the capsule medical device 2 after being inspected by the above-described inspection device 1 is taken out from the package 3 and introduced into the organ of the subject by oral ingestion or the like. That is, immediately before introducing the capsule medical device 2 into the subject, the examination apparatus 1 has the characteristics of the magnet 27 (magnetic moment, etc.) inside the capsule medical device 2 and the resonance characteristics (frequency, etc.) of the resonance circuit 28. Can be inspected. Further, the inspection apparatus 1 uses the magnetic induction device 104 based on the characteristics of the magnet 27 (specifically, the magnetic moment of the magnet 27) before the magnetic induction device 104 executes the magnetic induction of the capsule medical device 2. In addition, the frequency condition of the position detection device 105 can be set in advance based on the resonance characteristics of the resonance circuit 28 (specifically, the FFT processing result of the induction magnetic field calculation unit 16b and the like). .

  The magnetic guidance device 104 can easily set initial operating conditions when performing magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject based on the magnetic field strength conditions set by the examination device 1. Thereby, the capsule medical device 2 can be efficiently magnetically induced without applying an excessive magnetic field to the capsule medical device 2 and consuming more power than necessary. Further, the position detection device 105 easily sets an operation condition when detecting at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device 2 inside the subject based on the frequency condition set by the inspection device 1. Accordingly, the position and direction of the capsule medical device 2 in the subject can be detected with high accuracy corresponding to the resonance characteristics of the capsule medical device 2.

  As described above, in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet inside the capsule medical device stored on the user side such as a doctor or a nurse is measured by the magnetic flux density measuring unit, and this residual Based on the measurement result of the magnetic flux density, the magnetic moment of the magnet is calculated by the magnetic moment calculator. For this reason, it is possible to easily inspect on the user side the characteristics of the magnet inside the capsule type medical device that is difficult to visually recognize from the appearance of the capsule type medical device (for example, the magnetic moment of the built-in magnet at the present time). Immediately before introducing the capsule medical device into the subject, an inspection device capable of inspecting the characteristics of the magnet inside the capsule medical device can be realized.

  By using the inspection device according to the first embodiment, the user can confirm the current magnet characteristics of the capsule medical device magnetically guided by the magnetic guidance device by the display information on the display unit. Based on the magnet characteristic inspection result, the operating condition of the magnetic induction device can be initially set. As a result, the magnetic guidance device applies the minimum necessary magnetic field to the capsule medical device inside the subject based on the initial operation conditions, and efficiently covers the subject without consuming more power than necessary. The capsule medical device inside the specimen can be magnetically guided.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment 1, since it comprised so that the magnet characteristic of the capsule type medical device which was sterilized and was accommodated in the inside of a package was test | inspected, without taking out a capsule type medical device from this package, this The magnetic moment of the magnet inside the capsule medical device can be measured, whereby the sterilized state of the capsule medical device can be maintained until just before the capsule medical device is introduced into the subject.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the capsule medical device to be examined is rotatably supported by the storage unit, and a magnetic field is applied to the magnet inside the capsule medical device from the outside, and the magnetization direction of the magnet is changed to the magnetic flux. It was comprised so that it might change to the density measurement part side. For this reason, when measuring the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet inside the capsule medical device, the magnetization direction of the magnet can be easily directed to the magnetic flux density measuring unit side, thereby accurately determining the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet. Can be measured.

  In the magnetic induction system according to the first embodiment, the operation condition setting unit sets the magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic induction device based on the measurement result of the magnetic flux density measurement unit, and the output unit sets the set magnetic field. The intensity condition was configured to be transmitted to the magnetic induction device. For this reason, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention inspects the magnetic characteristics of the capsule medical device, and the magnetic guidance device sets the magnetic field strength condition based on the setting result of the operation condition setting unit to the capsule medical device inside the subject. Can be easily set as an initial operating condition when magnetically guiding the magnetic field. As a result, the magnetic guidance device can easily realize efficient magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device inside the subject.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the resonance characteristic of the resonance circuit in the capsule medical device is measured by the resonance characteristic measuring unit, the user immediately before introducing the capsule medical device into the subject. The resonance characteristic of the resonance circuit can be confirmed by the display information on the display unit, and the operating condition of the magnetic induction device can be initially set based on the confirmed resonance characteristic test result. The position detector of the magnetic guidance device can acquire the individual characteristics of the resonance circuit in the capsule medical device based on the initial operating conditions, and thereby adjust the measurement frequency to the resonance point of the resonance circuit. Thus, the position and direction of the capsule medical device can be detected. As a result, it is not necessary to widen the measurement frequency interval in anticipation of frequency deviation, and the position of the capsule medical device within the subject is detected with high accuracy. be able to.

  In the magnetic induction system according to the first embodiment, the operating condition setting unit sets the frequency condition of the magnetic induction device based on the measurement result of the resonance characteristic measuring unit, and the output unit sets the frequency condition set. Is transmitted to the magnetic induction device. For this reason, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention inspects the resonance characteristics of the capsule medical device, and the position detection unit of the magnetic guidance device sets the frequency condition based on the setting result of the operation condition setting unit to the capsule inside the subject. It can be easily set as an initial operating condition (measurement frequency) when detecting the position of the medical device. As a result, the magnetic guidance device can easily realize highly accurate position detection of the capsule medical device inside the subject.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the capsule medical device 2 to be examined is rotatably supported by the storage unit 4, and the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 is operated by the action of the guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetic field generating coil 14a. In the second embodiment, the capsule type medical device to be examined is fixedly supported by the storage unit, and the measuring element of the magnetic flux density measuring unit is used to control the capsules in the magnetic flux density measuring unit 13a side. The magnetic flux density of the magnet inside the capsule medical device is sequentially measured while rotating around the medical device.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the inspection apparatus 31 according to the second embodiment includes a storage section 32 instead of the storage section 4 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and is replaced with the magnet characteristic measurement section 5. The magnet characteristic measuring unit 33 is provided, and a control unit 37 is provided instead of the control unit 11. In the inspection apparatus 31, the magnet characteristic measurement unit 33 includes a magnetic moment measurement unit 34 instead of the magnetic moment measurement unit 13 in the above-described first embodiment, and a drive system 35 and a rail 36 instead of the magnetization direction control unit 14. Is provided. The magnetic guidance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an inspection device 31 instead of the inspection device 1 of the magnetic guidance system 101 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment described above. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The storage unit 32 functions as a support unit that supports the capsule medical device 2 to be examined. Specifically, the storage portion 32 is formed with a recess having a shape that engages with the outer shape of the package 3 while defining the direction of the package 3. The storage part 32 fixedly supports the package 3 fitted in the recess so as to be detachable. That is, the storage unit 32 stores the capsule medical device 2 while supporting the capsule medical device 2 via the package 3.

