The present disclosure relates to a medical device, an external unit, a power transmission sheet, a medical tool, and a position detection method.
A body-embedded medical device whose main unit is embedded in a body has been used as a medical tool in order to administer a chemical solution to the inside of the body. This medical tool reduces a strain on a patient whose has to have an injection frequently in order to administer a chemical solution. The medical tool has a soft part in the main unit into which an injection needle is inserted. The soft part is formed of, for example, silicone rubber, or the like. In the medical tool, a chemical solution is injected into a chemical solution container through the soft part. The chemical solution is conveyed to blood vessels via a catheter.
In such a medical tool, because a main unit is embedded in a body, it is difficult to specify the position of a soft part by sight from the outside of the body.
A medical tool to which the technique that is proposed in Japanese Patent No. 5958922 is applied and whose soft part is made by mixing a luminescent agent that emits near-infrared luminescent light because of application of near-infrared excitation light into a resin material is conceivable. With such a medical tool, converting near-infrared fluorescence into visible light would possibly make it possible to specify the position of the soft part by sight.
There is a need for providing a medical device that makes it possible to easily check a given site in a medical tool that is embedded in a body and is used, an external unit, a power transmission sheet, a medical tool, and a position detection method.
According to an embodiment, a medical device includes: a power transmitter configured to transmit power without contact; a power receiver configured to receive the power that is transmitted from the power transmitter; a medical tool that includes any one of the power transmitter and the power receiver and that is to be embedded in a body and is used; and a notification unit configured to, when a relative positional relationship between the power transmitter and the power receiver reaches a given state in association with move of any one of the power transmitter and the power receiver, notify that the relative positional relationship enters the given state.
According to an embodiment, an external unit which detects a given spot in a medical tool that is to be embedded in a body and is used and that includes a power receiver configured to receive power that is transmitted without contact from outside, includes: a power transmitter configured to transmit the power without contact; and a notification unit configured to, when a relative positional relationship between the power transmitter and the power receiver reaches a given state in association with move of the external unit, notify that the relative positional relationship enters the given state.
According to an embodiment, a power transmission sheet that is detachable from an external unit configured to detect a given spot in a medical tool that is to be embedded in a body and is used and that includes a power receiver configured to receive power that is transmitted without contact from outside, includes: a sheet unit that is platy; a second coil that is arranged on one side of the sheet unit and that is for transmitting the power; and a connector that is arranged on another side of the sheet unit and that is configured to electrically connect the second coil and a power source unit of the external unit.
According to an embodiment, a medical tool that is to be embedded in a body and is used and that is configured to receive power that is transmitted without contact from an external unit, includes: a main unit that is to be embedded in a body and is used; a soft part of the main unit into which an injection needle for injecting a chemical solution is to be inserted; and a power receiver that includes a first coil that is arranged around the soft part and that is configured to receive the power via the first coil.
According to an embodiment, a position detection method that is executed by a medical device including a power transmitter configured to transmit power without contact; a power receiver configured to receive the power that is transmitted from the power transmitter; a medical tool that includes any one of the power transmitter and the power receiver and that is to be embedded in a body and is used; and an external unit that includes another one of the power transmitter and the power receiver, includes: in a case where the power transmitter transmits the power toward the power receiver with the external unit being moved, when a relative positional relationship between the power transmitter and the power receiver reaches a given state, notifying that the relative positional relationship enters the given state.
In the related art, when a soft part is made by mixing a luminescent agent into a resin material, there is a possibility that the luminescent agent would coagulate, the amount of near-infrared luminesce that is emitted by the luminescent agent would decrease due to concentration quenching, and resultantly it would be difficult to specify the position of a soft part.
The medical tool having the soft part has been described here, and body-embedded medical devices having no soft part have a similar problem.
