Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule by holding the medical capsule using an endoscopic apparatus comprising: an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in a body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and an suction opening; a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening; and a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section, the method comprising: a sucking step of making an inside of the hood member vacuum by actuating the sucking device to suck the inside of the hood member through the suction opening; and a holding step of attracting and holding the medical capsule to the hood member sucked by the sucking step.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule and an endoscopic apparatus for the method, in particular, a method for holding a medical capsule in lower gastrointestinal tract such as small intestine or colon to collect or transport it and an endoscopic apparatus for the method.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In recent years, as endoscopes for medical use, various types of capsule endoscopes containing miniature cameras have been developed. Because such capsule endoscopes are wireless, patient discomfort can be decreased compared to the case with an endoscope in which an inserting section of the endoscope is also inserted in his/her body cavity.  
         [0005]     A medical capsule such as a capsule endoscope is generally expected to be naturally extruded out of a body cavity, but there is a need to collect the medical capsule at a predetermined position in a body cavity. Also, a medical capsule often gets stuck at a narrow portion of a body cavity, which requires a procedure to find the medical capsule to hold it in order to collect it or to bring it beyond the narrow portion. Moreover, in recent years, there has been a need to transport a medical capsule to a predetermined position in body cavity so that an observation can be started from the position. In these various applications, it is necessary to hold a medical capsule in a body cavity.  
         [0006]     Then, various endoscopic apparatuses having a function to hold a medical capsule in a body cavity have been developed. For example, an endoscopic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-194976 has an inserting section with a distal end formed with a suction opening to suck and hold a medical capsule therein.  
         [0007]     The endoscopic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-194976, however, attracts and holds a medical capsule having an outer diameter of usually on the order of 10 mm in a suction opening thereof having a small inner diameter of 2 to 4 mm, which means the endoscopic apparatus does not have a enough power to hold a capsule, and the medical capsule can be fallen.  
         [0008]     The endoscopic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-194976 has another problem that even if a held medical capsule is fallen, the falling is not recognizable because the endoscopic apparatus holds the capsule at a position which is unlikely to be within a range for observation and it is difficult to check the capsule visually, and the fallen medical capsule has to be located again.  
         [0009]     In addition, as the endoscopic apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-194976 is generally in the form of string of scope, it cannot easily reach the inside of lower gastrointestinal tract such as small intestine to collect or transport a medical capsule.  
         [0010]     The present invention is made in view of the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule which reliably holds a medical capsule in body cavity to collect or transport, and an endoscopic apparatus for the method.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule by holding the medical capsule using an endoscopic apparatus comprising: an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in a body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and a suction opening; a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening; and a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section, the method comprising: a sucking step of making an inside of the hood member vacuum by actuating the sucking device to suck the inside of the hood member through the suction opening; and a holding step of attracting and holding the medical capsule to the hood member sucked by the sucking step.  
         [0012]     According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inside of a hood member is sucked through a suction opening to make the inside of the hood member vacuum so that a medical capsule can be attracted to and held by the hood member, thereby the medical capsule can be held by the hood member having a larger opening than the suction opening. Thus, a larger holding power for a medical capsule is obtained, and a medical capsule can be reliably held with it.  
         [0013]     According to the first aspect of the present invention, as a medical capsule is held by a hood member, the held medical capsule can be observed by an observation section of an endoscope.  
         [0014]     To achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention provides an endoscopic apparatus, comprising: an endoscope having an inserting section to be inserted in body cavity with a distal end including an observation section to observe a subject and an suction opening; a sucking device in communicated with the suction opening; and a generally cylindrical hood member which is attached to the distal end of the inserting section, wherein the hood member has a holding section to attract and hold a medical capsule when the sucking device is actuated to suck the inside of the hood member through the suction opening to make the inside of the hood member vacuum.  
         [0015]     According to the second aspect of the present invention, the hood member can hold a medical capsule at the holding section thereof. Thus, a medical capsule is reliably held, which prevents the medical capsule from falling.  
         [0016]     According to the second aspect of the present invention, as a medical capsule is held by a hood member, the held medical capsule can be observed by an observation section of an endoscope.  
         [0017]     A third aspect of the present invention according to the second aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein the hood member is configured to hold a medical capsule with at least a part of the medical capsule being pulled into the inside of the hood member. The configuration to hold a medical capsule with at least a part of the medical capsule being pulled into the inside of the hood member increases a holding power, which can reliably prevent the medical capsule from falling.  
