In-vivo imaging apparatus, and support member for in-vivo imaging apparatus

Abstract

An in-vivo monitoring camera system that includes: a camera support tube ( 13 ) of which one end part is introduced into a body; a camera unit ( 11 ) which joins with the camera support tube in the body; a joining portion which joins the camera unit and the support tube to each other; a camera side cable ( 12 ) which is connected to the camera unit, and is drawn out toward the outside of the body through the camera support tube; a control system which is on the outside of the body, is connected to the camera side cable, and includes at least a display apparatus; and a cooling system ( 77 ) which cools the camera support tube to which heat of the imaging unit is transferred.

1 . An in-vivo imaging apparatus comprising:
 an imaging unit that is capable of being introduced into a body; and   a cable connected to the imaging unit,   the cable being drawn out toward the outside of the body through a support member which joins with the imaging unit in the body,   the imaging unit including (i) a joining portion which joins with the support member and (ii) a thermal conductor which transfers heat generated in the imaging unit to the joining portion,   the thermal conductor being provided in a housing of the imaging unit.   
     
     
         2 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining portion or the support member is configured by combining an elastic material and a high thermal conductivity material having higher thermal conductivity than that of a material which is used for the housing of the imaging unit. 
     
     
         3 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the joining portion is configured by combining an elastic material and a high thermal conductivity material having higher thermal conductivity than that of a material which is used for the housing of the imaging unit; and   the support member is configured of a high thermal conductivity material having higher thermal conductivity than that of the material which is used for the housing of the imaging unit.   
     
     
         4 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining portion, which is a recessed joining portion, has a conductive projected part having conductive properties at a bottom part thereof, and when joining the imaging unit and the support member, an inner circumferential surface of the support member and the conductive projected part come into contact with each other. 
     
     
         5 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the conductive projected part has a tapered shape which is tapered off as approaching an opening of the joining portion. 
     
     
         6 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cable is fixed to the support member by a cable holder which holds the cable; and   cable holding strength of the cable holder is greater than joining strength of the support member and the joining portion.   
     
     
         7 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the joining strength is within a range of from 3 N to 6 N. 
     
     
         8 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cable is fixed to the support member by a cable holder which holds the cable; and   cable holding strength of the cable holder is within a range of 5 N to 50 N.   
     
     
         9 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining portion comprises a high thermal conductivity material having higher thermal conductivity than that of a material which is used for the housing of the imaging unit. 
     
     
         10 . A support member configured to be joined with the in-vivo imaging apparatus recited in  claim 9  in the body,
 the support member comprising a high thermal conductivity material having higher thermal conductivity than that of a resin that is a material which is used for the housing of the imaging unit, 
 wherein, when joining with the joining portion, the high thermal conductivity material of the support member comes into contact with the high thermal conductivity material of the joining portion. 
 
     
     
         11 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the joining portion is provided in the imaging unit and recessed; and   the imaging unit and the support member are joined to each other by the support member being inserted into the joining portion.   
     
     
         12 . An in-vivo imaging apparatus comprising:
 an imaging unit that is capable of being introduced into a body; and   a cable connected to the imaging unit,   the imaging unit including a joining portion which joins with a support member and which contains a metal material,   the cable being adhered and fixed to the joining portion.   
     
     
         13 . The in-vivo imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining portion is equally spaced from each of a plurality of illumination apparatuses provided in the imaging unit.