Modes for carrying out the disclosure will be described in detail below with the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the disclosure. Each of the drawings that are referred in the following description only schematically illustrate the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships such that the content of the disclosure is understandable. In other words, the disclosure is not limited to only the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships that are exemplified in each drawing. Furthermore, in the following description, a medical device that detects a given spot in a medical tool that is embedded in a body of a subject including a human and an animal and is used, an external unit, a reception device and a position detection method will be described in detail.
Configuration of Medical Device
Configuration of Medical Tool
First of all, a detailed configuration of the medical tool 10 will be described.
The medical tool 10 illustrated in
The main unit 11 is a casing that is made of, for example, epoxy resin, or the like. As illustrated in
The chemical solution container 12 is a chamber that stores a chemical temporarily. The chemical solution container 12 includes an opening 12a that is annular on the side of the outside of the body.
The soft part 13 is referred to as a so-called septum. The soft part 13 blocks the opening 12a of the chemical solution container 12. The soft part 13 is a soft cover (silicone diaphragm) that is made of, for example, silicone rubber and is arranged such that the soft part 13 is exposed from the main unit 11. The soft part 13 is cylindrical. The soft part 13 is a part into which an injection needle for injecting a chemical solution (transfusion) is insertable from a body surface 101 of the subject after the soft part 13 is embedded in the living body 100.
One end of the catheter 14 and the chemical solution container 12 communicate and the other end is inserted into a blood vessel not illustrated in the drawing, or the like. The catheter 14 conveys the chemical solution that is temporarily stored in the chemical solution container 12.
The first coil 15 is formed by multiple annular windings around an end face of the chemical solution container 12 on the side of the outside of the body and is arranged around the soft part 13. The first coil 15 is small and is mainly made of copper cables in order to increase power to be supplied and, in order to further reduce the weight, the first coil 15 may be made of aluminum cables. For example, the first coil 15 is formed in about 5 g. The first coil 15 is formed integrally with the main unit 11 by molding.
The power receiving circuit 16 receives power (induced electromotive force) that is generated in the first coil 15 and outputs a power reception result of the power reception to the first communication unit 17. In the first embodiment, the first coil 15 and the power receiving circuit 16 function as a power receiver.
The first communication unit 17 receives the power reception result that is input from the power receiving circuit 16 via the first coil 15 and transmits radio waves to the external unit 20. The power receiving circuit 16 and the first communication unit 17 may be formed integrally in an IC chip or may be formed separately. When a subject with the medical tool 10 being embedded in the body utilizes MRI, the IC chip would be exposed to a strong magnetic field. For this reason, the medical tool 10 may be configured to include a current detection function of detecting a current that flows through the first coil 15 and a shielding function, such as a switch, that electrically shields the first coil, the power receiving circuit 16, and the first communication unit 17. Such a configuration enables the IC chip to, when detecting a large current at or above a given threshold by the current detection function, have shielding from a current flowing into the first communication unit 17 by electrically shielding the first coil, the power receiving circuit 16, and the first communication unit 17 by the shielding function.
Configuration of External Unit
A schematic configuration of the external unit 20 will be described.
The external unit 20 illustrated in
Configuration of Casing
A configuration of the casing 21 will be described. The casing 21 houses inside a circuit board on which a power source, an IC chip, etc., to be described below are mounted. The casing 21 supplies power to the power transmitter 22 and receives a power reception result of power received by the power transmitter 22. The casing 21 includes a first connector 211, a power source unit 212, a second communication unit 213, an input unit 214, a recorder 215, an output unit 216, a display unit 217, a light emitter 218, and a controller 219.
The first connector 211 is electrically connectable to the power transmitter 22 that is mounted on the casing 21 and supplies power that is input from the power source unit 212 to the power transmitter 22. The first connector 211 is configured using, for example, an electric female coupler.
Under the control of the controller 219, the power source unit 212 supplies power to the power transmitter 22 via the first connector 211. The power source unit 212 is configured using a battery, a booster circuit, etc.
Under the control of the controller 219, the second communication unit 213 outputs, to the controller 219, the power reception result (signal) that is received by the power transmitter via the first connector 211.
