JP2000139925A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To drive multiple ultrasonic endoscopes and multiple fine-diameter ultrasonic probes with one drive unit and to attain excellent economical efficiency by providing rotatable junctions capable of connecting mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope bodies and mechanical drive type ultrasonic probes to the drive unit. SOLUTION: The junction 10 of an ultrasonic endoscope body 1 is removably connected to the junction 9 of a drive unit 6, and an ultrasonic vibrator 7 is fitted to the tip of a flexible shaft 8 inserted into an insertion section 2 from the junction 10. The junction 10 is provided with an input shaft 23 receiving the rotational driving force from the drive unit 6, and a relay connector 27 connected to an electrical cable inserted into the flexible shaft 8 is arranged at the center of the end face of the input shaft 23. The input shaft 23 and the relay connector 27 are connected to the output shaft 18 of the junction 9 of the drive unit 6 and a relay connector 39. The junction 9 of the drive unit 6 can connect the ultrasonic endoscope body 1 and a fine-diameter ultrasonic probe.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for mechanically rotating and scanning an ultrasonic beam emitted from an ultrasonic transducer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, such as an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic probe, for mechanically rotating and scanning an ultrasonic beam emitted from an ultrasonic transducer have been proposed.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration of a general mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope. The endoscope main body 101 includes an insertion portion 102,
The operation unit 103 includes an operation unit 103, a code unit 104, a connector unit 105, and the like. The operation unit 103 rotationally drives an ultrasonic vibrator 107 fixed to the tip of a flexible shaft 108 inserted through the insertion unit 102. Driving device 1
06 is installed.

The driving device 106 is provided with a rotary encoder 117 as a rotation detecting device. The rotary encoder 117 outputs one pulse, which is called a Z-phase, in one rotation and is output in a certain direction. (Z-phase pulse) and a pulse (A-phase pulse) that is output a plurality of times equally divided into one rotation, called A-phase, are transmitted.

[0005] From the ultrasonic transducer 107 driven to rotate, A
An ultrasonic beam is transmitted in conjunction with the phase pulse, and an electric signal obtained from the reflected wave is transmitted to a non-rotating signal amplifier circuit 113 via a slip ring 114 via an electric cable 11.
2, and further transmitted from the signal amplifying circuit 113 to the externally connected ultrasonic observation device (not shown) via the electric cable 111 and the connector 141 to obtain ultrasonic image data.

On the other hand, the rotational driving force of a motor 115 provided in the driving device 106 is transmitted to an output shaft 118 after being reduced by a reduction mechanism 116.
Is rotated, and the direction of the rotation is detected by a rotary encoder 117 connected via a coupling 134.

In the ultrasonic endoscope, the relationship between the Z-phase pulse and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 107 in the endoscope main body 101 at that time, that is, the direction in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted, is determined. Fix to state.

In the ultrasonic observation apparatus, the vertical direction of an ultrasonic image on a monitor (not shown) is determined in accordance with the timing of the Z-phase pulse. The vertical direction of the above ultrasonic image is set in a predetermined relationship.

[0009] This makes it easy for the user to grasp the relationship between the direction on the ultrasonic image and the direction around the endoscope. In this case, generally, the maximum bending operation direction of the endoscope and the upward direction on the monitor are matched.

Recently, the endoscope main body 101 has a small size.
In order to reduce the weight and cost, various technologies have been proposed in which the drive device 106 is detachable from the endoscope main body 101.

Next, FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a conventional mechanically driven small-diameter ultrasonic probe. The mechanically driven small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 includes an insertion portion 202 and a connecting portion 210 connected to a base end thereof, and an ultrasonic wave is applied to a distal end of a flexible shaft 208 which is an example of a transmission member inserted through the insertion portion 202. A vibrator 207 is provided, and a connecting portion 210 has an input shaft 22 connected to a base end of a flexible shaft 208.
3 are provided. An electric cable (not shown) connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 207 is inserted through the flexible shaft 208, and the electric cable is connected to the input shaft 2.
23 is connected to the relay connector 227 provided in the base station 23.

A marking 219 is provided on the outer periphery of the connection portion 210, which is an example of identification means for indicating the type of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201, for example, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave.

The small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 is used by connecting the connecting portion 210 to the connecting portion 209 of the driving device 206 dedicated to the small-diameter ultrasonic probe.
02 is inserted into the body via a forceps channel or the like of a normal endoscope.

