JP2001087265A - Endoscope attachable ultrasonic inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use the same endoscope even at independently inspecting time of an endoscope, even at jointly using time of an endoscope inspection and an ultrasonic inspection and even at independently inspecting time of an ultrasonic wave, and use an ultrasonic inspection device for plural endoscopes in common by attaching the ultrasonic inspection device having an electronic scanning type ultrasonic transducer to the endoscope. SOLUTION: In a body part 21 of an ultrasonic inspection device 20, the tip part is an ultrasonic scanning part 23, an endoscope placing part 24 is continuously arranged in this ultrasonic scanning part 23, and an endoscope fixing part 25 is continuously arranged in the endoscope placing part 24. An ultrasonic transducer 27 is installed in the ultrasonic scanning part 23, the endoscope placing part 24 is placed with a tip constituting part 2a, the endoscope fixing part 25 is integrally continuously arranged in the endoscope placing part 24, an outer peripheral surface of the tip constituting part 2a is covered over a range not less than 180 deg. with elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a for constituting this endoscope fixing part 25, and the tip constituting part 2a is detachably clamped by both elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus which is attached to and detached from an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical example of a device that is inserted into the body of a subject to perform a required test or diagnosis includes an endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity and information on internal tissues. There is an ultrasonic inspection device for acquiring.
An ultrasonic endoscope in which the endoscope and the ultrasonic inspection apparatus are integrated is also known. For example, JP-A-8
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.-52138, a known ultrasonic endoscope is provided with an ultrasonic scanning unit equipped with an ultrasonic transducer at a distal end portion at a distal end portion of an insertion portion. Form a sloped wall on the base end side of the part,
An illumination means and an observation means constituting an endoscope observation unit are provided on the inclined wall surface. The inclined wall is provided with a treatment tool insertion channel for leading out a puncture treatment tool or the like to be punctured in the ultrasonic observation field of view by the ultrasonic transducer.

As described above, if an ultrasonic endoscope is used, the insertion section is inserted to a predetermined position in the body cavity, and the endoscopic observation section inspects the inner wall of the body cavity and the like. When an abnormal location or the like is found below, the ultrasonic transducer is operated to ultrasonically scan the location, thereby inspecting the state of the body tissue or the like. Furthermore, if there is a need for treatment or tissue sampling as a result of ultrasonic scanning,
Under the monitoring of the ultrasonic transducer, an appropriate measure can be taken by inserting a puncture treatment tool into the treatment tool insertion channel.

[0004] In this type of ultrasonic endoscope, the ultrasonic observation means and the endoscope observation means are integrally inseparable from each other.
It is suitable for use when performing a combination of endoscopy and ultrasound. However, in this ultrasonic endoscope, the observation field of view by the endoscope observation means is extremely limited because the ultrasonic observation means is located in front of the endoscope observation means. In addition, the treatment instrument lead-out section is also arranged on the attachment section of the endoscope observation means, and therefore, the operation of the treatment instrument is also restricted. From the above, an ultrasonic endoscope is usually used only when an endoscopic examination is performed and an ultrasonic examination is not used together.

[0005] There is also known an apparatus in which the function as an endoscope is not impaired at all, and when necessary, an ultrasonic examination can be used together with an endoscopic examination. For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-42231, it is inserted into a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope and guided into a body cavity or the like. Ultrasound probes are that. An ultrasonic probe of this type includes an ultrasonic scanning unit provided with an ultrasonic transducer, a flexible cord connected to the ultrasonic scanning unit, and a connector unit provided at a base end of the flexible cord. The flexible cord is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope, and the connector provided at the proximal end of the flexible cord is connected directly or with a connection adapter. It is configured to be detachably connected to the ultrasonic operation unit via the.

Here, in an ultrasonic probe which is inserted endoscopically, the ultrasonic transducer mounted on the ultrasonic scanning unit comprises a single-plate transducer, and this ultrasonic transducer is radially or linearly moved. It is configured to perform mechanical scanning for mechanically scanning in the direction. In order to transmit a low frequency ultrasonic wave, in order to use a large ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic scanning unit is made larger than the hole diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the ultrasonic probe is connected to the endoscope. When attached to the treatment instrument, it is inserted from the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel.

