JP2001212146A - Intra-corporeal ultrasonic inspecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a resolution of an ultrasonic tomographic image in an overall scanning range substantially uniform and to obtain information regarding an accurate tissue tomograph by forming an ultrasonic mount in a convergent shape thereby to upgrade insertion operability into a body cavity, shortening a width dimension of an ultrasonic vibrator from a base end side to a leading end side and changing a radius of curvature of an acoustic lens in an aligning direction of the vibrators. SOLUTION: When an ultrasonic inspecting device 20 is associated in an endoscope 1, its ultrasonic scanner 23 becomes an endmost part. The scanner 23 is formed in a convergent shape. Ultrasonic vibrators 28a for constituting an ultrasonic transducer 28 are narrowest in its width at its leading end side and increased in its width dimension toward the base end. The acoustic lens 28L mounted at the transducer 28 has a shortest radius of curvature at its leading end, lengthened in the radius of curvature toward its base end side, and continuously changed at its focal length.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention is inserted into the body,
The present invention relates to a body-insertable ultrasonic inspection apparatus in which an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning is provided at the distal end of an insertion section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical example of a body-insertion type inspection apparatus which is inserted into the body of a subject or the like to perform a required test or diagnosis is an endoscope for observing a body cavity. There is a mirror and an insertion-type ultrasonic inspection apparatus for acquiring information on a body tissue. There is also known an ultrasonic endoscope in which these endoscopes and an ultrasonic inspection device are integrated. 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, etc., and finds abnormal spots etc. under observation with the endoscope When the operation is performed, the ultrasonic transducer is operated to ultrasonically scan the relevant portion, and the state of the body tissue can be inspected. Also, as a result of the ultrasonic scanning, if there is a need for treatment, tissue collection, or the like, an appropriate treatment can be performed by inserting a puncture treatment tool into the treatment tool insertion channel under monitoring of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0003] Generally, as an ultrasonic scanning method of an ultrasonic transducer mounted on an ultrasonic endoscope, a so-called ultrasonic pulse is transmitted every predetermined displacement while mechanically displacing the ultrasonic transducer. Using a mechanical scanning method and an ultrasonic transducer having a configuration in which a number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a predetermined direction, ultrasonic pulses are sequentially transmitted from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic transducer. There is a so-called electronic scanning method.
As an electronic scanning type ultrasonic endoscope, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 52138 is conventionally known. This known ultrasonic endoscope is provided with an ultrasonic scanning unit equipped with an ultrasonic transducer at the distal end at the distal end of the insertion unit, and forming an inclined wall surface on the base end side of the ultrasonic scanning unit. Thus, 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.

[0004]

By the way, an ultrasonic endoscope is inserted into a body cavity of a subject through, for example, an oral cavity.
The insertion path in the body cavity is complicatedly bent, and there is a narrow portion in the insertion path. Therefore, the insertion section must bend in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path, and the insertion section must be as thin as possible. The distal end of the insertion section has a rigid structure due to the provision of an endoscope observation mechanism, an ultrasonic inspection mechanism, etc.
In order to minimize the pain given to the subject and to improve the operation of inserting the insertion portion along the insertion path, the insertion portion is reduced in diameter and the length of the hard portion at the tip is reduced. Must be as short as possible.

[0005] In the ultrasonic endoscope, at least the objective optical system and the imaging means among the various members constituting the endoscope observation mechanism must be provided on a hard part. An ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism is disposed on the distal end side of the mechanism. Since this ultrasonic transducer performs electronic scanning, and a large number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in order to widen the scanning range, the length of the insertion portion in the axial direction naturally becomes long. Therefore, the hard portion at the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope,
This is a part provided with an ultrasonic inspection mechanism and an endoscope observation mechanism. If an ultrasonic transducer having a wide scanning range is to be mounted, the length of the hard part at the distal end of the insertion part becomes extremely long. Moreover, the entire insertion portion, including the hard portion at the tip, is formed in a circular shape having substantially the same diameter. For this reason, there is a problem that, when the subject is inserted through the insertion path which is bent due to the stenosis, the pain given to the subject becomes large and the insertion operation becomes difficult.

In addition, the endoscope observation mechanism is provided with an inclined wall surface at the base end side of the ultrasonic scanning unit, and the view direction of the endoscope observation mechanism is substantially the same as the inclined wall surface because of the relationship provided on the inclined wall surface. It becomes a perspective type obliquely forward with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the insertion portion, or a side view type in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insertion portion. Therefore, the observation field of view of the endoscope observation mechanism is limited, and in particular, a field of view in the direction of the extension of the axis of the insertion section cannot be obtained. Here, the extension direction of the insertion section is a direction in which the insertion section advances, and if a field of view in this direction is not obtained, the smoothness of the insertion operation into the body cavity is impaired, and especially the insertion path is largely bent. If it is bent or branched, there is a problem that the operation of guiding the insertion portion in a desired direction becomes extremely difficult.

