WO2011108179A1

WO2011108179A1 - Capsule drug delivery device

Info

Publication number: WO2011108179A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/000171
Authority: WO
Inventors: 山本　真嗣
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-03-01
Filing date: 2011-01-14
Publication date: 2011-09-09
Also published as: JP2011177339A

Abstract

The disclosed invention includes a drug agent retaining unit, an image capture unit, an image capture signal processing unit, a query information accumulation unit, a comparison unit, and a drug agent release unit, housed within a capsule that is capable of moving within a body cavity. The image capture unit is configured to be capable of photographing an original, query information concerning characteristics of an affected part being included therein, and generating a first image capture signal, prior to the ingestion of the capsule, as well as photographing the body cavity and photographing a second image capture signal after the ingestion of the capsule. The image capture signal processing unit respectively generates query information from the first image capture signal and image information from the second image capture signal. The comparison unit compares the query information and the image information. When the comparison determination result of the comparison unit denotes a match, the drug agent release unit releases the drug agent from the drug agent retaining unit.

Description

Capsule type dosing device

The present invention relates to a capsule-type dosing device that dispenses when it is orally injected and moves through a body cavity to reach the affected area, and includes a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus and dosing timing for specifying the affected area position in advance. The present invention relates to a technique for simplifying handling by eliminating the need for a patient-mounted extracorporeal device for determination and a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving verification information.

As a capsule-type dosing device that directly administers to the affected part in the body, the doctor specifies that the capsule position has been reached based on the information wirelessly transmitted from the orally-administered capsule to the extracorporeal device, and that the doctor has reached the affected part. It is known to give a medication instruction after confirmation and realize medication.

8A to 8D show an example of a conventional capsule dosing system (see Patent Document 1). The outline is as follows. The medication position specifying device 31 uses a medical diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT device, MRI, PET, an X-ray observation device, an ultrasonic observation device, and a bed 33 or a detector 33 for acquiring image information. have. Hereinafter, the medication operation by the medication position specifying device 31 will be described.

The patient P of the medication position specifying device 31 attaches the extracorporeal device 35 to the abdomen with a belt under the instruction of the doctor, attaches the three-dimensional marker 40 to the extracorporeal device 35, and lies on the bed 32. The doctor moves the bed 32 into a detector (gantry) 33 by a PC (personal computer) 34 and operates the detector 33 to perform X-ray imaging of the patient P. The image information obtained by photographing is taken into the PC 34 and subjected to predetermined processing, and then displayed on the display monitor 34a. In the displayed image, the

spherical bodies

44, 45, 46, and 47 of the three-dimensional marker 40 are also displayed. The doctor makes an in-vivo diagnosis based on the display image, identifies the affected part X and the position of the affected part X that require medication, and records the position information of the affected part X from the PC 34 to the memory 53 in the external device 35 attached to the patient. Let When the recording of the position information of the affected part X in the memory 53 is completed, the three-dimensional marker 40 is then removed from the extracorporeal device 35 and the patient P swallows the medication capsule 10. Thereafter, the patient P may leave the medical institution (however, the extracorporeal device 35 remains worn). The medication capsule 10 moves inside the body while transmitting radio waves to the outside by the information transmitting unit 12. The transmitted radio wave is received by the extracorporeal receiving unit 50 built in the extracorporeal device 35 attached to the patient and sent to the determining unit 51. The determination unit 51 calculates the position of the medication capsule 10 relative to the extracorporeal device 35 based on the reception level and reception direction of the transmitted radio wave, and is recorded in the memory 53 and the calculated location information of the medication capsule 10. The position information of the affected part X is compared, and if both match, a release signal is transmitted to the inside of the body via the extracorporeal transmission unit 52. The transmitted release signal is received by the receiving unit 15 in the medication capsule 10, and the medicine A in the reservoir 13 is released by the control unit 16. That is, the medicine A is released at the position of the affected part X specified by the specifying device 31, and the medicine is directly administered to the affected part X. Reference numeral 17 denotes a battery.

As another aspect, a capsule medication system shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is also disclosed. The patient P first undergoes endoscopy at a medical institution. The doctor makes a diagnosis based on the image obtained by the specifying device (endoscopic device) 100, and specifies the position of the affected part requiring medication. The PC 109 converts the image data of the specified affected part, and records the converted data in the intracapsule memory 131 of the medication capsule 130 by data transmission between the wireless transmission unit 136 and the intracapsule reception unit 135. The patient P then swallows the medication capsule 130. The patient may leave the medical facility after swallowing the capsule. The medication capsule 130 moves while imaging the patient's body by the imaging unit 91. The acquired captured image is sent to the capsule determination unit 133. The movement amount detection unit 132 sends the movement amount information to the in-capsule determination unit 133. The in-capsule determination unit 133 processes the movement amount information of the medication capsule 130 that has been sent. When the image captured by the imaging unit 91 is similar to the image in the in-capsule memory 131, the determination unit 133 determines that the medication capsule 130 has reached the vicinity of the affected part, and notifies the control unit 16 In response to this, the control unit 16 releases the medicine A. Since the release of the medicine is controlled inside the medication capsule 130, the patient P does not need to wear an extracorporeal device, and the patient P has a high degree of freedom. 92 is an objective lens, 93 is an image sensor, and 94 is an LED for illumination.

