Capsule-type medical apparatus and a communication method for the capsule-type medical apparatus

A communication method for a capsule-type medical apparatus for communicating between a capsule body, inserted in a living body and performing medical procedures such as observation, and an external apparatus disposed outside the living body, and comprising:

• a first step for sending from the external apparatus to the capsule body an identifier for identifying the capsule body, while storing said identifier information;
• a second step in which the capsule body receives the identifier sent by said sending means;
• and
• a third step in which said capsule body stores the identifier received in the second step.

A capsule-type medical apparatus, comprising a capsule body for performing medical procedures such as medical examination and observation inside a living body, and an external apparatus;

• wherein, the capsule body comprises:
• image-capturing means;
• first wireless means for receiving command codes and sending image data captured by said image-capturing means;
• decoding means for converting command codes received through said first wireless means back into commands;
• and
• control means for controlling the image-capturing means and the first wireless means according to said commands;
• and
• wherein, the external apparatus comprises:
• encoding means for converting commands into command codes;
• and
• second wireless means for sending command codes to the capsule body and receiving image data from the capsule body.

A capsule-type medical apparatus comprising a capsule body for performing medical procedures such as medical examination and observation inside a living body, and an external apparatus;

• wherein, the capsule body comprises:
• image-capturing means;
• first wireless means for receiving command codes and sending image data captured by said image-capturing means;
• decoding means for converting command codes received through said first wireless means back into commands;
• and
• operation sequence setting means that is able to vary the operating time and the timing of said image-capturing means and said first wireless means according to said commands;
• and
• wherein, the external apparatus comprises:
• encoding means for converting commands into command codes;
• and
• second wireless means for sending command codes to the capsule body and receiving image data from the capsule body;
• mode setting means for setting the operating modes;
• and
• selecting means for selecting a command to be used from a plurality of commands, according to the set operating mode.