Driving unit 206 dedicated to small-diameter ultrasonic probe
The motor 215 and the speed reduction mechanism 2 are similar to the drive device 106 provided in the operation unit 103 of the ultrasonic endoscope described above.
16, an output shaft 218, a slip ring 214, a coupling 234, a rotary encoder 217, an electric cable 212, a signal amplifying circuit 213, and the like. Further, the connection portion 209 detects information recorded in a marking 219. Identification sensor 22 which is an example of a detection unit
6 and a relay connector 239 connected to the relay connector 227 for transmitting and receiving electric signals.

The function of each component is almost the same as that of the ultrasonic endoscope driving device 106, except that the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 2
01 has a rotationally symmetric shape with no upper, lower, left and right, so that the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 217 and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic vibrator 207 in the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 at that time. Does not need to be fixed in a fixed state.

The information such as the frequency of the ultrasonic wave and the like recorded on the marking 219 provided on the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 and detected by the identification sensor 226 is transmitted to the electric cable inserted into the connector section 205. 2
The signal is transmitted to an externally connected ultrasonic observation device (not shown) via the connector 11 via the connector 11, and the ultrasonic observation device performs signal processing according to each condition.

In the case of a drive unit detachable from the ultrasonic endoscope main body or a drive unit dedicated to a small-diameter ultrasonic probe, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-633 filed earlier by the present applicant.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 36, each rotating member such as a drive motor, a rotating shaft, and a rotational position detecting means is directly fixed in an outer case of the drive device.

[0018]

However, even if the driving device is attached to and detached from the ultrasonic endoscope main body, a driving device dedicated to an ultrasonic small diameter probe having almost the same function is:
It is uneconomical because it must be separately installed.

When a rotary encoder is provided on the driving device side, when the ultrasonic endoscope main body is connected to the driving device, the respective rotary shafts of the ultrasonic endoscope main body and the driving device are connected and fixed. The relative angle changes.

If the relative angle changes, the relationship between the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic vibrator in the ultrasonic endoscope body at that time changes. The relationship between the surrounding direction viewed from the endoscope main body and the vertical direction of the ultrasonic image on the monitor changes, and a procedure for re-adjusting the relative angle is required, which complicates the operation.

Further, when a signal amplifying circuit is provided on the side of the drive unit which is detachable from the ultrasonic endoscope main body, the length of an electric cable for transmitting an electric signal before amplification becomes longer. As a result, noise is easily mixed.

Further, even if the drive device is detachable from the ultrasonic endoscope main body, if the cord connected to the drive device from the ultrasonic endoscope main body is extended, the cord may interfere. Poor handling during cleaning.

Further, in the drive device detachable from the ultrasonic endoscope main body or the drive device for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe, since the rotating component is fixed to the outer case, vibration, Noise easily leaks to the outside, and deteriorates the surrounding environment such as a consultation room.

In addition, dust and the like easily enter the drive unit from the connection between the ultrasonic endoscope or the small-diameter ultrasonic probe and the drive unit, and cause a failure of a gear and other reduction mechanisms, electric circuits, and the like. Becomes

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is excellent in economy by sharing a drive unit and driving a plurality of ultrasonic endoscopes and a plurality of small-diameter ultrasonic probes by one drive unit. To provide.

[0026]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a mechanical drive ultrasonic endoscope main body and a mechanical drive ultrasonic probe in a drive unit. Has a connection portion that can be connected and can be driven to rotate.

In this case, preferably, at least one of a rotation detecting device and a signal amplifying circuit is provided in the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body, and both the rotation detecting device and the signal amplifying circuit are provided in the driving device. When the mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope main body is connected to the drive device, the mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope main body is provided with both the rotation detecting device and the signal amplification circuit. Drive them, and when one of the rotation detection device and the signal amplification circuit is provided, the other rotation detection device or the signal amplification circuit drives the one provided in the drive device, Further, when the mechanical drive type ultrasonic probe is connected to the drive device, the rotation detection device and the signal amplification circuit provided in the drive device are driven.

That is, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, both the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body and the mechanically driven ultrasonic probe are connected to the driving device, and the connection portion is rotatably driven. Thus, it becomes possible to exchange a plurality of mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope bodies and a plurality of mechanically driven ultrasonic probes with a single driving device and drive them.

In this case, when the rotation detecting device is provided inside the main body of the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope, the rotation detecting device provided inside the driving device is not used, and A rotation detecting device provided inside the main body of the driven ultrasonic endoscope is used. A state in which the relationship between the signal of the rotation detection device and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic transducer in the main body of the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope at that time, that is, the direction in which the ultrasonic beam is transmitted, is determined. Fixed in the ultrasonic observation device connected to the drive device, determines the vertical direction of the ultrasonic image on the monitor according to the signal of the rotation detection device, and the surrounding direction viewed from the endoscope body, The vertical direction of the ultrasonic image on the monitor is set in a predetermined relationship.