[0007]

As an ultrasonic scanning system, there is an electronic scanning system in addition to a mechanical scanning system. This electronic scanning type ultrasonic transducer comprises a number of strip-shaped ultrasonic transducers arranged in parallel, and the ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer are sequentially driven to form an ultrasonic transducer. Are arranged to be scanned in the arrangement direction. The use of the electronic scanning ultrasonic transducer has an advantage that various wavefronts can be created by controlling the transmission timing of each ultrasonic transducer. JP 8
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.-52138 discloses a configuration provided with an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning. Thus, in the case of an ultrasonic endoscope in which the ultrasonic observation means and the endoscope observation means are integrally inseparable, in order not to impair the original function of the endoscope, Ultrasonic inspection apparatus separable from endoscope,
In the ultrasonic probe inserted endoscopically as disclosed in JP-A-42231, the outer diameter of the probe is limited due to the fact that the flexible cord is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel. Because many wires connected to the ultrasonic transducer cannot be passed through and the electronic scanning ultrasonic transducer is significantly larger in size and weight than the single-plate transducer, It is impossible to mount an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning on the ultrasonic scanning unit because it is extremely difficult to stably hold the device in a state of being incorporated in an endoscope.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to enable an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning to be incorporated in an endoscope. In addition, the same endoscope can be used when performing an endoscopy alone, when using an endoscopy and an ultrasound together, and also when performing an ultrasound alone. An object of the present invention is to enable an inspection apparatus to be used for a plurality of endoscopes.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasonic transducer arranged in an array at the tip end thereof and having an ultrasonic transducer for performing ultrasonic electronic scanning. A sound wave scanning unit, an endoscope mounting unit that is provided at a position closer to the base end than the ultrasonic scanning unit, and mounts a distal end component in an endoscope insertion unit, and an endoscope mounting unit An endoscope fixing section for detachably fixing the mounted distal end portion, and further, a wiring connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers is drawn out as a signal cable from a base end position of the endoscope mounting section. It is characterized by having a configuration.

[0010] When an ultrasonic inspection is performed using an endoscope suitable for performing an endoscope inspection, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated into the endoscope.
It can function as an ultrasonic endoscope. As a result, the same endoscope can be used when the endoscope alone is inspected, when only the ultrasonic inspection is performed, or when both the endoscopy and the ultrasonic inspection are used together. Can have versatility. In addition, a single ultrasonic inspection apparatus can be incorporated into a plurality of endoscopes, so that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus can be reused.

Here, when performing an ultrasonic examination, it is common to use a puncture treatment tool together. That is, as a result of the ultrasonic examination, a technique of inserting a puncture treatment tool into a test site is required to perform tissue collection, treatment, or the like. Moreover, since the puncture treatment tool is a treatment tool that is operated in a body cavity, it needs to be monitored by an endoscope, but after insertion into the body, it must also be monitored by ultrasound. The treatment tool insertion channel in the endoscope is always in the field of view of the observation means, but when the ultrasonic inspection device is incorporated in the endoscope, it is difficult to place the treatment tool under ultrasonic monitoring. Therefore, the positional relationship with the ultrasonic scanning unit in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus also becomes important. For this purpose, a guide section is provided between the ultrasonic scanning section and the endoscope mounting section, and the guide section communicates with the treatment instrument insertion channel provided at the distal end component section. And a guide groove for guiding the treatment tool derived from the ultrasonic transducer toward the scanning region of the ultrasonic transducer, and more desirably, between the ultrasonic scanning unit and the endoscope mounting unit, a tip configuration unit And a guide pipe for guiding the treatment tool derived from the treatment tool insertion channel toward the scanning area of the ultrasonic transducer is attached, and the guide pipe is treated by a predetermined length. It is configured so that it can be inserted into the tool insertion channel.