  The magnet characteristic measuring unit 33 measures the characteristics of the magnet 27 built in the capsule medical device 2. Specifically, the magnet characteristic measuring unit 33 measures a magnetic moment, which is an example of the characteristic of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 fixedly supported by the storage unit 32 via the package 3. 5, the magnetic moment measuring unit 34 for measuring the magnetic moment of the magnet 27, the drive system 35 for rotating the measuring element 34b of the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a in the magnetic moment measuring unit 34, and the drive And a rail 36 that forms a movement path of the system 35.

  The magnetic moment measuring unit 34 measures the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 through measurement of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, and the magnetic flux density measuring unit that measures the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27. 34a and the magnetic moment calculator 13b described above.

  The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a includes a separate measurement element 34b, and measures the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 using the measurement element 34b. Specifically, the measuring element 34b is wirelessly or wiredly connected so as to be communicable with the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a, and is mounted on the drive system 35. The measuring element 34b sequentially measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 while rotating around the storage unit 32 around the capsule medical device 2 by the drive system 35. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a sequentially measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage unit 32 by using the measurement element 34b. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34 a acquires the maximum value among the measurement values of the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 at each position around the storage unit 32 as the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a transmits the measurement result of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 thus measured to the magnetic moment 13b. The measured value of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 by the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a is used when the magnetic moment calculating unit 13b calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 as described above.

  The drive system 35 and the rail 36 are for rotating the measuring element 34b of the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a around the capsule medical device 2 to be examined. Specifically, the drive system 35 is realized using wheels, actuators, and the like, and the measurement element 34b of the magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a described above is fixedly arranged. The rail 36 forms a moving path of the drive system 35, and the central axis CL1 of the package 3 in the state of being accommodated in the accommodating portion 32 (preferably, the central axis CL2 of the capsule medical device 2 inside the package 3). It is arranged along the circumference centering on. The drive system 35 travels on the rail 36, thereby rotating the measuring element 34 b around the storage portion 32 around the capsule medical device 2 (specifically, the magnet 27).

  The actuator of the drive system 35 may be a drive motor provided with an electromagnet or the like. However, in order to increase the magnetic flux density measurement accuracy of the measuring element 34b, an actuator of a non-magnetic material such as an ultrasonic motor or artificial muscle is used. It is desirable that

  The control unit 37 controls the magnetic moment measurement unit 34 and the drive system 35 so as to measure the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 described above. In this case, the control unit 37 controls the drive system 35 so as to rotate around the storage unit 32 one or more times along the rail 36, and each magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage unit 32 by the measuring element 34b. The magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a is controlled so as to sequentially measure. In addition, the control unit 37 grasps the moving distance of the drive system 35 on the rail 36, and when the drive system 35 has finished rotating around the storage unit 32 more than once, each measurement result (that is, storage) of the measurement element 34b. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a is controlled so as to select the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density that is the maximum value from the measurement values of the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 at each position around the part 32. The control unit 37 acquires the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 by controlling the magnetic moment measuring unit 34 and the drive system 35 in this way. The control unit 37 has the same functions as the control unit 11 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, except for the control functions of the magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a and the drive system 35.

  Next, the operation of the inspection apparatus 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention measures the magnetic moment of the magnet inside the capsule medical apparatus. Hereinafter, the operation of the inspection device 31 when measuring the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the capsule medical device 2 to be examined is housed in the recess of the housing portion 32 while being housed in the package 3 (see FIG. 5). In this case, the storage unit 32 fixedly supports the capsule medical device 2 via the package 3.

  The drive system 35 travels on the rail 36 based on the control of the control unit 37 as described above, and rotates around the storage unit 32 around the capsule medical device 2 by one or more rounds. The measuring element 34b is rotated around the storage portion 32 around the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 by the drive system 35 at least once, and the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage portion 32 is set to a predetermined value. Measure sequentially at the time intervals. In this case, the measuring element 34b rotates and moves along a circumference in which the magnetization direction and the radial direction of the magnet 27 coincide. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the measuring element 34 b sequentially measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 at each of the positions D1 to D4 while sequentially passing through the positions D1 to D4 around the storage portion 32.

  Here, the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage portion 32 has different measurement values depending on the position around the storage portion 32, and is maximum at a position in the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 (position D1 in FIG. 6). Value. In the magnetic moment measuring unit 34, the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a acquires the magnetic flux density at each of the positions D1 to D4 sequentially measured by the measuring element 34b, and the position D1 that is the maximum value among the acquired magnetic flux densities. Select the magnetic flux density at. In this way, the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a measures the magnetic flux density at the position D1 as the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a transmits the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density to the magnetic moment calculation unit 13b. As in the case of the first embodiment, the magnetic moment calculation unit 13b multiplies the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a and the volume value of the magnet 27 by the magnet volume information 10a, and Calculate the magnetic moment. Thereafter, the magnetic moment measurement value of the magnet 27 by the magnetic moment measurement unit 34 is transmitted to the control unit 37 described above.

  The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a may intermittently measure the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage unit 32 by the measurement element 34b, or may measure it continuously. In other words, the measurement element 34b rotates each time around the storage unit 32 during a predetermined period of time or each time the drive system 35 moves a predetermined distance (for example, FIG. 6). The magnetic flux density at the positions D1, D2, D3, D4) shown in FIG. 4 may be measured sequentially, or the magnetic flux density may be measured continuously over the entire circumference of the storage portion 32.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit fixedly supports the capsule medical device to be examined via the package, and the measuring element of the magnetic flux density measuring unit is the capsule medical device. The magnetic flux density of the magnet inside the capsule medical device around the storage unit is sequentially measured around the storage unit while rotating around the storage unit by a drive system, and the magnetic flux density measurement unit measures the magnetic flux density of the measuring element. The maximum value of each measured value was measured as the residual magnetic flux density of this magnet, and the others were configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. For this reason, the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet can be measured without controlling the magnetization direction of the magnet inside the capsule medical device to be inspected by the magnetic field. As a result, as in the case of the first embodiment described above. It is possible to easily realize an inspection apparatus that can enjoy the same operational effects and reduce power consumption.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 is measured as the characteristic of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, but in the third embodiment, the characteristic of the magnet 27 is further The relative angular deviation between the reference direction (for example, the vertical direction of the light receiving surface) of the imaging unit 22 in the capsule medical device 2 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 is measured.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the inspection apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment includes a storage section 42 instead of the storage section 4 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and replaces the magnet characteristic measurement section 5. The magnet characteristic measuring unit 43 is provided, and a control unit 47 is provided instead of the control unit 11. The magnetic guidance system according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes an inspection device 41 instead of the inspection device 1 of the magnetic guidance system 101 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment described above. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The storage unit 42 has the same structure and function as the storage unit 4 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above except that the storage unit 42 includes the image unit 42a. The image part 42a is a plate-like or sheet-like member on which a directional image is drawn, and is located in an imaging field of the imaging part 22 inside the capsule medical device 2, as shown in FIG. The storage unit 42 is fixedly disposed. The image drawn on the image portion 42a is a pattern (pattern) that can easily define a predetermined reference direction such as the vertical direction of the drawing surface. For example, the image is a striped pattern as shown in FIG.

