Ingestible device and information acquisition system for ingestible device

Abstract

An ingestible device 1A at least transmits information by oscillation of the device itself, said ingestible device comprising a housing 10 that can oscillate, a piezoelectric body 20 that is provided inside the housing 10 and that is fixed to the housing 10 in a manner enabling vibration, and an electronic circuit part 30 that is provided inside the housing 10 and that is fixed to the piezoelectric body 20 in a manner enabling oscillation, wherein as the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in a vibration direction, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit part 30 oscillate toward opposite sides in an oscillation direction.

Description

Administered device and administered device information acquisition system

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication device and an information acquisition system for a medication device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a swallowing sensor device that includes sensors including a sensor and a device for wirelessly transmitting information detected by the sensor, and a group of substrates formed by stacking multiple rigid substrates.

[0003] Patent No. 6914567

[0004] However, the swallowing sensor device described in Patent Document 1 uses radio wave communication and therefore consumes a lot of power.

[0005] In contrast to this, it is conceivable to use a ingested device having a piezoelectric body that emits an ultrasonic signal, thereby communicating via an ultrasonic method that utilizes the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric body of the ingested device. When communicating via an ultrasonic method using a ingested device, the ingested device itself vibrates due to the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric body, and the ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the outside of the ingested device as information.

[0006] However, when communicating using an ingested device via ultrasonic technology, there is a limit to how much displacement of the ingested device can be increased, which affects the transmission sound pressure of information, when the ingested device is vibrated using only the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element. Therefore, the present inventors are considering vibrating the ingested device itself during use in order to increase the displacement of the ingested device.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a medication device that can be swung widely during use. Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide an information acquisition system for medication devices that includes the medication device.

[0008] The medication device of the present invention is a medication device that transmits at least information by swinging the device itself, and is characterized in that it comprises a swingable housing, a piezoelectric body provided inside the housing and fixed to the housing so that it can vibrate, and an electronic circuit unit provided inside the housing and fixed to the piezoelectric body so that it can swing, and as the piezoelectric body vibrates in the vibration direction, the housing and the electronic circuit unit swing in opposite directions in the swing direction.

[0009] The information acquisition system for a medication device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a medication device of the present invention, a processing device, and a transceiver that acquires information from the medication device by receiving an ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element of the medication device, and transmits the acquired information to the processing device.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medication device that can be swung widely during use. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medication device information acquisition system that includes the medication device.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line a1-a2. FIGS. 3A to 3E are cross-sectional views for explaining the operating principle of the medication device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit unit for the medication device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a medication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A to 7E are cross-sectional views for explaining the operating principle of the medication device shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a medication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a medication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining an example of a method for forming a first polarization region and a second polarization region inside the piezoelectric body shown in FIG. 10. 12A to 12E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operating principle of the ingested device shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of the ingested device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of the ingested device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the ingested device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the ingested device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the ingested device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 18A to 18E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operating principle of the ingested device shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the ingested device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of the ingested device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating the results of a simulation evaluation of the relationship between the driving frequency of the piezoelectric element and the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal for the simulation models of the ingested devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. FIG. 22 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of an information acquisition system for a ingested device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The following describes the medication device of the present invention and the information acquisition system for the medication device of the present invention. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following configurations and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. In addition, a combination of multiple individual preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

[0013] The following embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. In the second and subsequent embodiments, descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

[0014] In the following description, unless there is a need to distinguish between the various embodiments, they will simply be referred to as the "administered device of the present invention" and the "information acquisition system for the administered device of the present invention."

[0015] The drawings shown below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions, aspect ratio, scale, etc. may differ from those of the actual product.

[0016] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating the relationship between elements (e.g., "parallel," "perpendicular," etc.) and terms indicating the shape of elements not only mean the literal strict form, but also mean a range that is substantially equivalent, for example, a range that includes a difference of about a few percent.

[0017] [Medication device] The medication device of the present invention is a medication device that transmits at least information by swinging the device itself, and is characterized in that it comprises a swingable housing, a piezoelectric body provided inside the housing and fixed to the housing so as to be able to vibrate, and an electronic circuit unit provided inside the housing and fixed to the piezoelectric body so as to be able to swing, and as the piezoelectric body vibrates in the vibration direction, the housing and the electronic circuit unit swing in opposite directions in the swing direction.

[0018] <Embodiment 1> In the oral administration device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, the piezoelectric body vibrates by expansion and contraction in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body as the vibration direction.

[0019] In the medication device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, the electronic circuit section is fixed to at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body.

[0020] In the medication device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, the rocking direction is parallel to the vibration direction.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a medication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In each of the drawings, such as Figure 1, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the device, and the Z-axis direction is the lateral direction of the device.

[0023] The medication device 1A shown in FIG. 1 transmits information at least by swinging the device itself.

[0024] In this specification, "send" is synonymous with "transmit."

[0025] The medication device 1A may receive information in addition to transmitting information. That is, the medication device 1A may send and receive information. For example, the medication device 1A may receive first information from an external device and then transmit second information different from the first information.

[0026] The information handled by the medication device 1A is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a signal.

[0027] The medication device 1A is administered by a person, for example, with or without a medication. Thus, the medication device 1A may be administered alone or together with other substances.

[0028] When the patient takes the medication device 1A together with a medication, it is possible to confirm that the patient has taken the prescribed medication by obtaining information transmitted from the medication device 1A, for example, a signal indicating that the medication device 1A has been taken together with a medication.

[0029] Furthermore, when the medication device 1A is taken by a patient together with a medication, by acquiring information transmitted from the medication device 1A, for example, a signal including biological information acquired from within the patient's body by the medication device 1A, it is possible to confirm what biological reactions have occurred as a result of the patient taking the medication.

[0030] The medication taken with the medication device 1A is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a medication taken by a person who has difficulty recognizing the act of taking a medication. In this case, by acquiring and managing information transmitted from the medication device 1A, for example, a signal indicating that a medication has been taken with the medication device 1A, it is possible to improve the medication administration rate for people who have difficulty recognizing the act of taking a medication. It is also possible to reduce the burden on caregivers who care for such people.

[0031] The specific configuration of the medication device 1A will be described below.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line a1-a2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the medication device 1A includes a housing 10, a piezoelectric body 20, and an electronic circuit unit 30.

[0034] The housing 10 houses a piezoelectric body 20 and an electronic circuit section 30 therein.

[0035] The housing 10 is swingable. When the housing 10 swings, the medication device 1A itself swings, and therefore the medication device 1A can at least transmit information.

[0036] The piezoelectric body 20 vibrates to generate ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves generated from the piezoelectric body 20 have directivity in the direction in which the vibration surface of the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates.

[0037] In this specification, the term "piezoelectric body" includes a "piezoelectric element." Note that a "piezoelectric element" is also called a "piezoelectric vibrator."

[0038] The piezoelectric body 20 is provided inside the housing 10 .

[0039] The piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10 so as to be able to vibrate. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10 at one end in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 2, the piezoelectric body 20 is not fixed to the housing 10 at the other end in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

[0040] In this specification, the "thickness direction of the piezoelectric body" means the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric body.

[0041] 2 and other examples, the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body 20 is the Z-axis direction, which is the direction in which the dimension of the piezoelectric body 20 is shortest among the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. The dimensions of the piezoelectric body 20 may be the same as or different from each other in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. When the dimensions of the piezoelectric body 20 are different from each other in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the dimension of the piezoelectric body 20 in the X-axis direction may be larger or smaller than the dimension of the piezoelectric body 20 in the Y-axis direction.

[0042] 2, the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10 at one end in the X-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, which is the thickness direction. Note that the piezoelectric body 20 may or may not be fixed to the housing 10 at one end in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, which is the thickness direction.

[0043] 2, the other end of the piezoelectric body 20 in the X-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, which is the thickness direction, is not fixed to the housing 10. Note that the other end of the piezoelectric body 20 in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, which is the thickness direction, may or may not be fixed to the housing 10.

[0044] The method for fixing the piezoelectric body 20 to the housing 10 is not particularly limited. The piezoelectric body 20 may be fixed to the housing 10 with, for example, an adhesive or solder. Alternatively, a fitting structure (for example, a notch (recess)) may be provided in the housing 10, and the piezoelectric body 20 may be fitted into the fitting structure of the housing 10. Alternatively, a fitting part may be fixed to the inner surface of the housing 10 with an adhesive or the like, and the piezoelectric body 20 may be fitted into the fitting part.

[0045] The electronic circuit unit 30 acquires biological information from the body in which the ingested device 1A is ingested, processes the acquired biological information, and so on.

[0046] The electronic circuit section 30 is provided inside the housing 10 .

[0047] The electronic circuit section 30 is fixed to the piezoelectric body 20 so as to be able to swing.

[0048] The electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to one main surface (the upper main surface in Fig. 2) of the piezoelectric body 20. The electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to either main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 (the upper or lower main surface in Fig. 2).

[0049] The method for fixing the electronic circuit unit 30 to the piezoelectric body 20 is not particularly limited. The electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to the piezoelectric body 20 with, for example, an adhesive or solder. Alternatively, the piezoelectric body 20 and the electronic circuit unit 30 may each be provided with a fitting structure, and the piezoelectric body 20 and the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fitted together with this fitting structure. For example, the piezoelectric body 20 may be provided with a fitting structure such as a hole or a notch (recess), and the electronic circuit unit 30 may be provided with a fitting structure such as a protrusion (convex portion), and the piezoelectric body 20 and the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fitted together with this fitting structure.

[0050] In the oral device 1A, as the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in the vibration direction, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 swing in opposite directions in the swing direction. Furthermore, in the oral device 1A, the swing direction of the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 is parallel to the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20. That is, in the oral device 1A, as the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in the vibration direction, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 swing in opposite directions in the swing direction parallel to the vibration direction.

[0051] The operating principle of the medication device 1A will be described below.

[0052] 3A to 3E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation principle of the medication device shown in FIG.

[0053] 3A shows the state before the medication device 1A is operated. In FIG. 3A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the housing 10 in the X-axis direction are designated K1 and K2, respectively. Also, in FIG. 3A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the X-axis direction are designated L1 and L2, respectively.

