Capsule-type medical device

Abstract

A capsule-type medical device comprises a capsule main unit having functions for being inserted into the body cavity and performing medical acts such as taking images or the like. The capsule main unit comprises therein a magnet which is acted upon by external magnetism, and a spiral portion on the outer perimeter, so that rotating force acting upon the magnet is readily converted into a propelling force for propelling the capsule-type medical device. A flexible insertion portion which is long and small in diameter is provided to the capsule main unit to allow smooth progression through the body cavity, and the center of gravity of the device is placed upon the longitudinal center axis of the capsule main unit, thus facilitating smooth progression through the body cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A capsule type medical device comprising:
 a swallowable housing introduced into a subject   a battery placed in the housing;   a magnet placed in the housing; and   an antenna placed in the housing and adapted to wirelessly communicate with a device located outside the subject;   wherein the magnet is arranged on a first side of the battery and the antenna is arranged on a second side substantially opposite to the first side with respect to the battery.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the capsule type medical device further comprises an illumination device placed in the housing, the illumination device being arranged on a substantially opposite side to the antenna with respect to the battery. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is provided with one of a permanent magnet and a coil. 
     
     
         4 . A capsule type medical device comprising:
 a swallowable housing introduced into a subject, the housing having an axis in a first direction; and   plural built-in components each disposed in the housing;   wherein a heaviest component of the plural components is positioned on a central axis of the housing having substantially a same direction as the first direction such that a center of gravity of the capsule type medical device is positioned on the central axis of the housing.   
     
     
         5 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 4 , wherein the heaviest component is positioned at the center of the central axis such that the center of gravity of the capsule type medical device is positioned at the center of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule typo medical device according to  claim 4 , wherein the heaviest component is a battery. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 6 , wherein the capsule type medical device further comprising a magnet disposed in the housing, the magnet being arranged such that a center of a magnetism direction thereof is placed substantially on the central axis. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 7 , wherein the magnet is arranged so that the magnetism direction thereof has a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 6 , wherein a magnet is further provided in the housing, the magnet being arranged such that a magnetism direction thereof has a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         10 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 6 , wherein the battery comprises plural button batteries. 
     
     
         11 . A capsule type medical device comprising:
 a swallowable housing having a longitudinal axis;   a magnet disposed in the housing and having a magnetism direction in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and   a mark provided on the housing and adapted to indicate the magnetization direction.   
     
     
         12 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 11 , wherein the mark is adapted to indicate one of the poles of the magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 11 , the magnet is provided with one of a permanent magnet and a coil. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule type medical device according to  claim 11 , further comprising a spiral provided on the housing.