         [0018]     A fourth aspect of the present invention according to the second aspect or the third aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein at least a part of the hood member is transparent or semitransparent. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, because at least a part of the hood member is transparent or semitransparent, view is not restricted while the endoscopic apparatus is inserted to find a medical capsule, and even when the hood member holds a medical capsule, the outside of the hood member can be observed by the observation section.  
         [0019]     A fifth aspect of the present invention according to any one of the second aspect to the fourth aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, further comprising: a first expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the distal end of the inserting section, an insertion assisting tool into which the inserting section is inserted to be guided in a body cavity; and a second expandable and contractible balloon which is mounted to an outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool.  
         [0020]     The fifth aspect of the present invention provides a double balloon endoscopic apparatus, and this type of endoscopic apparatus makes it possible to hold a medical capsule at an inside of lower gastrointestinal tract such as small intestine.  
         [0021]     A sixth aspect of the present invention according to any one of the second aspect to the fifth aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein the holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member having an inner circumferential surface which has a curved portion corresponding to a curved shape of the medical capsule.  
         [0022]     According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as the curved portion corresponding to a curved shape of the medical capsule is formed at an inner circumferential surface of a distal end of the hood member, the vacuum hood member has an increased airtightness so that the hood member and the medical capsule are attracted more closely to each other, which in turn increased the power to hold the medical capsule. This allows a medical capsule to be reliably held at the holding section of the hood member.  
         [0023]     A seventh aspect of the present invention according to any one of the second aspect to the fifth aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein the holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member which is formed thinner than any other parts of the hood member.  
         [0024]     According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, as the thinner distal end of the hood member is flexible, the hood member and a medical capsule are attracted closely to each other even when the hood member approaches the medical capsule at an angle. In this way, the increased airtightness of the vacuum hood member improves the power to hold the medical capsule, which allows a medical capsule to be reliably held at the holding section of the hood member.  
         [0025]     A eighth aspect of the present invention according to any one of the second aspect to the fifth aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein he holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member having an inner circumferential surface in which a groove is formed in the circumferential direction.  
         [0026]     According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, as the groove in the inner circumferential surface of the distal end of the hood member makes the distal of the hood member flexible, the closeness between the hood member and a medical capsule is not reduced even when the hood member approaches the medical capsule at an angle. In this way, the increased airtightness of the vacuum hood member improves the power to hold the medical capsule, which allows a medical capsule to be reliably held at the holding section of the hood member.  
         [0027]     A ninth aspect of the present invention according to any one of the second aspect to the fifth aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein the holding section is configured to include a distal end of the hood member having an outer circumferential surface in which a groove is formed.  
         [0028]     According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, as the groove in the outer circumferential surface of the distal end of the hood member makes the distal of the hood member flexible, the closeness between the hood member and a medical capsule is not reduced even when the hood member approaches the medical capsule at an angle. In this way, the increased airtightness of the vacuum hood member improves the power to hold the medical capsule, which allows a medical capsule to be reliably held at the holding section of the hood member.  
         [0029]     A tenth aspect of the present invention according to the ninth aspect provides an endoscopic apparatus, wherein there are a plurality of the grooves in a direction along a central axis of the hood member with ribs being formed between the grooves.  
         [0030]     According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the grooves in a direction along the central axis of the hood member makes the distal end flexible, and the rib makes the distal end appropriately rigid.  
         [0031]     According to the present invention, the inside of a hood member is sucked through a suction opening to make the inside of the hood member vacuum so that a medical capsule can be attracted to and held by the hood member, thereby the medical capsule can be reliably held by the hood member without falling. Also according to the present invention, as a medical capsule is held by a hood member, the held medical capsule can be observed by an observation section of an endoscope. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  is a system configuration diagram of an endoscopic apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram to show a distal end of an inserting section of an endoscope and a hood member;  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional diagram to show a distal end of an inserting section of an endoscope and a hood member;  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional diagram to show a distal end of an inserting section of an endoscope with a hood member being mounted to;  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional diagram to show a hood member which is approaching a medical capsule at an angle;  
         [0037]      FIG. 6A  to  6 J are diagrams to illustrate a method to operate an endoscopic apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional diagram to show a hood member having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional diagram to show the hood member of  FIG. 7  which is approaching a medical capsule at an angle;  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional diagram to show a hood member having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional diagram to show the hood member of  FIG. 9  which is approaching a medical capsule at an angle;  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is a perspective diagram to show a hood member having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional diagram to show a hood member having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is a cross sectional diagram to show a hood member having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 14  is a perspective diagram to show a hood member having a different configuration from that of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0046]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the hood member of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0047]     Now, a preferred embodiment of a method for collecting/transporting a medical capsule and an endoscopic apparatus for the method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0048]      FIG. 1  is a system configuration diagram to show an embodiment of an endoscopic apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , an endoscopic apparatus generally comprises an endoscope  10 , an insertion assisting tool  70 , and a balloon controlling device  100 .  