JP 2005-334331 A

In the case of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, a CT (Computer Tomography), an X-ray observation apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance) are used as a dosing position specifying device 31 for specifying in advance a position where a drug should be administered in the body of a patient. Imaging, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), ultrasonic tomographic observation apparatus, endoscope apparatus, and other medical diagnostic apparatuses are used. However, these apparatuses are too large and have difficulty in use. In addition, since the patient is fixed to a bed or the like provided in the medical diagnosis apparatus, a heavy burden is imposed. In particular, when it takes a long time for the capsule to reach the affected area, the burden is large.

In the case of the conventional example of FIGS. 9A and 9B, a large-scale endoscope apparatus is still necessary for specifying the position of the affected area. The endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope apparatus main body 101, a body cavity insertion section 102, an image acquisition apparatus 103, an operation section 104, a light source apparatus 105, an image processor apparatus 106, a display monitor 107, a mouthpiece 108, and an insertion amount detection. This is a large-scale device including a device 108a, a PC (personal computer) 109, and a wireless transmission unit 136. The medication capsule 130 also has a complicated structure such as the capsule determination unit 133, the capsule reception unit 135, the capsule memory 131, the movement amount detection unit 132, the timer circuit 134, the movement distance measurement unit 111, and the integration unit 137. is doing.

In the conventional example of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the image information serving as a comparison reference is transferred and stored in the in-capsule memory 131, so that the extracorporeal device may be removed, and the burden on the patient is reduced. However, in order to transfer to the in-capsule memory 131, it is necessary to provide the wireless transmission unit 136 in the medication position specifying device 100 and to provide the in-capsule reception unit 135 in the medication capsule 130. That is, the structure is large and the operational burden is large.

8A to 8D is a combination of units each provided with the medication position specifying device 31, the PC 34, the extracorporeal device 35, the three-dimensional marker 40, and the medication capsule 10 independently. The conventional example of FIG. 9 is a combination of units each provided independently of the endoscope apparatus 100, the PC 109, the wireless transmission unit 136, and the medication capsule 130. All of the conventional examples are called “capsule dosing systems” and are literally systems. The system exchanges information through a complicated route.

The present invention has been created in view of such circumstances, and includes a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus for specifying an affected part position and storing the specified affected part position in a capsule, and an extracorporeal apparatus for determining a medication timing. An object of the present invention is to provide a capsule-type dosing device that can be made unnecessary, simplify handling, and simplify the internal structure of the capsule.

The present invention solves the above problems by taking the following measures.

<< 1 >> The capsule-type dosing device according to the present invention has the following components. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 1 in the case of Example 1 described later.

The present invention
It is equipped with a capsule that can be moved through the body cavity that is orally injected to reach the affected area in the body,
The capsule includes a drug holding unit, an imaging unit, an imaging signal processing unit, a collation information storage unit, a comparison unit, and a drug release unit.
The drug holding unit holds a drug to be administered to an affected part in the body cavity or an affected part in the vicinity of the body cavity,
The imaging unit is configured to be able to generate a first imaging signal by capturing an original on which collation information related to characteristics of the affected part is posted before the capsule is orally introduced into the living body. After the capsule is orally injected into the living body, the inside of the body cavity leading to the affected area is continuously or intermittently photographed to photograph the second imaging signal,
The imaging signal processing unit generates the verification information from the first imaging signal and the image information from the second imaging signal,
The verification information storage unit stores the verification information,
The comparison unit compares the verification information stored in the verification information storage unit with the image information generated by the imaging signal processing unit,
When the comparison determination result between the image information and the collation information is coincident in the comparison unit, the drug release unit releases the drug from the drug holding unit toward the affected part.

The imaging unit is a means for capturing an image of an affected part in the body and acquiring an imaging signal. The imaging unit accumulates a signal charge corresponding to the amount of incident light, photoelectrically converts it, and outputs it. The drug holding unit is means for holding a drug to be released to the affected part in advance in the capsule. The drug release unit is a means that operates according to a control signal when the capsule reaches the affected part and releases the drug from the drug holding part toward the affected part.

Furthermore, the capsule itself has a function of determining that the capsule has reached the affected area. An imaging signal processing unit for converting the imaging signal acquired by the imaging unit into image information is required, but this is not provided outside the capsule but is included in the capsule-type dispensing device itself. In the capsule-type dosing device itself, it is also important to compare the image information acquired and generated by the imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit with the verification information about the affected part. For this purpose, a verification information storage unit that stores the verification information in advance It is a requirement that the comparison unit for comparing the image information with the collation information is also provided in the capsule-type dispensing device itself, not outside the capsule.

In addition, the form of storing verification information in the verification information storage unit is simple. That is, information obtained by photographing with an imaging unit incorporated in the capsule and signal-processed by the imaging signal processing unit incorporated in the capsule is used as collation information. Before the capsule is placed orally, the capsule-type dosing device is turned on, the imaging unit, the imaging signal processing unit, and the verification information storage unit are started, and then the original with the verification source information is taken and the verification source Information is taken in, and further image processing is performed to generate verification information, which is stored in the verification information storage unit. Accumulation of the collation information in the collation information storage unit is extremely simple as compared with a method of acquiring collation information using a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus in the case of the prior art. This is also the point of the present invention. The verification source information in the original includes the previously captured image data of the disease of the person or similar patient, color information that can identify the disease, reaction color information of the affected area in the state where the reagent has been added in advance, and the size of the disease It is preferable to obtain information such as information on a disease, information on the shape of a disease and the like, which are relatively easily available. In place of taking in when the power is turned on, the capsule-type dosing device may be stored in a fixed manner (ROM specification).