The ultrasonic scanning unit is configured by arranging ultrasonic transducers in an array. When the ultrasonic scanning unit is incorporated in an endoscope, the observation field of view of the endoscope and the direction in which the treatment tool is drawn out are in the axial direction. Ahead of. Therefore, it is desirable that the ultrasonic observation field of view by the ultrasonic scanning unit be obliquely forward,
For this purpose, a front inclined surface inclined obliquely downward toward the front may be formed at the distal end side of the endoscope mounting section, and the ultrasonic scanning unit may be provided on the front inclined surface. Then, in order to prevent the treatment tool derived from the endoscope from coming into contact with the ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic scanning unit, the ultrasonic transducer is arranged only on the front inclined surface.

The endoscope fixing section is a mechanism for fixing the ultrasonic inspection apparatus to the distal end constituting section of the endoscope. The endoscope is constituted by a series of curved elastic plate pieces, which can be connected to each other so as to hold the distal end portion of the endoscope. Also, the ultrasonic scanning unit and the endoscope mounting unit may be configured as a unit and a separate member from an elastic ring that is attached to and detached from the main unit together with the distal end component of the endoscope. Further, it may be constituted by a closed loop-shaped ring portion connected to the endoscope mounting portion. When the endoscope fixing section is constituted by an elastic plate piece or a ring section connected to the endoscope mounting section, a signal cable lead-out section is connected to the endoscope mounting section and provided. In this drawer, a transition portion that rises obliquely upward toward the base end portion of the endoscope fixing portion can be formed, whereby the endoscope fixing portion can be viewed endlessly in a single cavity. Even if it falls off the mirror tip,
When collecting the endoscope, there is no step at the transition from the endoscope fixing part to the endoscope mounting part, so that it can be easily collected.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 1, 1 is an endoscope, 20 is an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, and the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is detachably incorporated in the endoscope 1 as shown in FIG. .

As is well known, the endoscope 1 is formed by connecting a main body operating portion 3 to a base end portion of the insertion portion 2, and a universal cord 4 is drawn out from the main body operating portion 3. The base end of the universal cord 4 branches into a light source connector 5 and an electrical connector 6. The light source connector 5 and the electrical connector 6 are detachably connected to the light source device and the processor, respectively. The light source device and the processor usually include a display for displaying an endoscope image and being integrated integrally. It is configured as a light source unit 7.

The insertion portion 2 is arranged such that a distal end portion 2
a, an angle portion 2b and a soft portion 2c. As is clear from FIG. 2, the distal end surface of the distal end component 2 a
An illumination window 10 (two locations are provided in the drawing, but not necessarily two locations) and an observation window 11 are provided, and the exit end of the light guide faces the illumination window 10 and observation is performed. A solid-state imaging device is mounted at an image forming position of the objective lens mounted on the window 11. Further, a treatment tool lead-out port 12 for leading out a treatment tool such as forceps is opened. The treatment instrument introduction unit 1 provided in the main body operation unit 3 from the treatment instrument outlet 12
Up to 3 are connected by a treatment tool insertion channel (not shown). The angle portion 2b can be bent vertically and horizontally by operating an angle knob 14 provided on the main body operation portion 3. Further, the flexible portion 2c has a flexible structure that bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 comprises a main body 21 and a signal cable 22, as shown in FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 3, the main body 21 has an ultrasonic scanning unit 23 at the tip end, and an endoscope mounting unit 24 is connected to the ultrasonic scanning unit 23. An endoscope fixing part 25 is connected to the mirror mounting part 24. Further, the signal cable 22 is pulled out from the endoscope mounting section 24 in the main body section 21.
Is a connector 22a detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation device 26.