         [0049]     The endoscope  10  comprises a hand-held control section  14  and an inserting section  12  connected to the hand-held control section  14  to be inserted into a body cavity. The hand-held control section  14  is connected to a universal cable  16  having an end which is provided with a LG connector  18 . The LG connector  18  is removably coupled to a light source device  20  which sends an illumination light to an illumination optical system  54  which will be explained below (see  FIG. 2 ). The LG connector  18  is connected to an electric connector  24  via a cable  22 , the electric connector  24  being removably coupled to a processor  26 .  
         [0050]     To the hand-held control section  14 , an air and water supply button  28 , a suction button  30 , a shutter button  32 , and a function switch button  34  are arranged in a line, and a pair of angle adjustment knobs  36  are also provided therewith. The hand-held control section  14  has a rear end in which an air inlet for balloon  38  is formed with a pipe which is bent into an L shape. A supply or suction of fluids such as air through the air inlet for balloon  38  makes a first balloon  60  expanded or contracted, which will be explained below.  
         [0051]     The inserting section  12  consists of a soft portion  40 , a curved portion  42 , and a distal end portion  44 , starting from the hand-held control section  14 , and the curved portion  42  is remotely controlled by turning the angle adjustment knobs  36  at the hand-held control section  14 . This control allows the distal end portion  44  to be directed to a desired direction.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the distal end portion  44  has a front surface  45  where an observation optical system  52 , an illumination optical system  54 , an air and water supply nozzle  56 , and a forceps port (corresponds to a suction opening)  58  are provided.  
         [0053]     A prism  53  is mounted to the back of the observation optical system  52  as shown in  FIG. 3 , so that a light path of a light from a subject obtained through the observation optical system  52  is bent downward by the prism  53 . Below the prism  53  is disposed a CCD  55  which is supported by a substrate  57 , and the light from a subject which was bent by the prism  53  is focused on a light sensitive surface of the CCD  55 . Then the light from a subject is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD  55  to be transmitted through a signal cable  59 . The signal cable  59  is inserted through into the inserting section  12 , the hand held control section  14 , the universal cable  16  and the like of  FIG. 1  to be extended to the electric connector  24  which is connected to the processor  26 . Thus, an observation image which is obtained by the observation optical system  52  is focused on a light sensitive surface of the CCD  55  to be converted into an electrical signal, which is output through a signal cable  59  to the processor  26  where the electrical signal is converted into an image signal. In this way, a picture image from observation is displayed on a monitor  50  which is in connection with the processor  26 .  
         [0054]     Behind the illumination optical systems  54  of  FIG. 2 , light guides (not shown) are disposed with the outputting ends thereof. The light guides are inserted through into the inserting section  12 , the hand held control section  14 , the universal cable  16  and the like of  FIG. 1  to dispose the inputting ends thereof in the LG connector  18 . Thus, when the LG connector  18  is coupled to the light source device  20 , an illumination light irradiated from the light source device  20  is transmitted through the light guides to the illumination optical systems  54  to be irradiated forward from the illumination optical systems  54 .  
         [0055]     The air and water supply nozzle  56  of  FIG. 2  is in communicated with a valve (not shown) which is controlled by the air and water supply button  28  of  FIG. 1 , and the valve is in turn in communicated with an air and water supply connector  48  which is provided in the LG connector  18 . The air and water supply connector  48  is connected with an air and water supply device (not shown) to supply air or water. Thus, an actuation of the air and water supply button  28  causes air or water to be ejected from the air and water supply nozzle  56  toward the observation optical system  52 .  
         [0056]     The forceps port  58  of  FIG. 2  is in communicated with a pipe  61  which is supported by a distal end portion body  65  of  FIG. 3 , and the pipe  61  is in turn coupled with a tube  63 . The tube  63  is inserted through into the inserting section  12  of  FIG. 1  to be in communicated with a forceps inserting section  46 . When a procedure tool such as a forceps is inserted into from the forceps inserting section  46 , the procedure tool can be pulled out from the forceps port  58 . The tube  63  of  FIG. 3  is diverged along its way to be in communicated with a valve (not shown) which is controlled by the suction button  30  of  FIG. 1 , and the valve is in turn connected with a suction connector  49  of the LG connector  18 . The suction connector  49  is connected with a suction pump (corresponds to a suction device)  51 . Thus, an actuation of the suction pump  51  and an operation of the valve by the suction button  30  causes body fluid, air, and the like to be sucked through the forceps port  58 .  