Such collation information is obtained using a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an endoscopic apparatus, an MRI, a PET, an X-ray observation apparatus, and an ultrasonic tomography observation apparatus as in the prior art. It is not something to get. This is image information photographed and generated via an image capturing unit and an image signal processing unit included in the simple capsule-type dispensing device itself.

In summary, acquisition and retention of collation information, the function of transporting drugs that should be administered directly to the affected area, imaging of body cavities such as the digestive tract leading to the affected area or the vicinity of the affected area, signal processing of the imaging signal acquired by imaging, signal A series of procedures related to direct administration of drugs to the affected area, such as collation of image information obtained by processing, and the function of releasing drugs when the result of comparison and determination becomes affirmative. ) Is self-contained in itself. In other words, it is a departure from the idea of constructing a system for exchanging information through a complicated route, as seen in the prior art.

Compared with the conventional example of FIGS. 8A to 8D, the present invention eliminates the need for a medical diagnostic device that is large in order to obtain collation information and an extracorporeal device that is attached to the patient to determine the arrival of the affected part of the capsule. . Compared with the conventional example of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the present invention eliminates the need for a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus for acquiring the collation information, and wirelessly accumulates the collation information in the collation information storage unit built in the capsule. Does not require a transceiver.

That is, in the present invention, a patient-mounted extracorporeal device that determines the arrival of the affected part position of the capsule and transmits a release signal required in the prior art, and a large scale for obtaining the verification information and specifying the affected part position Such a medical diagnostic device and a wireless transceiver for storing verification information in a verification information storage unit with a built-in capsule are not necessarily required.

In this configuration, first, the original image in which the verification source information is captured is captured by the imaging unit in advance to generate the first imaging signal, and the imaging signal processing unit performs image processing on the first imaging signal, thereby verifying the verification information. And the generated verification information is stored in the verification information storage unit. The second imaging signal acquired by the imaging unit when the capsule moves through the body cavity is converted into image information by the imaging signal processing unit and passed to the comparison unit. The comparison unit compares the image information sent from the imaging signal processing unit with the verification information read from the verification information storage unit. The comparison unit activates the drug release unit to release the drug held in the drug holding unit toward the affected part during a period in which the comparison determination results indicate coincidence.

As described above, acquisition and holding of verification information, movement to an affected area, imaging of a body cavity or the vicinity of an affected area, signal processing of first and second imaging signals, and comparison determination between verification information obtained by signal processing and image information A series of procedures such as drug release based on the comparison determination result is performed in a self-contained manner. Therefore, as in the prior art, a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus for acquiring collation information or specifying the position of an affected part, a wireless transceiver for accumulating collation information in a collation information storage unit built in the capsule, It does not require a patient-mounted extracorporeal device that determines whether the affected area has reached the position or transmits a release signal, and can be handled easily. Inspection personnel who judge image matching are also unnecessary.

According to the present invention, a series of procedures relating to direct administration of a drug to the affected area such as acquisition and holding of verification information, drug delivery, imaging of a body cavity / affected area, signal processing, image information verification, drug release, etc. Since it is configured so that it can be performed completely, an extracorporeal device worn by the patient, a large-scale medical diagnostic device, and a wireless transmitter / receiver for transmitting / receiving collation information become unnecessary, and handling is simplified correspondingly.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a capsule-type dispensing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the capsule-type dosing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the capsule dosing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a capsule-type dispensing device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a capsule-type dispensing device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the capsule dosing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a capsule-type dispensing device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. It is the 1st figure showing the example of a capsule medication system in the prior art. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of a capsule dosing system in a prior art. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of a capsule dosing system in a prior art. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of a capsule dosing system in a prior art. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of a capsule dosing system of another aspect in a prior art. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of the capsule dosing system of another aspect in a prior art.

The capsule-type dosing device of the present invention having the above configuration <1> can be further advantageously developed in the following embodiment.

<< 2 >> The reference information used as a reference when determining the affected part is preferably the latest reference information corresponding to the current disease of the patient. Therefore, the capsule further includes a first information input unit. The first information input unit is configured to be able to input additional verification information to be added to the verification information or to update the verification information before the capsule is orally injected into the living body, and the verification information storage unit The collation information obtained by adding the additional collation information input to the first information input unit is stored.

When the capsule-type dosing device starts to be used, the first information input unit is activated in advance to store the latest verification information in the verification information storage unit. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 2 in the case of Example 2 described later.

With this configuration, the latest and current patient information that is suitable for collation should be collated with respect to the collation information to be collated with the image information obtained by the imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit while the capsule is moving around the body cavity or the affected part. It is possible to use additional or updated verification information corresponding to the disease. As a result, the timing at which the drug release unit should release the drug toward the affected part can be determined with higher accuracy.

<< 3 >> When using the capsule-type dosing device, the purpose and conditions of treatment and diagnosis are generally different for each patient. The purpose and conditions of treatment and diagnosis, such as the type of disease in the affected area, the degree and condition of the disease, the surrounding situation of the affected area, the distance and speed of movement of the capsule to the affected area, the size of the capsule, the amount and strength of the drug used, and the patient It varies from patient to patient. Therefore, it is desirable to set the operation mode in the imaging unit and the operation mode in the imaging signal processing unit in accordance with the purpose and conditions of treatment and diagnosis for each patient. Therefore, in order to cope with changes in the purpose and conditions of the treatment and diagnosis, a second information input unit capable of setting modes relating to the operation of the imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit is further provided. It goes without saying that the second information input unit is also built in the capsule. As an application, the second information input unit may be configured to have the function of the first information input unit of << 2 >>. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 2 in the case of Example 2 described later.