Further, since the field of view of the endoscope is limited as described above, the ultrasonic endoscope is used only when an ultrasonic inspection is required, and is not used when performing an endoscope alone inspection. Uses an endoscope, and the use range of the ultrasonic endoscope is extremely limited.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve the insertability when inserting the insertion portion into a body cavity in an ultrasonic inspection apparatus of a body insertion type. An object of the present invention is to make it favorable and to remarkably reduce the pain and burden on a subject or the like.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides electronic scanning by arranging a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers at the tip of an insertion section in the axial direction of the insertion section. An ultrasonic inspection apparatus provided with an ultrasonic scanning unit comprising an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic mount unit to which the ultrasonic transducer is mounted, the width of the ultrasonic mount unit is substantially continuously as the width dimension moves toward the distal end side. The tapered shape becomes narrower, and each of the ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer is arranged so that the width dimension is reduced substantially continuously or stepwise from the base end toward the distal end,
An acoustic lens whose focal length becomes shorter as the width of each of the ultrasonic transducers becomes shorter is mounted on the ultrasonic transducer.

Here, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus may have only an ultrasonic inspection mechanism. However, in order to facilitate the insertion operation into the body and the confirmation of the position to be inspected, an endoscope is used. It is desirable to combine with The mounting part of the ultrasonic inspection mechanism is disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope observation mechanism. The ultrasonic inspection mechanism can be integrated with the endoscope observation mechanism as an integral part.However, if these mechanisms are separable, the ultrasonic When the transducer is used separately, and the endoscopy and the ultrasonic examination are used in combination, they are used in combination. Therefore, by making the ultrasonic inspection mechanism and the endoscope observation mechanism separable, it is possible to provide an ordinary endoscope with an ultrasonic inspection function, thereby improving the function of the endoscope and expanding its applications. . For this purpose, an ultrasonic inspection device is connected to an ultrasonic scanning unit having an ultrasonic transducer mounted on an ultrasonic mount, an endoscope coupling unit provided at a base end side of the ultrasonic scanning unit, and an ultrasonic transducer. A flexible cable to be connected, the endoscope connecting portion is detachable from a distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the flexible cable extends along the insertion portion. Just do it.
In addition, it is desirable that the ultrasonic mount portion not only has a narrower width direction toward the distal end side, but also has an arcuate surface shape or a planar shape that is inclined downward toward the distal end side.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration in which the ultrasonic inspection apparatus can be detachably attached to an endoscope. However,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus may be configured as an ultrasonic endoscope integrated with the endoscope, or may be configured as a single ultrasonic inspection apparatus. Thus, 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 has a body operating section 3 connected to the base end of the insertion section 2, and a universal cord 4 is drawn out from the body operating section 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. Light source unit 7
Is configured as

[0013] The insertion portion 2 is provided with a distal end portion 2 from its distal end side.
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 space between the treatment instrument outlet 12 and the treatment instrument introduction section 13 provided in the main body operation section 3 is connected by a treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown). The angle part 2b is the main body operation part 3.
Can be bent up and down and left and right by operating the angle knob 14 provided at the front end. Furthermore, 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. The signal cable 22 is pulled out from an endoscope mounting portion 24 of the main body 21, and a distal end of the signal cable 22 is connected to a connector 22 detachably connected to an ultrasonic observation device 26.
a.

The distal end portion of the endoscope mounting portion 24 is provided with a protruding portion which is inclined forward and obliquely downward to form a convex curved surface. Is the ultrasonic scanning unit 23. The ultrasonic scanning unit 23
As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic transducer 28 is mounted on an ultrasonic mount 27 having a cavity 27a having an open top surface and a base end surface. The ultrasonic transducer 28 includes a plurality of strip-shaped ultrasonic transducers 28a arranged side by side.
Are sequentially operated to perform ultrasonic electronic scanning. The illustrated ultrasonic transducer 28 has a configuration suitable for performing convex scanning. In addition, when the inclination of the ultrasonic mount unit is linearly inclined obliquely downward toward the front, linear scanning can also be performed.

