Study on Devices And System For Endscope of The Next Generation

在这项研究中，我们开发了下一代内窥镜的关键技术。得到的结果如下：1.研究结果。用于内窥镜的微型多传感器。这种传感器的尺寸如此之小，以至于可以安装在一个可以吞咽的微小监测设备中。也就是说，一个尺寸为3 mm×4 mm、0.2 mm厚的硅晶片被制作成多传感器(压力、pH和温度)。下一代的内窥镜。图像传感的方法有两种：面阵电荷耦合器件或超声波。然而，这些系统对电路的电能要求很高。因此，本研究对图像以外的肠道参数进行监测和传输。这种类型的胶囊将在医疗保健方面有用。能量通过身体组织传递。电流很容易在人体内流动，因为组织的电导与海水大致相同。它们的频率特性相似，我们验证了50 kHz左右的电流是最佳的。该频率的正弦波形被用作载波，并被脉冲调制。与电磁传输系统的方法相比，该传输具有节省从体内传输信号的能量的优点。IC输出功率仅为8UW。这向我们暗示了胶囊式监测装置的可能性，它需要非常低的功耗。另一项研究是通过大约100 kHz的超声波传输电路能量。我们可以通过盐水发送550微瓦，这足以运行低功耗(70微瓦)IC。因此，有可能开发更少电池的监视器或更小的胶囊式测量装置。

In this study, we have developed key technologies on endoscope of the next generation. The obtained results are as follows.1. Micro multi-sensor for endoscope. The size of this sensor is so small as to install within a tiny monitoring device which can be swallowed. That is, a silicone wafer of 3mm x 4mm and 0.2mm thick size was fabricated to multi-sensor (pressure, pH and temperature).2. Endoscope of the next generation. The method of image sensing is either CCD or ultrasound. However, these system require high electric power for the circuits. Therefore, intestinal parameters other than image are monitored and transmitted in this study. This type of capsule will be useful for health care.3. Energy transmission through body tissue. Electric current flows easily in the human body, because the conductance of the tissue is approximately same as seawater. The frequency characteristics of them are similar and we have verified that about 50 KHz current is optimum. The sinusoidal waveforms of that frequency was used as a carrier and modulated by pulses. This transmission has a merit of saving energy for signal transmission from within the body compared with the method of electromagnetic transmission system. The power of the output from IC is only 8 uW. This suggests us the possibility of capsule type monitoring device that requires very low power consumption. Anther study was to transmit circuit energy by means of ultrasound of about 100 KHz. We could have send 550 uW through saline water which is enough to operate low consumption (70 uW) IC. Therefore, it is possible to develop battery less monitor or more small capsule type measuring devices.