When a signal amplifying circuit is provided inside the main body of the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope, the signal amplifying circuit provided inside the driving device is not used, and the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope is not used. A signal amplification circuit disposed inside the main body of the sonic endoscope is used. When using the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope body, the length of the electric cable for transmitting the signal before amplification is shortened by using the signal amplification circuit arranged inside, so that the noise Contamination is prevented. When a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe is used, a rotation detecting device and a signal amplifying circuit provided inside the driving device are used.

Further, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, different types of ultrasonic probes can be driven by a common driving device.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an embodiment.

Reference numeral 1 in the figure denotes an ultrasonic endoscope main body, which comprises an insertion section 2, an operation section 3, a cord section 4, a connection section 10 and the like, and the connection section 10 is connected to the connection section 9 of the driving device 6. To be detachably connected to.

A flexible shaft 8 which is an example of a transmission member from the connecting portion 10 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 to the insertion portion 2
The ultrasonic vibrator 7 is attached to the tip of the flexible shaft 8. An electric cable (not shown) connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 7 is inserted through the flexible shaft 8.

The connecting portion 10 is provided with an input shaft 23 to which a rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving device 6.
A relay connector 27 for connecting to an electric cable inserted through the flexible shaft 8 is provided at the center of the end face of the drive shaft 6. The input shaft 23 and the relay connector 27 are provided at the connection portion 9 of the drive device 6. Connected to the output shaft 18 and the relay connector 39.

The ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 and the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 can be connected to the connecting portion 9 of the driving device 6. However, the configuration of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 is substantially the same as the conventional one shown in FIG.

The driving device 6 includes a motor 15 and the speed reduction mechanism 1.
6, a geared motor 36, a slip ring 14 for transmitting a signal from a rotation system to a stop system, and a slip ring 35 with a rotary encoder in which a rotary encoder 17 which is an example of a rotation detection device is integrated. Output shaft 18, relay connector 39, signal amplification circuit 1
3. An identification sensor 26 and the like are provided.

The driving device 6 is connected to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown) through a connector 41 provided on the connector section 5, and the ultrasonic observation device is connected to a monitor (not shown) to receive an ultrasonic wave. Display an image.

When the ultrasonic endoscope is used, the rotational driving force of the motor 15 of the driving device 6 is reduced by the reduction mechanism 16 and is transmitted to the output shaft 18 via the coupling 34 and the rotating shaft of the slip ring 35 with a rotary encoder. Is transmitted.

The rotational driving force output from the output shaft 18 is transmitted from the input shaft 23 provided at the connecting portion 10 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 to the ultrasonic vibrator 7 through the flexible shaft 8. The sonic vibrator 7 is driven to rotate.

Slip ring 3 with rotary encoder
The outer case 5 is not fixed, and the rotation preventing convex portion 37 protruding from the outer case is hooked to a hooking member (not shown) provided on the outer case or the like of the driving device 6. It is preventing people from turning around.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an electric cable connecting the slip ring 14 and the signal amplification circuit 13, and 11 denotes an electric cable connecting the signal amplification circuit 13 and the connector 41 of the connector section 5.

When the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 is connected to the driving device 6, the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 provided on the driving device 6 side and the Z-phase pulse on the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 side are provided. The direction of the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 7 is always fixed at a constant state, and the surrounding direction viewed from the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 and the vertical direction of the ultrasonic image on the monitor Must be set in a predetermined relationship.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a structure in which the Z-phase pulse and the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam are constant when the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 is connected to the driving device 6.

In FIG. 2, the connecting portion 9 provided on the driving device 6 side
The case (endoscope-side connection part case) 30 of the connection part 10 protruding from the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 side is engaged with the case (drive-device-side connection part case) 31, and the drive-device-side connection part case. A positioning concave portion 33 that engages with a positioning convex portion 32 that protrudes in the circumferential direction of the endoscope-side connecting portion case 30 and regulates the rotation direction is formed in the base 31.

A rotary shaft 18a connected to the output shaft 18 is rotatably inserted into the drive device side connection case 31 via a bearing or the like. The rotating shaft 2 connected to the input shaft 23 from the connection portion 10 provided
3a is projected while being rotatably supported by a bearing or the like.