  Note that the striped pattern shown in FIG. 8 is an example of an image drawn on the image part 42a, and the image of the image part 42a is other than the striped pattern as long as it can easily define a reference direction such as the vertical direction. Desired patterns (patterns), desired symbols, numbers, letters, etc., or a combination of these may be used.

  The magnet characteristic measuring unit 43 includes the magnetic moment of the magnet 27, the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2, and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 as the characteristics of the magnet 27 incorporated in the capsule medical device 2. Measure the relative angular deviation of. Specifically, the magnet characteristic measurement unit 43 measures the characteristic of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 rotatably supported by the storage unit 42 via the package 3 and is shown in FIG. As described above, the magnetization direction control unit 14 exemplified in the first embodiment and the magnetic moment measuring unit 34, the drive system 35, and the rail 36 exemplified in the second embodiment are provided. Further, the magnet characteristic measurement unit 43 includes an image acquisition unit 44 that acquires an image captured by the imaging unit 22, and an angle measurement unit 45 that measures an angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. With.

  The image acquisition unit 44 includes a reception antenna 44a, and transmits and receives image data to and from the capsule medical device 2 via the reception antenna 44a. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 44 receives an image (that is, an image of the image unit 42a) captured by the imaging unit 22 of the capsule medical device 2 inside the package 3 stored in the storage unit 42 via the reception antenna 44a. Receive. Based on the control of the control unit 47, the image acquisition unit 44 captures an image when the imaging unit 22 captures the image unit 42a in a manner in which the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the reference direction of the image unit 42a match (hereinafter referred to as an image). And an image when the imaging unit 22 images the image unit 42a in a manner in which the reference direction of the image unit 42a matches the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 (hereinafter referred to as a relative image). The image acquisition unit 44 transmits the reference image and the relative image acquired from the capsule medical device 2 to the angle measurement unit 45.

  The angle measurement unit 45 measures the angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 based on the reference image and the relative image received from the image acquisition unit 44 based on the control of the control unit 47. To do. Here, the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 is, for example, the vertical direction of the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging element 22b (see FIG. 2) described above. In this case, the vertical direction of the image captured by the imaging unit 22 is defined by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22. The angle formed between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 is a relative angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. One. The angle measurement unit 45 transmits the measurement result of the angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 to the control unit 47.

  On the other hand, in the magnet characteristic measuring unit 43, the magnetization direction control unit 14 includes the magnetic field generating coil 14a, the signal generating unit 14b, and the driving unit 14c as described above. As described above, the magnetization direction control unit 14 applies the guiding magnetic field M1 to the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2, and changes the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 relative to the storage unit 42. Thus, the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 is controlled in a desired direction.

  Similarly to the case of the second embodiment described above, the drive system 35 travels along the rail 36 with the measurement element 34b mounted, and moves around the storage unit 42 around the capsule medical device 2. Rotate. The magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a sequentially measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage unit 42 through the measuring element 34b, and the maximum value among the obtained measured values of each magnetic flux density is used as the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27. Obtained as the measured value. The magnetic moment calculation unit 13 b calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 using the measured value of the residual magnetic flux density, and transmits the calculated value of the magnetic moment to the control unit 47.

  The magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a does not sequentially measure the magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 around the storage unit 42, but the residual magnetic flux of the magnet 27 via the measuring element 34b positioned in the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. The density may be measured directly. In this case, the drive system 35 travels on the rail 36 based on the control of the control unit 47 and moves the measuring element 34 b to a position in the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. The magnetic flux density measurement unit 34 a is configured to use the measurement value of the magnetic flux density acquired through the measurement element 34 b positioned in the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 based on the control of the control unit 47 as the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27. To do.

  The control unit 47 controls the guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetization direction control unit 14 so that the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the reference direction of the image unit 42a coincide. In this case, the control unit 47 acquires the image data (that is, the image of the image unit 42a captured by the imaging unit 22) from the image unit acquisition unit 44 via the angle measurement unit 45, and is set in advance as the acquired image data. The reference image data is compared. The control unit 47 controls the magnetic field strength or the magnetization direction of the guidance magnetic field M1 so that the acquired image data and the reference image data coincide with each other, and thereby, the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the reference direction of the image unit 42a. To match. Further, the control unit 47 sets the reference direction of the image unit 42a in advance, and controls the magnetic field strength or the magnetization direction of the guidance magnetic field M1 so that the reference direction of the image unit 42a and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 coincide with each other. .

  In addition, the control unit 47 controls the image acquisition unit 44 to sequentially acquire images captured by the imaging unit 22 from the capsule medical device 2 via the reception antenna 44a, and the reference image acquired by the image acquisition unit 44 and The angle measuring unit 45 is controlled so as to measure (calculate) an angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 based on the relative image. The control unit 47 controls the image acquisition unit 44 and the angle measurement unit 45 to measure the angle between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27, that is, the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnet 27. A measured value of the amount of angular deviation relative to the magnetization direction is acquired.

  Further, the control unit 47 controls the magnetic moment measuring unit 34 and the drive system 35 so as to measure the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 as described above. In this case, the control unit 47 may control the magnetic moment measurement unit 34 and the drive system 35 in the same manner as the control unit 37 of the inspection apparatus 31 according to the second embodiment described above, or on the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. The magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a is controlled so as to control the drive system 35 so as to move the measuring element 34b to a position and to measure the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 via the measuring element 34b positioned in the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. You may control.

  The control unit 47 includes an operation condition setting unit 46 instead of the operation condition setting unit 12 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The operating condition setting unit 46 acquires the measurement result of the angle measurement unit 45 and also acquires the acquired measurement result (specifically, the measured value of the angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27). And the magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic induction device 104 is set. This magnetization direction correction condition is for correcting the relative angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2 magnetically guided by the magnetic guidance device 104 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. This is an operating condition. The control unit 47 controls the display unit 8 to display the magnetization direction correction condition set by the operation condition setting unit 46 as one of the operation conditions of the magnetic induction device 104, and this magnetization direction correction condition is magnetically displayed. The output unit 9 is controlled to output to the guidance device 104.

