JP4594603B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates an ultrasonic tomogram based on an ultrasonic signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an ultrasonic transducer or the like is used to generate a two-dimensional visible ultrasonic tomographic image of a test site in a living body, and the resulting image is observed to diagnose a disease or the like. Various proposals have been made for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses for performing the above and the like, and they are generally put into practical use.
[0003]
In such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic wave is repeatedly transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer disposed at the tip of the ultrasonic probe toward the living tissue and reflected by the living tissue. It is configured so that the echo (echo) of the pulse can be received by the same or separate ultrasonic transducers.
[0004]
Then, by gradually moving the position for transmitting and receiving this ultrasonic pulse at a predetermined interval (pitch) in a predetermined direction, echo information from a plurality of directions for the test site in the living body is collected. It has become.
[0005]
By performing predetermined signal processing based on the echo information obtained in this way, a two-dimensional visible ultrasonic tomographic image is generated and displayed using a predetermined display device.
[0006]
As an ultrasonic endoscope used in such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example, a small-diameter ultrasonic probe is inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel or the like of an endoscope, and is inserted into a body cavity via the endoscope. Inserted into a body cavity such as one that can be introduced into the endoscope, or one that is configured by fixing a unit that realizes an ultrasonic function, such as an ultrasonic transducer, at a predetermined position of the distal end portion of the endoscope The type is generally put into practical use.
[0007]
Also, in a conventional intracavity ultrasonic endoscope, a single-plate vibrator is disposed at the tip, and a predetermined part of the tip is mechanically rotated, so that a single-plate vibrator is used. A so-called mechanical scanning system configured to scan an ultrasonic tomographic image of a region to be examined by moving a transmission / reception position of a sound pulse, or a plurality of ultrasonic transducers at a predetermined pitch There are various forms such as a so-called electronic scanning system in which scanning is performed by electronically moving a transmission / reception position by these ultrasonic transducers.
[0008]
On the other hand, an ultrasonic probe used in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been put into practical use in which a balloon formed at a distal end of a balloon that can be expanded and contracted by a predetermined fluid pressure is provided. This balloon is expanded by a predetermined fluid pressure, and this is brought into contact with the subject or the inner wall of the body cavity in the vicinity thereof, so that the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the ultrasonic probe is applied to the subject. It is for surely transmitting.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in an intracorporeal ultrasonic probe used in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an endoscopic diagnosis and an ultrasonic diagnosis are performed by inserting a small-diameter ultrasonic probe into a treatment instrument insertion channel or the like of an endoscope. In the configuration in which the ultrasonic transducers are simultaneously performed, since the portion where the ultrasonic transducer is disposed is formed in a small diameter, the reach of ultrasonic waves that can be transmitted and received by this, that is, the depth of penetration and the resolution are limited. There is a problem that there is.
[0010]
Moreover, since it is a form which is used by being inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel or the like of an endoscope, there is a problem in that the ultrasonic probe and another treatment instrument cannot be used simultaneously.
[0011]
In general, the mechanical scanning system rotates the ultrasonic transducer, so it has a Doppler function (a function that applies the Doppler effect that occurs when ultrasound is reflected from a moving object such as an organ). It cannot be realized. Therefore, there is a problem that the display by the Doppler function, that is, the direction and speed of the blood flow, etc. are displayed in color to observe blood flow in various parts including the circulatory organ.
[0012]
Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that solves these problems by Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-44915.
[0013]
That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus proposed by this Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-44915 includes an ultrasonic overtube composed of a hollow tube having a hollow radial array transducer and a signal cable at the tip. . The ultrasonic overtube is configured so that the endoscope can be detachably disposed in the hollow portion. By inserting the ultrasonic overtube into the endoscope, The endoscope diagnosis and the ultrasound diagnosis can be performed simultaneously.
[0014]
Therefore, according to this, as compared with a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs an endoscopic diagnosis and an ultrasonic diagnosis at the same time by inserting a small-diameter ultrasonic probe into a treatment instrument insertion channel or the like of an endoscope. , Deeper depth and higher resolution can be obtained.
