PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-propelled capsule endoscope apparatus capable of easily controlling the traveling direction and traveling speed of a capsule endoscope in the self-propelled capsule endoscope apparatus.SOLUTION: A self-propelled capsule endoscope apparatus includes a capsule endoscope 1 in which a disk-shaped magnet or ring-shaped magnet 3 with a direction of magnetization in the radial direction is mounted, in which a roller part 2 is provided at the rear end in the axial direction of a capsule endoscope body 11, and which can be self-propelled in vivo and a capsule control device for controlling the self-propelling of the capsule endoscope in vitro as a rotating magnetic field whose direction of magnetic vectors rotates around an optionally selected axis is generated by adjusting the strength and phase of sin wave AC magnetic fields in orthogonally crossing triaxial directions. The roller part rotates in such a way that the direction of magnetization of the magnet is parallel to the direction of the rotating magnetic field as the magnet moves in response by receiving the rotating magnetic field, so that the propelling force in the axial direction is generated in the capsule endoscope.COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT【課題】自走式カプセル内視鏡装置において、カプセル内視鏡の進行方向と進行速度の制御が容易にできる自走式カプセル内視鏡装置を提供する。【解決手段】この自走式カプセル内視鏡装置は、半径方向に磁化方向を有する円板状磁石またはリング状磁石3が搭載され、カプセル内視鏡本体部11の軸方向後端部にローラー部2が設けられて体内において自走可能なカプセル内視鏡1と、直交する3軸方向の正弦波交流磁場の強さおよび位相を調整することにより磁場ベクトルの方向が任意の軸まわりに回転する回転磁場が発生し体外においてカプセル内視鏡の自走を制御するカプセル制御装置と、を備えており、前記ローラー部は、前記回転磁場を受けて前記磁石が応動しそれによりその回転磁場の方向に前記磁石の磁化方向が平行になるように回動して前記カプセル内視鏡に軸方向の推進力が生じる。【選択図】図1