  The magnetic guidance control unit 104d (see FIG. 3) of the magnetic guidance device 104 that has acquired such a magnetization direction correction condition, the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2 introduced into the subject and the magnetization of the magnet 27. The capsule type inside the subject is corrected while correcting the angle deviation from the direction, that is, the angle direction between the reference direction of the in-vivo image of the subject imaged by the imaging unit (for example, the vertical direction on the screen) and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. Control the magnetic guidance of the medical device. Accordingly, the magnetic guidance control unit 104d can match the vertical and horizontal directions of the in-vivo image on the screen with the vertical and horizontal directions of the magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2.

  The control unit 47 has the same control function as the control unit 11 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, except for the control function of the magnet specific measurement unit 43. The operation condition setting unit 46 includes the above-described magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a and frequency calculation unit 12b, and the magnetic field strength condition of the magnetic induction device 104 and the operation condition setting unit 12 illustrated in the first and second embodiments. The frequency condition of the position detection device 105 is set.

  Next, the operation of the inspection apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in which the inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention measures an angle between the reference direction of the magnet inside the capsule medical device and the reference direction of the imaging unit. Hereinafter, the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 will be exemplified with reference to FIG. The operation of the inspection apparatus 41 when measuring the angle θ formed by will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the capsule medical device 2 in the package 3 stored in the storage unit 42 is switched to a power-on state by a magnetic field or an optical signal applied by a predetermined external device. The capsule medical device 2 captures an image of the image unit 42a by the imaging unit 22, and wirelessly transmits the obtained image to the outside by the transmission unit 24 (see FIG. 2) each time.

  In such a state, the control unit 47 of the inspection apparatus 41 controls the image acquisition unit 44 and the angle measurement unit 45 to sequentially acquire images of the image unit 42a by the imaging unit 22. The control unit 47 controls the guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetization direction control unit 14 so that the acquired image data matches the reference image data. In this case, the magnetization direction control unit 14 applies the guidance magnetic field M1 to the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 so that the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 matches the reference direction (vertical direction) of the image unit 42a. Let The imaging unit 22 captures the image of the image unit 42a (that is, the reference image P1) in a manner in which the reference direction F1 and the reference direction of the image unit 42a are matched. The image acquisition unit 44 acquires the reference image P1 obtained by the imaging unit 22 from the capsule medical device 2 via the reception antenna 44a, and transmits the acquired reference image P1 to the angle measurement unit 45. Note that the vertical direction of the reference image P1 coincides with the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 47 controls the guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetization direction control unit 14 so that the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 coincides with the reference direction of the image unit 42a. In this case, the magnetization direction control unit 14 applies the guiding magnetic field M1 to the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2, and matches the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 with the reference direction of the image unit 42a. Here, when the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 is rotationally shifted relative to the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27, the imaging unit 22 has a magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 and a reference direction of the image unit 42a. The image of the image part 42a (that is, the relative image P2) is picked up in a consistent manner, that is, an aspect that is inclined (rotated) by the angle θ with respect to the reference direction of the image part 42a. The image acquisition unit 44 acquires the relative image P2 obtained by the imaging unit 22 from the capsule medical device 2 via the reception antenna 44a, and transmits the acquired relative image P2 to the angle measurement unit 45. Note that the vertical direction of the relative image P2 coincides with the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 as shown in FIG.

  The angle measurement unit 45 measures the angle θ formed by the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 based on the reference image P1 and the relative image P2 acquired from the image acquisition unit 44 as described above. To do. Specifically, the angle measurement unit 45 calculates an angle formed by the stripe pattern of the reference image P1 and the stripe pattern of the relative image P2. Here, when the reference image P1 and the relative image P2 are superimposed, the striped pattern of the relative image P2 is inclined relative to the striped pattern of the reference image P1 indicated by the oblique lines in FIG. The angle formed by the reference image P1 and the relative image P2 is an angle θ formed by the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27. The angle measurement unit 45 measures an angle θ formed by the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 by calculating an angle formed by the reference image P1 and the relative image P2. The angle measurement unit 45 transmits the measured value of the angle θ to the control unit 47.

  The control unit 47 acquires the measurement result (angle θ) of the angle measurement unit 45 as a relative angular deviation amount between the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27. As described above, the operating condition setting unit 46 sets the magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic induction device 104 based on the angle θ that is the measurement result of the angle measuring unit 45. The control unit 47 calculates the magnetic moment using the measurement value of the magnetic flux density measurement unit 34a at the timing when the measurement element 34b is positioned on the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 (that is, the measurement value of the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27). The magnetic moment calculated by the unit 13 b is acquired as a measured magnetic moment value of the magnet 27.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, an image portion on which a directional image is drawn is fixedly arranged in a storage portion that rotatably stores a capsule medical device to be examined, and this capsule The reference image, which is an image when the image pickup unit picks up the image portion in a manner in which the reference direction of the image pickup portion inside the medical device matches the reference direction of the image portion, and the reference direction of the image portion and the capsule medical device The imaging unit acquires a relative image that is an image when the imaging unit images the image unit in a mode in which the magnetization directions of the internal magnets coincide with each other, and based on the acquired reference image and the relative image, The angle between the reference direction and the magnetization direction of the magnet is measured, and the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet is measured when the measuring element is moved to a position in the magnetization direction of the magnet by the drive system. Other than the first embodiment It was constructed as. For this reason, in addition to the magnetic moment of the magnet described above, the relative angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit in the capsule medical device and the magnetization direction of the magnet can be measured. And an inspection apparatus capable of inspecting the relative angular deviation between the vertical direction of the image captured by the imaging unit in the capsule medical apparatus and the magnetization direction of the magnet while enjoying the same operational effects as in the above case. it can.

  By using the inspection device according to the third embodiment, the user corrects the relative angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit and the magnetization direction of the magnet when the capsule medical device is magnetically guided. The magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic induction device can be confirmed by the display information on the display unit, whereby the magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic induction device can be initially set. As a result, the magnetic guidance device is capable of shifting the angle between the reference direction (for example, the vertical direction on the screen) of the in-vivo image of the subject imaged by the imaging unit inside the capsule medical device introduced into the subject and the magnetization direction of the magnet. It is possible to accurately magnetically guide the capsule medical device inside the subject in response to the operation instruction while correcting the above.

