JP4488203B2 - Ultrasound endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an endoscope observation means having an observation visual field in front of the distal end hard portion at the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion, and a circumferential or arcuate ultrasonic scan orthogonal to the axis of the distal end hard portion. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope provided with an electronic scanning ultrasonic observation means having a surface.

  The ultrasonic endoscope includes an endoscope observation means for observing the inside of the body cavity at the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion, and an endoscope mechanism including other means such as a treatment tool insertion portion for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps. And an ultrasonic observation means are mounted. As a scanning mode by the ultrasonic observation means, a large number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a predetermined direction, and these ultrasonic transducers are sequentially driven. The so-called electronic scanning type has been widely used. An observation field of view in the endoscope observation means is a direct-view endoscope having a visual field in front of the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic scanning surface by the ultrasonic observation means is in a radial direction, that is, in a circumferential shape. Or what was made into the circular arc shape made into the predetermined angle range is described in patent document 1, for example.

The ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 is inserted into a body cavity such as an upper digestive tract such as the esophagus and the duodenum and a lower digestive tract such as the large intestine, and the front of the insertion direction is observed by an endoscope observation means. As a result, when a region of interest such as a lesioned part is detected, the ultrasound observation means is positioned so as to face this region of interest, and information relating to the in-vivo tissue of the part can be acquired.
JP 2001-314403 A

  By the way, the ultrasonic transducer array is generally composed of a unit having a substantially cylindrical shape, a backing layer is disposed inside the ultrasonic transducer, and an acoustic lens is mounted on the outside. The acoustic lens converges the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer. By providing this acoustic lens, the beam in the direction orthogonal to the transmission surface of the ultrasonic beam is improved. The ultrasonic transducer array integrates the above-described members and the like, and is incorporated into the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion, so that each member constituting the endoscope observation means has a cylindrical shape in this way. It is inserted into a tunnel-like passage formed inside the array, specifically inside the backing layer.

  Here, since the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope is inserted into the body of the subject and performs various examinations and treatments, it is necessary to have a diameter as small as possible. In order to increase the inspection accuracy by the ultrasonic observation means, it is necessary to enlarge the ultrasonic transducer and increase its output power. For this reason, not only the thickness of the ultrasonic transducer is increased, but also the thickness of the backing layer must be increased. The endoscope mechanism is inserted through the tunnel-shaped passage formed inside the backing layer.

  As an endoscope mechanism, since the inside of a body cavity is optically observed at a minimum, an illumination unit and an observation unit are required. In addition to these, other members such as a treatment instrument insertion channel and an observation window cleaning fluid supply tube may be provided. In particular, the observation unit may include at least an objective lens and a solid-state imaging device, and various filters and prisms for bending an optical path as necessary. The treatment instrument insertion channel is for inserting forceps and other treatment instruments. In order to insert a large treatment instrument, it is desirable that the treatment instrument insertion channel is formed of a thick tube.

  As described above, in an ultrasonic endoscope, if an attempt is made to improve the function of either the ultrasonic observation means or the endoscope mechanism, there is a problem in that the insertion portion becomes thicker accordingly. In particular, the inner diameter of the backing layer has a great influence on the mounting of the endoscope mechanism, and the object of the present invention is to increase the cross section of the tunnel-shaped passage formed by the backing layer as much as possible. The object is to ensure a wide mounting space for the endoscope mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an endoscope observation means comprising at least an illumination part and an observation part on a distal end hard part provided in connection with an angle part of an insertion part, and a treatment. An ultrasonic endoscope in which an endoscope mechanism comprising means other than the observation means including the instrument insertion channel is mounted, and an electronic scanning ultrasonic observation means is mounted on the outer periphery of the mounting portion of the endoscope mechanism. The ultrasonic observation means includes an ultrasonic transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the axial direction of the insertion portion, and the whole is provided in an arc shape or a circumferential shape, and an inner surface side thereof. A configuration including a backing layer formed so as to have a cylindrical shape, a tunnel-shaped passage inside the backing layer is provided, and the endoscope mechanism is inserted into the tunnel-shaped passage. Inside, the arrangement of the endoscope mechanism To and has spatial region occurs in part, it is to its characterized in that the backing layer and the acoustic impedance is configured to encapsulate the same, or close the filler.