An endoscope mounting portion 24 formed on the base end side of the ultrasonic scanning portion 23 has a mounting surface having an arc surface that matches the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the distal end portion 2a in the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1. Each of the ultrasonic transducers 28a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 28 has a predetermined thickness having a surface 24a and is continuous with the cavity 27a of the ultrasonic mount 27.
The path of the signal line connected to is formed. These signal lines are bundled by a desired bundling means, pulled out from the endoscope mounting section 24 as a signal cable 22, and inserted into the insertion section 2
Is extended toward the base end side.

Further, the endoscope fixing section 25 is composed of a pair of left and right elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a that hold the distal end constituting section 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 the mounting surface 24a of the endoscope mounting portion 24 together therewith.
With this, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 2a is covered by 180 ° or more, preferably about 270 °. For this reason, the inner surfaces of the two elastic plate pieces 25a have a curved surface shape, and the curvature substantially coincides with the outer surface of the distal end component portion 2a of the insertion portion 2 in the vicinity of the portion connected to the endoscope mounting portion 24. Arc shape. 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, by holding the distal end component 2a by pressing the distal end portion 2a against the endoscope mounting portion 24 with the distal end portions of the two elastic plate pieces 25a constituting the endoscope fixing portion 25, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 can be used. Is detachably connected to the endoscope 1. Further, in a state where the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is incorporated in the endoscope 1, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is firmly held so as not to be unintentionally separated. In addition, besides this, for example, the endoscope fixing portion can also be formed of a loop-shaped elastic strip. When such an elastic strip is used, the outer diameter dimension of the distal end portion of the insertion portion is reduced. It can be attached to different endoscopes.

The signal cable 22 pulled out of 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, when the insertion section 2 is inserted into the body, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is inserted following the insertion. Since the insertion portion 2 is relatively long and the insertion portion 2 and the signal cable 22 have flexibility, when the signal cable 22 is in a free state,
It may interfere with the insertion operation. 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

When the endoscope 1 is used alone, the endoscope 1 is used without incorporating the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20. Therefore, the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity, illumination is performed from the illumination window 10, and observation of the body cavity obtained from the observation window 11 can be performed. As a result of the endoscopy, if there is a place to be treated or a place to collect the tissue of the inner wall of the body cavity, an appropriate treatment instrument can be projected from the treatment instrument outlet 12 to perform a required treatment. This endoscope 1
Is a general direct-viewing endoscope itself, and does not impair the function of the endoscope at all. In addition, since no extra mechanism is provided, the insertion section 2 can be made to have a small diameter, the operability of insertion into the body cavity is improved, and the pain on 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 (that is, when the position at which the ultrasonic examination is to be performed has already been determined), the endoscope 1 is used. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is incorporated in the apparatus. The incorporation of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 into the endoscope 1 is performed by expanding the elastic plate pieces 25a, 25a of the endoscope fixing portion 25 constituting the main body 21 and inserting the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 into the endoscope 1 therebetween. The distal end component 2 a of the unit 2 is brought into contact with the mounting surface 24 a of the endoscope mounting unit 24. Further, the elastic plate piece 25 of the endoscope fixing portion 25
a, 25a are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the distal end component 2a. As a result, the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is fixed to be connected to the insertion section 2 by the elastic force of the elastic plate piece 25a. 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 provided at the end of the signal cable 22
a is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 26. Here, the type of endoscope into which the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is incorporated is not limited as long as the outer diameter of the distal end component of the insertion section is substantially the same.

As described above, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is used for the endoscope 1
Incorporated in While observing the inside of the body cavity through the observation window 11 of the endoscope 1, the insertion section 2 and the main body section 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 attached to the insertion section 2 are inserted into the body cavity. When the tip of the insertion section 2 is guided to the inside of an organ or a body cavity to be subjected to an ultrasonic inspection, the position at which the ultrasonic inspection is 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. In any case, 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 in the distal end component 2a is The part 21 is slightly shaved. However, an angle portion 2b is continuously provided 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 at which the ultrasonic examination is performed is known in advance and it is not necessary to perform the special endoscopy, the observation window 11 is used.
Even if the field of view is slightly deviated, the operation of disposing the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 at the position where the ultrasonic inspection is to be performed is not so affected, and the ultrasonic transducer 28 should be subjected to the ultrasonic inspection quickly and accurately. Can face the site.

When the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 faces the position where the ultrasonic inspection is to be performed, the ultrasonic inspection is performed by scanning the ultrasonic transducer 28 at a predetermined position. At this time, an ultrasonic transmission medium is interposed between the ultrasonic transducer 28 and the inner wall of the body cavity, or the ultrasonic transducer 28 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 28 performs electronic scanning, and has an advantage that various wavefronts can be created by controlling the transmission timing of each ultrasonic transducer. Is improved.