[0015]
In addition, because it is configured as an ultrasonic overtube can be attached to and detached from an existing endoscope, not as a dedicated ultrasonic endoscope configured with an ultrasonic transducer fixed to the tip, There is an advantage that it is easy to contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost.
[0016]
Furthermore, since a radial array transducer is used for the electronic scanning method, there is also an advantage that a Doppler function can be realized.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to be configured so that it can be used by being attached to a general conventional endoscope and has a deeper depth. Higher resolution can be obtained, and a Doppler function can be realized, and the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip of the ultrasonic probe is more reliably transmitted to the subject. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first invention is used together with an endoscope that inserts an insertion portion into a body cavity to obtain an endoscopic image, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to generate and display an ultrasonic image based on the obtained ultrasonic signal, a radial array transducer having a hollow inside and a connection to the radial array transducer A signal cable, a hollow sheath containing the signal cable and connected to the radial array transducer and covering from the distal end portion to the proximal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and fluid pressure. A balloon formed so as to be able to expand and contract and disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the radial type array transducer, and a fluid conduit formed in the hollow sheath and injecting fluid into the balloon , Is inserted into a body cavity in the state of the di Yointo member provided at the base end side of the hollow sheath detachably formed in the endoscope, the endoscope in the hollow portion has an insertion fixing An ultrasonic overtube formed to obtain an ultrasonic observation apparatus that receives an output signal from the radial array transducer and performs predetermined signal processing to generate an ultrasonic tomographic image; and the ultrasonic overtube And a connection cable for connecting the ultrasonic observation apparatus.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the fluid conduit is configured to be connected to a fluid injection tube extending from the fluid injection device, and the balloon Is configured to be expanded and contracted by the fluid injected or discharged through the fluid conduit.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing an outline of an ultrasonic overtube that is applied in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment and can realize ultrasonic diagnosis. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the radial array transducer unit taken out of the ultrasonic overtube shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing the configuration of the sheath in the ultrasonic overtube shown in FIG. 2, and is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the insertion portion of the endoscope, showing the vicinity of the distal end portion in a state where the ultrasonic overtube of FIG. 2 is attached to the endoscope shown in FIG. is there.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an endoscope 2 configured to observe a body cavity and perform diagnosis, treatment, and the like, and a distal end side of the endoscope 2. An ultrasonic overtube 11 that is detachably disposed at a predetermined site, and an ultrasonic transducer (radial array transducer unit 12; FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 2) provided at the tip of the ultrasonic overtube 11 3), an ultrasonic observation device 16 that generates an image (ultrasonic tomographic image) in a form that can be observed by performing predetermined signal processing in response to an output signal (ultrasonic signal), and the ultrasonic observation device 16 A water injection device 1 for injecting a predetermined fluid that contributes to expansion and contraction of a balloon 19 provided at the tip of the ultrasonic overtube 11 and a connection cable 15 that electrically connects the ultrasonic overtube 11. When is constituted by water injection tube 17 for connecting the balloon conduit 30 of the water injection device 18 with the ultrasonic overtube 11 (refer not shown in Figure 1. Figure 3).
[0022]
The endoscope 2 is a conventional one. That is, an operation unit 2a that is provided with various operation members and the like that is gripped by the operator during use, and an insertion that is an elongated site that is provided with an observation optical system, an imaging element, and the like at the tip and is inserted into the body cavity. The unit 2b, the operation unit 2a, and a predetermined video processor, a light source device, and the like (not shown) are electrically connected to each other so that a predetermined control signal, an output signal of the image sensor, a light flux from the light source device, and the like Are formed by a universal cord 3 or the like which is a connection cable for transmitting the signal, and these are integrally connected.
[0023]
The operation portion 2a and the insertion portion 2b are connected to each other by a connection portion 4, and a joint member 14 (see FIG. 2) of the ultrasonic overtube 11 is fixed to the connection portion 4. .
[0024]
As described above, the conventional endoscope 2 is applied to the endoscope 2 itself, and thus a detailed description of its configuration is omitted.
