JP4199345B2 - Ultrasound endoscope tip - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope in which an ultrasound scanning unit block and an optical observation objective block are provided at the distal end portion of an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 3 shows a distal end portion of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope. An ultrasonic scanning unit block 91 and an optical observation objective block 92 are disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion unit 90, and the ultrasonic scanning unit block 91 is moved ahead. A signal cable 93 that is connected in series in the axial direction on the side and for transmitting signals input to and output from the ultrasonic scanning unit block 91 is disposed in a state of passing through the connecting unit.
[0003]
A sealing O-ring 94 for preventing moisture from entering through the connecting portion is fitted into a circumferential groove 95 having a concave cross section formed on the ultrasonic scanning block 91 side. Thus, the optical observation objective block 92 side is in close contact with the wall surface and crushed. Reference numeral 96 denotes a fixing screw for fixing the connected state.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is desirable that the hard distal end portion of the endoscope be formed short in order to minimize the pain of the patient undergoing endoscopy.
[0005]
However, in the case of the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope, there is a great merit that the ultrasonic tomographic observation can be performed while performing the optical observation, but the ultrasonic scanning block and the optical observation objective block are connected in series. Since the configuration has to be taken, the distal end hard portion becomes very long, which causes considerable pain to the patient.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope in which a distal end hard portion is formed as short as possible to reduce pain of a patient undergoing an examination.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention has an ultrasonic scanning unit block and an optical observation objective block at the distal end portion of the insertion unit, and the ultrasonic scanning unit block first. The distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope that is connected in series in the axial direction to the side and that is arranged so that a signal cable for transmitting a signal input to and output from the ultrasonic scanning unit block passes through the connecting portion In the state where the connecting portion is crushed by being sandwiched between the wall portion on the ultrasonic scanning block side, the wall portion on the optical observation objective block side, and the outer peripheral surface of the signal cable. It is characterized by wearing an O-ring.
[0008]
The O-ring may be fitted into a two-side open groove formed in one of the ultrasonic scanning unit block and the optical observation objective block.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic endoscope, and an ultrasonic observation block 2 for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image and an optical observation image are obtained at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 1 covered with a flexible tube. An optical observation objective block 3 for this purpose is arranged in series in the axial direction with the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 on the front side. A and B are a central axis in the ultrasonic observation direction and a central axis in the optical observation direction.
[0010]
The proximal end of the insertion unit 1 is connected to the operation unit 4, and an eyepiece unit 5 for performing optical observation projects from the upper end of the operation unit 4. One end of the signal cable for transmitting signals input to and output from the scanning unit block 2 is connected to the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 and the other end side is connected to the connector 6. Then, it is connected to an external ultrasonic signal controller via the connector 6. A light guide connector 7 is connected to the illumination light source device.
[0011]
FIG. 1 shows a distal end portion of the insertion unit 1, and an ultrasonic probe 21 for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal is arranged in the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2, and the ultrasonic probe 21 is connected by a signal cable 22. And the connector 6 transmit signals. The signal cable 22 is covered with a water-resistant tube whose outer edge has a right circular cross-sectional shape.
[0012]
An inflatable balloon (not shown) surrounding the ultrasound scanning unit block 2 is formed at the front end of the ultrasound scanning unit block 2 and the boundary between the ultrasound scanning unit block 2 and the optical observation objective block 3. Circumferential grooves 23 and 24 are formed for fixing each.
[0013]
And the deaeration water flow path 25 for taking in / out the deaerated water to / from the balloon is opened at a position slightly closer to the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 side than the circumferential groove 24 between the optical observation objective block 3 and the optical observation objective block 3. Yes.
[0014]
In the optical observation objective block 3, an illumination window 32 and an air / water supply nozzle 33 are arranged along with the observation window 31, and a treatment instrument for controlling the projection direction of the treatment instrument is disposed in the treatment instrument projection port. An upper base 35 is arranged.
[0015]
The connecting portion between the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 and the optical observation objective block 3 is a concave portion formed on the optical observation objective block 3 side with a convex portion that has broken through from the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 side about the axis. It is configured in a state that fits perfectly.
[0016]
An O-ring 42 for sealing is fitted in an O-ring mounting groove 41 formed in a shape surrounding the signal cable 22 on the bottom surface of the concave portion on the optical observation objective block 3 side.
[0017]
The O-ring mounting groove 41 is a two-sided open groove in which an inner surface facing the outer periphery of the signal cable 22 and a side surface facing the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 are opened, so that the O-ring 42 protrudes. The cross-sectional shape is smaller than that of the O-ring 42.
[0018]
As a result, the O-ring 42 is sandwiched between the wall surface on the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 side, the wall surface of the O-ring mounting groove 41 formed in the optical observation objective block 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the signal cable 22. It is in a state of being crushed, thereby preventing moisture from entering from the outside.
[0019]
A screw piece 44 having a screw hole is immovably fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion on the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 side, and a fixing screw 43 inserted from the optical observation objective unit block 3 side is the screw piece. The connection state between the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 and the optical observation objective unit block 3 is fixed.
[0020]
With such a configuration, the axial lengths of the convex portions and the concave portions formed in the connecting portion between the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 and the optical observation objective block 3 are necessary for screwing with the fixing screw 43. A minimum length is sufficient.
[0021]
The O-ring mounting groove 41 for arranging the O-ring 41 for sealing the connecting portion is not a circumferential groove having a concave cross-sectional shape as in the prior art, but the ultrasonic scanning unit block 2 and the optical observation objective unit. Since it is a two-sided open groove formed between the block 3 and the connecting portion, the axial length of the connecting portion can be shortened, and as a result, the length of the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion 1 can be shortened. .
[0022]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, you may form the O ring mounting groove 41 in the ultrasonic scanning part block 2 side.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in the ultrasonic endoscope that can be easily disassembled and repaired by sealing the connecting portion between the ultrasound scanning unit block and the optical observation objective block with an O-ring, the connecting portion By mounting an O-ring for sealing in a state of being sandwiched and crushed between the wall portion on the ultrasonic scanning unit block side, the wall portion on the optical observation objective block side, and the outer peripheral surface of the signal cable, The pain of the patient undergoing the examination can be reduced by forming the distal end hard part as short as possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention in cross section.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic endoscope of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of a distal end portion of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope in cross section.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 2 Ultrasonic scanning part block 3 Optical observation objective part block 22 Signal cable 41 O-ring installation groove 42 O-ring 43 Fixing screw

Claims (2)

Oite the leading end of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic scanning unit block and an optical observation objective portion blocks, and the ultrasonic scanning unit block on the front side is connected axially in series, the input to the ultrasonic scanning unit block signal cable for transmitting a signal to be output, at the tip of the ultrasonic scanning unit block and the ultrasonic endoscope which is arranged in a state of passing through the connecting portion between the optical observation objective portion block,
O-ring for sealing in a state of being sandwiched and crushed by the wall on the ultrasonic scanning unit block side, the wall on the optical observation objective block side, and the outer peripheral surface of the signal cable in the connecting portion A distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope, characterized in that is mounted. The distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the O-ring is fitted in a two-side open groove formed in one of the ultrasonic scanning unit block and the optical observation objective block.

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