Patents by Inventor Tetsuo Minai

Tetsuo Minai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8052595
    Abstract: A position detecting apparatus includes receiving antennas to receive a radio signal, transmitting antennas to transmit a radio signal for power supply to a capsule endoscope, a first and second linear magnetic field generators that generate first and second linear magnetic fields, a diffuse magnetic field generator that generates a diffuse magnetic field, a processing device that performs a predetermined process on the radio signal, and a magnetic field sensor that functions as a body-size information detector. The magnetic field sensor detects magnetic field strength at an arranged position as body-size information, and the processing device controls the first linear magnetic field generator based on the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor. Thus, the position detecting apparatus is capable of generating a magnetic field for position detection having an optimal strength according to a difference in body sizes of subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minai
  • Patent number: 8050738
    Abstract: A position detecting apparatus includes a linear magnetic-field generator that generates a linear magnetic field in an area inside the subject; a diffuse magnetic-field generator that generates a diffuse magnetic field having position dependency on magnetic field direction in the area; a magnetic-field line orientation database in which a correspondence between magnetic field direction and position of the diffuse magnetic field in a reference coordinate axis is recorded; an orientation calculator that calculates orientation information of a body-insertable device introduced into a subject in the reference coordinate axis based on linear magnetic-field information and the earth magnetism direction; and a position calculator that calculates a magnetic field direction of the diffuse magnetic field at the position of the body-insertable device based on the linear magnetic-field information, orientation information, and diffuse magnetic-field information, and calculates the position of the body-insertable device b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minai, Takeshi Mori
  • Publication number: 20110254380
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus supplies power to a body-insertable apparatus from outside a subject. The body-insertable apparatus is introduced into the subject and obtains intra-subject information. The power supply apparatus includes a first electric cable which is wound around a circumferential surface of a garment and forms a coil, the garment covering the subject, the coil having a non-directionality at a time of power supply; and a power supply unit which supplies power to the body-insertable apparatus in a contactless manner through the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hatsuo SHIMIZU, Takemitsu HONDA, Tetsuo MINAI, Kazutaka NAKATSUCHI
  • Patent number: 8041422
    Abstract: An in-body information acquiring apparatus includes a function executing unit that realizes a predetermined function inside a body of a patient. A power-supply circuit includes a power unit that includes a cell and that outputs a first current and a first voltage; and a converter that converts the first current to a second current, which is a current required to operate the function executing unit for a predetermined time, and converts the first voltage to a second voltage, which is a voltage required to operate the function executing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takemitsu Honda, Toshiaki Shigemori, Seiichiro Kimoto, Ayako Nagase, Katsuyoshi Sasagawa, Hatsuo Shimizu, Tetsuo Minai, Tsutomu Nakamura, Hiroshi Suzushima, Noriyuki Fujimori, Tatsuya Orihara, Katsuya Suzuki, Masayuki Hashimoto, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 8029436
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus supplies power to a body-insertable apparatus from outside a subject. The body-insertable apparatus is introduced into the subject and obtains intra-subject information. The power supply apparatus includes a first electric cable which is wound around a circumferential surface of a garment and forms a coil, the garment covering the subject, the coil having a non-directionality at a time of power supply; and a power supply unit which supplies power to the body-insertable apparatus in a contactless manner through the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hatsuo Shimizu, Takemitsu Honda, Tetsuo Minai, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Patent number: 8018485
    Abstract: An imaging device includes first light sources that have first frequency characteristics; second light sources that have second frequency characteristics different from the first frequency characteristics and that are arranged in positions different from those of the first light sources; an imaging unit that generates an image of a subject by receiving light that is emitted from the first light sources and the second light sources and then reflected from an object; and an image corrector that performs color unevenness correction on the image, which is captured by the imaging unit, using correction data with which a ratio of luminance of a first image, which is captured by the imaging unit using the first light sources, with respect to luminance of a second image, which is captured by the imaging unit using the second light sources, in each area is uniform based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minai, Kazuaki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20110213205
    Abstract: A capsule guidance system includes a plurality of electrode pads that are disposed on a body surface of a subject in which a capsule medical device that performs human body communication is inserted into an organ; a magnetic guidance unit applies a magnetic field to the capsule medical device to guide the capsule medical device; an eliminating unit that eliminates signal components of eddy current generated in the subject by a change of the magnetic field from electrical signals detected by the plurality of electrode pads; and a position calculation unit that calculates the position of the capsule medical device based on the electrical signals from the capsule medical device, the electrical signals being the signals from which the signal components of the eddy current are eliminated by the eliminating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicants: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP., OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio UCHIYAMA, Atsushi KIMURA, Tetsuo MINAI, Hironobu TAKIZAWA, Takeshi MORI