  Further, since the magnetization direction correction condition is transmitted to the magnetic guidance device by the output unit, the initial magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic guidance device when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device inside the subject is easy. Can be set. As a result, it is possible to easily realize a magnetic guidance system that improves the ease of operation when magnetically guiding the capsule medical device inside the subject.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described third embodiment, the relative angle between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 based on the reference image and the relative image captured by the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2. Although the amount of deviation is measured, in the fourth embodiment, the angle formed between the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 and the reference direction of the image part 42a when the image pickup part 22 picks up the reference image is used as the reference of the image pickup part 22. This is measured as a relative angular deviation between the direction and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the inspection apparatus 51 according to the fourth embodiment includes a magnet characteristic measurement unit 53 instead of the magnet characteristic measurement unit 43 of the inspection apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment described above, and includes a control unit 47. Instead of this, a control unit 57 is provided. In the inspection device 51, the magnet characteristic measurement unit 53 does not include the angle measurement unit 45 described above, and the image acquisition unit 44 uses the imaging unit 22 from the capsule medical device 2 based on the control of the control unit 57. Image data is acquired, and the acquired image data is transmitted to the control unit 57 each time. The storage unit 10 is reference image data obtained when the imaging unit 22 images the image unit 42a in a manner in which the reference direction (for example, the vertical direction) of the image unit 42a and the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 match. Certain reference image information 10c is further stored. The magnetic guidance system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes an inspection device 51 instead of the inspection device 41 of the magnetic guidance system according to the third embodiment described above. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The magnet characteristic measurement unit 53 does not include the angle measurement unit 45 described above, measures the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 as the characteristic of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, and the image acquisition unit 44 uses the capsule medical device 2. Image data obtained by the internal imaging unit 22 is acquired. In this case, as described above, the image acquisition unit 44 acquires the image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 from the capsule medical device 2 based on the control of the control unit 57, and the acquired image data is transmitted to the control unit 57 each time. Send to. Except for this, the magnet property measuring unit 53 has the same function as the magnet property measuring unit 43 of the inspection apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment described above.

  The control unit 57 controls the image acquisition unit 44 to acquire image data from the imaging unit 22 from the capsule medical device 2, and sequentially acquires image data from the imaging unit 22 via the image acquisition unit 44. The control unit 57 reads the reference image information 10c from the storage unit 10, and the magnetization direction control unit so that the reference image information 10c and the acquired image data from the image acquisition unit 44 (that is, image data by the imaging unit 22) match. 14 induction magnetic fields M1 are controlled. In this case, the control unit 57 controls the magnetic field strength or the magnetization direction of the guidance magnetic field M1 so that the reference image information 10c and the acquired image data match, thereby the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the image unit 42a. To match the reference direction.

  The control unit 57 includes an operation condition setting unit 56 instead of the operation condition setting unit 46 of the inspection apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment. The operating condition setting unit 56 includes the above-described magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a and frequency calculation unit 12b, and further includes an angle calculation unit 56c. The angle calculation unit 56c is preset with the reference direction of the image unit 42a, and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 and the reference direction of the image unit 42a when the imaging unit 22 captures an image that matches the reference image information 10c, that is, the reference image. The angle formed by is calculated. Here, in a state where the imaging unit 22 has captured the reference image of the image unit 42a, the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 matches the reference direction (for example, the vertical direction) of the image unit 42a. That is, the angle calculated by the angle calculation unit 56 c is an angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27, and the relative angle between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27. The amount of deviation. The operating condition setting unit 56 is based on the calculation result of the angle calculation unit 56c (that is, the angle formed by the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27), and the magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic induction device 104 described above. Set.

  The control unit 57 has the same control function as the control unit 47 of the inspection apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment described above, except for the control function of the image acquisition unit 44 described above. The operating condition setting unit 56 is the above-described embodiment except for the function of calculating the relative angle deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 (that is, the function of the angle calculation unit 56c). 3 has the same function as the operation condition setting unit 46 of the inspection apparatus 41 according to No. 3.

  Next, the operation of the inspection apparatus 51 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation when the inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention calculates an angle between the reference direction of the magnet inside the capsule medical device and the reference direction of the imaging unit. is there. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 are exemplified by the case where the reference direction of the image unit 42a is the vertical direction of the image. The operation of the inspection apparatus 51 when measuring the angle θ formed by will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the capsule medical device 2 in the package 3 stored in the storage unit 42 is switched to a power-on state by a magnetic field or an optical signal applied by a predetermined external device. The capsule medical device 2 captures an image of the image unit 42a by the imaging unit 22, and wirelessly transmits the obtained image to the outside by the transmission unit 24 (see FIG. 2) each time.

  In such a state, the control unit 57 of the inspection apparatus 51 controls the image acquisition unit 44 to sequentially acquire images of the image unit 42a by the imaging unit 22. The control unit 57 reads the reference image information 10c from the storage unit 10, and compares the read reference image information 10c with the image acquired from the image acquisition unit 44 (the image of the image unit 42a captured by the imaging unit 22). To do.

  Here, when the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 is relatively inclined with respect to the reference direction F11 (vertical direction) of the image unit 42a as shown in FIG. 11, the imaging unit 22 uses the reference direction of the image unit 42a. An image (hereinafter referred to as a rotated image) P11 of the image portion 42a is captured in a manner that is rotated relative to the direction F11. The control unit 57 acquires the rotated image P11 from the imaging unit 22 via the image acquisition unit 44, and compares the acquired rotated image P11 with the reference image information 10c. Since the rotated image P11 does not match the reference image information 10c, the control unit 57 determines the magnetic field strength or the magnetization direction of the guiding magnetic field M1 based on the relative angular deviation between the rotated image P11 and the reference image information 10c. Thus, the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 and the reference direction F11 of the image unit 42a are made to coincide with each other.

  In this way, in a state where the reference direction F1 of the imaging unit 22 and the reference direction F11 of the image unit 42a match (see FIG. 11), the imaging unit 22 matches the reference image information 10c, that is, the reference image of the image unit 42a. Image P12. In this state, the control unit 57 of the inspection apparatus 51 acquires the reference image P12 from the imaging unit 22 via the image acquisition unit 44, and compares the acquired reference image P12 with the reference image information 10c. Since the reference image P12 coincides with the reference image information 10c, the control unit 57 uses the control information of the guidance magnetic field M1 at the time when the reference image P12 is imaged by the imaging unit 22, and the magnet 27 at this time. The magnetization direction F2 is acquired.