         [0057]     Reference numeral  67  in  FIG. 3  designates a cap mounted on the distal end surface of the distal end portion body  65 , and reference numeral  69  designates a covering member which covers an outer circumferential surface of the inserting section  12 .  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , to the outer circumferential surface of the inserting section  12 , a first balloon  60  is attached which is made of a resilient material such as rubber. The first balloon  60  is formed into a generally tubular shape having two deflated ends, and after the inserting section  12  is inserted through into the first balloon  60  and the first balloon  60  is disposed at a desired position, fixing rubber rings  62  are fit onto the both ends of the first balloon  60  so that the first balloon  60  is fixed around the inserting section  12 .  
         [0059]     An air vent  64  is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the inserting section  12  where the first balloon  60  is attached. The air vent  64  is in communicated with the air inlet for balloon  38  which is provided in the hand held control section  14  of  FIG. 1 . The air inlet for balloon  38  is connected to the balloon controlling device  100  via a tube  110 . Thus, a supply or sucking air by the balloon controlling device  100  allows the first balloon  60  to be expanded or contracted. The first balloon  60  is expanded into a generally spherical shape by air supply, and is contracted to stick around the outer circumferential surface of the inserting section  12  by air suction.  
         [0060]     Meanwhile, the insertion assisting tool  70  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a tubular and rigid holding section  72  which is provided at the rear end of the insertion assisting tool  70  and a tube body  73  which is attached to the distal end of the holding section  72 , and the inserting section  12  of the endoscope  10  above described is inserted from the holding section  72  into the tube body  73 .  
         [0061]     The tube body  73  comprises a flexible resin tube substrate which is formed of urethane for example, and the substrate has an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface which are coated by a hydrophilic coating material (a lubricant coating material). The hydrophilic coating material may be, for example, polyvinyl pyrrolidone.  
         [0062]     A second balloon  80  is attached near the distal end of the tube body  73 . The second balloon  80  is formed into a tubular shape having two deflated ends, and is attached to the tube body  73  with the insertion assisting tool  70  being therethrough, and is fixed there by winding a thread (not shown) around the ends. The second balloon  80  is in communicated with a tube  74  which is adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool  70 , and the tube  74  has a rear end to which a connector  76  is provided. The connector  76  is connected to a tube  120 , and to the balloon controlling device  100  via the tube  120 . Thus, a supply or sucking air by the balloon controlling device  100  allows the second balloon  80  to be expanded or contracted. The second balloon  80  is expanded into a generally spherical shape by air supply, and is contracted to stick around the outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool  70  by air suction.  
         [0063]     The insertion assisting tool  70  has a rear end in which an inlet  78  is formed. The inlet  78  is in communicated with an opening (not shown) which is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool  70 . Thus, a lubricant (e.g. water) can be supplied into the insertion assisting tool  70  by injecting the lubricant with a syringe or the like from the inlet  78 . This reduces the friction between the inner circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool  70  and the outer circumferential surface of the inserting section  12  in inserting of the inserting section  12  into the insertion assisting tool  70 , and enables a smooth relative movement between the inserting section  12  and the insertion assisting tool  70 .  
         [0064]     The balloon controlling device  100  supplies and sucks in fluids such as air through the first balloon  60 , and also supplies and sucks in fluids such as air to and from the second balloon  80 . The balloon controlling device  100  generally comprises a device body  102  and a hand held switch  104  for remotely controlling.  
         [0065]     The device body  102  has a front side where a power switch SW 1 , a stop switch SW 2 , a first pressure indicator  106 , a second pressure indicator  108 , a first function stop switch SW 3 , and a second function stop switch SW 4  are provided. Each of the first pressure indicator  106  and the second pressure indicator  108  is a panel to indicate a pressure value of the first balloon  60  and the second balloon  80  respectively, and the pressure indicators  106  and  108  indicate an error code in the event of failure such as a balloon burst.  