In this embodiment, the rotary shaft 23a connected to the input shaft 23 is engaged with a recess formed in the rotary shaft 18a connected to the output shaft 18. , 23a on the mating surface 18 for regulating the direction of rotation
b, 23b are formed. This mating surface 18b, 2
3b is set to a position where the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 7 always have a fixed relationship.

In FIG. 3, the rotating shafts 23a and 18a provided on the connecting portion 10 on the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 side and the connecting portion 9 on the driving device 6 are inserted in any rotation direction. However, the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 are always kept constant.

That is, a driving pin 38 projects from an end face of a rotating shaft 18a extending from the output shaft 18 provided on the driving device 6 side. The driven pin 40 to be transmitted has a rotating shaft 23a extending from the input shaft 23 provided on the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 side.
When the two pins 38 and 40 are engaged, the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 are always set to protrude from the end face facing the rotary shaft 18a. It is set to be in a certain direction.

The positioning projection 32 projecting from the outer periphery of the endoscope-side connection case 30 is connected to the drive unit-side connection case 31.
And are connected in a state where the rotation directions of the two connection portion cases 30 and 31 are regulated.

When the rotating shaft 18a extending from the output shaft 18 of the driving device 6 rotates, the driving pin 38 protruding from the end face of the rotating shaft 18a is connected to the connecting portion on the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 side. Rotary shaft 2 extending from input shaft 23 provided in 10
The driven pin 40 is engaged with a driven pin 40 protruding from the shaft 3 a in a rotational direction, and a rotational driving force is transmitted to the input shaft 23 via the driven pin 40. Therefore, the rotating shafts 18a and 23a are always driven to rotate in a fixed relationship.

In an ultrasonic observation apparatus (not shown), the vertical direction of the ultrasonic image on the monitor is determined in accordance with the timing of the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 so that the surroundings viewed from the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 are determined. And the vertical direction of the ultrasonic image on the monitor are set in a fixed relationship. In this case, generally, the maximum bending operation direction of the ultrasonic endoscope and the upward direction on the monitor are matched.

The connecting portion 2 of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201
By making 10 the same structure as the connecting portion 10 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1, the relationship between the output timing of the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 and the rotation direction of the ultrasonic transducer 207 is fixed. In this state, it can be driven by the driving device 6.

However, since the insertion section 202 of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 has a rotationally symmetric shape without any vertical and horizontal directions, the output timing of the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 17 and the rotational direction of the ultrasonic transducer 207 It is not always necessary to maintain a constant relationship with.

When the connecting portions 10 and 210 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 and the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 are connected to the connecting portion 9 of the driving device 6, whether the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 is used. Marking 19, 219 is provided as an example of identification means for identifying whether the probe is the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 and the frequency of the ultrasonic wave. Is detected, and signal processing corresponding to each condition is executed.

This means that different types of ultrasonic endoscope bodies 1 or small-diameter ultrasonic probes 2 having different frequencies are used.
The drive devices 6 can be shared with each other by sharing the configuration of the connection units 10 and 210 between them. As a result, the plurality of ultrasonic endoscope bodies 1 and the plurality of small-diameter ultrasonic probes 201 can be exchanged and driven using one driving device 6.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic endoscope body 301
Shows an embodiment in which a signal amplification circuit 313 is provided.

The ultrasonic endoscope main body 301 is
2, the operation unit 303, the code unit 304, the connection unit 310, and the like. The connection unit 310 is detachably connected to the connection unit 309 provided on the drive device 306 side.

A flexible shaft 308, which is an example of a transmission member, is inserted through the insertion portion 302, and an ultrasonic vibrator 307 is attached to the distal end of the flexible shaft 308.
Is attached, and the flexible shaft 30
An electric cable (not shown) for connecting to the ultrasonic vibrator 307 is inserted into 8.

The operation unit 303 includes a slip ring 314 for transmitting a signal from the rotation system to the stop system, a signal amplification circuit 313 connected to the slip ring 314 via an electric cable 312, a driving force transmission gear 321 and the like. It is arranged.

A flexible shaft 322, which is an example of a transmission member for transmitting a rotational driving force from the connection portion 310 to the operation portion 303, and an electric cable 311 for transmitting an electric signal are inserted through the cord portion 304.

An input shaft 323 to which rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving device 306, a relay connector 327 to transmit an electric signal, and the like are installed at the connecting portion 310, and these components are connected to the driving device 306.