The input unit 214 receives an input of an operation of a user. The input unit 214 is realized using a button, a switch, a touch panel, or the like. The user herein is any one of a doctor, a nurse, a carer, and a patient who is the subject.
The recorder 215 records various programs to be executed by the external unit 20 and information. The recorder 215 is realized using a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.
The output unit 216 outputs sound under the control of the controller 219. The output unit 216 is realized using, for example, a speaker, or the like.
The display unit 217 displays given information under the control of the controller 219. The display unit 217 is realized using liquid crystals, organic electro luminescence (EL), or the like.
The light emitter 218 emits light under the control of the controller 219. The light emitter 218 is realized using a light emitting diode (LED).
The controller 219 controls each unit of which the external unit 20 consists. When the input unit 214 is pressed, the controller 219 controls the power source unit 212 and supplies power to the power transmitter 22 via the first connector 211. When a power reception result is input from the second communication unit 213, the controller 219 causes the light emitter 218 to emit light, thereby notifying that the relative positional relationship between the power transmitter 22 and the medical tool 10 enters the given state. Specifically, the controller 219 causes the light emitter 218 to emit light to notify that the relative positional relationship with the medical tool 10 enters the given state that is, for example, the state that a second coil 222 of the power transmitter 22 to be described below is positioned above the first coil 15 of the medical tool 10 based on the power of the power reception result from the second communication unit 213. The controller 219 is realized using a memory and a processor including hardware, such as a central processing unit (CPU).
Configuration of Power Transmitter
A configuration of the power transmitter 22 will be descried next.
The power transmitter 22 illustrated in
The sheet unit 221 is platy and both ends of the sheet unit 221 in its longitudinal direction are formed into arcs. The sheet unit 221 is realized using, for example, non-woven fabric, or the like. The sheet unit 221 is formed using two sheets of non-woven fabric with the second coil 222 and the second connector 223 interposed in between. Note that, in the first embodiment, a seal member on which an attachment member or an adhesive member that is attachable to the subject may be provided on a side of a back surface of the sheet unit 221 (on the side of the subject). In the first embodiment, a lubricant may be provided instead of the seal member on the side of the back surface of the sheet unit 221 (on the side of the subject) such that the sheet unit 221 can smoothly move on the body surface 101 of the subject.
The second coil 222 is annular and is arranged on one side of the sheet unit 221 in its longitudinal direction. The second coil 222 generates a magnetic flux according to the power that is input from the casing 21 via the second connector 223.
The second connector 223 is arranged on the other side of the sheet unit 221 in its longitudinal direction and electrically connects the second coil 222 and the power source unit 212 of the casing 21. The second connector 223 is configured using, for example, an electric male coupler.
The hole 224 is formed in the second coil 222. For example, the hole 224 is formed at the center of arrangement of the second coil 222. An injection needle is insertable through the hole 224. Note that the inner diameter of the second coil 222 and the diameter of the hole 224 are changeable as appropriate according to the diameter of the soft part 13.
The hole 224 may consist of multiple holes as illustrated in
Position Detection Method executed by Medical Device
A position detection method that is executed by the medical device 1 will be described next.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the user moves the external unit 20 further close to the medical tool 10 (
When the relative positional relationship between the first coil 15 of the medical tool 10 and the second coil 222 reaches the given position, the controller 219 may not only cause the light emitter 218 to emit light but also cause the output unit 216 to output sound, thereby make a notification to the user. Furthermore, the controller 219 may make a notification to the user by causing the display unit 217 to display information indicating that the second coil 222 reaches the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10.
Thereafter, with the light emitter 218 emitting light, the user fixes the power transmitter 22 on the body surface 101 of the living body 100 in which the medical tool 10 is embedded using a tape 30, or the like, and detaches the power transmitter 22 from the casing 21 (
According to the first embodiment described above, because, when the relative positional relationship between the first coil 15 of the medical tool 10 and the second coil 222 reaches the given position, the light emitter 218 emits light and thus notifies that the relative positional relationship between the first coil 15 of the medical tool 10 and the second coil 222 reaches the given position, it possible to easily check the position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10 that is embedded in the living body 100 and is used.