  • Publication number: 20110213203
    Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus includes a light-receiving unit that includes light-receiving elements each having a receiving wavelength spectrum; light-emitting units including a near ultraviolet light source whose peak of the emission intensity is near ultraviolet light with a wavelength deviated, from a receiving wavelength spectrum associated with the receiving wavelength spectrum, by a predetermined wavelength and including a yellow light source whose peak of the emission intensity is yellow; a selection unit that can select, from among the light-emitting units, light-emitting units corresponding respectively to the near ultraviolet and the yellow light sources; an image creating unit creating a normal-light image in accordance with a combined flat-shaped wavelength spectrum combined using the light-receiving unit or creating a special-light image in accordance with a combined sharp wavelength spectrum combined using a pixel that receives blue-color-component light of the light-receiving unit and a pixel th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Tetsuo MINAI, Shinsuke TANAKA, Akio UCHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20100292534
    Abstract: A body-introducable apparatus includes: a light source unit having a first light source that outputs first light and a second light source that outputs second light in a wavelength band different from that of the first light; a light distribution matching unit that matches distributions of the first light and the second light; an illuminating control unit that illuminates the inside of the subject by driving the light source unit; and an imaging unit that captures an image of the inside of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP., OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo MINAI, Shinsuke TANAKA, Tatsuya ORIHARA, Yutaka KOSHIKAWA, Kazuaki TAMURA, Takeshi MORI
  • Publication number: 20100266202
    Abstract: An imaging processor includes an amplifier that increases luminance indicated by green and blue image data on the basis of luminance indicated by red image data out of a plurality of pieces of image data in respective wavelength components, which are pieces of image data representing the same area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Tetsuo MINAI
  • Publication number: 20100265322
    Abstract: An image generating device includes a first image-information generating unit that generates first image information based on a plurality of pieces of acquired color element information, a color-component detecting unit that detects a predetermined color component based on each piece of color element information, a color-component eliminating unit that eliminates the predetermined color component detected by the color-component detecting unit from a predetermined piece of color element information among the plurality of pieces of color element information, and a second image-information generating unit that generates second color information based on a piece of color element information obtained by eliminating the predetermined color component by the color-component eliminating unit and another piece of color element information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo MINAI, Kazuaki TAMURA, Takeshi MORI
  • Publication number: 20100265321
    Abstract: An imaging device includes first light sources that have first frequency characteristics; second light sources that have second frequency characteristics different from the first frequency characteristics and that are arranged in positions different from those of the first light sources; an imaging unit that generates an image of a subject by receiving light that is emitted from the first light sources and the second light sources and then reflected from an object; and an image corrector that performs color unevenness correction on the image, which is captured by the imaging unit, using correction data with which a ratio of luminance of a first image, which is captured by the imaging unit using the first light sources, with respect to luminance of a second image, which is captured by the imaging unit using the second light sources, in each area is uniform based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo MINAI, Kazuaki TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20100191055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capsule type medical apparatus that can receive, in a subject, an external signal transmitted from an outside of the subject and transmitted via a conductor existing in the subject, including: a cover member that is formed of a dielectric and covers components of the capsule type medical apparatus; a plurality of electrodes that are formed of conductors, are provided in tight contact with an inner wall side of the cover member, and receive the external signal; an inductor circuit that is connected in series to each of the plurality of electrodes, and has an inductance value set to configure a resonant circuit having a frequency substantially equal to a carrier frequency of the external signal as a resonant frequency; and a signal receiving circuit to which the external signal received by the plurality of electrodes and a potential difference of the external signal are inputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo MINAI, Kazuaki TAMURA, Jin OHARA
  • Publication number: 20100160732
    Abstract: A position detecting apparatus includes receiving antennas to receive a radio signal, transmitting antennas to transmit a radio signal for power supply to a capsule endoscope, a first and second linear magnetic field generators that generate first and second linear magnetic fields, a diffuse magnetic field generator that generates a diffuse magnetic field, a processing device that performs a predetermined process on the radio signal, and a magnetic field sensor that functions as a body-size information detector. The magnetic field sensor detects magnetic field strength at an arranged position as body-size information, and the processing device controls the first linear magnetic field generator based on the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor. Thus, the position detecting apparatus is capable of generating a magnetic field for position detection having an optimal strength according to a difference in body sizes of subjects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minai