         [0066]     The first function stop switch SW 3  and the second function stop switch SW 4  turn on and off the functions of the control system for endoscope A and the control system for insertion assisting tool B which will be described below, respectively, and when only one of the first balloon  60  and the second balloon  80  is used, one of the function stop switches SW 3  and SW 4 , not in use, is controlled to be turned off. In the turned off control system A or B, any supply and suction of air is completely stopped, and the pressure indicator  106  or  108  for the system is also turned off. The initial conditions of the systems may be set by turning off both of the function stop switches SW 3  and SW 4 . For example, a calibration for an atmosphere pressure is performed by holding down all of the switches SW 5  to SW 9  simultaneously on the hand held switch  104  while both of the function stop switches SW 3  and SW 4  are turned off.  
         [0067]     To the front of the device body  102  are connected an air supply and suction tube  110  and an air supply and suction tube  120 , for the first balloon  60  and the second balloon  80  respectively. Backflow prevention units  112  and  122  are provided at the points where each of the tubes  110  and  120  is connected to the device body  102 , which prevent any backflow of body fluid when the first balloon  60  or the second balloon  80  is burst. The backflow prevention units  112  and  122  are respectively structured by fitting a filter for gas and liquid separation into the inside a hollow disk-like case (not shown) which is removably attached to the device body  102 , so that the filter prevents any liquid flowing into the device body  102 .  
         [0068]     The pressure indicators  106  and  108 , the function stop switches SW 3  and SW 4 , and the backflow prevention units  112  and  122  are fixedly arranged for the endoscope  10  and for the insertion assisting tool  70 . That is, the pressure indicator  106 , the function stop switch SW 3 , and the backflow prevention unit  112  are arranged for the endoscope  10  on the right side relative to the pressure indicator  108 , the function stop switch SW 4 , and the backflow prevention units  122  for the insertion assisting tool  70 , respectively.  
         [0069]     Meanwhile, to the hand held switch  104 , a stop switch SW 5  which is similar to the stop switch SW 2  on the device body  102 , an ON/OFF switch SW 6  to give a command to pressurize/depressurize the first balloon  60 , a pose switch SW 7  to maintain a pressure of the first balloon  60 , an ON/OFF switch SW 8  to give a command to pressurize/depressurize the second balloon  80 , and a pose switch SW 9  to maintain a pressure of the second balloon  80  are provided, and the hand held switch  104  is electrically connected to the device body  102  via a code  130 . Also, display sections to display a condition of air supply or exhaust of the first balloon  60  and second balloon  80 , which are not shown in  FIG. 1 , are provided to the hand held switch  104 .  
         [0070]     The balloon controlling device  100  configured as described above expands each balloon  60  and  80  by supplying air, and maintains the expanded balloons  60  and  80  by controlling the air pressure in the balloons at a constant value. The balloon controlling device  100  also contracts each balloon  60  and  80  by sucking air, and maintains the contracted balloons  60  and  80  by controlling the air pressure in the balloons at a constant value.  
         [0071]     The balloon controlling device  100  is connected to a balloon exclusive monitor  82  which displays a pressure value and an expanded or contracted condition of each balloon  60  and  80 . A pressure value and an expanded or contracted condition of each balloon  60  and  80  may be displayed on the monitor  50  by superimposing on an observation image obtained by the endoscope  10 .  
         [0072]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a hood member  200  is applied to the distal end portion  44  of the inserting section  12  of the endoscope  10 . The hood member  200  is formed of a resin or rubber into a cylindrical shape. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the hood member  200  has an inner diameter d which is generally the same with or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the distal end portion  44 , thereby the hood member  200  is applied to the distal end portion  44  by elastically deforming a rear end of the hood member  200 C to fit the hood member  200  onto the distal end portion  44 .  
         [0073]     The hood member  200  has an opening at its distal end having an area larger than the opening area of the forceps port  58  in the distal end portion  44 . The shape of the hood member  200  is not limited to a cylinder, and the hood member  200  may be formed into any shape such as a tapered shape. However, the opening at the distal end of the hood member  200  is preferably larger than the opening area of the forceps port  58 .  
         [0074]     The hood member  200  has an inner circumferential surface having a position defining project  202  is formed to define a minimum projecting length of the hood, and the position defining project  202  contacts with the front surface of the inserting section  12  when the hood member  200  is attached to the distal end portion  44 . This maintains the hood member  200  in a position projected from the distal end portion  44  when the hood member  200  is attached to the distal end portion  44 . The position defining project  202  defines a minimum projecting length of the hood, the length may be increased as needed by an operator.  