The distal end of the endoscope mounting portion 24 is provided with a protruding portion which is inclined obliquely downward toward the front, and the protruding portion is an ultrasonic scanning portion 23. An ultrasonic transducer 27 is mounted on the obliquely forward inclined surface of the acoustic wave scanning unit 23. The ultrasonic transducer 27 has a plurality of strip-shaped ultrasonic transducers 27a arranged in rows, and thus performs electronic scanning by sequentially operating these ultrasonic transducers 27a. Therefore, the illustrated ultrasonic transducer 27 has a configuration suitable for performing electronic linear scanning (or convex scanning). The ultrasonic scanning unit 23 to which the ultrasonic transducer 27 is mounted has an outer shape that is entirely round and has a surface shape free from edges and sharp points.

Further, the endoscope mounting portion 24 formed on the base end side of the ultrasonic scanning portion 23 has a circular arc surface which matches the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the distal end portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1. It has a predetermined thickness having a mounting surface 24a, and the inside is a path for signal lines connected to each ultrasonic transducer 27a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 27, and these signal lines are bundled. This endoscope mounting section 2
4 is inserted into the signal cable 22 connected to the signal cable 4.

Further, the endoscope fixing portion 25 is composed of a pair of left and right elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a that hold the distal end constituting portion 2a. The endoscope fixing section 25 is provided with the endoscope mounting section 2.
The elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a are provided so as to extend from the left and right so as to be curved. The elastic plate piece 25a constituting the endoscope fixing portion 25 holds the outer peripheral surface of the distal end component portion 2a of the insertion portion 2, and together with the mounting surface 24a of the endoscope mounting portion 24. With this, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 2a is covered by 180 ° or more, preferably about 270 °. The inner surfaces of the two elastic plate pieces 25a have a curved surface shape, and have an arc shape having a curvature substantially coincident with the outer surface of the distal end portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 in the vicinity of a portion connected to the endoscope mounting portion 24. At least their tip portions are curved so as to have a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip component 2a. Therefore, the two elastic plate pieces 2 constituting the endoscope fixing portion 25
By holding the distal end component 2a at the distal end of 5a so as to press it against the endoscope mounting portion 24, the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is detachably connected to the endoscope 1, In the connected state, it is held so as not to be unintentionally separated.

The signal cable 22 pulled out from the endoscope mounting section 24 extends along the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1. Since the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is connected to the distal end component 2a of the insertion section 2, if the insertion section 2 is inserted into the body, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is also inserted following the insertion. Since the insertion portion 2 is relatively long and the insertion portion 2 and the signal cable 22 have flexibility, if the signal cable 22 is in a free state, the insertion operation is not hindered. May come. Therefore, the signal cable 22 is fixed to the surface of the insertion section 2 at several places by a connecting member such as an elastic ring, or the signal cable 22 is formed in a flexible tubular shape, and the insertion section 2 is inserted. It is desirable that

With the above configuration, when the endoscope 1 is used alone, the endoscope 1 does not incorporate the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20. Therefore, this endoscope 1
By inserting the insertion portion 2 into the body cavity, the illumination window 1
Illumination can be performed from 0 to observe the inside of the body cavity obtained from the observation window 11. As a result of the endoscopy performed in this manner, if it is necessary to collect the tissue to be treated or the tissue of the inner wall of the body cavity, an appropriate treatment tool is protruded from the treatment tool outlet 12 to perform a required treatment. be able to. Thus,
The endoscope 1 is a general direct-viewing endoscope itself, does not impair the function of the endoscope at all, and has no extra mechanism. The insertion operability into the body cavity is improved, and the pain for the subject is reduced.

On the other hand, when the endoscopic examination and the ultrasonic examination are used together or when only the ultrasonic examination is performed, the ultrasonic examination apparatus 20 is incorporated in the endoscope 1. This ultrasonic inspection device 2
The elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a constituting the endoscope fixing portion 25 constituting the main body 21 are incorporated into the endoscope 1.
In the meantime, the distal end component 2a of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 is placed on the mounting surface 24a of the endoscope mounting section 24.
Contact. Then, the elastic plate piece 2 of the endoscope fixing portion 25
The main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is fixed in a state of being connected to the insertion section 2 by the elastic force of the elastic plate piece 25a by bringing the 5a, 25a into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the distal end component 2a. If necessary, the middle position of the signal cable 22 is fixed to the insertion section 2 by an elastic ring or the like. Further, a connector 22 a provided at the end of the signal cable 22 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 26. here,
The endoscope in which the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is incorporated may be of any type as long as the distal end of the insertion section has substantially the same outer diameter.