According to this configuration, at the start of use of the capsule-type dispensing device, the second information input unit sets the operation mode in the imaging unit and / or the operation mode in the imaging signal processing unit for the purpose and condition of treatment and diagnosis. Set according to the change of. By doing so, both the imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit can be set to an operation mode suitable for the purpose and condition of treatment and diagnosis for each patient. As a result, the accuracy of drug release through image matching can be made higher.

<< 4 >> The capsule-type dosing device administers the drug to the affected area, but it is desirable to be able to visually grasp the actual state of the drug administration, not just the drug administration. That is. Of the image information acquired and generated by the imaging unit / imaging signal processing unit, image information at least when the comparison determination result of the comparison unit indicates coincidence is important for diagnosis / treatment. In order to hold the image information at this time, it is conceivable to store the acquired image information in the collation information storage unit in the capsule. However, it is not impossible to recover capsules that have been moved out of the body and discharged out of the body, and image information cannot be extracted therefrom, but it is difficult (the discharge route is difficult). Therefore, consider acquiring acquired image information and storing it in an external storage means. That is, the image information acquired and generated by the imaging unit / imaging signal processing unit is notified from the capsule to the outside. For this purpose, a wireless communication unit is provided. Needless to say, this wireless communication unit is also incorporated in the capsule. The image information does not necessarily have to be from the initial stage of oral injection, and may be from at least the point of coincidence determination by the comparison unit. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 4 in the case of Example 3 described later.

In this configuration, since the image information of the affected part at the time of coincidence of the comparison determination results is notified to the outside, it is easy to determine the success or failure of the medication result. In addition, the timing of notification to the outside is when the comparison determination result matches, and notification is not performed until that time, so that power consumption can be suppressed.

<< 5 >> Regarding the function of the wireless communication unit configured as described in <4> above, it is preferable to further notify the background of the comparison determination by the comparison unit and the comparison determination result to the outside. This makes it possible to easily confirm the success or failure of direct administration of the drug to the affected area.

<6> In the configurations of <4> and << 5 >> with the wireless communication unit added, the imaging resolution is coarsened to reduce power consumption during the period when the comparison determination result indicates inconsistency, and the imaging is performed during the period when the result indicates coincidence. It is conceivable that image information with a large amount of information is notified externally by a wireless communication unit with a fine resolution. In this section, it is possible to refer to FIG. 5 in the case of Example 4 described later.

Such a configuration can be expected to improve the accuracy of confirmation of the medication result through high definition of the medication image to be notified to the outside while suppressing power consumption.

<7> In the case of the above configurations <4> and <5> to which a wireless communication unit is added, instead of the above <6>, the number of frames per unit time is reduced during the period in which the comparison determination result indicates a mismatch. Thus, it is conceivable that the power consumption is reduced and the number of frames per unit time is increased during a period of coincidence, and image information having a large amount of information is externally notified by the wireless communication unit.

With this configuration, it is expected that the accuracy of confirmation of the medication result can be improved by improving the quality of the medication image notified to the outside while suppressing power consumption.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the capsule-type dosing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a capsule-type dosing device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a capsule which is orally introduced into a living body and can move through a body cavity from an oral cavity to an affected area where a medicine is to be administered in the living body. The capsule 20 has a shape in which both ends of the cylinder are hemispherical. Reference numeral 1 denotes an imaging unit that images a body cavity from the time of oral injection to the affected part. The imaging unit 1 includes a CCD image sensor, a MOS image sensor, or the like that accumulates a signal charge corresponding to the amount of incident light, photoelectrically converts it, and outputs it. . An imaging signal processing unit 2 generates image information from the imaging signal acquired by the imaging unit 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a collation information storage unit composed of a semiconductor memory or the like that accumulates collation information related to the characteristics of the affected part to which a drug is to be administered. The collation information is acquired and generated by the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2. A comparison unit 4 compares the image information obtained by the imaging signal processing unit 2 with the collation information stored in the collation information storage unit 3 and outputs a comparison determination result. Reference numeral 5 denotes a drug holding unit that holds in advance a drug to be administered to an affected part in a body cavity or an affected part in the vicinity of the body cavity. Reference numeral 6 denotes a medicine supply unit that supplies medicine to the medicine holding unit 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes a drug release unit that releases the drug from the drug holding unit 5 toward the affected area when the comparison determination result by the comparison unit 4 shows a match. The imaging unit 1, the imaging signal processing unit 2, the collation information storage unit 3, the comparison unit 4, the drug holding unit 5, the drug supply unit 6, and the drug release unit 7 are built in the capsule 20. The imaging unit 1 is built in the capsule 20 in a state in which the outside (body cavity, affected part) can be imaged by the imaging unit 1. The drug release unit 7 has a function of releasing the drug in the drug holding unit 5 to the outside of the capsule 20. Further, the imaging unit 1 captures the verification source information from the original on which the verification source information related to the affected part to which the drug is to be administered before oral administration, and generates a first imaging signal. The output side of the imaging signal processing unit 2 is connected to the collation information storage unit 3 and the comparison unit 4. The imaging signal processing unit 2 generates verification information by performing signal processing on the first imaging signal acquired by the imaging unit 1 before the capsule oral injection, and sends the generated verification information to the verification information storage unit 3. The verification information storage unit 3 stores the verification information that has been sent. In addition, after the imaging unit 1 is orally injected, a second imaging signal is generated and transmitted to the imaging signal processing unit 2 by capturing the surroundings continuously or intermittently while moving through the body cavity in the living body. The imaging signal processing unit 2 generates image information from the second imaging signal and sends the generated image information to the comparison unit 4. The output side of the verification information storage unit 3 is connected to the comparison unit 4 so that the verification information sent out by the imaging signal processing unit 2 is sent to the comparison unit 4 while moving in the body cavity after oral injection. It has become.