[0054] In the medication device 1A, the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates from the state shown in FIG. 3A in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body 20 as the vibration direction.

[0055] In this specification, the "vibration direction of the piezoelectric body" is not limited to a specific direction and can be any direction. For example, the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body can be any of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. The vibration direction of the piezoelectric body is preferably the direction in which the displacement of the piezoelectric body is greatest at the frequency at which the piezoelectric body is to be driven.

[0056] 3A to 3E, the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20 when the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in a stretching manner, i.e., the expansion and contraction direction of the piezoelectric body 20, is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction which is the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body 20, specifically, any direction in the XY plane including the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. For example, the expansion and contraction direction of the piezoelectric body 20 is either the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.

[0057] The following describes the operating principle of the oral drug device 1A when the expansion and contraction direction of the piezoelectric body 20 is the X-axis direction. In this case, it is preferable that the dimension of the piezoelectric body 20 in the X-axis direction is equal to or greater than the dimension of the piezoelectric body 20 in the Y-axis direction.

[0058] The operating principle of the medication device 1A when the expansion and contraction direction of the piezoelectric body 20 is the Y-axis direction is the same as described below.

[0059] First, as shown in FIG. 3B, the piezoelectric body 20 extends in the X-axis direction from the state shown in FIG. 3A.

[0060] 3B, when the piezoelectric body 20 expands in the X-axis direction, a stress M1 is applied to the portion where the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10, toward the housing 10. At this time, according to the law of action and reaction, a stress M2 of the same magnitude as the stress M1 but in the opposite direction is applied to the portion where the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10, also toward the piezoelectric body 20.

[0061] 3B, when the piezoelectric body 20 stretches in the X-axis direction, a stress N1 is applied to the portion of the piezoelectric body 20 fixed to the electronic circuit unit 30, toward the electronic circuit unit 30. At this time, according to the law of action and reaction, a stress N2 of the same magnitude as the stress N1 but in the opposite direction is applied to the portion of the piezoelectric body 20 fixed to the electronic circuit unit 30, also toward the piezoelectric body 20.

[0062] As a result, in the process of changing the state of the oral device 1A from that shown in Fig. 3A to that shown in Fig. 3B, due to the law of conservation of momentum, the momentum P1 of the casing 10, which is expressed as "mass of the casing 10 x displacement velocity of the casing 10," and the momentum P2 of the electronic circuit unit 30, which is expressed as "mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 x displacement velocity of the electronic circuit unit 30," become equal in magnitude but in opposite directions. Specifically, the direction of the momentum P1 of the casing 10 is to the right in the X-axis direction, and the direction of the momentum P2 of the electronic circuit unit 30 is to the left in the X-axis direction. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3B, the positions of one end and the other end of the casing 10 in the X-axis direction are displaced to the right from the initial positions K1 and K2, respectively, i.e., toward the portion where the piezoelectric element 20 is fixed to the casing 10. 3B , the electronic circuit unit 30 is displaced such that the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are shifted to the left of the initial positions L1 and L2, respectively, i.e., to the side opposite the portion where the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10. At this time, because the electronic circuit unit 30 includes electronic components and the like described below, the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 tends to be relatively large, for example, tends to be equal to or greater than the mass of the housing 10. Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum described above, the displacement speed of the housing 10 tends to be relatively large, for example, tends to be equal to or greater than the displacement speed of the electronic circuit unit 30. Therefore, the displacement amount of the housing 10 obtained by integrating the displacement speed of the housing 10 over time also tends to be relatively large.

[0063] Next, the piezoelectric body 20 contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in FIG. 3B . When the piezoelectric body 20 contracts in the X-axis direction, stresses are applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the opposite directions to those in the state shown in FIG. 3B . Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum P1 of the housing 10 is to the left in the X-axis direction, and the direction of momentum P2 of the electronic circuit unit 30 is to the right in the X-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return to the initial positions shown in FIG. 3B as shown in FIG. 3C , similar to those in FIG. 3A , and then further displace as shown in FIG. 3D . Specifically, the housing 10 moves from the state shown in FIG. 3B to the state shown in FIG. 3C , and then, as shown in FIG. 3D , the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are displaced to the left of the initial positions K1 and K2, respectively, i.e., to the opposite side of the portion where the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10. 3B to the state shown in FIG. 3C, and then as shown in FIG. 3D, the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are displaced to the right from the initial positions L1 and L2, i.e., toward the part where the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10. In the medication device 1A, in the process of changing from the state shown in FIG. 3B to the state shown in FIG. 3C to the state shown in FIG. 3D, the displacement of the housing 10 increases in the same manner as in the above-described principle.

[0064] Next, the piezoelectric body 20 extends in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Figure 3D. When the piezoelectric body 20 extends in the X-axis direction, stresses are applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the same directions as in the state shown in Figure 3B. Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum P1 of the housing 10 is to the right in the X-axis direction, and the direction of momentum P2 of the electronic circuit unit 30 is to the left in the X-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return from the state shown in Figure 3D to the initial positions similar to those in Figure 3A, as shown in Figure 3E.

[0065] The above operation is repeated during use of the oral device 1A. That is, in the oral device 1A, as the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in an expanding and contracting manner in the X-axis direction, which is the vibration direction, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 oscillate in opposite directions in the X-axis direction, which is the oscillation direction. The housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 may oscillate in opposite phases in the X-axis direction, which is the oscillation direction.

[0066] The housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 may swing in opposite directions with the same displacement amount in the X-axis direction, which is the swing direction. The housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 may swing in opposite phases with the same displacement amount in the X-axis direction, which is the swing direction.

[0067] Whether the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 are swinging in opposite directions can be confirmed by using a laser Doppler vibrometer or the like.

[0068] From the viewpoint of swinging the electronic circuit unit 30 and therefore the housing 10 greatly, it is preferable that the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 be equal to or greater than the mass of the housing 10 .

[0069] As a result, the medication device 1A swings in the X-axis direction as a whole. When the medication device 1A swings, the displacement of the housing 10 increases as described above, and therefore the displacement of the medication device 1A as a whole also increases. Therefore, the medication device 1A can realize a medication device that can swing widely during use.

[0070] In the ingested device 1A, the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates as described above to generate an ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic signal generated from the piezoelectric body 20 propagates through a medium inside the ingested device 1A and is ultimately transmitted to the outside of the ingested device 1A. At this time, the ingested device 1A vibrates due to the ultrasonic signal generated from the piezoelectric body 20, and transmits the ultrasonic signal as information to the outside of the ingested device 1A, specifically, into the body. Furthermore, the ingested device 1A also transmits the ultrasonic signal as information to the outside of the ingested device 1A, specifically, into the body, by oscillating according to the operating principle described above. Because the ingested device 1A can oscillate significantly during use as described above, the ultrasonic signal as information can be transmitted at a large transmission sound pressure, coupled with the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal generated from the piezoelectric body 20.

[0071] Note that if the hardness of the housing 10 is high, the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric body 20 may not vibrate the oral device 1A sufficiently, for example, the outer surface of the housing 10 may not deform sufficiently. Even in such a case, the oral device 1A can swing widely during use as described above. In other words, the oral device 1A can swing widely regardless of the hardness of the housing 10. Therefore, the oral device 1A can transmit ultrasonic signals as information with a large transmission sound pressure regardless of the hardness of the housing 10.

[0072] In the oral administration device 1A, when transmitting an ultrasonic signal as information, the frequency of the ultrasonic signal (e.g., the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20) may be changed, for example, for each type of biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit described below.

[0073] The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ingested device 1A is received by a receiver (receiving unit) attached to the body surface of the user of the ingested device 1A, such as the torso, neck, or wrist, using a fastener such as a belt. The receiver (receiving unit) is attached so as to be in direct contact with the body surface of the user, or so as to be in contact with the body surface via an intervening object such as gel.

[0074] Below, each component constituting the medication device 1A will be described in detail.

[0075] The housing 10 is, for example, capsule-shaped as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 10 is hollow with hemispherical portions provided on both ends in the longitudinal direction of a cylindrical portion.

[0076] The external shape of the housing 10 is not particularly limited as long as it does not interfere with administration, and may be, for example, a spherical shape, an ellipsoidal shape, a disk shape, a cylindrical shape, a tablet shape, a polygonal prism shape with rounded corners, etc., in addition to the shapes shown in Figures 1 and 2. The ellipsoidal shape may be an oblate spheroid or an oblate spheroid.

[0077] The outer surface of the housing 10 may substantially constitute the entire outer surface of the medication device 1A. In this case, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 corresponds to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the medication device 1A. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lateral direction of the housing 10 corresponds to the lateral direction (Z-axis direction) of the medication device 1A.

[0078] The material constituting the housing 10 is preferably a biocompatible material, and among these, a biocompatible resin is particularly preferred. Examples of biocompatible resins include epoxy resin. The housing 10 may be made of a biocompatible material, or may be made of a resin whose surface is covered with a biocompatible material.

[0079] The material of the housing 10 is preferably such that it is not dissolved by stomach acid or the like after the ingestible device 1A is taken into the body, but is excreted from the body.

[0080] The piezoelectric body 20 is, for example, in the shape of a plate as shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the piezoelectric body 20 may be, for example, in the shape of a disk, an elliptical plate, a polygonal plate, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the piezoelectric body 20 extends along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0081] The piezoelectric body 20 is not limited to a shape that is not bent as shown in FIG. 2, and may be bent as long as it can vibrate while being fixed to the housing 10.

[0082] Examples of materials that can be used to form the piezoelectric body 20 include ceramic materials such as potassium sodium niobate (KNN), lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and barium titanate (BT).

[0083] The electronic circuit section 30 has, for example, the following configuration.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of an electronic circuit section of the medication device shown in FIG. 2 .

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic circuit section 30 preferably includes a substrate 31 and an electronic component 32 .

[0086] The main surface of the substrate 31 is aligned along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the medication device 1A. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the main surface of the substrate 31 is aligned along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the main surface of the substrate 31 is aligned along the direction (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the short-side direction (Z-axis direction) of the medication device 1A.

[0087] Examples of materials that can be used for the substrate 31 include glass epoxy resin, etc. When the substrate 31 is made of glass epoxy resin, the substrate 31 is also called an FR-4 (Flame Retardant Type 4) substrate.