         [0075]     The hood member  200  has a distal end portion  200 A and a middle portion  200 B, and the distal end portion  200 A is formed of a material which is more flexible than that for the middle portion  200 B. Thus, the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200  elastically deforms when a medical capsule  220  is attracted by the vacuum inside of the hood member  200  to the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200 , which allows the medical capsule  220  to be reliably held. That is, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when the medical capsule  220  is attracted to the hood member  200  with the longitudinal sides of the medical capsule  220  being generally parallel to the central axis of the hood member  200 , the inner circumferential part of the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200  elastically deforms to reliably hold the medical capsule  220 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the medical capsule  220  is attracted to the hood member  200  at an angle, the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200  elastically deforms along the medical capsule  220 , which can increase an airtightness to reliably hold the medical capsule  220 . In this way, the hood member  200  of this embodiment is configured to have the distal end portion  200 A as a holding section to hold the medical capsule  220 .  
         [0076]     The middle portion  200 B is formed of a material which is less flexible than that of the distal end portion  200 A, thereby the middle portion  200 B of the hood member  200  keeps its original cylindrical shape when the inside of the hood member  200  is vacuum (or in a depressurized state). This prevents any crash of the middle portion  200 B of the hood member  200 , which in turn prevents the medical capsule  220  from falling.  
         [0077]     At least the middle portion  200 B of the hood member  200  is formed of a transparent or semitransparent material. Thus, view is not restricted while the hood member  200  is inserted in a body cavity to find the medical capsule  220 , and when the medical capsule  220  is held at the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200 , the outside of the hood member  200  can be observed through the transparent or semitransparent middle portion  200 B. The entire of the hood member  200  may be formed of a transparent or semitransparent material.  
         [0078]     Now, a method to insert the inserting section  12  of the endoscopic apparatus which is configured as described above into a body cavity will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6A  to  6 J.  FIGS. 6A  to  6 J show an example to insert an endoscopic apparatus by oral route, but the endoscopic apparatus may be inserted by anal route.  
         [0079]     First, the first balloon  60  and the second balloon  80  are contracted and the inserting section  12  is inserted into the insertion assisting tool  70  to start the insertion of the inserting section  12 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , when the distal end of the inserting section  12  reaches the inside of stomach  90 A, the insertion assisting tool  70  is inserted along the inserting section  12 , so that, as shown in  FIG. 6B , the distal end of the insertion assisting tool  70  reaches the inside of the stomach  90 A.  
         [0080]     Next, while holding the insertion assisting tool  70  so as not to be pulled out of the body cavity, the inserting section  12  is inserted into the insertion assisting tool  70  until the distal end of the inserting section  12  reaches the second portion of duodenum  90 B as shown in  FIG. 6C  (an inserting operation). Then the first balloon  60  is expanded to fix the distal end of the inserting section  12  to the second portion of duodenum (a fixing operation).  
         [0081]     Then the insertion assisting tool  70  is pushed down to be inserted along the inserting section  12  (a pushing operation). As shown in  FIG. 6D , after the distal end of the insertion assisting tool  70  comes close to the first balloon  60 , the second balloon  80  is expanded by supplying air. This fixes the second balloon  80  to the second portion of duodenum  90 B, which holds the second portion of duodenum  90 B around the insertion assisting tool  70  via the second balloon  80  (a holding operation).  
         [0082]     In this holding state, both of the insertion assisting tool  70  and the inserting section  12  are drawn back (a drawing back operation). This removes any excess deflection or bending between the entrance and the second portion of duodenum  90 B of the gastrointestinal tract  90 .  
         [0083]     Next, after the air in the first balloon  60  is sucked to contract the first balloon  60  as shown in  FIG. 6E , the inserting section  12  is inserted into the small intestine  90 C (an inserting operation). Because any excess deflection or bending between the entrance and the second portion of duodenum  90 B of the gastrointestinal tract  90  is already removed by the insertion assisting tool  70 , the inserting section  12  can be readily inserted.  
         [0084]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 6F , the first balloon  60  is expanded to fix the distal end of the inserting section  12  to the gastrointestinal tract  90  (a fixing operation). After the second balloon  80  is contracted, as shown in  FIG. 6G , the insertion assisting tool  70  is pushed down to be inserted along the inserting section  12  (a pushing operation), so that the distal end of the insertion assisting tool  70  comes close to the first balloon  60  to expand the second balloon  80  (a holding operation).  
         [0085]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 6H , while the first balloon  60  and the second balloon  80  are expanded, both of the insertion assisting tool  70  and the inserting section  12  are drawn back (a drawing back operation). This removes any excess deflection or bending of the gastrointestinal tract  90 .  