[0025]
The ultrasonic overtube 11 is detachably disposed with respect to the insertion portion 2b of the endoscope 2 as described above. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ultrasonic overtube 11 is attached to the insertion portion 2b. In this case, the ultrasonic overtube 11 is mounted so as to cover the outer surface of the insertion portion 2b.
[0026]
Moreover, in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic overtube 11 is taken out and shown. The configuration of the ultrasonic overtube 11 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic overtube 11 has a tube shape having a hollow portion 13a, is flexible, and includes a plurality of signal cables 21 (details will be described later; see FIG. 3) and the like. The ultrasonic overtube 11 fixed to the insertion portion 2b of the endoscope 2 and a joint member 14 that contributes to the transmission of ultrasonic signals to and from the ultrasonic observation device 16 via the connection cable 15, and a sheath A radial array transducer unit 12 (see FIG. 3 for details), etc., which is provided at the tip portion of 13 and is composed of an ultrasonic transducer or the like.
[0028]
In this case, the radial array transducer unit 12 is integrally connected to the distal end portion of the sheath 13, and the joint member 14 is integrally connected to the rear end portion. The ultrasonic overtube 11 is fixed to a predetermined part of the endoscope 2 by connecting the joint member 14 to the connection portion 4 of the endoscope 2.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 3, the radial array transducer unit 12 is interposed between the transducer body 22 having a substantially hollow tube shape and the transducer body 22 and the joint member 14 to electrically connect them. It comprises a plurality of signal cables 21.
[0030]
Among these, the vibrator body 22 includes a plurality of shaped piezoelectric elements 28 as ultrasonic vibrators, and an acoustic matching layer 27 that protects the outer surface side of the shaped piezoelectric elements 28 and that achieves acoustic matching between the piezoelectric elements 28 and the outside. A backing member 29 that protects the inner surface side of the piezoelectric element 28 and restricts unnecessary vibration of the piezoelectric element 28; an electrode 20 that extends from each of the plural piezoelectric elements 28 toward the rear end; It is comprised by the lead wire 21a which connects each electrode 20 and the some signal cable 21. FIG. In this case, the acoustic matching layer 27, the shape piezoelectric element 28, and the backing member 29 are sequentially laminated from the outside to constitute the vibrator body 22.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 4, the sheath 13 has a hollow portion 13 a and is made of, for example, a tube shape such as polyethylene. The sheath 13 has an outer cylinder 13 b that forms an outer surface, and a predetermined gap at a portion inside the outer cylinder 13 b. And the inner cylinder 13c to be fitted.
[0032]
A plurality of signal cables 21 of the radial array transducer unit 12 described above are arranged side by side along the circumference in the space between the outer cylinder 13b and the inner cylinder 13c.
[0033]
The space between the outer cylinder 13b and the inner cylinder 13c in the sheath 13 is such that a plurality of signal cables 21 disposed therein are arranged so that the watertight state is maintained with respect to the outside. For example, an adhesive or the like is filled so as to be securely fixed to the cylinder 13c.
[0034]
Furthermore, in the ultrasonic overtube 11 used in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a balloon tube is formed at a predetermined portion of the space between the outer cylinder 13b and the inner cylinder 13c of the sheath 13. The path 30 is formed so as to be juxtaposed with the plurality of signal cables 21.
[0035]
The balloon conduit 30 includes, for example, an injection conduit used when injecting fluid to expand the balloon 19 and a suction conduit used when suctioning fluid to contract the balloon 19. And two fluid conduits.
[0036]
One end of the balloon conduit 30 formed of the two fluid conduits is formed to penetrate the joint member 14 and have an opening (not shown) at a predetermined portion of the joint member 14. Further, the other end extends to the vicinity of the distal end portion of the sheath 13, and the opening is formed so as to be disposed at a predetermined portion on the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic overtube 11 as shown in FIG. . Then, one end of a water injection tube 17 (see FIG. 1) is continuously provided in the opening formed in the joint member 14. That is, the water injection device 18 and the balloon conduit 30 of the ultrasonic overtube 11 are connected via the water injection tube 17 (see FIG. 1).