The drug supply unit 6 is configured to supply a drug to the drug holding unit 5 by injection or the like, and the drug release unit 7 removes the drug from the drug holding unit 5 when receiving a comparison coincidence signal from the comparison unit 4. It is configured to discharge toward (affected part). The output side of the comparison unit 4 is connected to the medicine discharge unit 7.

Next, the operation of the capsule-type dispensing device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. Prior to the oral administration of the capsule-type dosing device, the medicine is replenished to the medicine holding section 5 using the medicine replenishing section 6. When the capsule-type dispensing device is turned on, the medicine holding unit 5 is in a state of holding the replenished medicine, and the imaging unit 1, the imaging signal processing unit 2, and the verification information storage unit 3 are activated. The activated capsule-type dosing device prompts the person in charge of the dosing and shows the collation source information (information relating to the characteristics of the affected area, which is necessary for specifying the affected area) to be collated by the imaging unit 1. The first image signal is generated by photographing the original. The imaging unit 1 sends the generated first imaging signal to the imaging signal processing unit 2. The imaging signal processing unit 2 performs image processing on the first imaging signal to generate verification information, and sends the generated verification information to the verification information storage unit 3. The verification information storage unit 3 stores the received verification information. The collation information is information relating to the affected area to which the drug is to be administered, and is data in which the characteristics of the affected area of the drug administration target are recorded, and is data for specifying the affected area. As collation information, the image information of the affected part of the person or similar patient previously photographed, the color information that can identify the affected part, the reaction color information of the affected part in the state where the reagent has been added in advance, the information on the size of the affected part, the affected part Information on the shape of the object. In the process of acquiring and accumulating the collation information, a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus as in the prior art is not used. In addition, there is no need for a patient-mounted extracorporeal device or a wireless transceiver.

Next, the patient is prompted and the capsule-type dosing device is orally introduced into the patient (hereinafter referred to as a living body). The inserted capsule 20 moves in the body cavity of the living body toward the affected part. During the movement, the imaging unit 1 continuously or intermittently captures the inside of the body cavity, and images the second imaging signal obtained by the imaging. It is sent to the signal processing unit 2. The imaging signal processing unit 2 performs image processing on the received second image signal to generate image information. While the capsule 20 is moving, the comparison unit 4 takes in the image information from the imaging signal processing unit 2 and the collation information from the collation information storage unit 3, and compares the two pieces of information taken in each other. The comparison unit 4 generates a comparison determination result indicating that the comparison determination result indicates coincidence, and generates a comparison determination result indicating that when the comparison determination result indicates disagreement, and outputs the comparison determination result to the drug release unit 7. The drug release unit 7 that has received the comparison determination result indicating inconsistency enters an inactive state and does not release the drug held in the drug holding unit 5. On the other hand, the drug release unit 7 that has received the comparison determination result indicating coincidence determines that the capsule has reached the affected area, enters an active state, and releases the drug held in the drug holding unit 5 toward the affected area. In this comparison and determination process, an extracorporeal device worn by a patient is not required as in the prior art.

Details of the comparison processing between the image information and the collation information in the comparison unit 4 are as follows. When the collation information is image information, the comparison unit 4 makes a comparison determination as to whether or not part or all of the image information matches the collation information (image information). Further, when the collation information is information indicating the color and the size of the disease, the comparison unit 4 relates to the information regarding the color and size of the imaging region included in the image information and the color and size of the disease included in the collation information. Compare and judge information. When the verification information is disease shape information, the comparison unit 4 compares and determines the shape of the imaging region included in the image information and the shape of the disease included in the verification information. Here, when the collation information is information related to the size of the affected area, the following determination is made. That is, when the size of the imaging region in the image information is larger than the size of the disease in the verification information, it is determined that both pieces of information match.

The collation information stored in the collation information storage unit 3 may be one or more of a plurality of pieces of information (information on the color and size of the imaging region described above). When a plurality of pieces of information are used, the comparison unit 4 performs a comparison process using a plurality of pieces of information. The initial collation information may be stored in the collation information storage unit 3 in advance at the manufacturing stage. The drug supply unit 6 and the drug release unit 7 may have a common route. Alternatively, if the medicine holding part 5 itself is of a cartridge type, the medicine replenishing part 6 may be omitted.

In summary, a process for capturing an original on which verification source information is posted and generating a first imaging signal, a process for generating a first verification signal by processing the first imaging signal, and a body cavity A process of moving the capsule 20 to the affected part, a process of photographing a body cavity or the vicinity of the affected part to generate a second imaging signal, a process of generating image information by signal processing the second imaging signal, A series of procedures related to direct administration of a drug to an affected area including a process for comparing and determining image information and verification information and a drug release control process based on the comparison determination result are self-contained in a capsule-type dosing device Is done. Therefore, as in the prior art, a large-scale medical diagnostic apparatus for acquiring collation information or specifying the position of an affected part, a wireless transceiver for accumulating collation information in a collation information storage unit built in the capsule, A patient-mounted extracorporeal device that determines whether or not the affected part has reached the position or transmits a release signal is not required, and the handling thereof is very simple. Inspection personnel to determine image match are not required. Not requiring a medical diagnostic device eliminates the need for the patient to lie in bed. It also reduces the physical and mental burden on the patient. The patient is not restrained at a predetermined place, and may leave the treatment room after the capsule 20 is orally introduced. There is no need for a patient-mounted extracorporeal device.

