DE102005032578A1 - Capsule for the detection of a fetus, in the amniotic sac, has a sterile and bio-compatible housing containing sensors and is navigated by an external magnetic field - Google Patents

Abstract

The capsule (1), for the detection of a fetus in the amniotic sac, has a sterile and bio-compatible housing (2) containing at least one sensor (5-7) to register relevant medical data and/or at least one unit to deliver a therapeutic agent. The capsule is navigated by an external magnetic field. The sensor system includes a gyroscope. The capsule incorporates a biopsy unit (10).

Description

The The invention relates to a capsule of the same kind.

The Standard method for examining fetuses in the amniotic sac is the ultrasound examination. Furthermore, the investigation of Fetuses by means of an MR device (Magnetic resonance magnetic resonance imaging) known. If suspected of one Disability of the unborn child, an amniotic fluid examination is performed. For this amniotic fluid is taken from the puncture of the amniotic sac. About that There is also a visual examination of the amniotic fluid over the Cervix possible, but usually closed until shortly before the baby's birth should stay to avoid infections and other complications.

episode Such an examination may be a prenatal operation. So are in fetuses e.g. Heart surgery, blood transfusions or the shooting of a Spina bifida known. The imaging agents for this are, for example Ultrasound, endoscope or sight trocar with video camera and lamp.

such Examinations and therapies are complex and with a certain amount Risky and above Beyond a big one Burden on the Pregnant women and the fetus. Furthermore, the known investigations and therapies are only one shorter Period possible.

task The present invention is therefore a miniaturized medical device to create that over a longer one Period, possibly until birth, left in the amniotic sac can.

The The object is achieved by a Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1 solved. advantageous Embodiments of the invention are each the subject of further Claims.

The Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1 is a miniaturized medical device containing a having a sterile and biocompatible housing, in the at least one sensor device for detection medically relevant data and / or a therapy device for administration a therapeutic agent is arranged.

By the use of the fruit bubble capsule according to the invention the required diagnosis or therapy can be carried out over a much longer period, e.g. several days or weeks, possibly extended to birth become. This gives you more options and better options both in diagnostics and in therapy.

in the The scope of the invention is diverse advantageous embodiments of the Fruchtblasenkapsel possible.

The Fruit bladder can, for example, with a video camera and / or be equipped with an energy storage. According to a further advantageous Embodiment of the invention of the fruit bladder capsule this can be equipped with a radio transmitter and / or a radio receiver. This makes it possible Images and other medically relevant data to an external evaluation device to send and control or Rule commands for an optional therapy device to the Fruchtblasenkapsel to send.

is the bubble capsule is equipped with infrared lighting, which can be realized with infrared LEDs, for example, can Field of view pulsed or continuously illuminated. Because infrared light for the Eye of the fetus is invisible, it is not affected by the infrared light. The infrared illumination can, if the Fruchtblasenkapsel a Receiving device, regulated or controlled from the outside become.

For the extraction of color information and / or for the stimulation of the fetus It is advantageous that the Fruchtblasenkapsel an externally controllable Lighting device which emits visible light. This allows the extraction of color information and / or the Stimulation of the fetus. Also cloudiness of the amniotic fluid are thus recognizable.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fruit capsule has more than one light source and the light sources can be controlled individually. In this way, the video camera of the fruit bubble capsule can record images with illumination from different directions at the same location from the same field of view. Surfaces that appear relatively dark in one light source and relatively bright in another light source mean that 3D structures are not completely imaged here. These areas are highlighted in the image, allowing you to identify areas that require viewing from a different angle in order to make a complete visual assessment. This makes it possible to successively create a 3D data set of the fetus and / or the inner wall of the amniotic sac. The ampoule capsule can be guided semi-automatically or automatically. This allows the surfaces of the fetus and the inner side of the bladder to completely fall off be scanned and stored in a capsule-internal memory unit or be transmitted via a transmitting device to a capsule-external memory unit.

The Fruit bubble capsule according to the invention can for example about a special "lock" in the amniotic sac be introduced. This is about an opening at the belly button of the pregnant woman or via a cut through the outer skin the pregnant woman exposed the bladder skin, but without it to damage.

Subsequently, will the bubble capsule is placed on the bladder skin. In the area the ampoule capsule is over the exposed skin blister skin a bladder replacement set skin and glued to the edge of the bladder skin. Subsequently, will the complete depressed by the bladder replacement skin covered bladder capsule until depressed pierce the pulp skin is. The amniotic capsule enters the amniotic sac without Amniotic fluid escapes. The ampoule capsule can now be in the amniotic fluid move.

Around to facilitate the entry of the amniotic capsule into the amniotic sac, the fruit bubble capsule advantageously a retractable cutting edge which can be exposed for a short time by pressing on a triggering mechanism is and pierces the pulp skin with it locally.

is the bubble capsule equipped with a laser, can be a punctual Heating tissue be made. By thus possible welding of Tissue can Bleeding breastfed and vessels partially or completely closed. A constriction or a closure of vessels can e.g. be required in twins when the bloodstreams to Placenta are asymmetric and thereby the one fetus too much and the other fetus gets too little blood. Through a narrowing or a closure of vessels can one Symmetrization of the two bloodstreams can be achieved.

in the Under the invention, the Fruchtblasekapsel with microsurgical Be equipped tools. Examples of this are Koakulator, Messer, Sample pliers, inflatable balloons, clips and the like.

is the bubble capsule navigable through an externally generated magnetic field, then this can be used to make the pulp capsule fast Performs rotations and thus currents and / or produces an infrasound in the amniotic fluid.

at the medically relevant data acquired by the sensor device may be, for example, the pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, electrical voltages or sounds.