[0037]
In this case, the fluid discharged from the water injection device 18 passes through the water injection tube 17 and is then injected into the balloon 19 via the injection conduit of the balloon conduit 30. . Further, when a suction operation is performed by the water injection device 18, the fluid in the balloon 19 is sucked into the water injection device 18 through the suction conduit and the water injection tube 17 in the balloon conduit 30. Yes.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 2, the joint member 14 is a connection member that is formed in a substantially ring shape and is disposed at the rear end portion of the sheath 13 to ensure connection with the endoscope 2, and a part of the end surface thereof. A plurality of electrical connection portions (not shown) are formed in. The plurality of electrical connection portions correspond to the respective lines of the plurality of signal cables 21 incorporated in the sheath 13, and the joint member 14 is electrically connected to the radial type array transducer unit 12 through the wires. It is connected.
[0039]
Further, one end of the connection cable 15 is connected to the plurality of electrical connection portions described above, and the other end of the connection cable 15 is connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 16 as described above.
[0040]
Therefore, the joint member 14 serves to fix the ultrasonic overtube 11 to a predetermined portion of the endoscope 2 and also ultrasonically over the signal cable 21 and the connection cable 15 built in the sheath 13. It serves to ensure an electrical connection between the radial array transducer unit 12 of the tube 11 and the ultrasonic observation device 16. Therefore, the output signal (ultrasonic signal) of the radial array transducer unit 12 is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device 16 by such a connection configuration.
[0041]
On the other hand, as described above, in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic overtube 11, a balloon 19 is provided that can be expanded and contracted by a predetermined fluid pressure, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the balloon 19 is not shown in order to avoid complication of the drawing.
[0042]
In the expanded state, the balloon 19 extends along the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the tip of the ultrasonic overtube 11 as shown in FIG. 5, that is, the outer surface of the transducer main body 22 of the radial array transducer unit 12. It is arrange | positioned in the substantially cyclic | annular form so that it can be covered.
[0043]
The balloon 19 communicates with an opening provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the sheath 13, that is, a balloon conduit 30. Therefore, by operating a predetermined operation member provided in the operation unit 2 a of the endoscope 2 to drive and control the water injection device 18, a predetermined fluid is supplied from the water injection device 18 through the water injection tube 17 and the balloon conduit 30. The balloon 19 can be inflated by being injected into the balloon 19, or a predetermined fluid can be sucked from the balloon 19 through the balloon conduit 30 and the water injection tube 17 to the water injection device 18 to be deflated. Yes.
[0044]
The tip of the ultrasonic overtube 11 can be stabilized and fixed by expanding the balloon 19 and bringing it into close contact with a subject or the like in the body cavity.
[0045]
The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, that is, the operation when performing ultrasonic diagnosis on a subject will be described below.
[0046]
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic overtube 11 is attached to the insertion portion 2 b of the endoscope 2. In this case, after inserting the insertion portion 2 b into the hollow portion 13 a of the ultrasonic overtube 11, the joint member 14 at the rear end portion of the ultrasonic overtube 11 is inserted into the connection portion 4 of the endoscope 2. Connect and secure. Thereby, the endoscope 2 and the ultrasonic overtube 11 are integrated.
[0047]
Next, one end of the connection cable 15 is connected to the joint member 14 of the ultrasonic overtube 11, and the other end of the connection cable 15 is connected to a predetermined connection terminal of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 16. Here, it is assumed that the universal cord 3 is connected to a light source device or a video processor (not shown).
[0048]
Thereby, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is in a form capable of executing an ultrasonic diagnostic operation. In this state, the endoscope 2 equipped with the ultrasonic overtube 11 is inserted into the body cavity of the patient. Thereby, observation (diagnosis) of the endoscopic image by the endoscope 2 and observation (diagnosis) of the ultrasonic tomographic image by the ultrasonic overtube 11 are arbitrarily performed.
[0049]
Further, in the vicinity of a desired subject in the body cavity, the balloon 19 is expanded so that the distal end portion of the ultrasonic overtube 11 is in close contact with the desired subject and is subjected to ultrasonic diagnosis. .