As described above, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is used for the endoscope 1
The insertion section 2 and the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 attached to the insertion section 2 are inserted into the body cavity while observing the inside of the body cavity with the observation window 11 of the endoscope 1. Since the insertion section 2 is provided with the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 connected thereto, the diameter of the portion provided with the main body 21 is slightly increased. Therefore, it may be difficult to pass through a narrow portion of the insertion path. An ultrasonic scanning section 23 constituting the main body section 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 projects forward from the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1, and the ultrasonic scanning section 23 has a thickness that increases toward the distal end. Are continuously reduced. Therefore, since the stenosis is inserted by pushing the stenosis part by the tip of the ultrasonic scanning unit 23, the insertion part 2 of the endoscope 1 whose tip has a plane shape orthogonal to the axis is inserted alone. In comparison, the passage of the stenosis may be smoother. Further, when the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 passes through the stenosis, only the insertion section 2 and the signal cable 22 are located in the stenosis, so that the burden on the subject does not increase so much.

When the distal end of the insertion section 2 is guided to the inside of an organ or a body cavity in which an ultrasonic examination is to be performed, the position where the ultrasonic examination is to be performed is confirmed under observation by the endoscope 1. Note that the position to be subjected to the ultrasonic inspection is confirmed in advance when it is known or when it is discovered during the inspection of the body cavity by the endoscope 1 incorporating the ultrasonic inspection device 20. is there.
Since the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is disposed so as to protrude from the distal end component 2a of the insertion portion 2, the observation field of view of the observation window 11 provided on the distal end component 2a is determined by the main body 21. You will be somewhat eclipsed. However, an angle portion 2b is connected to the distal end component portion 2a, and by bending the angle portion 2b in an appropriate direction, almost the entire organ or body cavity can be viewed. In particular, when the position where the ultrasonic inspection is performed is known in advance, even if the field of view in the observation window 11 is slightly blurred, the operation of disposing the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 at the position where the ultrasonic inspection is to be performed is difficult. With little effect, the ultrasonic transducer 27 can be quickly and accurately opposed to the part where the ultrasonic inspection is to be performed.

When the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 faces the position where the ultrasonic inspection is to be performed, the ultrasonic transducer 2
The ultrasonic inspection is performed by scanning a predetermined position with the use of the ultrasonic inspection device 7. At this time, the ultrasonic transducer 2
Whether an ultrasonic transmission medium is interposed between 7 and the inner wall of the body cavity,
Alternatively, the ultrasonic transducer 27 is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity. This operation can be performed by bending the angle portion 2b of the endoscope 1. Here, the ultrasonic transducer 27 performs electronic scanning, and has the advantage that various wavefronts can be created by controlling the transmission timing of each ultrasonic transducer. Is improved.

As a result of the ultrasonic examination, if a place where it is necessary to perform treatment by inserting the treatment tool is found, the puncture treatment tool is led out from the treatment tool outlet 12 and inserted through the inner wall of the body cavity. I do. At this time, the puncture treatment tool is in the treatment tool outlet 1
In a stage before the puncture device is protruded from the body 2 and inserted into the body, the position of the puncture treatment tool is confirmed under monitoring by an endoscope through the observation window 11, and when the insertion into the body is started, Since the operator enters the visual field of the sound wave observation, the puncture operation can be performed while confirming the tip of the puncture treatment tool, so that the operation is facilitated, and the tip of the puncture treatment tool should be smoothly, promptly and accurately treated. Can lead to position.