[0088] The number of substrates 31 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more.

[0089] The electronic component 32 is provided on at least one main surface of the substrate 31. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the electronic component 32 is provided on one main surface of the substrate 31, specifically, on the main surface of the substrate 31 opposite to the piezoelectric element 20.

[0090] The electronic components 32 may be provided on the other main surface of the substrate 31, specifically, on the main surface of the substrate 31 on the piezoelectric body 20 side. Alternatively, the electronic components 32 may be provided on both main surfaces of the substrate 31.

[0091] The electronic components 32 preferably include at least an integrated circuit (IC) and a power source.

[0092] The integrated circuit controls, for example, the piezoelectric body 20. In this case, the integrated circuit controls, for example, the timing at which the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates.

[0093] The power supply provides power to, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0094] The power supply supplies, for example, power to the piezoelectric body 20 .

[0095] The power source may be, for example, a battery.

[0096] The type of battery used as the power source is not particularly limited.

[0097] The battery used as the power source may be, for example, a secondary battery that can be charged with power received by the power receiving coil described below. In this case, the type of secondary battery is not particularly limited as long as it is a rechargeable battery, and may be, for example, an all-solid-state battery having a solid electrolyte. All-solid-state batteries are suitable for the medication device 1A because they do not leak.

[0098] The battery used as the power source may be a large-capacity capacitor, such as an electric double layer capacitor, provided that it is capable of receiving power intermittently via the power receiving coil described below.

[0099] The battery used as the power source may be, for example, a primary battery, provided that it is configured to allow current to flow through the medication device 1A immediately before the medication device 1A is taken.

[0100] The electronic component 32 may further include a receiving coil, an A / D converter, and the like.

[0101] The receiving coil is paired with the transmitting coil to perform wireless power transfer. For example, electromagnetic induction technology, magnetic resonance technology, etc. are used to perform wireless power transfer. In magnetic resonance technology, a current flows in the receiving coil in response to changes in the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil. Therefore, magnetic resonance technology is a type of electromagnetic induction technology.

[0102] The receiving coil is supplied with power from a power source.

[0103] The receiving coil may be made of, for example, copper.

[0104] The A / D converter, under the control of the integrated circuit, converts, for example, analog biometric information acquired by a biometric information acquisition unit described later into digital information, and then outputs the digital biometric information to the piezoelectric body 20. The digital biometric information output from the A / D converter to the piezoelectric body 20 is then oscillated from the piezoelectric body 20 as an ultrasonic signal.

[0105] The A / D converter is supplied with power from a power supply.

[0106] In addition to the various electronic components described above, the electronic components 32 may include passive components such as diodes, capacitors, and resistors, and active components such as transistors, regulators, and DC-DC converters.

[0107] There is no particular limitation on the positions of the electronic components 32 provided on at least one main surface of the substrate 31. Specifically, there is no particular limitation on the positions of the various electronic components described above provided on at least one main surface of the substrate 31.

[0108] Preferably, the electronic circuit unit 30 further includes a weight 33. In this case, since the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 becomes larger, if the mass of the housing 10 does not change, when the medication device 1A swings, according to the law of conservation of momentum described above, the displacement speed of the electronic circuit unit 30 becomes smaller and the displacement speed of the housing 10 becomes larger. As a result, the displacement amount of the housing 10, which is obtained by integrating the displacement speed of the housing 10 over time, also becomes larger. In other words, the medication device 1A can swing even more greatly when in use.

[0109] As described above, the weight 33 makes it possible to efficiently adjust the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30, and therefore efficiently adjust the displacement speed of the electronic circuit unit 30, and consequently, the displacement speed of the housing 10. Furthermore, the weight 33 makes it possible to efficiently adjust the displacement speed of the housing 10, and therefore efficiently adjust the displacement amount of the housing 10.

[0110] The weight 33 may be provided on at least one main surface of the substrate 31. In this case, the position of the weight 33 provided on at least one main surface of the substrate 31 is not particularly limited.

[0111] The weight 33 may be provided on at least one of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20. In this case, the position of the weight 33 provided on at least one of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 is not particularly limited.

[0112] The weight 33 is, for example, a metal block.

[0113] The metal contained in weight 33 is not particularly limited as long as it does not have any adverse effect on the living body when ingested, and may be, for example, tungsten.

[0114] 4 , the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to the piezoelectric body 20 by fixing the substrate 31 of the electronic circuit unit 30 to the piezoelectric body 20, but it is sufficient if at least one component of the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to the piezoelectric body 20. For example, at least one selected from the group consisting of the substrate 31, the electronic component 32, and the weight 33 may be fixed to the piezoelectric body 20.

[0115] It is preferable that the electronic circuit unit 30 is not fixed to the housing 10. In other words, it is preferable that all of the components of the electronic circuit unit 30 are not fixed to the housing 10. For example, it is preferable that the substrate 31, the electronic components 32, and the weight 33 are not fixed to the housing 10.

[0116] If the electronic circuit unit 30 is not fixed to the housing 10, stress from the electronic circuit unit 30 (e.g., stress directed to the left in the X-axis direction) is less likely to be transmitted to the housing 10 when the electronic circuit unit 30 swings, and therefore the stress applied from the piezoelectric body 20 to the housing 10 (e.g., stress directed to the right in the X-axis direction) when the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates is not attenuated by the stress from the electronic circuit unit 30 (e.g., stress directed to the left in the X-axis direction). As a result, the amount of displacement of the housing 10 is likely to become sufficiently large.

[0117] In contrast, if the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to the housing 10, stress from the electronic circuit unit 30 (e.g., stress directed to the left in the X-axis direction) is more likely to be transmitted to the housing 10 when the electronic circuit unit 30 oscillates, and therefore stress applied from the piezoelectric body 20 to the housing 10 (e.g., stress directed to the right in the X-axis direction) when the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates is more likely to be attenuated by stress from the electronic circuit unit 30 (e.g., stress directed to the left in the X-axis direction). As a result, the amount of displacement of the housing 10 is less likely to become sufficiently large.

[0118] The electronic circuit unit 30 is preferably spaced apart from the housing 10 at least in the swing direction. For example, the substrate 31, the electronic component 32, and the weight 33 are preferably spaced apart from the housing 10 at least in the swing direction.

[0119] It is preferable that the electronic circuit section 30 be spaced apart from the housing 10 not only in the swing direction but also in directions other than the swing direction.

[0120] The electronic circuit section 30 is not fixed to the housing 10 but may be in contact with the housing 10 .

[0121] The electronic circuit section 30 may or may not come into contact with the housing 10 during the swinging motion.

[0122] As described above, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20, but the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to both main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20.

[0123] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the oral administration device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0124] In the medication device 1B shown in FIG. 5, the electronic circuit section 30 is fixed to both main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 (the upper and lower main surfaces in FIG. 5).

[0125] The electronic circuit section 30 fixed to one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 may include a substrate 31 and electronic components 32, while the electronic circuit section 30 fixed to the other main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 may include a weight 33. In other words, the substrate 31 and electronic components 32 may be fixed to one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20, while the weight 33 may be fixed to the other main surface of the piezoelectric body 20. The combination of the components fixed to one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 and the other main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 in the electronic circuit section 30 is not limited to the example described above.

[0126] The position of the electronic circuit unit 30 fixed to at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is a position that does not interfere with the vibration of the piezoelectric body 20. From the viewpoint of large oscillation of the electronic circuit unit 30, it is preferable that the electronic circuit unit 30 be fixed near an end of at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 opposite to the portion where the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 5 .

[0127] It is preferable that the fluid 40 be present inside the housing 10, at least within the swing range of the electronic circuit unit 30. When the fluid 40 is present inside the housing 10, at least within the swing range of the electronic circuit unit 30, the swing of the electronic circuit unit 30 is less likely to be hindered than when a solid is present, and as a result, the swing of the housing 10 is also less likely to be hindered.

[0128] The fluid 40 is preferably a gas. When the fluid 40 is a gas, the oscillation of the electronic circuit unit 30 is less likely to be hindered than when the fluid 40 is a liquid, and as a result, the oscillation of the housing 10 is also less likely to be hindered.

[0129] When the fluid 40 is a gas, the gas is preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon.

[0130] The fluid 40 may be a liquid.

[0131] It is preferable that the medication device 1A (medicated device 1B) further has a biometric information acquisition unit.

[0132] The biological information acquisition unit acquires biological information of the body in which the ingested device 1A is ingested.

[0133] Examples of biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition unit include vital signs such as internal body temperature, stomach pH, ​​intestinal pH, and intestinal activity. For example, if the biological information acquisition unit has sensors such as a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, and an acceleration sensor, it can detect vital signs such as internal body temperature, stomach pH, ​​intestinal pH, and intestinal activity. The temperature sensor may include, for example, a thermistor. The biological information acquisition unit may acquire core body temperature as the internal body temperature.

[0134] The biological information acquired by the biological information acquiring unit includes information other than the above-mentioned vital signs, such as the time elapsed since the oral device 1A was taken into the body, the position of the oral device 1A within the body, etc. For example, if the biological information acquiring unit has a timing means capable of measuring time, it can measure the time elapsed since the oral device 1A was taken into the body and estimate the position of the oral device 1A within the body based on the measured elapsed time.

[0135] The biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit includes any information related to a living body, that is, the biometric information acquisition unit can be configured to acquire any biometric information.

[0136] The biometric information acquisition unit is preferably provided on the inner surface of the housing 10, on the outer surface of the housing 10, or embedded in the wall of the housing 10. The biometric information acquisition unit and the electronic circuit unit 30 thus provided in the housing 10 are preferably electrically connected by a flexible conductor that does not prevent the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 from swinging in opposite directions.

[0137] When the biometric information acquisition unit is connected to the electronic circuit unit 30, the biometric information acquisition unit is controlled, for example, by an integrated circuit included in the electronic circuit unit 30 (electronic component 32). In this case, the integrated circuit controls, for example, the timing at which the biometric information acquisition unit acquires biometric information.

[0138] When the biometric information acquisition unit is connected to the electronic circuit unit 30, the biometric information acquisition unit is supplied with power from a power supply included in the electronic circuit unit 30 (electronic components 32), for example.