The driving device 306 outputs a motor 315, a speed reduction mechanism 316, a rotary encoder 317 which is an example of a rotation detecting device, a rotation driving force transmitted from the motor 315 via the speed reduction mechanism 316, and a rotary encoder 317. 318, an electrical signal relay connector 325 for an ultrasonic endoscope, an electrical signal relay connector 339 for a small-diameter ultrasonic probe, and a small-diameter ultrasonic wave connected to the relay connector 339. A probe slip ring 328, a signal amplifier circuit 342 for a small-diameter ultrasonic probe, an identification sensor 326 as an example of a detection unit, and the like are provided.

When using the ultrasonic endoscope main body 301, the connecting part 310 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 is connected to the connecting part 309 provided in the driving device 306. Then, the input shaft 323 and the output shaft 318 provided in the connection portions 310 and 309 are connected, and the relay connectors 327 and
325 are connected.

The motor 3 provided in the driving device 306
When the rotational driving force of the fifteen is reduced by the speed reduction mechanism 316 and transmitted to the input shaft 323 provided at the connection part 310 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 via the output shaft 318, the rotation driving force is inserted into the cord part 304. Flexible shaft 322
Rotates, and this rotational driving force is transmitted to a flexible shaft 308 inserted through the insertion portion 302 via a driving force transmission gear 321 provided in the operation portion 303,
The ultrasonic vibrator 307 fixed to the tip of the flexible shaft 308 rotates.

An ultrasonic beam is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 307 in synchronization with the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 317, and an electric signal obtained from the reflected wave is transmitted through an electric cable ( The electric cable 311 is transmitted to the slip ring 314 via a non-rotating electric cable 312, transmitted to the signal amplifying circuit 313 via the non-rotating electric cable 312, amplified there, and then inserted into the cord section 304. Is output to the relay connector 327 provided in the connection section 310 through

The relay connector 327 includes a drive device 3
The relay connector 325 provided at the connection section 309 on the 06 side is connected, and the electric signal is output to the connector 341 provided at the connector section 305 via the ultrasonic endoscope electric cable 311a connected to the relay connector 325. Then, the signal is transmitted to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown) to which the connector 341 is connected, where it is subjected to predetermined signal processing to obtain ultrasonic image data.

In this case, the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 317 when the ultrasonic endoscope main body 301 is connected to the driving device 306 and the ultrasonic vibrator in the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 at that time. Means for fixing the relationship with the rotation direction of 307 to a fixed state is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 connected to the connecting portion 309 of the driving device 306 is almost the same as the conventional one shown in FIG. 11, and the shape of the connecting portion 210 is changed to the ultrasonic endoscope main body. The ultrasonic transducer 207 can be driven by the rotational driving force from the driving device 306 by performing the same operation as the connection part 310 of 301.

That is, the connecting portion 309 of the driving device 306
Next, the connection part 2 of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 shown in FIG.
10 and drive the motor 315, the output shaft 3
18, connecting part 2 of small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201
10, the input shaft 223 rotates.
The ultrasonic vibrator 207 fixed to the tip of the flexible shaft 208 continuously connected to the rotary shaft 208 rotates.

In the meantime, the ultrasonic vibrator 207
, An ultrasonic beam is transmitted in synchronization with the A-phase pulse, and an electric signal obtained from the reflected wave is transmitted to the flexible shaft 2.
The signal is transmitted to a relay connector 227 provided in the connection unit 210 via an electric cable (not shown) inserted through the cable 08.

The relay connector 227 has a drive unit 3
The electrical signal relay connector 339 for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe provided at the connection portion 309 on the 06 side is connected to the electrical signal relay connector 339 for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe and the slip ring 328 for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe. And transmitted to the non-rotating electric cable 312a.
Signal amplifier circuit 3 for small diameter ultrasonic probe connected to 12a
After being amplified at 42, the signal is transmitted to the connector 341 provided in the connector section 305 via the electric cable 311b for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic observation apparatus to which the connector 341 is connected performs predetermined signal processing. Is done.

In this case, since the insertion portion 202 of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 has a rotationally symmetric shape with no vertical and horizontal directions, the timing of the Z-phase pulse of the rotary encoder 317 and the rotational direction of the ultrasonic transducer 207 are set. It is not always necessary to maintain a constant relationship with.

