An object is to detect the pressing force of a tip driven unit. In the controller 22, a motor control circuit 85, a load change detection unit 86, a moving speed calculation unit 87 that calculates the moving speed of a rotating body 41, a pressing force detection unit 88 that obtains the pressing force of the rotating body 41 based on the moving speed which is calculated, a CPU 89, and an alarm 91 are disposed. The pressing force is obtained based on the cycle of load change by the joint 41a in which a front end and a rear end overlap with each other is formed in the rotating body 41.

A floatation-volume adequacy determining system including a receiving unit; an image processing unit; an adequacy determining unit; and a display unit. The receiving unit receives an actual image that is taken by a capsule medical apparatus that is floating in a liquid in the direction toward the liquid level. The image processing unit generates a determination reference image that represents an adequate range of a floatation volume of the capsule medical apparatus adjusted to the actual image that is taken by the capsule medical apparatus. An adequacy determining unit compares the determination reference image and the actual image with each other and determines whether the floatation volume of the capsule medical apparatus is adequate. The display unit displays a result of determining whether the floatation volume of the capsule medical apparatus is adequate.

A capsule endoscope system includes: a capsule endoscope including a first and a second imaging units; an image display that displays images captured by the first and second imaging units; a control unit that determines a moving direction of the capsule endoscope during imaging, specifies one of the imaging units which faces the moving direction of the capsule endoscope during imaging, and determines the posture of the capsule endoscope; and a display control unit that generates a display screen, arranges the image captured by the imaging unit facing the moving direction in a first display region in the display screen, arranges the image captured by the other imaging unit in a second display region in the display screen, and changes the positions of the first and second display regions according to the determination result of the position of the capsule endoscope.

Fabric Tube Propulsion Drive is a system for propelling medical devices through hollow body organs and within body cavities without causing trauma to the body surfaces upon which it operates. Fabric Tube Propulsion Drive consists of a hollow tube surrounded by a continuous loop of elastic fabric or mesh. Within the tube is a motor drive system that moves the fabric through the lumen of the tube such that the fabric on the outside of the tube can continuously interface with the body part through which the Fabric Tube Propulsion Drive is operating, and thereby drive the whole device through the body cavity or over the surface in question. Furthermore, the motor drive system can selectively apply tension to the fabric over specific areas within the tube to cause flexion of the whole tube.

Various embodiments described herein relate to a lumen traveling device and/or system for real-time display of location of the device as it travels through a lumen in a subject's body. In an embodiment, alignment of the externally alignable display and control device with the lumen traveling device located in a lumen (natural or artificial) in a subject's body provides for tracking, memory display, and manipulation of the lumen traveling device.

Some embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising an elongate flexible tube sized to be received within a tract and having a proximal end and a distal end; a drive mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the tube; and a liquid column extending from the proximal end to the distal end; wherein the drive mechanism is configured to cause movement of the liquid column within the tube to impart forward momentum to the tube and thereby promote advancement of at least the distal end of the tube within the tract when at least the distal end is received within a part of the tract.

An insertion device includes a movement section provided in an inserting section or an attachment unit attached to the inserting section, and moving to cause a propulsive force to act on the inserting section, a holdable grip provided to a proximal direction side with respect to the inserting section, and a driving source driven so as to generate a movement driving force to move the movement section. The insertion device includes a base member to which the grip is abutted, and a coupling member including a driving source-side abutting surface to which an outer peripheral surface of the driving source is abutted, and coupling the driving source to the base member.

Provided is a medical instrument which has improved operability of an insertion portion and can guide a distal end of the insertion portion to an intended position. The medical instrument includes: an insertion portion (10) which is inserted into a body cavity; a rotor (11) which is provided in an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion (10) and has its rotational axis arranged in a direction along an axis of the insertion portion (10); and a rotary drive unit which rotates the rotor (11) around the rotational axis.

The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.

A device and system for monitoring the status of a battery in an in-vivo imaging device, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device. The device may include a frame counter for counting the number of frames captured and may include monitoring the voltage of the battery. A warning signal is generated if it is determined that the battery is faulty prior to use. The warning signal can be generated by the device and/or by a receiver which receives data from the in-vivo imaging device and/or a by workstation which receives the data from the receiver.