[0139] The biological information acquisition unit may be provided on at least one of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 .

[0140] <Embodiment 2> In the medication device of embodiment 2 of the present invention, unlike the medication device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, the piezoelectric element includes a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element that are independent of each other, the first piezoelectric element is present on one side of the electronic circuit unit in the vibration direction and the second piezoelectric element is not present, and the second piezoelectric element is present on the other side of the electronic circuit unit in the vibration direction and the first piezoelectric element is not present, and the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element are driven to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction.

[0141] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a medication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0142] 6, the piezoelectric body 20 includes a first piezoelectric body 20a and a second piezoelectric body 20b that are independent of each other. In other words, the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b are separate members.

[0143] In the example shown in Figure 6, the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b have one end in their respective vibration directions (X-axis direction) fixed to the housing 10, and the other ends in their respective vibration directions (X-axis direction) face each other in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0144] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b are spaced apart from each other in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0145] The first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b may be in contact with each other in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) as long as they are vibrable as described below.

[0146] In the medication device 2A, the first piezoelectric element 20a is present on one side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), and the second piezoelectric element 20b is not present. Furthermore, in the medication device 2A, the second piezoelectric element 20b is present on the other side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), and the first piezoelectric element 20a is not present.

[0147] In the example shown in Figure 6, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed across the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b on one main surface (the upper main surface in Figure 6) of the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b facing in the same direction.

[0148] As described above, both sides of the electronic circuit unit 30 are fixed to the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), which makes it easier to hold the electronic circuit unit 30. Furthermore, even if an external impact is applied to the medication device 2A (housing 10), the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b are less likely to be damaged.

[0149] In the medication device 2A, the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b are driven to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0150] The operating principle of the medication device 2A will now be described.

[0151] 7A to 7E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operating principle of the medication device shown in FIG.

[0152] 7A shows the state before the medication device 2A is operated. In FIG. 7A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the housing 10 in the X-axis direction are designated K1 and K2, respectively. Also, in FIG. 7A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the X-axis direction are designated L1 and L2, respectively.

[0153] 7A, the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b each vibrate in an expansion and contraction direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b. At this time, the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b are driven to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0154] When the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b are driven to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), for example, first, as shown in Fig. 7B, the first piezoelectric body 20a expands in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 7A. At the same time, as shown in Fig. 7B, the second piezoelectric body 20b contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 7A.

[0155] During the process of changing from the state shown in FIG. 7A to the state shown in FIG. 7B , when the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b expand and contract in opposite phases in the X-axis direction, the momentum of the housing 10 (= mass of the housing 10 × displacement velocity of the housing 10) and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 (= mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 × displacement velocity of the electronic circuit unit 30) become equal in magnitude but opposite in direction in the X-axis direction, due to the same principle as in the oral device 1A. Specifically, the momentum of the housing 10 moves to the left in the X-axis direction, and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 moves to the right in the X-axis direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B , the positions of one end and the other end of the housing 10 in the X-axis direction are displaced to the left from the initial positions K1 and K2, respectively. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 7B , the positions of one end and the other end of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the X-axis direction are displaced to the right from the initial positions L1 and L2, respectively. In this case, as described above, the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 tends to be relatively large, and therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the displacement speed of the housing 10 tends to be relatively large. Therefore, the displacement amount of the housing 10 obtained by integrating the displacement speed of the housing 10 over time also tends to be relatively large.

[0156] Next, the first piezoelectric element 20a contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in FIG. 7B . At the same time, the second piezoelectric element 20b expands in the X-axis direction from the state shown in FIG. 7B . As a result, stresses are applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the opposite directions to those in the state shown in FIG. 7B . Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the momentum of the housing 10 moves to the right in the X-axis direction, and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 moves to the left in the X-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return to the initial positions shown in FIG. 7B as shown in FIG. 7C , similar to those in FIG. 7A , and then further displace as shown in FIG. 7D . Specifically, the housing 10 moves from the state shown in FIG. 7B to the state shown in FIG. 7C , and then, as shown in FIG. 7D , the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are displaced to the right from the initial positions K1 and K2, respectively. At the same time, the electronic circuit unit 30 moves from the state shown in Fig. 7B to the state shown in Fig. 7C, and then moves so that the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are shifted to the left from the initial positions L1 and L2, respectively, as shown in Fig. 7D. In the process of changing from the state shown in Fig. 7B to the state shown in Fig. 7C to the state shown in Fig. 7D, the amount of displacement of the housing 10 increases, similar to the principle described above.

[0157] Next, the first piezoelectric element 20a expands in the X-axis direction from the state shown in FIG. 7D . At the same time, the second piezoelectric element 20b contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in FIG. 7D . As a result, stresses are applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the same direction as in the state shown in FIG. 7B . Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum of the housing 10 becomes the left side of the X-axis direction, and the direction of momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 becomes the right side of the X-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return from the state shown in FIG. 7D to the initial positions similar to those in FIG. 7A , as shown in FIG. 7E .

[0158] The above operation is repeated during use of the oral device 2A. That is, in the oral device 2A, the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b are driven to expand and contract in opposite phases in the X-axis direction, which is the vibration direction, and the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 swing in opposite directions in the X-axis direction, which is the swing direction parallel to the vibration direction.

[0159] As a result, the medication device 2A swings in the X-axis direction as a whole. When the medication device 2A swings, the displacement of the housing 10 increases as described above, and therefore the displacement of the medication device 2A as a whole also increases. Therefore, the medication device 2A can realize a medication device that can swing widely during use.

[0160] In the example shown in Figure 6, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to one main surface (the upper main surface in Figure 6) of the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b facing in the same direction, but the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to both main surfaces of the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b as long as the first piezoelectric element 20a is present on one side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) and the second piezoelectric element 20b is not present, or further, the second piezoelectric element 20b is present on the other side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) and the first piezoelectric element 20a is not present.

[0161] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the oral administration device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0162] In the medication device 2B shown in FIG. 8, the electronic circuit section 30 is fixed to both main surfaces (upper and lower main surfaces in FIG. 8) of the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b.

[0163] 6 and 8, it is preferable that the dimensions of the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) are the same. In this case, the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b can be driven so that the displacement amounts when vibrating are the same, which makes it easier to control the drive of the entire piezoelectric body 20.

[0164] The dimensions of the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) may be different from each other.

[0165] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the oral administration device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0166] In the oral administration device 2C shown in FIG. 9, the dimensions of the first piezoelectric body 20a and the second piezoelectric body 20b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) are different from each other.

[0167] The dimensional relationship between the first piezoelectric body 20 a and the second piezoelectric body 20 b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) is not particularly limited. Specifically, the dimension of the first piezoelectric body 20 a in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) may be smaller than or larger than the dimension of the second piezoelectric body 20 b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0168] As a modification of the second embodiment, the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to both the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b between them in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) of the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b. Specifically, the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to both the first piezoelectric element 20a and the second piezoelectric element 20b between one end of the first piezoelectric element 20a in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) and one end of the second piezoelectric element 20b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction). Even in this case, the first piezoelectric element 20a is present on one side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), but the second piezoelectric element 20b is not present, and further, the second piezoelectric element 20b is present on the other side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), but the first piezoelectric element 20a is not present.

[0169] <Embodiment 3> In the oral administration device of embodiment 3 of the present invention, unlike the oral administration device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, a first polarization region and a second polarization region having opposite polarization directions are present inside the piezoelectric body, the first polarization region is present on one side of the vibration direction relative to the electronic circuit unit, and the second polarization region is not present, and the second polarization region is present on the other side of the vibration direction relative to the electronic circuit unit, and the first polarization region is not present, and the first polarization region and the second polarization region are driven by an electric field of the same phase so that they expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction.

[0170] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a medication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0171] In the oral administration device 3A shown in FIG. 10, a first polarization region 21a and a second polarization region 21b, which are polarized in opposite directions, exist inside the piezoelectric body 20.

[0172] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10 at both ends in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0173] A method for forming the first polarized region 21a and the second polarized region 21b inside the piezoelectric body 20 will be described below.

[0174] FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining an example of a method for forming the first polarization region and the second polarization region inside the piezoelectric body shown in FIG.

[0175] 11 , a pair of first electrodes 50a are provided separately on both main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 so as to face each other in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) with the piezoelectric body 20 in between. In addition, a pair of second electrodes 50b are provided separately on both main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 at positions spaced apart from the pair of first electrodes 50a so as to face each other in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) with the piezoelectric body 20 in between.

[0176] Then, an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric body 20 using the pair of first electrodes 50a and the pair of second electrodes 50b. At this time, the electric field applied between the pair of first electrodes 50a and the electric field applied between the pair of second electrodes 50b are opposite in direction in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20. As a result, inside the piezoelectric body 20, a first polarization region 21a is formed between the pair of first electrodes 50a, and a second polarization region 21b is formed between the pair of second electrodes 50b. The polarization directions of the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b formed in this way are opposite in direction in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20.

[0177] A configuration in which a plurality of polarization regions having different polarization directions exist inside, such as the piezoelectric body 20 shown in FIG. 11, may be the same as that of a piezoelectric filter, a piezoelectric transformer, a shock sensor, or the like, for example.

[0178] The pair of first electrodes 50 a and the pair of second electrodes 50 b can also be used to drive the first polarization region 21 a and the second polarization region 21 b, as will be described later. Therefore, it is preferable that the pair of first electrodes 50 a and the pair of second electrodes 50 b remain provided on the piezoelectric body 20 even after the first polarization region 21 a and the second polarization region 21 b are formed.

[0179] The first electrode 50a and the second electrode 50b provided on the same main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 may remain separated even after the formation of the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b, or may be connected after the formation of the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b.

[0180] In the medication device 3A, the first polarization region 21a is present on one side of the vibration direction (X-axis direction) relative to the electronic circuit unit 30, and the second polarization region 21b is not present. Furthermore, in the medication device 3A, the second polarization region 21b is present on the other side of the vibration direction (X-axis direction) relative to the electronic circuit unit 30, and the first polarization region 21a is not present.

[0181] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the electronic circuit section 30 is fixed to one main surface (the upper main surface in FIG. 10) of the piezoelectric body 20, straddling the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b.