In Advantageously, the density of the bubble capsule is correct match the density of the amniotic fluid, in another embodiment the capsule volume by a change the housing shape variable is. Thus, the ampoule capsule in a simple way in the amniotic fluid sink or rise.

According to others Advantageous embodiments, the bubble capsule at least a biopsy device and / or a puncture device and / or at least one sample container for receiving of removed tissue and amniotic fluid removed.

The Invention and further advantageous embodiments are hereinafter based on a schematically illustrated embodiment in the drawing explained in more detail. It demonstrate:

1 an embodiment of a fruit bubble capsule according to the invention,

2 to 5 Sectional views of a amniotic sac into which a capsule of the amniotic fluid is introduced.

In the 1 illustrated ampoule capsule 1 has an ellipsoid-shaped housing 2 on, in the colinear to the longitudinal axis 3 a rod-shaped permanent magnet 4 is arranged. One from a lens 5 and a CMOS chip 6 existing video camera 7 takes pictures by means of an RF transmitter 8th and an antenna 9 be transmitted to the outside. Over radio, thus over the same antenna 9 It is also possible to actuate different sensor devices, therapy devices and / or sampling devices. Examples of sensor devices, therapy devices as well as other possible embodiments of the inventive refractory capsule are in the patent claims 2 to 27 described. In the embodiment shown is a biopsy device 10 (Biopsy gun) exemplified.

In the 2 to 5 is with 1 again referred to a fruit bladder capsule on an exposed bladder skin 12 is hung up ( 2 ). The exposure of the pulp skin 12 takes place via an opening on the belly button or via a section through the outer skin of the pregnant woman, without the skin of the bladder 12 to damage.

After placing the amniotic capsule 1 on the pulp skin 12 is in the area of the amniotic capsule 1 over the exposed skin of the bladder 12 a bladder replacement skin 13 placed and marginally with the Fruchtblasenhaut 12 glued ( 3 ). By the bonding 14 will ensure that the ampoule capsule 1 first at the desired place on the skin of the skin 12 remains. Subsequently, the completely of the bladder replacement skin 13 covered fruit bubble capsule 1 as long as depressed to the pulp skin 12 is pierced ( 4 ). About the resulting opening 15 occurs the ampoule capsule 1 into the amniotic sac. Because the bladder replacement skin 13 about their bonding 14 with the pulp skin 12 connected, no amniotic fluid (not shown in the drawing) can escape. The ampoule capsule 1 can now move in amniotic fluid ( 5 ).

The space between the bladder replacement skin 13 and the bladder skin 12 in which the ampoule capsule 1 is included after the gluing, can be filled with a gel before gluing. This can push through the bladder capsule 1 through the bladder skin 12 be relieved.

To the entry of the amniotic capsule 1 to simplify into the amniotic sac, has the amniotic capsule 1 advantageously a retractable cutting edge 11 which is briefly exposed by pressure on a triggering mechanism and the pulp skin 12 thus penetrating locally causing the opening 15 in the pulp skin 12 arises.

In the illustrated embodiment forms the Fruchtblasenersatzhaut 13 with their bonding 14 So a special "lock" for the bubble capsule 1 ,

Claims (29)

Fruit bubble capsule containing a sterile and biocompatible housing ( 2 ), in which at least one sensor device ( 5 - 7 ) is arranged for recording medically relevant data and / or at least one therapy device for administering a therapeutic agent. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1, characterized by a Externally generated magnetic field is navigable. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1 or 2, the density substantially coincides with the density of the amniotic fluid. Fruit bladder capsule according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the volume changeable by a change in the shape of the housing is. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1, with a transmitting device for transmission medically relevant data and / or with a receiving device for receiving external information and control commands. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means or the therapy device can be activated by at least one radio signal or triggered is. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means or the therapy device by at least one external magnetic Pulse activated or triggered is. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means or the therapy device can be activated after a predeterminable time or triggered is. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1 in which the sensor device or the therapy device can be activated by a processor unit or triggered is A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the from the sensor device detected medically relevant data can be stored in at least one capsule-internal memory unit. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises an optical sensor ( 5 - 7 ). A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises an acoustic sensor. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises a pH sensor A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises an electrolyte value sensor A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises a pressure sensor. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises gyroscope. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises a temperature sensor. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a voltmeter with at least two electrodes which are arranged on the outside of the housing. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises an accelerometer. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Sensor device comprises a position sensor. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Therapy device a release device for defined delivery of a therapeutic agent. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Therapy device includes a laser. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, wherein the Therapy device a voltage generator with at least two Includes electrodes disposed on the outside of the housing are. A refractory capsule according to claim 1, comprising at least one biopsy device ( 10 ) having. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1, the at least having a puncture device. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1, the at least a sample container having. Fruit bladder capsule according to claim 1, the at least having a lighting device. Method for diagnosis and / or therapy by means of a bubble capsule ( 1 ), comprising the following steps: exposing the bladder skin ( 12 ), - placing the fruit bubble capsule ( 1 ) on the bladder skin ( 12 ), - placing a bladder replacement skin ( 13 ) on the bladder skin ( 12 ) in the area of the applied bladder capsule ( 1 ), - marginal gluing of the bladder replacement skin ( 13 ) with the pulp skin ( 12 ), - depressing the whole of the bladder replacement skin ( 13 ) Covered Fruit Bladder Capsule ( 1 ) until the pulp skin ( 12 ), - entry of the amniotic capsule ( 1 ) about the resulting opening ( 15 ) in the amniotic sac. The method of claim 28, wherein an asymmetry is treated laser surgery in the placental circulation, at least a vessel narrows becomes.