  In such an inspection apparatus 51, the angle calculation unit 56c determines the angle θ formed by the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 and the reference direction F11 of the image unit 42a when the imaging unit 22 captures the reference image P12. It is calculated as an angle formed by the direction F1 and the magnetization direction F2 of the magnet 27 (that is, a relative angular deviation between the reference direction F1 and the magnetization direction F2). As described above, the operation condition setting unit 56 sets the magnetization direction correction condition of the magnetic induction device 104 based on the angle θ which is the calculation result of the angle calculation unit 56c.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the capsule is so arranged that the image data obtained by the imaging unit in the capsule medical device capturing the image unit matches the reference image information of the image unit. The magnetization direction of the magnet inside the medical device is controlled, and the angle formed between the magnetization direction of the magnet and the reference direction of the image unit when the imaging unit captures the reference image of the image unit is referred to as the reference direction of the imaging unit. The relative angular deviation with respect to the magnetizing direction of the magnet is calculated, and the others are configured in the same manner as in the third embodiment. For this reason, the inspection apparatus which enjoys the same effect as the case of Embodiment 3 mentioned above is realizable with a simple apparatus structure.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 is calculated using the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, but in this fifth embodiment, the capsule medical device 2 is compared with the capsule medical device 2. The magnetic torque generated when the magnetic field is applied is measured, and the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 is measured based on the measurement result of the magnetic torque.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an inspection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the inspection apparatus 61 according to the fifth embodiment includes a storage section 62 instead of the storage section 4 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and replaces the magnet characteristic measurement section 5. The magnet characteristic measuring unit 63 is provided, and a control unit 67 is provided instead of the control unit 11. In such an inspection apparatus 61, the magnet characteristic measuring unit 63 includes a magnetic moment measuring unit 66 instead of the magnetic moment measuring unit 13 in the first embodiment described above. Further, the magnetic moment measuring unit 66 is based on the magnetic torque measuring unit 64 that measures the magnetic torque generated when a magnetic field is applied to the capsule medical device 2 and the measurement result of the magnetic torque measuring unit 64. And a magnetic moment calculator 65 for calculating the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2. In addition, the magnetic guidance system concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention is provided with the test | inspection apparatus 61 instead of the test | inspection apparatus 1 of the magnetic guidance system 101 (refer FIG. 3) concerning Embodiment 1 mentioned above. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  The storage unit 62 functions as a support unit that supports the capsule medical device 2 to be examined. Specifically, the storage portion 62 is formed with a recess having a shape that engages with the outer shape of the package 3 while defining the direction of the package 3. The storage portion 62 includes a support portion 62a that can be inserted and removed by a spring or the like on one of the two wall portions where the central axis CL1 of the package 3 fitted in the recess is located, and the central shaft on the other side. A through hole parallel to CL1 is formed. The measuring element 64a of the magnetic torque measuring unit 64 is rotatably inserted into the through hole of the storage unit 62. The storage portion 62 rotatably supports the package 3 fitted in the recess by the support portion 62a and a bearing structure. That is, the storage unit 62 stores the capsule medical device 2 while rotatably supporting the capsule medical device 2 via the package 3.

  The magnet property measuring unit 63 measures the property of the magnet 27 built in the capsule medical device 2. Specifically, the magnet characteristic measuring unit 63 measures a magnetic moment, which is an example of the characteristic of the magnet 27, and applies a guiding magnetic field M1 to the capsule medical device 2 as shown in FIG. And a magnetic moment measuring unit 66 that measures the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 based on the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 generated by the action of the guidance magnetic field M1.

  The magnetic moment measuring unit 66 measures the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 through the measurement of the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2, and is generated by the action of the guiding magnetic field M1 by the magnetization direction control unit 14. A magnetic torque measuring unit 64 that measures the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 and a magnetic moment calculating unit 65 that calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 based on the measurement result of the magnetic torque measuring unit 64 are provided.

  The magnetic torque measurement unit 64 includes a measurement element 64a that is inserted into the through hole of the storage unit 62 described above, and measures the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 via the measurement element 64a. Specifically, the measurement element 64 a is rotatably inserted into the through hole of the storage portion 62 and is detachably inserted into the recess at the end of the package 3. As a result, the measuring element 64 a is fixed relative to the package 3. The magnetic torque measurement unit 64 rotatably supports the measurement element 64a, and the central axis together with the capsule medical device 2 by the action of the torque applied to the measurement element 64a, that is, the guidance magnetic field M1 of the magnetization direction control unit 14. The torque of the package 3 that rotates about CL1 is measured. The capsule medical device 2 is fixed relatively to the package 3. Therefore, the torque of the package 3 measured by the magnetic torque measuring unit 64 is the torque of the capsule medical device 2 that is rotated by the action of the guiding magnetic field M1 of the magnetization direction control unit 14, and the inside of the capsule medical device 2 It is equivalent to the magnetic torque of the magnet 27. The magnetic torque measurement unit 64 transmits the measurement result of the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 to the magnetic moment calculation unit 65.

  The magnetic moment calculation unit 65 calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 based on the measurement result of the magnetic torque measurement unit 64. Specifically, the magnetic moment calculation unit 65 acquires the magnetic torque measurement value of the magnet 27 in the capsule medical device 2 from the magnetic torque measurement unit 64 described above. Further, the magnetic moment calculation unit 65 obtains the magnetic field strength at the time of measuring the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 from the control unit 67. The magnetic field strength at the time of the magnetic torque measurement is the magnetic field strength of the guidance magnetic field M1 applied to the capsule medical device 2 by the magnetization direction control unit 14 when the magnetic torque measurement unit 64 measures the magnetic torque of the magnet 27. is there. The magnetic moment calculation unit 65 divides the magnetic torque measurement value of the magnet 27 by the magnetic field strength at the time of measuring the magnetic torque, and thereby calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet 27. The magnetic moment calculator 65 transmits the calculated value of the magnetic moment to the controller 67 as a measured value of the magnetic moment of the magnet 27.

  In the magnet characteristic measuring unit 63, the magnetization direction control unit 14 generates a guidance magnetic field M1 that is a rotating magnetic field having a predetermined magnetic field intensity based on the control of the control unit 67, and the generated guidance magnetic field M1. Is applied to the capsule medical device 2. In this case, the guidance magnetic field M1, which is such a rotating magnetic field, acts on the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 to rotate the package 3 together with the capsule medical device 2 about the central axis CL1. As a result, the magnetic torque of the package 3, that is, the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 is generated.

  The control unit 67 generates a rotating magnetic field (guidance magnetic field M1) having a predetermined magnetic field intensity capable of rotating the package 3 together with the capsule medical device 2 around the central axis CL1. The signal generator 14b) is controlled, and the magnetic torque measuring unit 64 is controlled so as to measure the magnetic torque of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 generated by the action of the guiding magnetic field M1. Further, the control unit 67 controls the magnetic moment calculation unit 65 so as to calculate the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 based on the measurement result of the magnetic torque measurement unit 64, and thereby the magnetic moment calculation unit 65 to the magnet 27. Get a measurement of the magnetic moment of. The control unit 67 has the same functions as those of the control unit 11 of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, except for the control functions of the magnetization direction control unit 14, the magnetic torque measurement unit 64, and the magnetic moment calculation unit 65. Have.