As described above, when a puncture device is used, it is necessary to completely cover the front of the puncture device in the direction in which the puncture device is drawn out with the ultrasonic observation field of view. There is no need to obtain an acoustic observation field.
Therefore, the ultrasonic transducers 27a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 27 are disposed only on the inclined surface on the distal end side in the ultrasonic scanning unit 23, so that the puncture treatment tool constitutes the ultrasonic transducer 27 constituting the ultrasonic transducer 27. 27a
Can be prevented from coming into contact with the puncture treatment instrument, so that the ultrasonic transducer 27 can be protected.

As described above, when only the endoscope inspection is performed by attaching or detaching the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 to / from the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is detached. Then, the endoscope 1 can be used alone,
When performing an ultrasonic inspection or using both an endoscopic inspection and an ultrasonic inspection, the ultrasonic inspection device 20 is attached to the distal end component 2a of the insertion section 2 by the endoscope fixing portion 25. By itself, it can be converted to an ultrasonic endoscope.

Here, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 can be mounted not only on a specific endoscope but also on the endoscope fixing section 25.
If the endoscope has a distal end component that can be fixed by
It can be incorporated into any endoscope. Therefore,
The ultrasonic inspection device 20 can be reused. And
If the fixing structure of the endoscope by the endoscope fixing portion is configured to have flexibility, it can be incorporated in more types of endoscopes. For this purpose, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope fixing portion forming the main body 121 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 120 is configured as an elastic ring 125 made of rubber or the like having a predetermined width. Can also. In this case, the mounting surface 124a of the endoscope mounting portion 124 has an arc shape, and the radius of curvature is set to be slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the distal end component 2a of the insertion portion 2. Thereby, it can be attached to and detached from an endoscope having a plurality of types of insertion portions having different outer diameters. In addition,
The ultrasonic scanning unit 123 shown in FIG. 4 is equipped with an ultrasonic transducer 127 in which ultrasonic transducers are arranged in an arc surface shape in the direction in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 127 can perform electronic convex scanning. Become like Here, in the free state, the elastic ring 125 has a diameter sufficiently smaller than the total length of the outer peripheral portion at the position of the distal end component when the main body 121 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is incorporated in the distal end component of the endoscope. I do. Thereby, even if the outer diameter of the distal end component is slightly different, the main body 121
Can be securely fixed, and it can be prevented from falling out of the endoscope during operation.

At the time of an ultrasonic examination, a treatment using a puncture treatment tool is often performed. However, the puncture treatment tool is inserted into a body cavity under monitoring by an ultrasonic transducer. Treatment instrument outlet 1 in component 2a
When it is made to protrude from the insertion part 2, it is necessary to always guide it in a certain direction, and the lead-out direction depends on the observation field of view of the ultrasonic transducer, but at least a predetermined upward direction with respect to the axial direction of the insertion part 2. It is necessary to have an angle. Therefore, in order to guide the puncture treatment tool led out from the treatment tool lead-out opening 12 so as to accurately fall within the range of the ultrasonic visual field, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 5 is adopted.

The main body 221 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 220 shown in FIG. 3 is provided between an ultrasonic scanning section 223 and an endoscope mounting section 224 integrally provided with an endoscope fixing section 225. A guide portion 228 having a length is provided. The entire surface of the guide portion 228 connected to the mounting surface of the endoscope mounting portion 224 is moved from the endoscope mounting portion 224 side to the ultrasonic scanning portion 22.
When the distal end portion 2a of the insertion section 2 is placed on the mounting surface of the endoscope mounting portion 224, the distal end surface of the distal end portion 2a is inclined. The guide groove 228a of the puncture treatment tool is formed at a position connected to the treatment tool outlet 12 provided in the above.

With such a configuration, the treatment tool outlet port 12 connected to the treatment tool insertion channel can be inserted into the insertion portion 2.
The puncture treatment tool straight out in the axial direction of the ultrasonic scanning unit 2 in the main body unit 221 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 220
Before reaching the position 23, the ultrasonic wave is guided by the guide groove 228 a by the guide section 228, and can be reliably captured in the ultrasonic observation field of view by the ultrasonic transducer 227 provided in the ultrasonic scanning section 223. Therefore, the operability of the puncture treatment instrument is improved because it is not necessary to adjust the position of the puncture treatment instrument. The puncture device is brought out of the endoscope 1.
Therefore, the operability such as the aimability of the puncture treatment tool at the position to be punctured is improved.