Since the medication process of the present embodiment described above is a self-contained process inside the capsule 20, the time lag of drug release is small because of comparison from comparison and comparison, and the accuracy of direct administration of the drug to the affected area is high. It will be expensive.

(Example 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, an information input unit is further added to the configuration of the first embodiment. The information input unit is provided to input additional verification information for addition or update, and to set operation modes of the imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the capsule-type dosing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment indicate the same components. The configuration unique to the present embodiment is the information input unit 8 as described above. The information input unit 8 inputs additional or updated verification information to the verification information storage unit 3 and sets an operation mode for the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2. The output side of the information input unit 8 is connected to the collation information storage unit 3, the imaging unit 1, and the imaging signal processing unit 2. The information input unit 8 is built in the capsule 20. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. The information input unit 8 in the second embodiment corresponds to the first and second information input units in

claims

2 and 3.

Next, the operation of the capsule-type dispensing device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. When starting to use the capsule-type dispensing device, the capsule-type dispensing device prompts the person in charge of medication to input additional verification information to the information input unit 8. The additional verification information is information that is as recent as possible and corresponds to the current disease of the patient. Furthermore, the capsule-type dosing device prompts the person in charge of medication to cause the information input unit 8 to set the operation mode in the imaging unit 1 and the operation mode in the imaging signal processing unit 2. The operation mode is adapted to the purpose and condition of treatment and diagnosis for each patient.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the above operation. When the power of the capsule-type dispensing device is turned on, the operation by the program is started. First, the capsule-type dosing device prompts the person in charge of medication and causes the information input unit 8 to input additional verification information corresponding to the latest disease and the current disease of the patient. The input additional verification information is stored in the verification information storage unit 3. When the input of the additional verification information is completed, the operation mode in the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 is then set from the information input unit 8. When the setting of the operation mode is completed, the process proceeds to the normal operation described in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the additional collation information that is acquired or added earlier is added to the collation information acquired in the operation of the first embodiment (corresponding to the latest and the current disease of the patient). (Additional or updated collation information) is added and stored in the collation information storage unit 3. In a state where the capsule 20 moves through the body cavity, the comparison unit 4 compares the verification information with the image information.

In addition, the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 are set to the operation mode (the optimal operation mode corresponding to the current treatment and diagnosis purpose and change of conditions for the patient) input to the information input unit 8. . Therefore, when the capsule 20 moves in the body cavity or in the vicinity of the affected area, the quality of the image information obtained by the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 is optimal for the purpose and conditions of treatment and diagnosis for the patient. Furthermore, the collation between the image information and the collation information to which the additional collation information is added also corresponds to the current disease of the patient, and the collation accuracy is sufficiently high. By synergizing the effects described above, the timing of the timing at which the drug release unit 7 releases the drug toward the affected part becomes more accurate. Other operations are the same as in the case of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Since capsule-type dosing devices are used in the body, it is difficult to supply drive power from the outside, and batteries are generally used as drive sources. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress power consumption as much as possible. The power is turned on immediately before use, and the power is turned off during storage. At the start of use, the purpose of use is clear. Input of the verification information for addition or update by the information input unit 8 is suitable when the power is turned on.

In addition, in the case of battery drive, there is a limit to the operation duration. The operation mode setting performed from the information input unit 8 to the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 corresponds to a change in the purpose and condition of the current treatment and diagnosis for the patient. In this case, the operation of the battery is continued. It is desirable to take time into account.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the destination point is obtained by optimizing the operation mode of the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 and additionally storing optimal verification information in the verification information storage unit 3. Application of the optimal operating conditions up to and improvement of the recognition accuracy of the dosing position can be achieved.

In the above description, the information input unit 8 inputs the additional verification information to the verification information storage unit 3 and sets the operation mode for the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2. However, instead of such a configuration, the information input unit 8 may be a unit (first information input unit) having a function of only inputting additional verification information to the verification information storage unit 3 or imaging. It may be a unit (second information input unit) having a function of only setting the operation mode in the unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2.

(Example 3)
In the third embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication unit is further added to the configuration of the first embodiment. The wireless communication unit is provided to wirelessly notify the image information acquired by imaging, the background of comparison determination by the comparison unit, and the comparison determination result to the outside.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a capsule-type dispensing device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment denote the same components. A configuration unique to the present embodiment is the wireless communication unit 9 as described above. The wireless communication unit 9 is activated when the comparison determination result by the comparison unit 4 indicates a match, wirelessly transmits the image information acquired and generated by the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 to the outside of the body, and the comparison unit The process of comparison determination by 4 and the comparison determination result are wirelessly transmitted to the outside of the body. The output side of the comparison unit 4 and the output side of the imaging signal processing unit 2 are connected to the wireless communication unit 9. The wireless communication unit 9 is built in the capsule 20. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the capsule-type dispensing device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. When the comparison determination result indicates coincidence, the comparison unit 4 transmits a comparison determination result indicating coincidence to the medicine release unit 7 and also transmits a comparison determination result indicating coincidence to the wireless communication unit 8. The wireless communication unit 9 that has received the comparison determination result indicating coincidence wirelessly transmits the image information generated by the imaging signal processing unit 2 to the outside of the body, and the background of the comparison determination by the comparison unit 4 and the comparison determination result to the outside of the body. Send it wirelessly. The state in which the medicine is released toward the affected area is also image information. The wirelessly transmitted image information, the history of comparison determination and the comparison determination result are stored in an external memory via a receiving unit and a memory control unit (not shown) installed outside. Other operations are the same as in the case of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