         [0086]     This series of operations described above (an inserting operation, a fixing operation, a pushing operation, a holding operation, and a drawing back operation) is repeatedly performed, and as a result, the gastrointestinal tract  90  which has been complicatedly bent or deflected is made simplified as shown in  FIG. 6I . This allows the inserting section  12  to be inserted further into the gastrointestinal tract  90  as shown in  FIG. 6J .  
         [0087]     Now, operations of the endoscopic apparatus according to the present invention will be explained. An example is shown below in which a medical capsule  220  in a body cavity is held to be collected at outside of the body cavity.  
         [0088]     First, the inserting section  12  is inserted into a body cavity with a hood member  200  being attached to the distal end portion  44  of the inserting section  12 . For example, operations such as those described with  FIGS. 6A  to  6 J are performed to insert the distal end portion  44  of the inserting section  12  into a lower gastrointestinal tract such as small intestine.  
         [0089]     Then, the distal end portion  44  of the inserting section  12  is inserted to a position where a medical capsule  220  is located, the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200  is brought close to the medical capsule  220  in the body cavity while observing image obtained by the observation optical system  52 .  5  The suction button  30  is controlled to start a sucking through the forceps port  58 . This causes the gas (or liquid) in the hood member  200  to be sucked through the forceps port  58 , and the inside of the hood member  200  is made vacuum.  
         [0090]     Due to the vacuum inside of the hood member  200 , the medical capsule  220  is attracted to the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200 . As the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200  is formed of a flexible material, the medical capsule  220  is reliably attracted to and held by the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200 , in spite of a posture of the medical capsule  220 . Also, as the medical capsule  220  is attracted to and held by the distal opening of the hood member  200  the area of which is larger than that of the forceps port  58 , the medical capsule  220  is reliably held with a larger holding power. In addition, the medical capsule  220  is held with a part of the medical capsule  220  being pulled into the inside of the hood member  200 , which increases closeness due to increased airtightness between the medical capsule  220  and the hood member  200 , so that the holding power for the medical capsule  220  is increased. Thus, the medical capsule  220  can be more reliably held.  
         [0091]     After the medical capsule  220  is held, the inserting section  12  of the endoscope  10  is withdrawn out of the body cavity to bring the medical capsule  220  to the outside of the body cavity and collect it. During this operation, as the medical capsule  220  is held in a region where can be observed by the observation optical system  52 , the holding of the medical capsule  220  can be continuously checked visually from an observation image. Thus, in case of the medical capsule  220  being fallen, the situation would be immediately known.  
         [0092]     During the withdrawing of the inserting section  12  of the endoscope  10  out of the body cavity, as the middle portion  200 B of the hood member  200  is transparent or semitransparent, the outside of the hood member  200  can be observed. This prevents the held medical capsule  220  from being stuck to a wall surface and the like of the body cavity.  
         [0093]     As described above, according to the endoscopic apparatus of this embodiment, the inside of the hood member  200  is sucked through the forceps port  58  to be vacuum, so that a medical capsule  220  is attracted to and held by the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200 . Because the distal end portion  200 A of the hood member  200  has an opening the area of which is larger than that of the forceps port  58 , the distal end portion  200 A has a larger power to hold the medical capsule  220 . So, according to this embodiment, the medical capsule  220  can be reliably held and collected without falling.  
         [0094]     According to this embodiment, because the medical capsule  220  is held by the hood member  200 , the held medical capsule  220  can be continuously checked visually from an observation image obtained by the observation optical system  52 .  
         [0095]     The configuration of the holding section in the hood member  200  is not limited to the above embodiment, but the holding section in the hood member  200  may be configured in any way which is appropriate to hold a medical capsule  220 . For example, a hood member  206  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a distal end portion  206 A and a middle portion  206 B, the distal end portion  206 A having a thickness smaller than that of the middle portion  206 B so that the distal end portion  206 A is easily deflected. So, as shown in  FIG. 8 , even when the hood member  206  approached the medical capsule  220  at an angle, the distal end portion  206 A of the hood member  206  is deflected to closely contact with the medical capsule  220 . This increases closeness due to increased airtightness between the medical capsule  220  and the hood member  206 , so that the holding power for the medical capsule  220  is increased. Thus, the medical capsule  220  can be reliably held. The middle portion  206 B of the hood member  206  of  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  is formed thicker than the distal end portion  206 A with an inner circumferential surface of the middle portion  206 B being projecting inward, and the middle portion  206 B also functions as a positioning element when it contacts with the front surface  45  of the inserting section  12 . The thick middle portion  206 B keeps its original cylindrical shape even when the inside of the hood member  206  is sucked vacuum. This prevents the attracting power from being decreased due to a crash of the middle portion  206 B, which in turn prevents the medical capsule  220  from falling.  