[0182] In the oral administration device 3A, the first polarized region 21a and the second polarized region 21b are driven by an electric field of the same phase so that they expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0183] The operating principle of the medication device 3A will be described below.

[0184] 12A to 12E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operating principle of the medication device shown in FIG.

[0185] 12A shows the state before the medication device 3A is operated. In FIG. 12A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the housing 10 in the X-axis direction are designated K1 and K2, respectively. Also, in FIG. 12A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the X-axis direction are designated L1 and L2, respectively.

[0186] In the oral device 3A, from the state shown in Fig. 12A, the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20. At this time, the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are driven by an electric field of the same phase so that they expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction). When driving the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b with an electric field of the same phase, for example, the electric field applied between the pair of first electrodes 50a (see Fig. 11) and the electric field applied between the pair of second electrodes 50b (see Fig. 11) are oriented in the same direction in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20.

[0187] When the first polarization region 21 a and the second polarization region 21 b are driven by electric fields of the same phase, for example, first, as shown in Fig. 12B, the first polarization region 21 a expands in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12A. At the same time, as shown in Fig. 12B, the second polarization region 21 b contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12A.

[0188] 12B , when the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b expand and contract in opposite phases in the X-axis direction, the momentum of the housing 10 (= mass of the housing 10 × displacement velocity of the housing 10) and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 (= mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 × displacement velocity of the electronic circuit unit 30) become equal but opposite in the X-axis direction, due to the same principle as in the oral device 1A. Specifically, the momentum of the housing 10 moves to the left in the X-axis direction, and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 moves to the right in the X-axis direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12B , the positions of one end and the other end of the housing 10 in the X-axis direction are displaced to the left from the initial positions K1 and K2, respectively. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 12B , the positions of one end and the other end of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the X-axis direction are displaced to the right from the initial positions L1 and L2, respectively. In this case, as described above, the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 tends to be relatively large, and therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the displacement speed of the housing 10 tends to be relatively large. Therefore, the displacement amount of the housing 10 obtained by integrating the displacement speed of the housing 10 over time also tends to be relatively large.

[0189] Next, the direction of the electric field driving the first polarization region 21 a and the second polarization region 21 b is reversed from the state shown in Fig. 12B. As a result, the first polarization region 21 a contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12B. At the same time, the second polarization region 21 b expands in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12B.

[0190] When the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b expand and contract in the X-axis direction in opposite phases from the state shown in FIG. 12B , stresses are independently applied to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the opposite directions to those in the state shown in FIG. 12B . Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum of the housing 10 becomes the right side of the X-axis direction, and the direction of momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 becomes the left side of the X-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return to the initial positions similar to those in FIG. 12A from the state shown in FIG. 12B as shown in FIG. 12C , and then further displace as shown in FIG. 12D . Specifically, the housing 10 moves from the state shown in FIG. 12B to the state shown in FIG. 12C , and then, as shown in FIG. 12D , the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are displaced to the right from the initial positions K1 and K2, respectively. At the same time, the electronic circuit unit 30 is displaced from the state shown in Fig. 12B via the state shown in Fig. 12C, and then displaced so that the positions of one end and the other end in the X-axis direction are shifted to the left from the initial positions L1 and L2, respectively, as shown in Fig. 12D. In the medication device 3A, the displacement of the housing 10 increases in the same manner as in the above-described principle during the process of changing from the state shown in Fig. 12B via the state shown in Fig. 12C to the state shown in Fig. 12D.

[0191] Next, the direction of the electric field driving the first polarization region 21 a and the second polarization region 21 b is reversed from the state shown in Fig. 12D. As a result, the first polarization region 21 a extends in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12D. At the same time, the second polarization region 21 b contracts in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12D.

[0192] When the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b expand and contract in opposite phases in the X-axis direction from the state shown in Fig. 12D as described above, stresses are applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the same directions as in the state shown in Fig. 12B. Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum of the housing 10 becomes the left side of the X-axis direction, and the direction of momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 becomes the right side of the X-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return from the state shown in Fig. 12D to the initial positions similar to those in Fig. 12A as shown in Fig. 12E.

[0193] The above operation is repeated during use of the oral device 3A. That is, in the oral device 3A, the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are driven by an electric field of the same phase so as to expand and contract in opposite phases in the X-axis direction, which is the vibration direction, and the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 swing in opposite directions in the X-axis direction, which is the swing direction parallel to the vibration direction.

[0194] As a result, the medication device 3A swings in the X-axis direction as a whole. When the medication device 3A swings, the displacement of the housing 10 increases as described above, and therefore the displacement of the medication device 3A as a whole also increases. Therefore, the medication device 3A can be realized as a medication device that can swing widely during use.

[0195] Furthermore, with the medication device 3A, the same effect as with the medication device 2A (see FIG. 6) can be achieved without using two piezoelectric bodies. In other words, with the medication device 3A, it is possible to reduce the number of piezoelectric bodies compared to the medication device 2A while achieving the same effect as with the medication device 2A. Therefore, with the medication device 3A, the process of fixing the electronic circuit unit 30 to the piezoelectric body 20 is easier than with the medication device 2A, and the cost associated with this process can be reduced.

[0196] In the oral administration device 3A, in order to cause the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), as described above, the polarization directions of the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are opposite, and the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are driven with an electric field of the same phase.

[0197] In contrast, as a modified example of the oral device 3A, in order to expand and contract the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), the polarization directions of the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b may be set to the same direction, while the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b may be driven with electric fields of opposite phases. In other words, in the modified example of the above-mentioned oral administration device 3A, unlike the oral administration device 3A, a first polarization region 21a and a second polarization region 21b having the same polarization direction are present inside the piezoelectric body 20, and the first polarization region 21a is present on one side of the vibration direction (X-axis direction) relative to the electronic circuit unit 30, and the second polarization region 21b is not present, and the second polarization region 21b is present on the other side of the vibration direction (X-axis direction) relative to the electronic circuit unit 30, and the first polarization region 21a is not present, and the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are driven by an electric field of opposite phase so as to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0198] In the example shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed across the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b, but the electronic circuit unit 30 does not have to be fixed across the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b.

[0199] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the oral administration device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0200] 13, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to the first polarization region 21a but not to the second polarization region 21b. In other words, the electronic circuit unit 30 is not fixed across the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b.

[0201] 13, the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to the second polarization region 21b but not to the first polarization region 21a. In other words, the electronic circuit unit 30 does not have to be fixed across the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b.

[0202] 10 and 13, the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are adjacent to each other in the vibration direction (X-axis direction), but the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b do not have to be adjacent to each other in the vibration direction (X-axis direction). In other words, a region other than the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b may exist between the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0203] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the oral administration device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0204] 14, the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b are not adjacent to each other in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) inside the piezoelectric body 20 of the oral device 3C. Specifically, a non-polarized region 22 exists between the first polarization region 21a and the second polarization region 21b in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0205] The non-polarized region 22 is a region where no polarization occurs, or alternatively, the non-polarized region 22 is a region where polarization occurs locally, but the polarization direction is random, so that it can be said that no polarization occurs substantially overall.

[0206] The electronic circuit section 30 is fixed to the non-polarized region 22 .

[0207] In the example shown in Figure 14, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 (the upper main surface in Figure 14) over the entire range of the non-polarized region 22, but the electronic circuit unit 30 may also be fixed to a part of the range of the non-polarized region 22 on one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20.

[0208] In the examples shown in Figures 10, 13, and 14, the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to one main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 (the upper main surface in Figure 10), but the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to both main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 as long as the first polarization region 21a is present on one side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) and the second polarization region 21b is not present, and further, the second polarization region 21b is present on the other side of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction) and the first polarization region 21a is not present.

[0209] <Embodiment 4> In a medication device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, unlike the medication device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, an electronic circuit unit is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric body in the vibration direction.

[0210] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0211] In the medication device 4A shown in FIG. 15, the electronic circuit section 30 is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric body 20 in the vibration direction (X-axis direction).

[0212] The medication device 4A can also realize a medication device that can be swung widely during use, similar to the medication device 1A (see FIG. 2, etc.).

[0213] <Embodiment 5> The medication device of embodiment 5 of the present invention differs from the medication device of embodiment 4 of the present invention in that it further includes a slider structure that clamps the electronic circuit unit in the thickness direction so that the electronic circuit unit can slide in the swing direction.

[0214] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of an oral device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0215] The medication device 5A shown in FIG. 16 further includes a slider structure 60 in addition to the configuration of the medication device 4A (see FIG. 15).

[0216] The slider structure 60 holds the electronic circuit section 30 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) so that the electronic circuit section 30 can slide in the swing direction (X-axis direction).

[0217] In the example shown in FIG. 16, the slider structure 60 is composed of a pair of smooth plates 61 that sandwich the electronic circuit section 30 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction).

[0218] The pair of smooth plates 61 only need to be smooth so that at least the main surfaces on the electronic circuit unit 30 side can slide in the swing direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic circuit unit 30. For example, as long as the pair of smooth plates 61 can slide in the swing direction (X-axis direction) of the electronic circuit unit 30, there are no particular limitations on the surface properties such as the coefficient of friction and surface roughness of at least the main surfaces on the electronic circuit unit 30 side.

[0219] The smooth plate 61 may be made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0220] Although not shown, the slider structure 60 (for example, a pair of smooth plates 61 ) is fixed to the housing 10 .

[0221] In the oral device 5A, the slider structure 60 clamps the electronic circuit unit 30 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) so that the electronic circuit unit 30 can slide in the swing direction (X-axis direction). This makes it easier for the electronic circuit unit 30 to swing in the swing direction (X-axis direction) without applying a load when using the oral device 5A. Therefore, in the oral device 5A, the displacement amount of the electronic circuit unit 30, and consequently the displacement amount of the housing 10, tends to be sufficiently large.

[0222] Furthermore, in the medication device 5A, the electronic circuit unit 30 is sandwiched between the slider structure 60, so the piezoelectric body 20 to which the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed is less likely to bend. Also, in the medication device 5A, the electronic circuit unit 30 is sandwiched between the slider structure 60, so even if an external impact is applied to the medication device 5A (housing 10), the electronic circuit unit 30, and therefore the piezoelectric body 20 to which the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed, is less likely to be damaged.