Further, in order to accurately regulate the relative positional relationship between the guide portion of the puncture treatment instrument on the ultrasonic inspection apparatus side and the treatment instrument outlet on the endoscope side, the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used. It can be. Ultrasonic inspection device 320 shown in FIG.
, The ultrasonic scanning unit 3 in the main body 321
Puncture treatment tool T provided between the endoscope mounting portion 324 and the endoscope mounting portion 324
The guide portion 328 protrudes above the ultrasonic scanning portion 323, and a tunnel portion 328a that allows the puncture treatment tool T to pass therethrough is formed at this protruding portion. A guide pipe 329 is provided in connection with the tunnel portion 328a. The tunnel section 328a is inclined at a predetermined angle so as to face upward toward the ultrasonic scanning section 323, and the guide pipe 329 changes its direction to a straight direction by bending a predetermined length. Let me.

With the above configuration, the main body 321 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 320 can be inserted into the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1.
At the time of mounting on the distal end component 2a, the distal end of the guide pipe 329 is inserted into the treatment instrument outlet 12 of the endoscope. This ensures that the ultrasonic inspection device 320 is connected to the endoscope 1 at a predetermined position. Then, the puncture treatment tool T inserted from the endoscope 1 side can be reliably guided through the guide pipe 329 within the ultrasonic observation field of the ultrasonic transducer 327 mounted on the ultrasonic scanning unit 323. In this embodiment, the endoscope mounting section 324 and the endoscope fixing section 325 are provided integrally. However, the contact surface of the endoscope mounting section 324 with the distal end configuration section 2a is changed. By widening the guide pipe 329 and making the fitting length of the guide pipe 329 to the treatment tool outlet 12 sufficiently long, and fitting the guide pipe 329 to the treatment tool outlet 12 in a tightly fitted state, The fitting portion of the 329 to the treatment instrument outlet 12 can function as an endoscope fixing portion.

Here, when the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is compared with the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the fourth embodiment, the puncture device is Guide part 3
Until it is drawn out of the endoscope 28, it is completely guided in the channel, and on the endoscope 1 side, the channel is oriented in the axial direction of the insertion section 2, but the guide pipe 3
Since the direction can be changed to the direction of the ultrasonic observation visual field within 29, the leading-out direction of the puncture treatment instrument can be controlled very accurately. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, although slightly inferior to the fourth embodiment from the viewpoint of the guideability of the puncture treatment tool, compared with the fourth embodiment, the endoscope observation visual field is different. There is an advantage that the degree of dislodgment is small.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a closed loop is formed from an endoscope mounting section 424 connected to an ultrasonic scanning section 423 of the main body section 421 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 420 on which the ultrasonic transducer 427 is mounted. In this configuration, an endoscope fixing section 425 is provided. And
At the rear of the endoscope mounting section 424, a cable lead-out section 400 is provided continuously, and the signal cable 422 is pulled out from the cable lead-out section 400. Here, the cable lead-out portion 400 is connected to the base end portion of the endoscope fixing portion 425 formed in a cylindrical shape in a substantially semicircular shape or a larger arc shape. Therefore, the transition angle from the endoscope fixing part 425 to the cable lead-out part 400 has a continuously descending ridge line. Note that at least the ultrasonic scanning unit 423 is formed of a hard member, but it is preferable that the entire endoscope mounting unit 424 to the endoscope fixing unit 425 and the cable lead-out unit 400 be formed of an elastic member such as rubber. desirable.