Further, as a result of the ultrasonic examination, when a place where it is necessary to insert the treatment tool and perform a treatment 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. In this case, in order to reliably guide the puncture treatment tool into the ultrasonic observation field of view, the puncture treatment tool is moved from the endoscope mounting section 24 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 to the base end of the ultrasonic scanning section 23. It is desirable to form a guide portion 29 for guiding.

Here, when a puncture device is used, the ultrasonic observation field of view must completely cover the front of the puncture device withdrawal direction. There is no need to obtain an observation field. Each ultrasonic transducer 28a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 28
Is arranged only on the inclined surface on the distal end side of the ultrasonic scanning unit 23, thereby preventing the ultrasonic transducer 28a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 28 from coming into contact with the puncture treatment instrument, and The sound wave transducer 28 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 attached and 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.

When the ultrasonic inspection is included, the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is connected to the insertion section 2, so that the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is compared with the case where the endoscope 1 is used alone. The portion where the portion 21 is provided has a slightly larger diameter. Because of this, it may be somewhat difficult to pass through the stenosis in the insertion path.

When the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 is incorporated in the endoscope 1, the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 projects forward from the distal end component 2a of the endoscope 1. Therefore, the main body 21, more specifically, the ultrasonic scanning unit 23
Constitute the cutting edge. In order to smoothly pass through the narrowed portion of the insertion path, the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 has a tapered shape. First, the upper surface portion of the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 has a convex curved shape. Therefore, it has an inclined surface structure in which the thickness in the vertical direction decreases continuously as it goes to the tip side. In the left-right direction, the shape is tapered toward the distal end. As described above, when the insertion portion becomes generally thinner toward the distal end, it becomes extremely easy to enter the stenosis in the insertion path. In addition, after the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 enters the stenotic part, the inner wall of the body cavity gradually passes and spreads without difficulty. Therefore, as compared with the case where the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 having a planar shape whose end is orthogonal to the axis is inserted, the passage of the stenosis portion is smoother. When the main body 21 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 20 passes through the narrowed portion, only the insertion section 2 and the signal cable 22 are located in the narrowed portion. As a result, the operability of insertion into a stenosis or the like is remarkably improved, and the burden on the subject does not increase so much, so that the pain is alleviated.

It is desirable that the size of each ultrasonic transducer 28a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 28 be as large as possible. An ultrasonic transducer having a large size can transmit an ultrasonic pulse having a low frequency and a large power, thereby suppressing a reflected echo signal from a tissue tomographic part from being affected by disturbance noise and the like, and S / N This is because a clear ultrasonic image with a high ratio can be obtained. However, when the ultrasonic scanning unit 23 is tapered, at least the ultrasonic transducer 28 attached to the ultrasonic mount unit 27
In this case, the dimension in the width direction of the ultrasonic transducer positioned at the forefront is reduced. If ultrasonic transducers having the same size as the width of the ultrasonic transducer at the forefront position are arranged, it is disadvantageous in terms of ultrasonic transmission and reception characteristics. Regardless of the distal end side of the ultrasonic mount portion 27, a margin is generated in the width dimension toward the proximal end side. Therefore, the width dimension of each ultrasonic transducer 28a constituting the ultrasonic transducer 28 is configured to be continuously (or stepwise) increased toward the base end side. As a result, in order to improve the operability of insertion into a body cavity and the like, a decrease in the ultrasonic transmission / reception characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer 28 due to the tapered shape of the ultrasonic mount section 27 can be suppressed as much as possible.

The beam pattern of the transmitted ultrasonic wave differs depending on the size of the ultrasonic transducer.
Ultrasonic waves generated by the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer travel while the beam diameter increases. Therefore, FIG. 5A shows an ultrasonic beam pattern transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer S having a small size, and FIG. 5B shows an ultrasonic beam pattern transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer L having a large size. Show. Comparing the two, the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer S having a smaller size is smaller than the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer L having a larger size by the amount indicated by hatching in FIG. Diffuses more than a sound beam. In particular, in the effective range E to be sampled, that is, in the distance range where an ultrasonic image is created by acquiring an ultrasonic reflected echo, the ultrasonic vibrator S and the ultrasonic vibrator L have significantly different thickness sound fields, The information contained in each acoustic line represented as an ultrasonic image is different, and accurate information on a tissue tomogram cannot be obtained.

