Patent ID: 8257257
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A capsule type medical device that is adapted to be introduced inside a living body to gather in-vivo information, comprising: a capsule shaped casing adapted for use in the gastrointestinal tract; an in-vivo information acquisition device for acquiring the in-vivo information; a communication device for sending the in-vivo information which is acquired by the in-vivo information acquisition device to outside of the living body by wireless; at least one pair of first electrodes which are provided in a vicinity of one end along an axis of the casing, for giving electric stimulation to a body tissue inside a lumen of the gastrointestinal tract to propel the capsule shaped casing within the gastrointestinal tract; a first current control device for sending current to the first electrodes; and a first interelectrode distance variation device for changing a distance between the first electrodes, wherein the first interelectrode distance variation device is formed by flexible wires which support the first electrodes at tip ends, and the flexible wires are supported by the casing at base ends thereof and protrude externally from the casing.