[0223] Furthermore, with the medication device 5A, the same effect as with the medication device 2A (see FIG. 6) can be achieved without using two piezoelectric bodies. In other words, with the medication device 5A, it is possible to achieve the same effect as with the medication device 2A by reducing the number of piezoelectric bodies compared to the medication device 2A. Therefore, with the medication device 5A, the process of fixing the electronic circuit unit 30 to the piezoelectric body 20 is easier than with the medication device 2A, and the cost associated with this process can be reduced.

[0224] In the fifth embodiment, the slider structure 60 (for example, the pair of smooth plates 61) is a separate member from the housing 10, but the slider structure 60 may be integrated with the housing 10. In other words, the slider structure 60 may constitute a part of the housing 10.

[0225] In this specification, two elements being integrated means that there is no interface between the elements, for example, it means that the boundary between the elements cannot be discerned.

[0226] Sixth Embodiment In a medication device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, unlike the medication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric body flexurally vibrates in a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body as the vibration direction.

[0227] In the oral administration device of embodiment 6 of the present invention, the piezoelectric element is fixed to the housing at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and the electronic circuit unit is fixed to the center of at least one of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric element.

[0228] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of an oral device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0229] In the oral device 6A shown in FIG. 17, the piezoelectric body 20 is fixed to the housing 10 at both ends in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction).

[0230] The electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to the center of at least one of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20. In the example shown in Fig. 17 , the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed to the center of one of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 (the upper main surface in Fig. 17 ). The electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to the center of either of the main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20 (the upper or lower main surface in Fig. 17 ). Note that the electronic circuit unit 30 may also be fixed to the center of each of both main surfaces of the piezoelectric body 20.

[0231] In this specification, "the center of the main surface of the piezoelectric body" refers to a region that includes the geometric center of the main surface of the piezoelectric body when viewed in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body and can be said to be substantially located at the center of the piezoelectric body.

[0232] The operating principle of the medication device 6A will now be described.

[0233] 18A to 18E are cross-sectional views illustrating the operating principle of the medication device shown in FIG.

[0234] Fig. 18A shows the state before the medication device 6A is operated. In Fig. 18A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the housing 10 in the Z-axis direction are K3 and K4, respectively. Also, in Fig. 18A, the initial positions of one end and the other end of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the Z-axis direction are L3 and L4, respectively.

[0235] In the oral medication device 6A, from the state shown in FIG. 18A, the piezoelectric body 20 flexurally vibrates in a direction (Z-axis direction) parallel to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20 as the vibration direction.

[0236] When the piezoelectric body 20 flexurally vibrates in the Z-axis direction, for example, first, as shown in FIG. 18B, the piezoelectric body 20 flexes from the state shown in FIG. 18A so that the center of the main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 faces downward in the Z-axis direction.

[0237] 18A to 18B, when the piezoelectric element 20 flexurally vibrates in the Z-axis direction, the momentum of the housing 10 (= mass of the housing 10 × displacement velocity of the housing 10) and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 (= mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 × displacement velocity of the electronic circuit unit 30) are the same magnitude but opposite in the Z-axis direction, due to the same principle as in the oral device 1A. Specifically, the momentum of the housing 10 is directed upward in the Z-axis direction, and the momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 is directed downward in the Z-axis direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18B, the housing 10 is displaced such that one end and the other end in the Z-axis direction are displaced upward from the initial positions K3 and K4, respectively. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 18B, the electronic circuit unit 30 is displaced such that one end and the other end in the Z-axis direction are displaced downward from the initial positions L3 and L4, respectively. In this case, as described above, the mass of the electronic circuit unit 30 tends to be relatively large, and therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the displacement speed of the housing 10 tends to be relatively large. Therefore, the displacement amount of the housing 10 obtained by integrating the displacement speed of the housing 10 over time also tends to be relatively large.

[0238] Next, from the state shown in FIG. 18B , the piezoelectric body 20 bends so that the center of the main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 moves upward in the Z-axis direction. As a result, stresses are applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the opposite directions to those in the state shown in FIG. 18B . Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum of the housing 10 becomes downward in the Z-axis direction, and the direction of momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 becomes upward in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return to the initial positions shown in FIG. 18A from the state shown in FIG. 18B as shown in FIG. 18C , and then further displace as shown in FIG. 18D . Specifically, the housing 10 moves from the state shown in FIG. 18B to the state shown in FIG. 18C , and then, as shown in FIG. 18D , the positions of one end and the other end in the Z-axis direction are displaced downward from the initial positions K3 and K4, respectively. At the same time, the electronic circuit unit 30 moves from the state shown in Fig. 18B to the state shown in Fig. 18C, and then moves upward from the initial positions L3 and L4 in the Z-axis direction as shown in Fig. 18D. In the process of changing from the state shown in Fig. 18B to the state shown in Fig. 18C to the state shown in Fig. 18D, the amount of displacement of the housing 10 increases, similar to the principle described above.

[0239] Next, from the state shown in Fig. 18D, the piezoelectric body 20 bends so that the center of the main surface of the piezoelectric body 20 faces downward in the Z-axis direction. As a result, stress is applied independently to the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the same direction as in the state shown in Fig. 18B. Therefore, according to the law of conservation of momentum, the direction of momentum of the housing 10 faces upward in the Z-axis direction, and the direction of momentum of the electronic circuit unit 30 faces downward in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 independently return from the state shown in Fig. 18D to the same initial positions as in Fig. 18A, as shown in Fig. 18E.

[0240] The above operation is repeated during use of the oral device 6A. That is, in the oral device 6A, as the piezoelectric body 20 flexes and vibrates in the Z-axis direction, which is the vibration direction, the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 oscillate in opposite directions in the Z-axis direction, which is the oscillation direction parallel to the vibration direction.

[0241] As a result, the medication device 6A swings in the Z-axis direction as a whole. When the medication device 6A swings, the displacement of the housing 10 increases as described above, and therefore the displacement of the medication device 6A as a whole also increases. Therefore, the medication device 6A can realize a medication device that can swing widely during use.

[0242] Furthermore, with the medication device 6A, the same effect as with the medication device 2A (see FIG. 6) can be achieved without using two piezoelectric bodies. In other words, with the medication device 6A, it is possible to achieve the same effect as with the medication device 2A by reducing the number of piezoelectric bodies compared to the medication device 2A. Therefore, with the medication device 6A, the process of fixing the electronic circuit unit 30 to the piezoelectric body 20 is easier than with the medication device 2A, and the cost associated with this process can be reduced.

[0243] In the oral device 6A, examples of configurations that allow the piezoelectric body 20 to flexibly vibrate in the vibration direction (Z-axis direction) include the following configurations (1) and (2): (1) The piezoelectric body 20 includes an even number of ceramic layers and internal electrode layers provided between each ceramic layer. Of all the ceramic layers and internal electrode layers that make up the piezoelectric body 20, the layers located in the upper half of the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) and the layers located in the lower half of the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) are driven to vibrate in opposite phases. (2) The piezoelectric body 20 is attached to a member, such as a metal plate, that is not prone to stretching vibrations.

[0244] Seventh Embodiment In a medication device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the electronic circuit unit is not fixed to the housing, as in the medication devices according to the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention.

[0245] The medication device of embodiment 7 of the present invention further comprises an elastic member sandwiched between the housing and the electronic circuit unit.

[0246] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0247] The medication device 7A shown in FIG. 19 further includes an elastic member 70 in addition to the configuration of the medication device 4A (see FIG. 15).

[0248] In the medication device 7A, the electronic circuit unit 30 is not fixed to the housing 10, and an elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30. Specifically, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20. In other words, the elastic member 70 is in contact with the housing 10 at one end in the X-axis direction and in contact with the electronic circuit unit 30 at the other end in the X-axis direction.

[0249] In the oral device 7A, similarly to the oral device 4A, the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in an expanding and contracting manner in the X-axis direction as a vibration direction, and the electronic circuit unit 30 oscillates in the X-axis direction as a swing direction. That is, in the oral device 7A, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, in the X-axis direction which is the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30.

[0250] In contrast to this, the elastic member 70 may be sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit section 30 in a direction other than the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20 , in other words, in a direction other than the swing direction of the electronic circuit section 30 .

[0251] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the oral administration device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0252] 20 , similarly to the medication device 7A (see FIG. 19 ), the electronic circuit unit 30 is not fixed to the housing 10, and an elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30. Specifically, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in a direction (Z-axis direction) parallel to the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the piezoelectric body 20. That is, the elastic member 70 is in contact with the housing 10 at one end in the Z-axis direction and in contact with the electronic circuit unit 30 at the other end in the Z-axis direction.

[0253] In the oral device 7B, similarly to the oral device 4A, the piezoelectric body 20 vibrates in an expanding and contracting manner in the X-axis direction as a vibration direction, and the electronic circuit unit 30 oscillates in the X-axis direction as a swing direction. That is, in the oral device 7B, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in a direction other than the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, in the Z-axis direction, which is a direction other than the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30.

[0254] In the medication device 7A and the medication device 7B, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30, so that the electronic circuit unit 30 is easily held by the elastic member 70 even if it is not fixed to the housing 10.

[0255] Furthermore, in the medication device 7A and the medication device 7B, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30, so that even if an external impact is applied to the medication device 7A and the medication device 7B (housing 10), the electronic circuit unit 30, and ultimately the piezoelectric body 20 to which the electronic circuit unit 30 is fixed, are less likely to be damaged.

[0256] The elastic member 70 may or may not be fixed to the housing 10. Even when the elastic member 70 is fixed to the housing 10, the elastic member 70 has elasticity that allows it to deform to a certain extent, and therefore the elastic member 70 is unlikely to interfere with the rocking of the housing 10 when the housing 10 rocks.

[0257] The elastic member 70 may or may not be fixed to the electronic circuit unit 30. Even when the elastic member 70 is fixed to the electronic circuit unit 30, the elastic member 70 has elasticity that allows it to deform to a certain extent, and therefore the elastic member 70 is unlikely to interfere with the swinging of the electronic circuit unit 30 when the electronic circuit unit 30 swings.

[0258] The elastic member 70 may be, for example, a spring or rubber.