According to the first embodiment, because the power transmitter 22 of the external unit 20 is detachable from the casing 21 and thus is usable again even for another subject, it is possible to reduce the cost of introducing the medical device 1.
Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, because the first coil 15 is provided in a annular form around the soft part 13, notification made by the light emitter 218 by emitting light makes it possible to easily check the position (shape) of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10.
Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, because the hole 224 is formed at the center of arrangement of the second coil 222 of the power transmitter 22, it is possible to easily insert the injection needle into the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10 with the relative positional relationship between the first coil 15 of the medical tool 10 and the second coil 222 having reached the given position.
The first embodiment may employ a configuration in which the first connector 211 and the second connector 223 are connected with a cable (not illustrated in the drawing). I the case of this configuration, the user is able to place the casing 21 on a table, or the like, and search for the medical tool 10 with the hand holding only the sheet unit 221.
Modification 1 of the First Embodiment
Modification 1 of the first embodiment will be described next. In the first embodiment described above, the hole 224 is formed at the center of the second coil 222 in the power transmitter 22; however, the power transmitter is not limited to this and the shape of the power transmitter may be changed as appropriate.
Configuration of Power Transmitter
The sheet unit 221A is platy and both ends of the sheet unit 221A are formed into arcs. The sheet unit 221A is realized using, for example, non-woven fabric, or the like. The sheet unit 221A is formed using two sheets of non-woven fabric with the second coil 222A and the second connector 223 interposed in between.
The second coil 222A is arranged on the sheet unit 221A such that the flow of a current E1 separates from an opposed part so as not to cause canceling of an inversed magnetic flux Bl because of a current E1. Specifically, the second coil 222A is arranged along the edge of the sheet unit 221A. Particularly, in a part in which the hole 224A is formed, the sheet unit 221A may be formed such that a width R2 of the sheet unit 221A is equal to or larger than a diameter R1 of the hole 224A (R2≥R1). As illustrated in
The hole 224A is formed in the vicinity of the second coil 222A. An injection needle is insertable through and removable from the hole 224A.
The cutout 225 is formed by making a cut from the hole 224A to the outer edge of the sheet unit 221A.
According to Modification 1 of the first embodiment described above, the user is able to remove the power transmitter 22A from the body surface of the subject with the injection needle being inserted into the medical tool 10 and this makes it possible to ensure hygiene.
According to Modification 1 of the first embodiment, when the user detects the position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10, the user inserts the injection needle into the medical tool 10 after temporarily fixing the sheet unit 221A on the subject with a tape, or the like. Thereafter, with the injection needle being left, the user detaches the external unit 20 including the sheet unit 221A from the subject via the cutout 225. The detached external unit 20 is usable many times and thus it is possible to further reduce the cost.
Modification 2 of First Embodiment
Modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described next. In the above-described first embodiment, the shape of the second coil 222 in the power transmitter 22 is the same all the time regardless whether the power transmitter 22 is attached to the subject; however, the second coil 222 is not limited to this, and the shapes of the second coil and the power transmitter are changeable.
The sheet unit 221AA is platy and both ends of the sheet unit 221AA in its longitudinal direction are formed into arcs. The sheet unit 221AA is realized using, for example, non-woven fabric, or the like. The sheet unit 221AA is formed using two sheets of non-woven fabric with the second coil 222AA and the second connector 223 interposed in between.