  As a result, since the filler will perform substantially the same function as the backing layer, the thickness of the backing layer itself that constitutes the ultrasonic observation means can be reduced, and the endoscope mechanism accordingly. There is an effect that the mounting space can be widened.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope is roughly composed of a main body operation unit 1, an insertion unit 2, and a universal cord 3. The ultrasonic endoscope is connected to a light source device, a video signal processing device, and an ultrasonic observation device to constitute a system as a whole. The universal cord 3 is pulled out from the main body operation unit 1 and branches in the middle of the universal cord 3, a connection connector 3 a that is detachably connected to the light source device, a connection connector 3 b that is detachably connected to the video signal processing device, and an ultrasonic wave. A connection connector 3c is detachably connected to the observation apparatus.

  The main body operation unit 1 can be held by an operator with one hand, is provided with an angle operation means 4 and a treatment instrument introduction unit 5, and is equipped with operation buttons such as an air / water supply button 6 and a suction button 7 In addition, various switches 8 are also provided.

  The insertion portion 2 is a cord-like member having a predetermined length provided by being connected to the main body operation portion 1 and is inserted into the body of the subject. The insertion portion 2 is a flexible portion 2a that bends along the insertion path in a body cavity or the like for most of the length from the connecting portion to the main body operation portion 1, and an angle portion is provided at the tip of the flexible portion 2a. 2b is connected, and the distal end hard portion 2c is connected to the angle portion 2b. The angle portion 2b can be bent up and down and left and right by remote operation in order to point the distal end hard portion 2c in a desired direction. For this purpose, the main body operation unit 1 is provided with an angle operation means 4 and is controlled so that the angle portion 2b is bent by an operator's operation and the distal end hard portion 2c is directed in a desired direction.

  FIG. 2 shows the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 2 c in the insertion portion 2. As is clear from these drawings, the distal end hard portion 2c has an endoscope observation means having a predetermined viewing angle V with the direction of extension of the axis thereof, that is, the front of the distal end hard portion 2c as a visual field. Electronic radial scanning ultrasonic observation means having a circular or arcuate ultrasonic scanning surface W at a position on the base end side from the field of view of the mirror observation means is provided.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the endoscope observation means includes an illuminating unit 10 and an observing unit 11, and the illuminating unit 10 is disposed on both sides of the observing unit 11. The illumination unit 10 includes an illumination lens 10a facing the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 2c, and a light guide 10b. The light guide 10b includes an optical fiber bundle, and the connection connector 3a of the universal cord 3 to the distal end of the insertion unit 2 It extends to the hard part 2c, and the illumination light emitting end faces the position facing the illumination lens 10a. On the other hand, the observation unit 11 includes an objective lens 11 a and a prism 11 b that bends the optical path from the objective lens 11 a by 90 °. The objective lens 11 a is provided in the lens barrel 12, and the prism 11 b is fixed to the lens barrel 12. Provided. A solid-state image sensor 13 is bonded to the prism 11b, and a predetermined number of signal lines are connected to the substrate 13a of the solid-state image sensor 13. The signal lines are bundled and extended as one video cable 14 to the connection connector 3b of the universal cord 3.

  The distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 2c of the insertion portion 2 is further provided with a treatment instrument derivation opening 15 for deriving forceps and other treatment instruments. A connection pipe 16 to which a treatment instrument insertion tube from the treatment instrument introduction portion 5 provided in the apparatus is connected is attached. Further, the treatment instrument insertion tube is configured to join the suction passage inside the main body operation unit 1. Furthermore, a nozzle 17 is mounted on the distal end hard portion 2c for cleaning when the distal end surface of the objective lens 12 in the observation unit 11 is soiled with body fluid or the like. The nozzle 17 is connected to a cleaning fluid supply tube 9 operated by the air / water supply button 6. Therefore, these also function as an endoscope mechanism that constitutes the endoscope together with the endoscope observation means.