[0259] In the example shown in Figure 19, one elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, in the X-axis direction which is the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30, but two or more elastic members 70 may be sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, in the X-axis direction which is the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30.

[0260] In the example shown in Figure 20, two elastic members 70 are sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in a direction other than the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, in the Z-axis direction, which is a direction other than the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30. However, in the Z-axis direction, which is a direction other than the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, a direction other than the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30, one elastic member 70 or three or more elastic members 70 may be sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30.

[0261] In the example shown in Figure 20, the elastic member 70 is provided on one side (upper side in Figure 20) and the other side (lower side in Figure 20) of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the Z-axis direction, but the elastic member 70 may be provided only on one side (upper side in Figure 20) of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the Z-axis direction, or only on the other side (lower side in Figure 20) of the electronic circuit unit 30 in the Z-axis direction.

[0262] In the example shown in Figures 19 and 20, the elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in only one of the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, the X-axis direction which is the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30, and the Z-axis direction which is a direction other than the vibration direction of the piezoelectric body 20, in other words, a direction other than the swing direction of the electronic circuit unit 30, but the elastic member 70 may be sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in both of the above directions.

[0263] The elastic member 70 may be sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 in a direction other than the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, for example, in the Y-axis direction.

[0264] In the seventh embodiment, the elastic member 70 is a separate member from the housing 10, but the elastic member 70 (e.g., a spring) may be integrated with the housing 10. In other words, the elastic member 70 may constitute a part of the housing 10.

[0265] When the elastic member 70 is integrated with the housing 10, the electronic circuit unit 30 may be fixed to the elastic member 70 integrated with the housing 10, or may not be fixed to the elastic member 70 integrated with the housing 10.

[0266] The housing 10 with the elastic member 70 integrated therewith is manufactured by a method such as 3D printing (three-dimensional modeling), for example.

[0267] In the seventh embodiment, in contrast to the fourth embodiment, an elastic member 70 is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30, but in other embodiments, the elastic member 70 may be sandwiched between the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30.

[0268] As a modification of the seventh embodiment, the electronic circuit unit 30 may be suspended by a linear member such as a thread, string, or wire that connects the housing 10 and the electronic circuit unit 30 .

[0269] The medication device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention regarding the configuration of the medication device, manufacturing conditions, etc.

[0270] As described above, the medication device of the present invention can realize a medication device that can be swung widely during use. The medication device of the present invention also provides the following additional effects.

[0271] In a conventional oral device, for example, a piezoelectric element is attached to a substrate inside a housing, and the stretching vibration of the piezoelectric element is propagated as a stretching vibration of the housing to generate an ultrasonic signal. The driving frequency of the piezoelectric element when the sound pressure of the generated ultrasonic signal is maximized is inversely proportional to the size of the piezoelectric element. In other words, in the above-described conventional oral device, the frequency of the ultrasonic signal when the sound pressure of the generated ultrasonic signal is maximized is inversely proportional to the size of the piezoelectric element. On the other hand, since the above-described conventional oral device must be sized appropriately for administration, it is not easy to increase the size of the piezoelectric element; rather, there is a tendency to miniaturize the piezoelectric element. Therefore, in the above-described conventional oral device, the frequency of the ultrasonic signal when the sound pressure of the generated ultrasonic signal is maximized becomes higher due to the miniaturization of the piezoelectric element. Generally, in environments such as inside the body or underwater, the higher the frequency of sound, the shorter the distance attenuated. For these reasons, the ultrasonic signal generated by the above-described conventional oral device is attenuated over a short distance because the frequency when the sound pressure is maximized becomes higher. Therefore, with conventional ingestible devices such as those described above, it is difficult to accurately transmit ultrasonic signals containing biometric information, etc., to the outside of the ingestible device, specifically, to inside or outside the body.

[0272] In contrast, as described above, the ingested device of the present invention can oscillate greatly during use, and therefore can transmit ultrasonic signals as information at a high transmission sound pressure. Therefore, in the ingested device of the present invention, it is possible to lower the driving frequency of the piezoelectric element when the sound pressure of the oscillated ultrasonic signal is at its maximum. In other words, in the ingested device of the present invention, it is possible to lower the frequency of the ultrasonic signal when the sound pressure of the oscillated ultrasonic signal is at its maximum. Therefore, since the frequency at which the sound pressure is at its maximum can be lowered for the ultrasonic signal oscillated by the ingested device of the present invention, it is possible to make the signal less susceptible to attenuation even over long distances. From the above, the ingested device of the present invention can accurately transmit ultrasonic signals containing biological information, etc., to the outside of the ingested device of the present invention, specifically, into or outside the body.

[0273] Further effects of the above-described medication device of the present invention will be explained below by comparing an example of the medication device of the present invention with a comparative example of a conventional medication device.

[0274] Example 1 As a simulation model of the medication device of Example 1, a medication device 3A shown in FIG. 10 was used.

[0275] <Comparative Example 1> As a simulation model for the medication device of Comparative Example 1, a conventional medication device as described above was used, specifically, a medication device having a structure in which a piezoelectric element is attached to a substrate provided inside (hollow) a housing, and in which the stretching vibration of the piezoelectric element is propagated as a stretching vibration of the housing to generate an ultrasonic signal.

[0276] <Evaluation> The relationship between the driving frequency of the piezoelectric element and the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal was analyzed using the finite element method for the simulation models of the oral administration devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. In this case, the dimensions of the piezoelectric element for each of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were set to 13 mm length x 3 mm width x 0.2 mm thickness.

[0277] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the results of a simulation evaluation of the relationship between the driving frequency of the piezoelectric element and the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal for the simulation models of the ingestible devices of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

[0278] As shown in Figure 21, in Example 1, the driving frequency of the piezoelectric body when the sound pressure of the oscillating ultrasonic signal was maximum was 85.5 kHz. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the driving frequency of the piezoelectric body when the sound pressure of the oscillating ultrasonic signal was maximum was 167 kHz. Therefore, in Example 1, the driving frequency of the piezoelectric body when the sound pressure of the oscillating ultrasonic signal was maximum was lower than in Comparative Example 1. In other words, in Example 1, the frequency of the ultrasonic signal when the sound pressure of the oscillating ultrasonic signal was maximum was lower than in Comparative Example 1. From this, it was found that in Example 1, the oscillating ultrasonic signal was less likely to attenuate even over long distances than in Comparative Example 1, and this made it possible to accurately transmit the ultrasonic signal to the outside of the ingestible device, specifically, into or outside the body.

[0279] [Information Acquisition System for Administered Device] The information acquisition system for administered devices of the present invention is characterized by comprising the administered device of the present invention, a processing device, and a transceiver that acquires information from the administered device by receiving an ultrasonic signal oscillated from the piezoelectric element of the administered device, and transmits the acquired information to the processing device.

[0280] Eighth Embodiment FIG. 22 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of an information acquisition system for a medication device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0281] The information acquisition system 100 for a ingested device shown in FIG. 22 includes a ingested device 200, a processing device 300, and a transceiver 400.

[0282] The information acquisition system 100 for a taken device is a system that acquires information from a taken device 200.

[0283] The medication device 200 may be similar to, for example, any of the medication devices of embodiments 1 to 7 described above.

[0284] The ingested device 200 has, for example, a biometric information acquisition unit 280, similar to the ingested device 1A.

[0285] The medication device 200 has, for example, a piezoelectric body 220 and an electronic circuit section 230, similar to the medication device 1A.

[0286] The electronic circuit section 230 includes, for example, a power supply 234 and an A / D converter 235, similar to the medication device 1A.

[0287] The electronic circuit section 230 may further include a control section 236 .

[0288] The control unit 236 controls, for example, the timing at which the biometric information acquisition unit 280 acquires biometric information, and controls the processing of the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 280 and the transmission of the processed information to the transceiver 400 .

[0289] The electronic circuit section 230 may further include a storage section 237 .

[0290] The storage unit 237 stores, for example, the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 280 .

[0291] The transceiver 400 acquires information from the ingested device 200 by receiving an ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric body 220 of the ingested device 200, and transmits the acquired information to the processing device 300.

[0292] The transceiver 400 is attached to the body surface of the user, such as the torso, neck, or wrist, using a fastener such as a belt. The transceiver 400 is attached, for example, so as to be in direct contact with the body surface of the user, or so as to be in contact with the body surface via an intervening material such as gel.

[0293] The transceiver 400 includes, for example, a receiving unit 401 , a transmitting unit 402 , a display unit 403 , and a power supply 404 .

[0294] The receiving unit 401 receives an ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric body 220 of the ingested device 200. As a result, the transceiver 400 acquires information, for example, biological information, from the ingested device 200.

[0295] The receiving unit 401 is composed of an ultrasonic receiver that receives ultrasonic waves.

[0296] The method of receiving ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic receiver constituting the receiving unit 401 is not particularly limited.

[0297] The ultrasonic receiver constituting the receiving unit 401 preferably has a piezoelectric body. In this case, the piezoelectric body of the ultrasonic receiver preferably generates a voltage by receiving ultrasonic waves. Examples of materials constituting the piezoelectric body of the ultrasonic receiver include ceramic materials such as potassium sodium niobate, lead zirconate titanate, and barium titanate.

[0298] The transmitting unit 402 transmits the information acquired from the medication device 200 to the processing device 300.

[0299] The method of transmitting information from the transmitting unit 402 to the processing device 300 is not particularly limited, but is preferably wireless communication. That is, the transmitting unit 402 preferably transmits information acquired from the ingested device 200 to the processing device 300 by wireless communication. Wireless communication is, for example, communication using a data communication line using radio waves from a mobile phone, an Internet line, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0300] The method of transmitting information from the transmitting unit 402 to the processing device 300 may be wired communication. Wired communication is communication using, for example, a USB cable, an Ethernet cable, a serial cable, or the like.

[0301] The display unit 403 displays, for example, information acquired from the medication device 200.

[0302] The display unit 403 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0303] The power supply 404 supplies power to each part of the transceiver 400 .

[0304] The power source 404 may be, for example, a battery.

[0305] There is no particular limitation on the type of battery used as the power supply 404. The battery used as the power supply 404 may be, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery or a primary battery.