The second coil 222AA is annular and is arranged on one side of the sheet unit 221AA in its longitudinal direction. The second coil 222AA generates a magnetic flux according to power that is input from the casing 21 via the second connector 223. The second coil 222AA includes an annular part 226 and a joint 227 that electrically connects one end 226a of the annular part 226 and another end 226b of the annular part 226 and that is detachable. The joint 227 is made of an electric wire or an aluminum wire that electrically connects the end 226a and the other end 226b. The joint 227 need not be configured detachably from the end 226a and the other end 226b of the annular part 226 and, for example, a configuration in which a cut line is made at the center and the annular part 226 is disconnected may be employed or a configuration in which the end 226a and the other end 226b of the annular part 226 are insertable using a coupler, or the like, may be employed.
As for the power transmitter 22AA configured as described above, as illustrated in
According to Modification 2 of the first embodiment described above, because the joint 227 that electrically connects the end 226a and the other end 226b of the annular part 226 and that is detachable is provided in the second coil 222AA, it is possible to detached the external unit 20 including the sheet unit 221AA from the subject via the cutout 225 with an injection needle being left and thus it is possible to use the external unit 20 many times, which makes it possible to reduce the cost.
Modification 3 of First Embodiment
Modification 3 of the first embodiment will be described next. In the first embodiment described above, the power transmitter 22 is attached to the external surface of the living body 100; however, the power transmitter is not limited to this, and the power transmitter may be attached to the external surface of the living body 100 by various methods.
Configuration of Power Transmitter
A power transmitter 22B illustrated in
The housing 50 houses the sheet unit 221B such that the sheet unit 221B is movable inside. The area of the upper surface of the housing 50 is larger than the area of the sheet unit 221B. The housing 50 includes, on the side of a front surface, a window 51 via which the position of the sheet unit 221B is operable and includes, on a side of a back surface, an adhesive member 52 that is attachable to an object. The housing 50 is formed using a small member with a small coefficient of friction, for example, poly carbonate, or the like.
In the state where the housing 50 is attached to the subject 102 and the power transmitter 22B configured as described above is housed in the housing 50, the power transmitter 22B is detached from the casing 21 right above the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10 by the position detection method of the first embodiment described above. Note that, because the user knows an approximate site where the medical tool 10 is embedded, the user attaches the housing 50 to the subject 102 in the vicinity of the site where the medical tool 10 is embedded. Thereafter, as illustrated in
According to Modification 3 of the first embodiment described above, in the state of being housed in the housing 50, the power transmitter 22B is worn on the subject 102 and thus is attached with a small friction on the subject 102, which makes it possible to easily check the position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10.
A second embodiment will be described next. In the first embodiment described above, the medical tool 10 transmits the received power to the external unit 20, thereby making a notification of the position of the given spot in the medical tool 10 and, in the second embodiment, a receiving circuit changes the content of notification based on the value of power that is received from a medical tool. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the medical device 1 according to the first embodiment described above and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Configuration of Medical Device
Configuration of Medical Tool
First of all, a configuration of the medical tool 10C will be described.
The first communication unit 17C transmits a measurement result of measurement performed by the measurement unit 18 to the external unit 20C via the first coil 15. Furthermore, the first communication unit 17C transmits information that is recorded by the recorder to the external unit 20C via the first coil 15.
The measurement unit 18 measures a power value of power that is received by the power receiving circuit 16 and outputs the measurement result to the first communication unit 17C.
The recorder 19 records subject information on the subject in which the medical tool 10C is embedded. The subject information is, for example a name, a birth date, a weight, a doctor in charge, a type of applicable chemical solution, etc., for identifying the subject (patient). The recorder 19 is realized using an IC memory, or the like. Note that, in the second embodiment, the power receiving circuit 16, the first communication unit 17C, the measurement unit 18 and the recorder 19 may be formed integrally in an IC chip or may be formed separately.
Configuration of External Unit
A configuration of the external unit 20C will be described next. The external unit 20C includes a controller 219C instead of the controller 219 according to the first embodiment described above.
The controller 219C controls each unit of which the external unit 20C consists. When the input unit 214 is pressed, the controller 219C controls a light emission state of light emission by the light emitter 218 based on a current value that is input via the second communication unit 213. The controller 219C is realized using a memory and a processor including hardware, such as a CPU.