  Here, as one of the characteristics of the magnet 27, the control unit 67, in addition to the measured value of the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 by the magnetic moment measuring unit 66, the measurement result of the magnetic torque measuring unit 64, that is, a predetermined value. You may further acquire the magnetic torque measurement value of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 when a rotating magnetic field having a magnetic field strength is applied. Such a magnetic torque measurement value may be used as a parameter of the magnetic field strength calculation processing by the magnetic field strength calculation unit 12a described above, or the magnetic guidance device by the output unit 9 as a reference parameter at the time of magnetic guidance of the capsule medical device 2. 104 may be transmitted.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the magnetization direction control unit applies a rotating magnetic field having a predetermined magnetic field strength to the capsule medical device to be examined, and the magnetic torque measuring unit uses the rotating magnetic field. The magnetic torque of the magnet inside the capsule medical device generated by the action is measured, and the magnetic moment calculation unit calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet inside the capsule medical device based on the measurement result of the magnetic torque measurement unit. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. For this reason, while enjoying the effect similar to the case of Embodiment 1 mentioned above, as a characteristic of the magnet inside a capsule medical device, the magnetism of the capsule medical device when a rotating magnetic field having a predetermined magnetic field strength is applied. An inspection apparatus capable of further measuring torque can be realized.

  In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the capsule medical device stored in the package is inspected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the capsule medical device taken out of the package is stored in the storage unit. You may test | inspect the capsule type medical device of the aspect directly supported by this accommodating part.

  In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the operating condition information such as the magnetic field strength condition and the frequency condition set by the operating condition setting unit is transmitted to the magnetic induction device and the position detection device via the output unit, respectively. In this way, each of the magnetic guidance device and the position detection device sets initial operating conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operating conditions of the magnetic guidance device set by the operating condition setting unit are displayed on the display unit. The user may initially set the operating condition of the magnetic guidance device by inputting the display information of the display unit to the magnetic guidance device, or the position detection device set by the operating condition setting unit. The operation condition of the position detection device may be initially set by displaying the operation condition on the display unit and the user inputting display information on the display unit to the position detection device.

  Furthermore, in the above-described Embodiments 2 to 4, the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a is configured to move the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 via the measurement element 34b that rotates about the capsule medical device 2 by the drive system 35. Although the residual magnetic flux density was measured, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of rotating the measuring element 34b of the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a, the rotating magnetic field of the above-described magnetization direction control unit 14 or the like is applied inside the capsule medical device 2. The capsule medical device 2 may be rotated one or more times by acting on the magnet 27, and the magnetic flux density measuring unit of the inspection device according to the present invention can measure the magnetic flux of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 in the rotated state. The density may be measured sequentially, and the maximum value among the obtained magnetic flux densities may be measured as the residual magnetic flux density of the magnet 27.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1-5 mentioned above, the magnet 27 is set inside the capsule type casing 20 as an inspection target of the inspection apparatus according to the present invention in a mode in which the radial direction and the magnetization direction of the capsule type casing 20 are matched. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the capsule medical device to be inspected by the inspection device according to the present invention has a capsule with a magnetization direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the capsule housing. The capsule medical device may include a magnet in a manner in which the magnetization direction is matched with a desired relative direction with respect to the mold housing. In this case, the rotation center of the capsule medical device to be examined is not limited to the longitudinal axis of the capsule housing, and the magnetization direction of the built-in magnet may be the rotation center.

  Further, in Embodiments 2 to 4 described above, the measuring element 34b of the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a is rotated about the central axis CL1 of the package 3, but this is not limiting, and the measurement of the magnetic flux density measuring unit 34a is performed. The element 34b may be rotated about a desired axis as long as it is a trajectory passing through a position in the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 to be examined.

  Moreover, although Embodiment 1-5 mentioned above illustrated the capsule type medical device 2 which images the in-vivo image of a subject as a capsule type medical device which is a test object of the test | inspection apparatus concerning this invention, it is not restricted to this. Of course, the capsule medical device that is the subject of inspection only needs to have at least one magnet (magnetic material) for enabling magnetic guidance by the magnetic guidance device, and is a capsule that measures the pH value in the living body. PH-type pH measuring device, capsule-type drug administration device having a function of spraying or injecting a drug into a living body, or capsule-type sampling device for collecting a substance in a living body Also good. Furthermore, the capsule medical device that is the inspection target of the inspection devices according to the first, second, and fifth embodiments described above may not have a built-in imaging function.

  Furthermore, in the first and third embodiments described above, the magnetization of the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 is performed by the magnetization direction control unit 14 including the magnetic field generating coil 14a (that is, an electromagnet) that generates a magnetic field by supplying power. Although the direction is controlled, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a permanent magnet may be brought close to the magnet 27 inside the capsule medical device 2 to be examined, and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 may be controlled by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. .

  In Embodiment 3 described above, the angle measurement unit 45 calculates the angle between the reference image acquired by the image acquisition unit 44 from the capsule medical device 2 and the relative image, so that the inside of the capsule medical device 2 Although the amount of angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 is measured, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the storage unit 10 stores in advance reference image data that is image data that can be imaged in a manner in which the imaging unit 22 matches its own reference direction with the reference direction of the image unit 42a. The angle measurement unit 45 acquires the reference image data in the storage unit 10 from the control unit 47. The angle measurement unit 45 acquires the above-described relative image data from the image acquisition unit 44, the acquired data from the image acquisition unit 44 (that is, image data captured by the imaging unit 22), and a preset reference image. The angle formed by the data may be calculated, and thereby the amount of angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 inside the capsule medical device 2 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 may be measured.

  Furthermore, in the above-described fifth embodiment, the magnetic moment of the magnet 27 is calculated based on the measured magnetic torque value of the magnet 27. However, as illustrated in the third and fourth embodiments, the capsule The amount of angular deviation between the reference direction of the imaging unit 22 inside the medical device 2 and the magnetization direction of the magnet 27 may be measured. That is, it may be an inspection apparatus in which Embodiment 3 or 4 and Embodiment 5 described above are appropriately combined. In this case, the inspection apparatus 61 according to the fifth embodiment may include an image unit 42a, an image acquisition unit 44, an angle measurement unit 45, an operation condition setting unit 46, and the like as in the third embodiment. As in the fourth embodiment, the image unit 42a, the image acquisition unit 44, the operation condition setting unit 56, and the like may be provided.