It is difficult to collect the capsules that have moved through the body and discharged outside the body, and to retrieve the image information, the background of the comparison determination, and the comparison determination result (the discharge route is difficult). However, if it is configured to transmit and receive wirelessly as in the present embodiment, the success or failure of direct administration of the drug to the affected area can be easily confirmed. In this case, wireless communication to the outside is in a state in which the comparison determination result indicates coincidence, and notification is not performed in a state in which disagreement is present. As a result, power consumption is suppressed, and the operation continuation time by battery driving can be extended.

Example 4
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration is further added to the configuration of the third embodiment. That is, in Example 4, there is a relationship between the comparison unit 4 and the imaging unit 1 and between the comparison unit 4 and the imaging signal processing unit 2, and in a period in which the comparison determination result of the comparison unit 4 shows a mismatch. The control is made so that the imaging resolution is coarsened and the imaging resolution is fined during a period of coincidence.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the capsule-type dosing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 of the third embodiment denote the same components. In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 operate in a low resolution mode during a period in which the comparison determination result received from the comparison unit 4 does not match, and in a high resolution mode during a period indicating the match. It is configured to work with. In order to carry out the above control, the comparison unit 4 is configured to send the comparison determination result to the imaging unit 1 and the image signal processing unit 2. Since other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the capsule-type dispensing device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. The comparison unit 4 initially outputs a signal indicating mismatch as a comparison determination result to the imaging unit 1 and the image signal processing unit 2. In this state, the imaging unit 1 and the image signal processing unit 2 set a low resolution mode in which the imaging resolution is coarsened and power consumption is reduced. When the comparison unit 4 matches the image information from the imaging signal processing unit 2 and the verification information from the verification information storage unit 3, the comparison unit 4 sends a signal indicating a match as a comparison determination result to the wireless communication unit 9 and the imaging unit 1. Output to the imaging signal processing unit 2. In the signal imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 that have received the comparison determination result indicating coincidence, the operation mode is switched to the high resolution mode in which the imaging resolution is increased. Thereby, the image information acquired and generated by the imaging unit 1 and the image signal processing unit 2 (image information when the collation is established) becomes high definition. This image information is supplied to the wireless communication unit 9. The wireless communication unit 9 wirelessly transmits high-definition image information to the outside. At this time, it is desirable that the history of comparison determination and the comparison determination result are also transmitted. Other operations are the same as in the case of the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the above operation. First, a normal operation is performed, and a determination is made in the comparison unit 4 in the process. The normal operation is repeated in the period in which the comparison determination result indicates a mismatch, but the operation mode of the imaging unit 1 and the image signal processing unit 2 is switched to the high resolution mode in the period in which the comparison determination result indicates a match. As a result of the above, it is possible to satisfy both suppression of power consumption and acquisition of high-definition image information. Acquisition of high-definition image information leads to an improvement in the accuracy of confirmation of medication results.

In the above, the resolution is set to be high in order to increase the quality of the image information when the verification is established, but instead, the quality of the image information is increased by increasing the number of frames per unit time. It may be high. That is, in this modified example, the imaging unit 1 and the imaging signal processing unit 2 operate in a mode in which the number of frames per unit time is small during the period in which the comparison determination result received from the comparison unit 4 indicates a mismatch, In the period shown, it is configured to operate in a mode with a large number of frames per unit time. Image information with a large number of frames per unit time is information with a large amount of information. In this case as well, both the suppression of power consumption and the acquisition of high-quality image information can be satisfied, leading to an improvement in the accuracy of confirmation of medication results.

It should be noted that as an application, the operation mode when the comparison determination result comes to coincide may be set to a mode with a high resolution and a large number of frames per unit time.

(Example 5)
Embodiment 5 of the present invention describes a capsule-type dispensing device in more detail than the above-described embodiment. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a capsule-type dispensing device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. A light source 18 that irradiates a subject and an optical lens 11 are disposed in front of the capsule 20, and an imaging unit 1 is disposed behind the light source 18. The optical lens 11 forms an optical image of a subject on the imaging unit 1, and the imaging unit 1 accumulates signal charges corresponding to the amount of incident light, photoelectrically converts them, and outputs them. A drug replenishment unit 6 and a drug release unit 7 are arranged in the rear part of the capsule 20, and a drug holding unit 5 is arranged in front of the capsule 20. Further, the following are appropriately arranged in the capsule 20. That is, a CPU 19 that controls the entire capsule dosage unit, an imaging signal processing unit 2 that converts the output of the imaging unit 1 into image information, and a memory 3a as a verification information storage unit 3 that stores verification information used for image comparison. The comparison unit 4 that compares the image information output from the imaging signal processing unit 2 with the collation information output from the memory 3a and outputs the comparison determination result, the information input unit 8 that designates the operation to the CPU 19, and the imaging signal A wireless communication unit 9 that communicates information output from the processing unit 2 and the comparison unit 4 to the outside and a battery 21 are arranged in the capsule 20. In the figure, solid lines connecting the blocks indicate signal / data lines, and broken lines indicate control lines.