Position Detection Method executed by External Unit
A position detection method that is executed by the medical device 1C will be described next.
As illustrated in
At step S102, the controller 219C causes the light emitter 218 to emit light by first lighting. Specifically, the controller 219C causes the light emitter 218 to cause blue lighting. After step S102, the external unit 20C moves to step S106 to be described below.
At step S103, the controller 219C causes the light emitter 218 to emit light by second lighting. Specifically, the controller 219 causes the light emitter 218 to cause yellow or orange lighting.
Subsequently, in the state where power is supplied from the power source unit 212 to the second coil 222 of the power transmitter 22, when the sheet unit 221 is moved close to the medical tool 10 that is embedded in the living body 100 (see, for example,
At step S105, the controller 219C causes the light emitter 218 to emit light by third lighting. Specifically, the controller 219C causes the light emitter 218 to cause green lighting. The site where the light emitter 218 causes green lighting indicates that the soft part 13 is positioned under the hole 224. Thus, when the user inserts the injection needle 40 using the hole 224 as a sign based on the site where the light emitter 218 causes green lighting, the user is able to insert the injection needle 40 into the soft part 13 without dithering on the position of the soft part 13 of the medical tool 10.
Subsequently, the controller 219C determines whether to end detecting a position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10C (step S106). Specifically, the controller 219C determines whether the user separates his/her fingers, or the like, from the input unit 214 and thus signals from the input unit 214 stop. When the controller 219C determines to end detecting a position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10C (YES at step S106), the external unit 20C ends the process. On the other hand, when the controller 219C determines not to end detecting a position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10C (step S106: NO), the external unit 20C returns to step S101 described above.
According to the second embodiment described above, because the light emitter 218 changes the state of light emission and makes a notification based on the value of power received by the second communication unit 213, it is possible to instinctively know the distance between the soft part 13 of the medical tool 10C and the second coil 222 of the power transmitter 22.
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the controller 219C controls the power value of power that is supplied by the power source unit 212 based on the subject information that is input via the second communication unit 213 may be employed. According to this configuration, it is possible to supply power that is appropriate for each subject from the external unit 20C to the medical tool 10C.
A third embodiment will be described next. In the first and second embodiments described above, the light emitter 218 of the external unit 20 or 20C performs light emission, or the like, and thus notifies that the relative positional relationship between the first coil 15 in the medical tool 10 or 10C and the second coil 222 enters the given state and, in the third embodiment, a notification is made by providing a medical tool with a notifying unit. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the medical device 1 according to the first embodiment described above and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Configuration of Medical Device
A medical device 1D illustrated in
Configuration of Medical Tool
First of all, a detailed configuration of the medical tool 10D will be described.
The medical tool 10D illustrated in
The light emitters 60 are arranged annularly at given intervals around the soft part 13. Specifically, the light emitters 60 are arranged in three spots around the soft part 13 annularly about the first coil 15 at every 120 degrees. The light emitters 60 emit light according to power that is received by the power receiving circuit 16D. The light emitter 60 is configured using LEDs. Specifically, it is preferable that LEDs with high directionality be used for the light emitters 60. More specifically, it is preferable that red LEDs that emit light of a wavelength band of red be used because of transmission through a living body, such as a subject. Note that, as illustrated in
Configuration of External Unit
A configuration of the external unit 20D will be described next. As for the external unit 20D illustrated in
The second coil 230 is annular, generates a magnetic flux according to power that is input from the power source unit 212 and transmits the power to the first coil. Power that is supplied by the second coil 230 enables the light emitter 60 to emit light even when the second coil 230 and the first coil 15 have a given distance in between, for example, a distance of around few tens of centimeters.
In the medical device 1D configured as described above, power is supplied from the external unit 20D and the light emitters 60 in the medical tool 10D emit light, thereby making a notification of the site in which the medical tool 10D is embedded. This enables the user to instinctively know the position and the center of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10D from the outside of the subject.