It is a block diagram showing typically one example of composition of an inspection device concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows one structural example of the capsule type medical device which is a test object of the test | inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a magnetic induction system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state which the test | inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention measures the magnetic moment of the magnet inside a capsule type medical device. It is a block diagram which shows typically the example of 1 structure of the inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state which the test | inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention measures the magnetic moment of the magnet inside a capsule type medical device. It is a block diagram which shows typically the example of 1 structure of the inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the image drawn on the image part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the operation | movement which the test | inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention measures the angle which the reference direction of the magnet inside a capsule type medical device and the reference direction of an imaging part make. It is a block diagram which shows typically the example of 1 structure of the inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement when the test | inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention calculates the angle which the reference direction of the magnet inside a capsule type medical device and the reference direction of an imaging part make. It is a block diagram which shows typically the example of 1 structure of the inspection apparatus concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 31, 41, 51, 61 Inspection device 2 Capsule type medical device 3 Package 4, 32, 42, 62 Storage unit 5, 33, 43, 53, 63 Magnet characteristic measurement unit 6 Resonance characteristic measurement unit 7 Input unit 8 Display Unit 9 output unit 10 storage unit 10a magnet volume information 10b magnetic torque information 10c reference image information 11, 37, 47, 57, 67 control unit 12, 46, 56 operation condition setting unit 12a magnetic field strength calculation unit 12b frequency calculation unit 13, 34, 66 Magnetic moment measurement unit 13a, 34a Magnetic flux density measurement unit 13b, 65 Magnetic moment calculation unit 14 Magnetization direction control unit 14a Magnetic field generation coil 14b Signal generation unit 14c Drive unit 15 Magnetic field generation unit 15a Magnetic field generation coil 15b Signal generation unit 15c Drive unit 16 Inductive magnetic field measurement unit 16a Magnetic field sensor 16b Inductive magnetic field calculation unit 20 units Cell type casing 20a Cylindrical casing 20b Dome-shaped casing 21 Illuminating section 22 Imaging section 22a Optical system 22b Solid-state imaging device 23 Signal processing section 24 Transmitting section 24a Antenna 25 Control section 26 Power supply section 27 Magnet 28 Resonance circuit 34b Measuring element 35 Drive system 36 Rail 42a Image unit 44 Image acquisition unit 44a Reception antenna 45 Angle measurement unit 56c Angle calculation unit 62a Support unit 64 Magnetic torque measurement unit 64a Measurement element 101 Magnetic induction system 103 Reception device 103a Reception antenna 104 Magnetic induction device 104a Guidance Magnetic field generation unit 104b Coil power supply unit 104c Operation unit 104d Magnetic induction control unit 105 Position detection device 105a Detection magnetic field generation unit 105b Coil power supply unit 105c Magnetic field detection unit 105d Position detection control unit 105e Position calculation unit 106 Display device CL1, CL2 center axis F1, F11 reference direction F2 magnetization direction M1 guidance magnetic field M2 field P1, P12 reference image P2 relative image P11 rotated image

Claims (17)

In an inspection device for inspecting a capsule medical device including at least one magnet,
A magnet characteristic measuring unit for measuring the characteristics of the magnet ;
The magnet characteristic measuring unit is
A magnetic flux density measuring unit for measuring the magnetic flux density of the magnet;
A magnetic moment calculation unit for calculating a magnetic moment of the magnet based on the measurement result of the magnetic flux density measurement unit;
A rotational movement unit that fixes the measurement element of the magnetic flux density measurement unit and rotates with the measurement element around the capsule medical device;
Inspection apparatus characterized by comprising a. The magnetic flux density measuring unit sequentially measures the magnetic flux density of the magnet via the measuring element that rotates and moves together with the rotational movement unit,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic moment calculation unit calculates the magnetic moment of the magnet using a maximum value among the measured values of magnetic flux density by the magnetic flux density measurement unit. An image portion on which an image having directionality is drawn;
The capsule medical device is:
An imaging unit that captures an image of the image unit in a manner in which at least a reference direction of the image unit and a magnetization direction of the magnet coincide with each other;
A transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an image captured by the imaging unit to the outside;
With
The magnet characteristic measuring unit is
An image acquisition unit that acquires, from the transmission unit, image data when the imaging unit images the image unit in a manner in which a reference direction of the image unit and a magnetization direction of the magnet coincide with each other;
Based on the reference image data in which the reference direction of the imaging unit and the reference direction of the image unit match and the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit, the reference direction of the imaging unit and the magnetization direction of the magnet An angle measuring unit for measuring an angle formed by
Inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a. The magnetic characteristics measuring unit, the inspection according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field for rotating the capsule medical device by acting on the magnet apparatus. An image portion in which an image having directionality is drawn;
An angle measuring unit for measuring an angle formed by a magnetization direction of the magnet and a reference direction of the image unit;
With
The capsule medical device is:
An imaging unit for imaging at least an image of the image unit;
A transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an image captured by the imaging unit to the outside;
With
The magnet characteristic measurement unit includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the image unit captured by the imaging unit from the transmission unit,
The magnetic field generation unit generates a magnetic field for rotating the capsule medical device so that a reference direction of the image acquired by the image acquisition unit matches a reference direction of the image unit,
It said angle measuring unit, according to claim 4, characterized by measuring the angle between the magnetization direction and the reference direction of the image portion of the magnet coincides with the direction of the magnetic field the magnetic field generating unit is generated Inspection device. 5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a measurement direction of the magnetic flux density measurement unit is the same as a direction of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit. 5. The examination apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator is a magnetic field that rotates the capsule medical device one or more times. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit is the same direction as a reference direction of the image unit. A resonance characteristic measuring unit for measuring resonance characteristics of the capsule medical device;
The capsule medical device further includes a resonance circuit,
The resonance characteristic measuring section, the inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized by measuring the resonance characteristics of the capsule medical device by detecting the induced magnetic field from the resonant circuit. Inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that with a support portion for supporting the capsule medical device. The inspection apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the support unit rotatably supports the capsule medical device. The capsule medical device is housed in a package,
The supporting part, the inspection apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that for supporting the capsule medical device through the package. Inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a display unit for displaying the measured values of the magnetic characteristics measurement unit. A magnetic guidance device having a guidance magnetic field generator for generating a guidance magnetic field for guiding the capsule medical device introduced into the subject; and
A position detection device for detecting at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device inside the subject;
An inspection device for inspecting the capsule medical device comprising at least one magnet ;
With
The inspection device includes:
A magnet characteristic measuring unit for measuring the characteristics of the magnet;
An operation condition setting unit for setting an operation condition of the magnetic guidance device based on a measurement result of the magnet characteristics of the capsule medical device measured before being introduced into the subject ;
With
The position detection device includes:
A detection magnetic field generator for generating a detection magnetic field for the capsule medical device;
A magnetic field detector for detecting an induced magnetic field generated from a resonance circuit of the capsule medical device by the detection magnetic field;
A calculation unit that calculates at least one of the position and direction of the capsule medical device in the subject based on the detection result of the magnetic field detection unit;
With
The operation condition setting unit sets an operation condition of the position detection device based on a measurement result of a resonance characteristic of the capsule medical device measured before being introduced into the subject. system. The magnetic induction system according to claim 14 , wherein the operation condition setting unit sets a magnetic field strength condition of the guidance magnetic field generation unit. 16. The magnetic induction system according to claim 14, wherein the operation condition setting unit sets a frequency condition of the detection magnetic field generated by the detection magnetic field generation unit. The magnetic induction system according to claim 14 , further comprising a display unit that displays the operation condition set by the operation condition setting unit.

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