  Although the endoscope mechanism is configured as described above, the distal end portion of each member constituting the endoscope mechanism is fixedly held by the endoscope mounting member 18. The endoscope mounting member 18 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel having a plurality of through holes through which the respective members constituting the endoscope mechanism described above are inserted, and a distal end cap 19 is fitted to the endoscope mounting member 18. The distal end cap 19 prevents the endoscope mounting member 18 made of a metal material from being exposed to the outside, and the distal end block is configured by the endoscope mounting member 18 and the distal end cap 19. The As shown in FIG. 5, the tip cap 19 is formed with two screw holes 19a in the thickness direction, and set screws 20 are screwed into these screw holes 19a. The distal end of the set screw 20 is brought into pressure contact with the endoscope mounting member 18 and the abutment surface between the endoscope mounting member 18 and the distal end cap 19 is bonded to thereby constitute the endoscope mounting member 18 and the distal end cap 19. The tip block is integrated.

  Ultrasonic observation means having a radial scanning surface is attached to the proximal end side position of the distal end cap 19 in the distal end rigid portion 2c. As is apparent from FIG. 6, this ultrasonic observation means has a large number of ultrasonic transducers 21 arranged in the circumferential direction so that its transmitting / receiving surface faces the axial direction of the distal end hard portion 2c. The sound wave vibrators 21 are arranged in a circumferential shape or a circular arc shape (for example, about 270 °) so as to perform electronic scanning. A backing layer 22 is attached to the inner peripheral side of the ultrasonic transducers 21 arranged in this way, and a large number of these ultrasonic transducers 21 are fixed on the backing layer 22 by means such as adhesion. In addition, an acoustic lens 23 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic transducer 21, and an ultrasonic transducer array 24 having a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole is formed. Cables (not shown) are connected to each ultrasonic transducer 21, and these cables are bundled one by one or plurally and are extended from the insertion portion 2 to the main body operation portion 1.

  As described above, the ultrasonic transducer array 24 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the inner peripheral surface thereof is a tunnel-shaped passage 25. Accordingly, each member constituting the endoscope mechanism is inserted into the tunnel-shaped passage 25 formed by the inner peripheral surface of the backing layer 22 in the ultrasonic transducer array 24 so as to be closer to the distal end than the ultrasonic transducer array 24. And is fixed to an endoscope mounting member 18 covered with a tip cap 19. Further, the proximal end portion of the endoscope mounting member 18 is a large-diameter stepped portion 18a, and the distal end portion of the acoustic lens 23 constituting the ultrasonic transducer array 24 extends to a front position from the ultrasonic transducer 21. Then, the ultrasonic transducer array 24 is fixed by means such as adhesion by fitting on the large diameter step portion 18a of the endoscope mounting member 18. Further, the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 24 is in contact with the connecting member 32 connected to the most advanced ring 30a of the angle ring 30 constituting the structure of the angle portion 2b by the screw 31, and the gap is bonded between them. It will be fixed by.

  Thus, as is apparent from FIG. 4, the narrowest part in the insertion portion 2 of the ultrasonic endoscope is a mounting portion of the ultrasonic transducer array 24, and a tunnel inside the backing layer 22. This is a portion of the channel 25. As the endoscope mechanism, the prism 11b, the individual imaging element 13 and the substrate 13a constituting the observation unit, and the tip portion of the video signal cable 14 are located. A light guide 10b (see FIG. 6) constituting the illuminating unit, a connection pipe 16 constituting an insertion path for the treatment instrument, and an air / water feeding tube 9 are arranged inside the backing layer 22. Therefore, the size of the tunnel-shaped passage 25 is restricted by the thickness of the backing layer 22. However, the size of the tunnel-shaped passage 25 is set to such a size that the above-described endoscope mechanism can be inserted. When the outer diameter dimension of the insertion portion 2 is set to a predetermined value, the thickness of the backing layer 22 functions, that is, an ultrasonic reflection echo transmitted from a surface opposite to the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface. It may not be completely absorbed.