[0306] The processing device 300 receives information transmitted from the transmitting unit 402 of the transceiver 400, i.e., information from the administered device 200. The processing device 300 then performs various data processing, data management, etc. based on the received information. For example, the processing device 300 manages and analyzes biological information received from the administered device 200, and manages various information related to the administered device 200 and the medication taken.

[0307] The medication device information acquisition system 100 confirms whether the patient has taken the prescribed medication, for example, by the following method.

[0308] First, when the ingested device 200 is removed from its sealed container, the ingested device 200 is automatically powered on. When the ingested device 200 is powered on, it continuously transmits an ultrasonic signal of a constant frequency from the piezoelectric body 220. Furthermore, the ingested device 200 also continuously transmits an ultrasonic signal of a constant frequency by oscillating according to the same operating principle as the ingested device 1A (see FIGS. 3A to 3E).

[0309] On the other hand, when the ingested device 200 is outside the body, air is present between the ingested device 200 and the transceiver 400, and therefore the transceiver 400 cannot receive the ultrasonic signal emitted from the ingested device 200. In contrast, when the ingested device 200 is ingested by a patient together with a drug and the ingested device 200 enters the patient's body, the acoustic impedance within the body is such that ultrasonic signals can propagate, and therefore the transceiver 400 can receive the ultrasonic signal emitted from the ingested device 200. In this way, the transceiver 400 receives (detects) the ultrasonic signal emitted from the ingested device 200, thereby detecting that the ingested device 200 has been ingested by the patient together with a drug.

[0310] When the transceiver 400 detects that the medication device 200 has been administered by the patient together with a medication, the transceiver 400 transmits information indicating this to the processing device 300.

[0311] The processing device 300 receives the above information from the transceiver 400 to manage whether or not a drug has been taken, the time at which the drug is taken, and so on.

[0312] The information acquisition system for a ingested device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention regarding the configuration of the information acquisition system for a ingested device, etc.

[0313] The present specification discloses the following:

[0314] <1> A medication device that transmits at least information by swinging itself, comprising: a swingable housing; a piezoelectric body provided inside the housing and fixed to the housing so as to be able to vibrate; and an electronic circuit unit provided inside the housing and fixed to the piezoelectric body so as to be able to swing, wherein as the piezoelectric body vibrates in a vibration direction, the housing and the electronic circuit unit swing in opposite directions in the swing direction.

[0315] <2> The dosage device described in <1>, wherein the piezoelectric element vibrates in an expanding and contracting manner in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric element as the vibration direction.

[0316] <3> The medication device described in <2>, wherein the electronic circuit unit is fixed to at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body.

[0317] <4> The oral administration device described in <3>, wherein the piezoelectric element includes a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element that are independent of each other, the first piezoelectric element is present on one side of the electronic circuit unit in the vibration direction and the second piezoelectric element is not present, the second piezoelectric element is present on the other side of the electronic circuit unit in the vibration direction and the first piezoelectric element is not present, and the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element are driven to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction.

[0318] <5> The dosage device described in <4>, wherein the dimensions of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element in the vibration direction are the same.

[0319] <6> The oral administration device described in <3>, wherein the piezoelectric body contains a first polarization region and a second polarization region having opposite polarization directions, the first polarization region is present on one side of the vibration direction relative to the electronic circuit unit, and the second polarization region is not present, the second polarization region is present on the other side of the vibration direction relative to the electronic circuit unit, and the first polarization region is not present, and the first polarization region and the second polarization region are driven by an electric field of the same phase so as to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction.

[0320] <7> The oral administration device described in <3>, wherein a first polarization region and a second polarization region having the same polarization direction are present inside the piezoelectric body, the first polarization region is present on one side of the vibration direction relative to the electronic circuit unit, and the second polarization region is not present, the second polarization region is present on the other side of the vibration direction relative to the electronic circuit unit, and the first polarization region is not present, and the first polarization region and the second polarization region are driven by an electric field of opposite phase so as to expand and contract in opposite phase in the vibration direction.

[0321] <8> The medication device described in <2>, wherein the electronic circuit unit is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric body in the vibration direction.

[0322] <9> The medication device described in <8>, further comprising a slider structure that clamps the electronic circuit unit in the thickness direction so that the electronic circuit unit can slide in the swing direction.

[0323] <10> The dosage device described in <1>, wherein the piezoelectric element vibrates flexibly in a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric element as the vibration direction.

[0324] <11> The piezoelectric element is fixed to the housing at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and the electronic circuit unit is fixed to the center of at least one main surface of the piezoelectric element. The medication device described in <10>.

[0325] <12> A medication device described in any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the rocking direction is parallel to the vibration direction.

[0326] <13> A medication device described in any one of <1> to <12>, wherein the electronic circuit unit is not fixed to the housing.

[0327] <14> The medication device described in <13>, further comprising an elastic member sandwiched between the housing and the electronic circuit unit.

[0328] <15> The dosage device described in any one of <1> to <14>, wherein the electronic circuit unit includes a substrate and an electronic component provided on at least one main surface of the substrate.

[0329] <16> The medication device described in <15>, wherein the electronic circuit unit further includes a weight.

[0330] <17> A medication device according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein a fluid is present inside the housing, at least within the swing range of the electronic circuit unit.

[0331] <18> The medication device described in <17>, wherein the fluid is a gas.

[0332] <19> An information acquisition system for a ingested device, comprising: a ingested device according to any one of <1> to <18>; a processing device; and a transceiver that acquires information from the ingested device by receiving an ultrasonic signal oscillated from the piezoelectric body of the ingested device and transmits the acquired information to the processing device.

[0333] 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B, 200 Ingestion device 10 Housing 20, 220 Piezoelectric body 20a First piezoelectric body 20b Second piezoelectric body 21a First polarization region 21b Second polarization region 22 Non-polarization region 30, 230 Electronic circuit section 31 Substrate 32 Electronic component 33 Weight 40 Fluid 50a First electrode 50b Second electrode 60 Slider structure 61 Smooth plate 70 Elastic member 100 Ingestion device information acquisition system 234, 404 Power source 235 A / D converter 236 Control section 237 Memory section 280 Biometric information acquisition section 300 Processing device 400 Transceiver 401 Receiving section 402 Transmitting section 403 Display unit K1 Initial position of one end of the housing in the X-axis direction K2 Initial position of the other end of the housing in the X-axis direction K3 Initial position of one end of the housing in the Z-axis direction K4 Initial position of the other end of the housing in the Z-axis direction L1 Initial position of one end of the electronic circuit unit in the X-axis direction L2 Initial position of the other end of the electronic circuit unit in the X-axis direction L3 Initial position of one end of the electronic circuit unit in the Z-axis direction L4 Initial position of the other end of the electronic circuit unit in the Z-axis direction M1, M2, N1, N2 Stress P1 Momentum of the housing P2 Momentum of the electronic circuit unit

Claims

1. A wearable device that transmits at least information by oscillating the device itself, comprising: a swingable housing; a piezoelectric body provided inside the housing and fixed to the housing so as to be vibratable; and an electronic circuit unit provided inside the housing and fixed to the piezoelectric body so as to be swingable, wherein the housing and the electronic circuit unit swing in opposite directions in the swinging direction as the piezoelectric body vibrates in the vibration direction. A wearable device characterized by that.

2. The wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body expands and contracts in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body as the vibration direction.

3. The wearable device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit unit is fixed to at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body.

4. The piezoelectric body includes a first piezoelectric body and a second piezoelectric body independent of each other. On one side of the vibration direction with respect to the electronic circuit unit, the first piezoelectric body exists and the second piezoelectric body does not exist. On the other side of the vibration direction with respect to the electronic circuit unit, the second piezoelectric body exists and the first piezoelectric body does not exist. The wearable device according to claim 3, wherein the first piezoelectric body and the second piezoelectric body are driven to expand and contract in antiphase in the vibration direction.

5. The wearable device according to claim 4, wherein the dimensions of the first piezoelectric body and the second piezoelectric body in the vibration direction are the same as each other.

6. Inside the piezoelectric body, there are a first polarization region and a second polarization region with opposite polarization directions. On one side of the vibration direction with respect to the electronic circuit unit, the first polarization region exists and the second polarization region does not exist. On the other side of the vibration direction with respect to the electronic circuit unit, the second polarization region exists and the first polarization region does not exist. The wearable device according to claim 3, wherein the first polarization region and the second polarization region are driven by an in-phase electric field so as to expand and contract in antiphase in the vibration direction.

7. In the piezoelectric body, there are a first polarization region and a second polarization region having the same polarization direction. The first polarization region exists on one side of the vibration direction with respect to the electronic circuit unit, and the second polarization region does not exist. On the other side of the vibration direction with respect to the electronic circuit unit, the second polarization region exists and the first polarization region does not exist. The first polarization region and the second polarization region are driven by an electric field of opposite phases so as to expand and contract in opposite phases in the vibration direction. The wearable device according to claim 3.

8. The wearable device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit unit is fixed to one end of the piezoelectric body in the vibration direction.

9. The wearable device according to claim 8, further comprising a slider structure that sandwiches the electronic circuit unit in the thickness direction so that the electronic circuit unit can slide in the swinging direction.

10. The wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric body flexurally vibrates in a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric body as the vibration direction.

11. The wearable device according to claim 10, wherein the piezoelectric body is fixed to the housing at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, and the electronic circuit unit is fixed to the center of at least one main surface of the piezoelectric body.

12. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the swinging direction is parallel to the vibration direction.

13. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electronic circuit unit is not fixed to the housing.

14. The wearable device according to claim 13, further comprising an elastic member sandwiched between the housing and the electronic circuit unit.

15. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the electronic circuit unit includes a substrate and electronic components provided on at least one main surface of the substrate.

16. The wearable device according to claim 15, wherein the electronic circuit unit further includes a weight.

17. The wearable device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a fluid exists at least in the swinging range of the electronic circuit unit inside the housing.

18. The wearable device according to claim 17, wherein the fluid is a gas.

19. A drug-taking device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, a processing device, and a transceiver that acquires information from the drug-taking device by receiving an ultrasonic signal oscillated from the piezoelectric body of the drug-taking device and transmits the acquired information to the processing device. A drug-taking device information acquisition system characterized by comprising:

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