[0050]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic function and the endoscope can be obtained only by attaching the ultrasonic overtube 11 to the insertion portion 2b of the conventional general endoscope 2. It is possible to perform ultrasonic diagnosis and optical observation of a desired part in a body cavity without preparing a dedicated ultrasonic endoscope.
[0051]
In addition, deeper penetration and higher depth compared to conventional ultrasonic diagnostic devices that perform endoscopic diagnosis and ultrasonic diagnosis simultaneously by inserting a small-diameter ultrasonic probe into the treatment instrument insertion channel or the like Resolution can be obtained.
[0052]
Further, the balloon 19 is expanded in the vicinity of the desired subject in the body cavity so that the distal end portion of the ultrasonic overtube 11 can be tightly fixed in a stable state with respect to the desired subject. Therefore, if ultrasonic diagnosis is performed in this state, observation / diagnosis can be performed with a deeper depth and higher resolution.
[0053]
Since the form of the ultrasonic overtube 11 is a substantially hollow tube shape, it is possible to achieve efficient wiring, and thus it is possible to reduce the overall diameter.
[0054]
In addition, since the ultrasonic transducer is constituted by a radial array transducer as a unit, the Doppler function can be easily realized.
[0055]
Furthermore, an ultrasonic function can be easily added to the existing endoscope apparatus simply by adding the ultrasonic overtube 11 and the components associated therewith, and its manufacturing cost is low. Therefore, the product can be easily supplied at a low price.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is configured so that it can be used by being mounted on a general conventional endoscope, and a deeper depth and higher resolution can be obtained, and a Doppler function can be obtained. And providing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can transmit ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transducer provided at the distal end of an ultrasonic probe to a subject more reliably. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an enlarged perspective view showing an outline of an ultrasonic overtube applied in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of a radial array transducer unit in the ultrasonic overtube of FIG. 2;
4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing the configuration of the sheath in the ultrasonic overtube of FIG. 2;
5 is a view in the vicinity of a distal end portion in a state where the ultrasonic overtube of FIG. 2 is attached to an endoscope, and a longitudinal sectional view along an axial direction of an insertion portion of the endoscope. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 2a ... Operation part 2b ... Insertion part 3 ... Universal cord 4 ... Connection part 11 ... Ultrasonic overtube 12 ... Radial type array transducer unit 13 …… Sheath 13a …… Hollow part 13b …… Outer cylinder 13c …… Inner cylinder 14 …… Joint 15 …… Connection cable 16 …… Ultrasound observation device 17 …… Water injection tube 18 …… Water injection device 19 …… Balloon 20 ... Electrode 21 ... Signal cable 21a ... Lead wire 22 ... Vibrator body 27 ... Acoustic matching layer 28 ... Shape piezoelectric element 29 ... Backing member 30 ... Balloon conduit

Claims (2)

Used with an endoscope that inserts an insertion portion into a body cavity to obtain an endoscopic image, and can generate and display an ultrasonic image based on an ultrasonic signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a subject. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as follows,
A radial array transducer having a hollow inside, a signal cable connected to the radial array transducer, and the insertion of the endoscope incorporated in the radial array transducer and incorporating the signal cable A hollow sheath covering from the distal end portion to the proximal end of the outer periphery of the part, a balloon formed so as to be able to expand and contract by fluid pressure and disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the radial array transducer, and the hollow its has a fluid line which is formed by built-in sheath injecting fluid into the balloon, and di Yointo member provided at the base end side of the hollow sheath detachably formed in the endoscope, the An ultrasonic overtube formed so as to be inserted into a body cavity in a state where the endoscope is inserted and fixed in a hollow part;
An ultrasonic observation apparatus that receives an output signal from the radial array transducer and performs predetermined signal processing to generate an ultrasonic tomographic image;
A connection cable connecting the ultrasonic overtube and the ultrasonic observation device;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The fluid conduit is configured to be connected to a fluid injection tube extending from the fluid injection device,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the balloon is configured to be expanded and contracted by a fluid injected or discharged through the fluid conduit.

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