  Here, the ultrasonic wave traveling in the direction from the ultrasonic transducer 21 to the backing layer 22 is reflected at the boundary between the backing layer 22 and the air layer. Further, when a member having a different acoustic impedance is in contact with the backing layer 22, reflection echoes are also generated from this member.

  From the above, after each member constituting the endoscope mechanism is mounted inside the tunnel-shaped passage 25, the filler 26 made of the same material as the backing layer 22 is filled in a molten state. The filler 26 enters the gaps between the members constituting the endoscope mechanism in the backing layer 22. Further, for example, a member that is in contact with or close to the backing layer 22 such as the connection pipe 16 constituting the treatment instrument insertion passage is shifted in the center direction.

  In this way, the tunnel-like passage 25 is filled with the filler 26 made of the same material as that of the backing layer 22, and the tunnel-like passage 25 in which the backing layer 22 is formed has substantially no air entrainment. So that it is packed closely.

  By configuring as described above, when an ultrasonic pulse is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 21 constituting the ultrasonic transducer array 24, the ultrasonic wave traveling toward the backing layer 22 side is reflected on the inner surface of the backing layer 22. The light travels toward the inside of the filler 26 instead of being reflected by the light. Therefore, even when the backing layer 22 is thin, reflection from the side opposite to the transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer 21 does not occur.

  Moreover, since the site | part in which the tunnel-shaped channel | path 25 is provided is the front-end | tip hard part 2c of the insertion part 2, even if it fills this part with the filler 26 and fixes the member penetrated inside, In addition to being a special problem, when an impact is applied to the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2, the solid-state imaging device 13 constituting the observation portion and its substrate 13a, and further extending from the substrate 13a are used. The video signal cable 14 is protected. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain airtightness in the barrel 12 or the like.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external view of the front-end | tip part of an insertion part. It is a figure which shows the front end surface of a front-end | tip hard part. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a front-end | tip part from the angle part of an insertion part. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body operation part 2 Insertion part 2a Soft part 2b Angle part 2c Hard tip hard part 10 Illumination part 10a Illumination lens 10b Light guide 11 Observation part 11a Objective lens 11b Prism 12 Lens tube 13 Solid-state image sensor 13a Substrate 18 Endoscope mounting member 19 tip cap 21 ultrasonic transducer 22 backing layer 23 acoustic lens 24 ultrasonic transducer array 25 tunnel-shaped passage 26 filler

Claims (2)

An endoscope comprising an endoscope observation means comprising at least an illumination part and an observation part on the distal end surface thereof, and other means including a treatment instrument insertion channel, on the distal end hard part provided connected to the angle part of the insertion part. In an ultrasonic endoscope in which a mirror mechanism is mounted and an electronic scanning ultrasonic observation means is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the mounting portion of the endoscope mechanism,
The ultrasonic observation means includes an ultrasonic transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the axial direction of the insertion portion, and the whole is provided in an arc shape or a circumferential shape, and a cylindrical shape on the inner surface side. A configuration comprising a backing layer formed to be,
The inside of the backing layer is used as a tunnel-shaped passage, and the endoscope mechanism is inserted through the tunnel-shaped passage.
The superstructure is characterized in that inside the backing layer, a filler material having the same or close acoustic impedance as that of the backing layer is enclosed in a space region generated in the placement portion of the endoscope mechanism. Sonic endoscope. The filler is made of the same material as the backing layer, and the observation unit is provided with a solid-state image sensor, and at least a part of the solid-state image sensor is embedded in the filler. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1.

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