Here, the ultrasonic transducer 28 is schematically shown in FIG. 4, but specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the backing material 28B and the piezoelectric vibrator 28P
And an acoustic matching layer 28M.
A large number of Ps are arranged in a strip shape.
8B and the acoustic matching layer 28M are common to all the piezoelectric vibrators 28P. Further, an acoustic lens 28L for narrowing the ultrasonic beam is joined to the acoustic matching layer M. By providing the acoustic lens 28L, the ultrasonic beam is narrowed, but the position where the beam diameter is smallest is the acoustic lens 28L.
L is the focal position. When using an acoustic lens of a material whose ultrasonic wave propagation speed is faster than the sound propagation speed in the living body, configure the acoustic lens with a concave lens, and if the sound speed in the living body is faster than the acoustic lens material With a convex lens, the beam of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 28 is narrowed.

From the above, a number of ultrasonic transducers 28
a, the radius of curvature of the acoustic lens 28L attached to the ultrasonic transducers 28 arranged so that the width dimensions are continuously different in the arrangement direction is continuously (or stepwise) toward the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducers 28a. ). That is, as is apparent from FIG. 6, the acoustic lens 28L is positioned at the position where the ultrasonic transducer 28 covers the ultrasonic transducer on the most distal end of the ultrasonic transducer 28 whose width is short.
The radius of curvature of the acoustic lens 28L is continuously increased as the radius of curvature in the width direction of the 8L is smallest and approaches the base end side, that is, as the width dimension of the ultrasonic transducer is increased.

With the above configuration, the focal length of the ultrasonic transducer 28 changes continuously in the direction in which the ultrasonic transducers 28a are arranged. As a result, in spite of the change in the width of the ultrasonic transducer 28a, as shown by the hatched area in FIG. Is extremely small, and the thickness sound field of the ultrasonic beam in each ultrasonic transducer can be made substantially uniform. As a result, the resolution of the ultrasonic tomographic image can be made substantially uniform over the entire scanning range, and accurate information on the tissue tomogram can be obtained.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the inside of a body cavity or the like can be obtained by forming a tapered shape in which the width dimension of the ultrasonic mount portion on which the ultrasonic transducer is mounted becomes substantially continuously narrower as it goes toward the distal end side. The operability of insertion into the ultrasonic transducer becomes extremely good, and the width of the ultrasonic transducer is shortened from the base end toward the distal end, and the radius of curvature of the acoustic lens is changed in the direction in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged. Therefore, the resolution of the ultrasonic tomographic image can be made substantially uniform in the entire scanning range, and the effect of obtaining accurate information on the tissue tomography can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an 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 a longitudinal sectional view of the ultrasonic scanning unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing beam patterns of ultrasonic waves transmitted from ultrasonic transducers having different sizes.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the ultrasonic transducer.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic beam pattern adjusted by an acoustic lens.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Insertion part 2a Tip-end part 2b Angle part 2c Flexible part 10 Illumination window 11 Observation window 12 Treatment tool outlet 20 Ultrasonic inspection apparatus 21 Main body part 22 Signal cable 23 Ultrasonic scanning part 24 Endoscope placement Part 25 Endoscope fixing part 27 Ultrasonic mount part 28 Ultrasonic transducer 28a Ultrasonic transducer 28B Backing material 28P Piezoelectric transducer 28M Acoustic matching layer 28L Acoustic lens

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Sakamoto 1-3324 Uetake-cho, Omiya-shi, Saitama, Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masatoshi Yoshihara 1-324, Uetake-cho, Omiya-shi, Saitama Fuji Photo Inside Koki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Kono 1-3324 Uetake-cho, Omiya-shi, Saitama Fuji Photo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C301 FF01 FF05 GB06 GB27 5C054 AA05 CA08 CE02 EA01 HA12

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic inspection apparatus having an ultrasonic scanning unit comprising an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning by arranging a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers in the axial direction of the insertion unit at the tip of the insertion unit. In the ultrasonic mount part to which the ultrasonic transducer is mounted, the ultrasonic transducer has a tapered shape in which a width dimension is substantially continuously narrowed toward a distal end side, and each ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic transducer. Are arranged so that the width dimension is reduced substantially continuously or stepwise from the base end side to the distal end side, and the focal length becomes shorter as the width dimension of each ultrasonic transducer becomes shorter. An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for insertion into a body, wherein an acoustic lens is mounted on the ultrasonic transducer. 2. An ultrasonic scanning section including an ultrasonic mount section on which the ultrasonic transducer is mounted, an endoscope connecting section provided on a proximal end side of the ultrasonic scanning section, and an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic transducer. A flexible cable, wherein the endoscope connecting portion is configured to be detachably attached to a distal end component of the endoscope insertion portion, and the flexible cable extends along the insertion portion. 2. The body-insertable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is configured to perform the following. 3. The body-insertable ultra-thin body according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic mount section has an arcuate surface shape or a planar shape that inclines downward as it goes toward the distal end. Ultrasonic inspection device.