According to the third embodiment described above, because the light emitters 60 in the medical tool 10D emits light and thus makes a notification, it is possible to instinctively know the position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10D from the outside of the subject.
In the third embodiment, the external unit 20D only transmits power to the medical tool 10D and, for example, as in the second embodiment, the medical tool 10D may be provided with the first communication unit 17C and the recorder 19 and the external unit 20D may be provided with the second communication unit 213 and the controller 219C, etc., thereby recording subject information and reading and writing subject information.
A fourth embodiment will be described next. In the above-described first to third embodiments, when the electromagnetic induction system causes the relative positional relationship between the medical tool and the external unit to enter the given state, the light emitter emits light and thus notifies that the relative positional relationship between the medical tool and the external unit enters the given state and, in the fourth embodiment, a medical tool is magnetized and an external unit is fixed onto the surface of the subject, thereby notifying that the relative positional relationship between the medical tool and the external unit enters a given state. A configuration of the medical device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the medical device 1 according to the above-described first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Configuration of Medical Device
Configuration of Medical Tool
First of all, a detailed configuration of the medical tool 10E will be described. The medical tool 10E illustrated in
Configuration of External Unit
A configuration of the external unit 20E will be described next. The external unit 20E illustrated in
In the medical device 1E configured as described above, in the case where the user presses the input unit 214 of the external unit 20E and power is supplied from the power source unit 212 of the casing 21 to the second coil 222 of the power transmitter 22, when the user moves the external unit 20 close to the medical tool 10E that is embedded in the living body 100 while searching for the medical tool 10E and the relative positional relationship between the medical tool 10E and the external unit 20E enters a given state, the change unit 300 fixes onto the body surface 101 of the subject. Specifically, the second coil 222 is pulled by a magnetic force of the magnetic member 71 and accordingly is fixed onto the body surface 101 of the subject (refer to
According to the fourth embodiment described above, because the second coil 222 is pulled by a magnetic force of the magnetic member 71 and accordingly is fixed onto the body surface 101 of the subject and the change unit 300 changes and thus makes a notification, it is possible to easily specify the position of the soft part 13 in the medical tool 10E.
A fifth embodiment will be described next. In the first embodiment, the power source unit 212 is arranged in the casing 21 and, in the fifth embodiment, a power source unit is arranged in a power transmitter and the power transmitter and an external unit are capable of wireless bidirectional communication. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the medical device 1 according to the first embodiment described above are thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Configuration of Medical Device
Configuration of Power Transmitter
First of all, a configuration of the power transmitter 400 will be described. The power transmitter 400 is rectangular and includes a sheet unit 401 that is attachable to a subject, the second coil 222, and the hole 224. Furthermore, the power transmitter 400 further includes a power source unit 212F, the second communication unit 213, a controller 219F, and a third communication unit 402.
The power source unit 212F is arranged on the sheet unit 401. The power source unit 212F is configured using, for example, an extremely thin button battery, or the like. Under the control of the controller 219F, the power source unit 212F supplies power to the second coil 222.
The controller 219F controls the power source unit 212F, the second communication unit 213 and the third communication unit 402. The controller 219F is realized using a memory and a processor including hardware, such as a CPU.
Under the control of the controller 219F, the third communication unit 402 performs bidirectional communication with a fourth communication unit 501 of the external unit 500 to be described below. Under the control of the controller 219F, the third communication unit 402 transmits a power reception result (signal) that is received by the second communication unit 213 to the fourth communication unit 501 of the external unit 500 to be described below. The third communication unit 402 is configured using, for example, a communication module capable of communication according to communication standards, such as Bluetooth (trademark) and Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (trademark).
Configuration of External Unit
A configuration of the external unit 500 will be described. The external unit 500 includes the power source unit 212, the input unit 214, the recorder 215, the output unit 216, the display unit 217, the light emitter 218, the fourth communication unit 501, and a controller 502.