The capsule-type dosing device configured as described above operates using the built-in battery 21 as a power source. Before being used, the drug is supplied from the drug supply unit 6 to the drug holding unit 5. Then, when the power is turned on, the CPU 19 controls the medicine supply unit 6 and the medicine holding unit 5 to change them from the medicine supply state to the holding state. Further, the CPU 19 prompts the person in charge of medication to input the latest collation information corresponding to the current disease of the patient to be used for the image comparison to the information input unit 8 and captures the acquired additional collation information in the memory 3a. To store. Further, the CPU 19 prompts the person in charge of medication to capture the original image on which the verification source data is described, thereby acquiring the first imaging signal and processing the acquired first imaging signal to generate verification information. . Further, the CPU 19 adds the additional verification information captured by the information input unit 8 to the verification information generated by the signal processing unit 2, and then stores the verification information in the memory 3a. Further, the CPU 19 adjusts the number of images to be captured per unit by controlling the imaging unit 1, the imaging signal processing unit 2, and the light source 18 based on the operating conditions input from the information input unit 8. Further, the CPU 19 sets the operation state of each block based on the operation condition, and then shifts to the normal operation state. Thereby, the output from the imaging unit 1 is converted into image information by the imaging signal processing unit 2 and output. The comparison unit 4 compares the image information from the imaging signal processing unit 2 with the collation information from the memory 3a, and determines whether or not these pieces of information match. The determination content is sent to the CPU 19. When the comparison unit 4 determines that they match, the CPU 19 controls the drug release unit 7 to release the drug held in the drug holding unit 5, and the CPU 19 activates the wireless communication unit 9 to perform communication. . The wireless communication unit 9 transmits the information of the process determined by the comparison unit 4 and the image information transmitted to the outside of the body using wireless communication.

According to the capsule-type dosing device of the present embodiment, as described in the first to fourth embodiments, the medicine can be directly administered to the affected area where the image information acquired by photographing matches the collation information. In addition, it eliminates the need for extracorporeal devices worn by patients, large-scale medical diagnostic devices, and wireless transceivers for sending and receiving verification information, simplifying handling, and reducing physical and mental burdens on patients.

The capsule-type dosing device of the present invention is a series of items related to direct administration of a drug to the affected area, such as acquisition and holding of collation information, drug delivery, imaging of a body cavity / affected area, signal processing, image information collation, drug release, etc. The procedure can be performed in a self-contained manner, and there is no need for extracorporeal devices attached to the patient, large-scale medical diagnostic devices, and wireless transceivers for sending and receiving verification information. This is useful for medical cameras such as capsule cameras.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging part 2 Imaging signal processing part 3 Collation information storage part 3a Memory 4 Comparison part 5 Drug holding part 6 Drug supply part 7 Drug release part 8 Information input part 9 Wireless communication part 11 Optical lens 18 Light source 19 CPU
20 capsules 21 batteries

Claims

It is equipped with a capsule that can be moved through the body cavity that is orally injected to reach the affected area in the body,
The capsule includes a drug holding unit, an imaging unit, an imaging signal processing unit, a collation information storage unit, a comparison unit, and a drug release unit.
The drug holding unit holds a drug to be administered to an affected part in the body cavity or an affected part in the vicinity of the body cavity,
While the imaging unit is configured to be able to generate a first imaging signal by photographing an original on which collation source information related to the characteristics of the affected part is posted before the capsule is orally injected into the living body, After the capsule is orally injected into the living body, the inside of the body cavity leading to the affected area is continuously or intermittently photographed to photograph a second imaging signal,
The imaging signal processing unit generates verification information from the first imaging signal and image information from the second imaging signal,
The verification information storage unit stores the verification information,
The comparison unit compares the verification information stored in the verification information storage unit with the image information generated by the imaging signal processing unit,
When the comparison result between the image information and the collation information is coincident in the comparison unit, the drug release unit releases the drug from the drug holding unit toward the affected part.
Capsule type dosing device.
The capsule further includes a first information input unit,
The first information input unit is configured to be able to input additional verification information to be added to the verification information or to update the verification information before the capsule is orally injected into the living body,
The verification information storage unit stores the verification information added with the additional verification information input to the first information input unit;
The capsule-type dosing device according to claim 1.
The capsule further includes a second information input unit,
The second information input unit is configured to be able to input information about operation modes of the imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit before the capsule is orally injected into the living body.
The imaging unit and the imaging signal processing unit are configured such that the operation mode can be set based on information input to the second information input unit.
The capsule-type dosing device according to claim 1.
The capsule further includes a wireless communication unit,
The wireless communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit the image information generated by the imaging signal processing unit to the outside when the comparison determination result between the image information and the verification information indicates a match in the comparison unit. Yes,
The capsule-type dosing device according to claim 1.
The wireless communication unit is further configured to wirelessly transmit the background of the comparison determination by the comparison unit and the comparison determination result to the outside.
The capsule-type dosing device according to claim 4.
The comparison unit is configured to send the comparison determination result to the imaging unit and the image signal processing unit,
The imaging unit and the image signal processing unit operate in a low resolution mode during a period in which the comparison determination result received from the comparison unit indicates a mismatch, and operate in a high resolution mode during a period in which the comparison indicates a match. It is configured,
The capsule-type dosing device according to claim 4.
The comparison unit is configured to send the comparison determination result to the imaging unit and the image signal processing unit,
The imaging unit and the image signal processing unit operate in a mode in which the number of frames per unit time is small during a period in which the comparison determination result received from the comparison unit indicates a mismatch, and per unit time in a period indicating a match. It is configured to operate in a mode with a large number of frames,
The capsule-type dosing device according to claim 4.