The connecting portions 310 and 210 between the ultrasonic endoscope main body 301 and the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 identify whether the ultrasonic endoscope or the small-diameter ultrasonic probe is used.
Markings 219 and 319, which are examples of identification means representing the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, are provided. In the driving device 306, the identification sensors 326 cause the markings 219 and 319 to be provided.
The identification information recorded in 319 is detected, and signal processing is performed according to each condition.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the driving device 30
When the ultrasonic endoscope body 301 having the signal amplification circuit 313 therein is connected to and used with the driving device 30, the driving device 30
The electric signal obtained from the reflected wave of the ultrasonic transducer 307 is amplified by using the signal amplifying circuit 313 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 301 side without using the signal amplifying circuit 342 of the sixth side. The length of the electric cable for transmitting the previous electric signal is shortened, thereby preventing noise from being mixed.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a rotary encoder 417, which is an example of a rotation detecting device, is provided in the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401, and a rotary encoder 429 for a small-diameter ultrasonic probe is provided in the driving device 406. When the endoscope main body 401 is used, a rotary encoder 417 to be installed is used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401 includes an insertion section 402, an operation section 403, a code section 404, a connection section 410, and the like. It is detachably connected to the connection portion 409 of the 406.

A flexible shaft 408, which is an example of a transmission member, is inserted from the connecting portion 410 of the ultrasonic endoscope body 401 to the insertion portion 402, and an ultrasonic vibrator 407 is attached to the tip of the flexible shaft 408. I have. An electric cable (not shown) connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 407 is inserted through the flexible shaft 408.

A rotary encoder 417 is provided in the operation unit 403, and the rotary encoder 417 is connected to the flexible shaft 40 via a rotation transmission gear 421.
8 and the Z-phase pulse output from the rotary encoder 417 and the ultrasonic vibrator 40 at that time.
The relationship with the rotation direction of 7 is fixed in a fixed state in advance.

The connecting portion 410 includes an input shaft 423 to which rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving device 406, a relay connector 427 disposed at the center thereof and connected to an electric cable inserted through the flexible shaft 408. Established
These are connected to the connection portion 409 provided in the driving device 406.

The driving device 406 includes a motor 415, a speed reduction mechanism 416, an output shaft 418 for outputting a rotational driving force, a relay connector 439 for transmitting an electric signal, a slip ring 414 for transmitting an electric signal from a rotary system to a stop system, A signal amplification circuit 413 connected to a slip ring 414 via an electric cable 412, a rotary encoder 429 for a small-diameter ultrasonic probe connected to an output shaft 418 via a coupling 434, and the like are provided. An identification sensor 426, which is an example of a detection unit, is provided in the unit 409.

The electric signal output from the slip ring 414 is amplified by the signal amplifying circuit 413, and then the electric signal 411 is connected to the connector 441 provided in the connector section 405.
Is output via.

The small-diameter ultrasonic probe connected to the driving device 406 has almost the same configuration as the conventional small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 shown in FIG. Has a structure similar to that of the connecting portion 410 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401, so that the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 can be driven by the common driving device 406. In this case, the rotary encoder uses the rotary encoder 429 for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe provided in the drive device 406.

The connecting portion 410 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401,
In addition, the connecting portion 210 of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 has a marking 219, which is an example of an identification means indicating an ultrasonic endoscope or a small-diameter ultrasonic probe, and further indicates an ultrasonic frequency. A drive unit 406 detects identification information recorded on the markings 219 and 419 by the identification sensor 426, and executes signal processing according to each condition.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotary encoder 417 is provided in the operation section 403 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401, and the ultrasonic endoscope main body 4 is provided in the driving device 406.
When the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401 is connected to the driving device 406 when the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401 is connected to the driving device 406, a signal is output from the rotary encoder 417 provided therein. It is not necessary to fix the relative angles of the rotating shafts 423a and 418a of the provided input shaft 423 and output shaft 418 in a fixed relationship.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment,
A positioning projection 432 projecting from the outer periphery of a case (endoscope side connection case) 430 of the connection section 410 provided on the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401 is connected to the connection section 40 provided on the drive device 406.
9 (drive device side connection part case) 431 and engages with the positioning recess 433 formed in the connection part case 43.
0,431 are connected in a state where the rotation direction is regulated.

A pair of drive pins 438 are provided on the end face of a rotation shaft 418a extending from the output shaft 418 provided on the drive device 406 at symmetrical positions with respect to the center of rotation. A pair of driven pins 440, which are engaged with the rotation direction 438 and transmit power, have a pair of driven pins 440 extending from an input shaft 423 provided on the ultrasonic endoscope main body 1 side.
The pin 3a protrudes from the end face of the pin 3a, and the rotational driving force is transmitted when the pins 438 and 440 are engaged in the rotational direction.