Under the control of the controller 502, the fourth communication unit 501 receives a power reception result that is transmitted from the third communication unit 402 of the power transmitter 400 and outputs the power reception result to the controller 502. The fourth communication unit 501 is configured using, for example, a communication module capable of communication according to communication standards, such as Bluetooth (trademark) and Wi-Fi.
The controller 502 controls each unit of which the external unit 500 consists. The controller 502 causes the light emitter 218 to emit light based on the power reception result that is input via the fourth communication unit 501 and that is transmitted from the third communication unit 402 of the power transmitter 400, thereby causing the light emitter 218 to notify that the relative positional relationship between the power transmitter 400 and the medical tool 10 enters a given state. The controller 502 is realized using a memory and a processor including hardware, such as a CPU. The controller 502 may not only cause the light emitter 218 to emit light but also cause the output unit 216 to output sound or cause the display unit 217 to display information.
According to the fifth embodiment described above, arranging the power source unit 212F in the power transmitter 400 makes it possible to omit wires, joint connectors, etc., for supplying power from the external unit 500 and thus make it possible to realize a simple configuration.
According to the first to fifth embodiments of the disclosure described above, when the electromagnetic induction system causes the relative positional relationship between the medical tool and the external unit to enter the given state, a notification is made to the user; however, the system is not limited to this, and a magnetic field resonance system, an electromagnetic wave reception system and an electric field coupling system are applicable.
In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the transmitter and the casing are independent from each other; however, the transmitter and the casing are not limited to this, and the transmitter and the casing may be integral.
In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the power transmitter and the casing are electrically connected and thus power is supplied to the power transmitter; however, power supply is not limited to this and, for example, power may be supplied from the casing to the power transmitter by wireless power supply.
In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the power source unit is arranged in the casing; however, the power source unit is not limited to this and, for example, the power source unit may be arranged in the power transmitter. In this case, a transmitting antenna is arranged in the power transmitter and a receiving antenna is arranged in the casing and, when the relative positional relationship between the medical tool and the external unit enters the given state, a signal notifying that the relative positional relationship between the medical tool and the external unit enters the given state may be transmitted from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.
In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the second coil of the external unit transmits power to the first coil of the medical tool; however, the power transmission is not limited to this, and power may be transmitted from the first coil to the second coil.
It is possible to form various inventions by appropriately combining multiple components that are disclosed in the medical devices according to the first to fifth embodiments of the disclosure described above. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components described in the medical devices according to the first to fourth embodiments of the disclosure described above. Furthermore, the components that are described regarding the medical devices according to the first to fourth embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined appropriately.
In the medical devices according to the first to fifth embodiments of the disclosure described above, the term “unit” mentioned above is replaceable with “means”, “circuit”, or the like. For example, the controller may be replaced with a control means or a control circuit.
Programs that the medical devices according to the first to fifth embodiments are caused to execute are provided in a manner that the programs are recorded in file data in an installable form or an executable form in a computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a USB medium, or a flash memory.
In the description of the flowcharts herein, the expressions such as “first of all”, “then”, and “subsequently”, have been used to clearly indicate the temporal order of the processing between steps; however, the order of the processing required to carry out the disclosure is not uniquely determined by those expressions. That is, the order of the processing in the flowcharts described herein is changeable within a range without causing inconsistency.
Some embodiments of the application have been described in detail based on the drawings and the embodiments are exemplified only and it is possible to carry out the disclosure in, in addition to the modes described in the section of the disclosure of the invention, other modes in which various modifications and improvements are made based on knowledges of those skilled in the art.
semiconductor device can be suppressed is produced.
According to an embodiment, it is possible to obtain an effect that easily check a given site in a medical tool that is embedded in a body and is used.
Although the disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2019-088521 | May 2019 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/017398, filed on Apr. 22, 2020 which claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-088521, filed on May 8, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2020/017398 | Apr 2020 | US |
Child | 17451872 | US |