         [0096]     A hood member  208  shown in  FIG. 9  has a distal end portion  208 A and a middle portion  208 B, and a groove  208 D is formed between the distal end portion  208 A and the middle portion  208 B. The groove  208 D is annularly formed in an inner circumferential surface of the hood member  208  in a circumferential direction thereof. The groove  208 D of this configuration reduces the rigidity of the distal end portion  208 A of the hood member  208 , which allows the distal end portion  208 A to be easily deflected. This increases closeness due to increased airtightness between the medical capsule  220  and the distal end portion  208 A of the hood member  208 , so that the holding power for the medical capsule  220  is increased. Thus, the medical capsule  220  can be reliably held. Especially, as shown in  FIG. 10 , even when the hood member  208  approaches the medical capsule  220  at an angle, the distal end portion  208 A of the hood member  208  is deflected to closely contact with the medical capsule  220 , thereby the medical capsule  220  can be reliably held.  
         [0097]     A hood member  210  shown in  FIG. 11  includes a distal end portion  210 A having an outer circumferential surface provided with a plurality of grooves  210 E. Each of the grooves  210 E is formed in an axis direction of the hood member  210 , and has a circular cross section which is perpendicular to the axis direction. The grooves  210 E are separated by a uniform distance from each other in the circumferential direction, and ribs  210 F are formed between the grooves  210 E. The grooves  210 E allow the distal end portion  210 A of the hood member  210  to be easily deflected, and the ribs  210 F allow the distal end portion  210 A of the hood member  210  to maintain its appropriate rigidity. In addition, the grooves  210 E formed in the outer circumferential surface make the inner -circumferential surface smooth which readily contacts closely with a medical capsule  220 . This increases closeness between the medical capsule  220  and the hood member  210 , so that the medical capsule  220  can be more reliably held.  
         [0098]     A hood member  212  shown in  FIG. 12  includes a distal end portion  212 A having an inner circumferential surface which is formed to correspond to the curved shape of a medical capsule  220 . That is, the distal end portion  212 A of the hood member  212  has on its inner circumferential surface a curved surface portion  212 G which corresponds to a part of the sphere of a medical capsule  220 . Thus, when a medical capsule  220  is attracted to and held by the distal end portion  212 A, the closeness between the medical capsule  220  and the distal end portion  212 A of the hood member  212  is increased, so that the medical capsule  220  can be more reliably held.  
         [0099]     A hood member  214  shown in  FIG. 13  includes a distal end portion  214 A having an inner circumferential surface which has a taper  214 H to provide a holding section. Thus, when a medical capsule  220  is attracted to and held by the distal end portion  214 A, the taper  214 H contacts with the curved portion of the medical capsule  220 , which increases closeness between the hood member  214  and the medical capsule  220 , so that the medical capsule  220  can be more reliably held.  
         [0100]     A hood member  216  shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  includes a distal end portion  216 A which is provided with a circular groove  216 I. The side of a medical capsule  220  is pulled into the groove  216 I to be held, so that the medical capsule  220  can be reliably held.  
         [0101]     The above embodiment has been explained by an example in which a medical capsule  220  in a body cavity is held to be collected at outside of the body cavity, but the embodiment may be used in an application to transport a held medical capsule  220  through a body cavity. For example, when a medical capsule  220  is stuck at a narrowed portion of a body cavity, the held medical capsule  220  is transported beyond the narrowed portion, and is released. A release of a medical capsule  220  is performed by controlling the suction button  30  of  FIG. 1  to stop a sucking operation through the forceps port  58 .  
         [0102]     The embodiment may be also used in an application to transport a medical capsule  220  into a body cavity by inserting the inserting section  12  into the body cavity after a medical capsule  220  is held by the inserting section  12  at the outside of the body cavity.  
         [0103]     The above embodiment has been explained as an example in which the present invention is applied to a double balloon endoscopic apparatus having a first balloon  60  and a second balloon  80 , but a configuration of an endoscopic apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to an endoscopic apparatus without a first balloon  60  and a second balloon  80 , or an endoscopic apparatus without an insertion assisting tool  70 . That is, a hood member  200  is attached to a distal end portion  44  of an inserting section  12  of an endoscope  10 , and the inside of the hood member  200  is made vacuum through a forceps port  58  to attract a medical capsule  220  to the distal end of the hood member  200  so that the medical capsule  220  can be reliably held for its collection or transportation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0