The insertion section 2 of the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201
02 has a rotationally symmetric shape with no top, bottom, left and right,
When connecting the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 to the driving device 406, the rotary encoder 42 for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe is used.
It is not always necessary to fix the relationship between the timing of the Z-phase pulse output from 9 and the direction of rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 207 to be constant.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the rotary encoder 417 for outputting the Z-phase signal to the ultrasonic vibrator 407 is provided in the operation unit 403 provided in the ultrasonic endoscope main body 401. The ultrasonic endoscope body 4
01 is connected to the driving device 406, the rotation shaft 418
This eliminates the need to insert while aligning the relative positions of a and 423a, which is convenient. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for positioning in the connection portions 410 and 409, the structure can be simplified. Further, since the distance between the ultrasonic vibrator 407 and the rotary encoder 417 of the flexible shaft 408 can be kept short, the error of the relative rotation angle between the Z-phase pulse and the ultrasonic vibrator 407 can be reduced.

By the way, if rotating members such as the motor 415 and the rotary encoder 429 for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe which are built in the driving device 406 are directly fixed to the outer case, vibrations and noises leak to the outside. It will worsen the surrounding environment.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the rotating member is integrated as a drive unit 449, and this drive unit 449 is attached to the outer case.
By supporting via the vibration isolating members 450 and 451, transmission of vibration from the rotating member is interrupted, and quietness is secured.

That is, the drive unit 449 housed in the outer cases 452a and 452b divided into two parts from the center.
A rotating member such as a motor 413 and a rotary encoder 429 for a small-diameter ultrasonic probe is fixedly mounted on the base plate 448. The base plate 448 is provided with an outer case 452a.
Is supported via a grommet-shaped vibration isolating member 451 with respect to a fixing plate 452c fixed to the base plate.

Further, the slip ring 414 of the output shaft 418
The side of the output shaft 418 is supported by the base plate 448 via a bearing 454a, and the middle of the output shaft 418 is formed in the middle of the cover 446 via the bearing 454b.
The outer periphery of the cover 446 is
2a and 452b are supported via a band-shaped vibration isolating member 450 wound in an annular shape.

Each of the vibration isolating members 450 and 451 is mainly made of a material such as rubber, sponge, elastomer resin, etc., which can prevent transmission of vibration and generation of noise due thereto.

A reduction mechanism 416 that connects the output shaft 418 and the motor 415 is connected to a driving pulley 455 a that is mounted on the motor 415 and a driven pulley 455 that is mounted on the output shaft 418.
b and a timing belt 456 connected between the pulleys 455a and 455b.
The driven pulley 455b disposed between the members b is accommodated in the cover 446. Note that the speed reduction mechanism 416 may be configured by gear engagement as shown in FIG.

Further, a connection portion 409 is provided in front of the partition wall 446a of the cover 446, and a connection port 447 is engaged with an opening of the cover 446 on the connection portion 409 side. The connecting portions 410 and 210 of the endoscope main body 401 or the small-diameter ultrasonic probe 201 are connected.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the driving device 4
Since a rotating member such as a motor 413 provided in the 06 is integrated with the drive unit 449 and is supported by the outer cases 452a and 452b via the vibration isolating members 450 and 451, vibration and noise are reduced, and diagnosis is performed. Even when used in a room or the like, since the quietness is maintained, the surrounding environment is not deteriorated. Further, since the gap between the connection portion 409 and the drive unit 449 is blocked by the vibration isolating member 450, the noise is not easily leaked to the outside, so that not only the quietness is further maintained, but also the drive unit 449 is externally provided. Intrusion of pride etc. is prevented, the cause of failure of the speed reduction mechanism 416, the electric circuit and the like is reduced, and the reliability is improved.

The technique of supporting the drive unit on the outer case via the vibration isolating member can be applied to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the connection cord 504 is detachable from the ultrasonic endoscope main body 501 so as to be detachable.

The ultrasonic endoscope main body 501 is
2, an operation unit 503 and a connection unit 541.
The code portion 543 of the connection cord 504 has an endoscope body side connection portion 542a and a drive device side connection portion 5 at both ends thereof.
42b.

Endoscope main body side connection portion 5 of connection cord 504
The connection portion 542b and the drive device side connection portion 542b are connected to the connection portion 541 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 501 and the connection portion 9 of the drive device 6, respectively, and are connected by a flexible shaft 522 which is an example of a transmission member provided inside the cord portion 543. The rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving device 6 to the ultrasonic endoscope main body 501 side, and further, electric signals are transmitted and received by an electric cable (not shown) inserted through the flexible shaft 522.