As described above, by forming the endoscope fixing portion 425 into a closed loop shape connected to the endoscope mounting portion 424 and forming the end portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 by an elastic member such as rubber. By being inserted inside, it is securely fixed in the connected state. Moreover, even if the main body 421 falls off from the insertion section 2, the signal cable 422 can be recovered from the body cavity independently of the endoscope by dragging the proximal end thereof. Then, the signal cable 422 is transmitted from the endoscope mounting section 424 and the endoscope fixing section 425 of the main body section 421.
Since the transition portion has substantially no steps and changes so as to have a gentle curved shape, there is no danger of being caught in the middle of the drawing path from the body cavity. As a result, the inside of the body cavity is damaged, and an unreasonable force is applied to a continuous portion between the signal cable 422 and the main body 421, so that there is no possibility of disconnection or the like.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is configured to be detachable from the endoscope, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus having the ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning can be used in the endoscope. It can be easily incorporated, so that the same endoscope can be used both for endoscopic examination alone, for combined use of endoscopy and ultrasound examination, and for ultrasound alone examination. In addition, there is an effect that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus can be used for a plurality of endoscopes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, together with an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a main part showing a state where a main body of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is connected to an insertion portion of an endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a main body of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a main part of an endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a main part of a state where a main body of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is connected to an insertion section of an endoscope.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a main part of a state in which a main body of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is connected to an insertion portion of an endoscope.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an external view of a main body of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Insertion part 2a Front-end component part 2b Angle part 2c Flexible part 10 Illumination window 11 Observation window 12 Treatment tool outlet 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 Ultrasonic inspection apparatus 21, 121, 221, 321 and 421 Main unit 22,422 Signal cable 23,123,223,323,423 Ultrasonic scanning unit 24,124,224,324,424 Endoscope mounting unit 25,125,225,325,425 Endoscope fixing unit 27 , 127, 227, 327, 427 Ultrasonic transducer 125 Elastic ring 228, 328 Guide part 228a Guide groove 328a Tunnel part 329 Guide pipe 400 Cable lead-out part

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic scanning unit in which ultrasonic transducers are arranged in an array on the distal end side and an ultrasonic transducer for performing ultrasonic electronic scanning is mounted, and an ultrasonic scanning unit is located at a position proximal to the ultrasonic scanning unit. An endoscope mounting portion provided for mounting a distal end component portion in an insertion portion of an endoscope, and an endoscope fixing portion for detachably fixing the distal end portion mounted on the endoscope mounting portion. And an endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus, wherein a wiring connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers is drawn out as a signal cable from a base end position of the endoscope mounting portion. . 2. A guide section is provided between the ultrasonic scanning section and the endoscope mounting section, and the guide section communicates with a treatment instrument insertion channel provided in the distal end component section to perform this treatment. 2. A guide groove for guiding a treatment tool led out from a tool insertion channel toward a scanning area of the ultrasonic transducer.
The endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the above. 3. A treatment tool inserted between the ultrasonic scanning unit and the endoscope placement unit, the treatment tool insertion channel provided in the distal end component unit, and the treatment tool drawn out of the treatment tool insertion channel is provided. 2. The guide pipe according to claim 1, wherein a guide pipe for guiding the ultrasonic transducer toward a scanning area is mounted, and the guide pipe is configured to be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel by a predetermined length. Endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection equipment. 4. A front inclined surface which is inclined obliquely downward toward the front at a distal end portion of the endoscope mounting portion, and the ultrasonic scanning portion is provided only on the front inclined surface. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus for detachable endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: 5. The endoscope fixing section is formed of a curved elastic plate piece connected to both right and left sides of the endoscope mounting section, and the elastic plate piece is a distal end configuration of the endoscope. The endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is configured to hold and connect the sections. 6. A main unit is formed by unitizing the ultrasonic scanning unit and the endoscope mounting unit, and the main unit is fixed in a state of being joined to a distal end component of the endoscope. The endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope fixing portion is formed of an elastic ring that is attached to and detached from the main body. 7. The endoscope-removable ultrasonic wave according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope fixing portion is constituted by a closed loop-shaped ring portion connected to the endoscope mounting portion. Inspection equipment. 8. The endoscope mounting portion is provided with a lead portion for the signal cable connected thereto, and the lead portion extends upward diagonally toward a base end of the endoscope fixing portion. 6. A structure for forming an installation surface portion.
An endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 7.