  • Publication number: 20100137708
    Abstract: From among plural receiver electrodes for receiving a transmission signal transmitted from transmitter electrodes of an intra-subject introduction device, receiver electrodes for receiving an image reception signal are selected by a receiver electrode selection circuit. Further, receiver electrodes for receiving a signal for position detection are selected by a receiver electrode selection circuit, from among the other ones of the plural receiver electrodes than the receiver electrodes selected by the receiver electrode selection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kazuaki TAMURA, Takeshi MORI, Tetsuo MINAI, Akio UCHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7686757
    Abstract: A position detecting apparatus 3 includes receiving antennas 7a to 7d to receive a radio signal, transmitting antennas 8a to 8d to transmit a radio signal for power supply to a capsule endoscope 2, a first linear magnetic field generator 9 that generates a first linear magnetic field, a second linear magnetic field generator 10 that generates a second linear magnetic field, a diffuse magnetic field generator 11 that generates a diffuse magnetic field, a processing device 12 that performs a predetermined process on the radio signal received through the receiving antennas 7a to 7d, and a magnetic field sensor 13 that functions as a body-size information detector. The magnetic field sensor 13 has a function of detecting magnetic field strength at an arranged position as body-size information, and the processing device 12 has a function of controlling the first linear magnetic field generator 9 and the like based on the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minai
  • Publication number: 20100030021
    Abstract: An image display apparatus according to the present invention includes: a storage unit which stores an image group including a same number of first and second images which have a coincident positional relationship with respect to a subject and are respectively obtained through different image processes; a display unit which displays at least the first image in a display area; an input unit which indicates a display switching area of the first image displayed in the display area; and a display controller which controls the display unit to keep displaying the first image in an image part outside the display switching area and to switch an image part inside the display switching area of the first image to an image part, having a coincident positional relationship with the image part inside the display switching area of the first image with respect to the subject, of the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minai, Akio Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20090227840
    Abstract: A capsule guiding system includes: an electrode pad arranged outside a human body to perform human body communication with a capsule endoscope and detect at least one of position and direction of the capsule endoscope; a magnetically guiding device which moves the capsule endoscope; a detector which detects a relative position between the electrode pad and the magnetically guiding device; a calculator which calculates at least one of the position and direction of the capsule endoscope based on a detection value of the electrode pad, and calculates at least one of an absolute position and direction of the capsule endoscope with respect to the magnetically guiding device based on at least one of the position and direction of the capsule endoscope and the relative position detected by the detector; and a control unit which controls the magnetically guiding device based on at least one of the absolute position and direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP., OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Uchiyama, Ryoji Sato, Atsushi Kimura, Atsushi Chiba, Hironobu Takizawa, Takeshi Mori, Tetsuo Minai
  • Patent number: 7580739
    Abstract: A system includes a device swallowed, passing through a subject, and including a constant magnetic field generator generating a constant magnetic field; and a position transducer. The position transducer includes a magnetic detector, a calibration magnetic field generator, a magnetic detector detecting an intensity of a magnetic field, a coordinate calibrating unit, and a position processor. The calibration magnetic field generator is disposed at a fixed relative position to the subject, and generates a calibration magnetic field for position calibration of the magnetic detector. The coordinate calibrating unit calibrates a position coordinate of the magnetic detector using an intensity of the calibration magnetic field. The position processor calculates a position of the device in the subject based on the intensity of the constant magnetic field and the position coordinate of the magnetic detector calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minai, Hatsuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20090137883
    Abstract: A capsule medical system is provided with a capsule medical device to be inserted into a subject, at least one electrode pad having a plurality of receiving electrodes, a receiving electrode switching unit, a control unit for controlling operations of the receiving electrode switching unit, and a position detector. The capsule medical device has a biological information acquiring unit for acquiring biological information of the subject, and a transmitting unit for outputting the biological information from a transmitting electrode through a living body. At least one electrode pad detects the biological information by a plurality of receiving electrodes. The receiving electrode switching unit switches a pair of receiving electrodes among the plurality of receiving electrodes. The position detector detects a position of the capsule medical device inside the subject based on the biological information detected by the electrode pad, and position coordinate data of the plurality of receiving electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Chiba, Akio Uchiyama, Hironobu Takizawa, Ryoji Sato, Atsushi Kimura, Tetsuo Minai, Takeshi Mori