The drive-side connection portion 54 of the connection cord 504
2b is provided with a marking 519, which is an example of an identification means for identifying that the ultrasonic endoscope is connected, and is recorded on the marking 519 by the identification sensor 26 of the driving device 6. Detecting identification information. The connecting portion 541 of the ultrasonic endoscope main body 502 is provided with a marking 544 which is an example of an identification unit for identifying the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, and the ultrasonic endoscope main body side connecting portion of the connection code 504 is provided. An identification sensor 545, which is an example of a detection unit disposed on the 542a, detects identification information recorded on the marking 544.

The information detected by each of the identification sensors 26 and 545 is transmitted to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown).
In this ultrasonic observation apparatus, signal processing according to each condition is performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the connection cord 504 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic endoscope main body 501, for example, when cleaning the ultrasonic endoscope main body 501, Connect the connection cord 504 to the ultrasonic endoscope body 5
By disengaging from the 01, the connection cord 504 does not become an obstacle, and the cleaning operation becomes easy.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, a plurality of ultrasonic endoscope bodies having different specifications, a plurality of small-diameter ultrasonic probes, or a connection portion for all of them are common. By adopting a structure, one drive device may be shared.

[Appendix] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) Ultra-characteristically characterized in that the driving device has a connection part that can be connected to both the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body and the mechanically driven ultrasonic probe and that can be rotationally driven. Ultrasound diagnostic device.

(2) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item 1, at least one of a rotation detecting device and a signal amplification circuit is provided in the main body of the mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope, and the rotation detecting device is provided in the driving device. When both the signal amplification circuit is provided and the mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope main body is connected to the drive device, the mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope main body has the rotation detection device and the signal amplification circuit. If both are provided, they are driven.If one of the rotation detection device and the signal amplification circuit is provided, the other rotation detection device or signal amplification circuit is provided in the drive device. When the mechanically driven ultrasonic probe is connected to the driving device, the rotation detection device and the signal amplification circuit provided in the driving device are driven. .

(3) In a detachable ultrasonic drive device for driving a mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body or a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe, a rotary motion component is integrally unitized, and the unitized rotation is performed. A connection port for fixing the moving component to the outer case via a vibration isolating member, and connecting a mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body or a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe with at least one of the vibration isolating members. It is characterized in that a gap between the outer case nearby and the rotating component unitized is closed.

(4) A mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body or a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe, a driving device for driving a mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body or a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe, and the aforementioned driving device An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a cord unit for connecting a main body of a mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope or a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe connected to the driving unit; wherein the code unit includes the driving unit and the driving unit. And is detachable from a mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body or a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe connected to the apparatus.

(5) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the above items 1 to 4, wherein the driving device is provided with identification means for identifying each of the ultrasonic probes.

(6) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item 5, wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is controlled based on the identification means.

(7) In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the additional items 1 to 4, an identification means is provided on a connector of the ultrasonic probe, and a detection means for detecting the identification means is provided on a connector receiver of the driving device. It is characterized by.

[0114]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the driving device is shared and a plurality of ultrasonic endoscopes and a plurality of ultrasonic probes can be driven by one driving device, it is economical.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the connection portion.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a connection portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the connection portion.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the driving device.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope.

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional mechanically driven small-diameter ultrasonic probe and a driving device for the small-diameter ultrasonic probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,301,401,501 ... Ultrasonic endoscope body 6,306,406 ... Driver 7,207,307,407 ... Ultrasonic vibrator 8,208,308,322,408,522 ... Transmission member (flexible 9, 209, 309, 409, 541 ... connection part 10, 210, 310, 410 ... connection part 13, 313, 413 ... signal amplification circuit 17, 317, 417 ... rotation detection device (rotary encoder) 201 ... small diameter Ultrasonic probe 342: Signal amplification circuit for small-diameter ultrasonic probe 429: Rotation detector (rotary encoder for small-diameter ultrasonic probe)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic wave, comprising: a drive unit, to which both a mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body and a mechanically driven ultrasonic probe can be connected and which can be rotationally driven. Diagnostic device. 2. The mechanically driven ultrasonic endoscope main body is provided with at least one of a rotation detection device and a signal amplification circuit; the drive device is provided with both a rotation detection device and a signal amplification circuit; When the mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope main body is connected to the main body, the mechanical drive type ultrasonic endoscope main body is driven when both the rotation detecting device and the signal amplification circuit are provided. When one of the rotation detection device and the signal amplification circuit is provided, the other rotation detection device or the signal amplification circuit drives the one provided in the drive device, and the drive device 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the mechanically driven ultrasonic probe is connected to the apparatus, the rotation detecting device and the signal amplification circuit provided in the driving device are driven.