JP2001314403A - Radial scanning forward-looking type ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a practical radial scanning forward-looking type ultrasonic endoscope in which a hard front end part of an inserted part is constructed as short as possible. SOLUTION: A plurality of flexible boards 43 that transmit input and output signals in and out of an ultrasonic probe 4 are arranged in an arc shape around an axial line of the ultrasonic probe 4 to put through the front end main body 3. A liquid pass 38 that passes through a balloon 100 is arranged at a position where the arc is extended in peripheral direction and the flexible board 43 is not arranged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radial scanning forward-looking type in which an objective optical system for optically observing the front and an ultrasonic probe for performing radial scanning by ultrasonic waves are provided at the tip of an insertion portion. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an ultrasonic endoscope capable of performing optical observation and ultrasonic scanning in a body cavity performs ultrasonic scanning from the distal end of an insertion portion to the side, and as much as possible in the scanning direction. It is said that it is good to be able to observe the direction optically,
It employs a configuration to achieve this.

[0003]

However, the greatest value of an ultrasonic endoscope is to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image of a portion immediately behind a portion having an abnormality in a mucosal surface in a body cavity, thereby obtaining an ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic endoscope is inserted into an organ adjacent to an organ into which a human cannot be inserted, and ultrasonic scanning is performed therefrom.

Therefore, it is often effective to perform radial scanning around the axis of the distal end of the insertion portion in ultrasonic scanning, and optical observation is most useful for confirming the front during the insertion operation of the endoscope. It is effective to have a convenient forward view.

[0005] However, such a "radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope" does not solve the problems such as how to configure the distal end hard portion and the like, and as a commercial product, It was not put into practical use.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly practical radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope which can make the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion as short as possible.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention is formed in an annular shape so as to perform radial scanning, and is disposed at a distal end of an insertion portion. An ultrasonic probe, an end optical body for observing the front of the insertion section, and a distal end main body having a thin outer diameter of a front half portion to be inserted into the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic probe. In a radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope having an inflatable balloon arranged and surrounded, a plurality of flexible substrates for transmitting signals input / output to / from the ultrasonic probe are provided along the axis of the ultrasonic probe. A liquid flow path communicating with the inside of the balloon is arranged at a position where the arc is extended in the circumferential direction and the flexible substrate is not arranged at a position where the arc is extended in the circumferential direction and arranged in a circular arc shape around the tip portion main body. Those were.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a radial-scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope. A bending portion 2 that is bent by a remote operation is connected to a distal end of a flexible tube portion 1 that is inserted into a body cavity. The ultrasonic probe 4 is attached to the distal end main body 3 connected to the distal end of the ultrasonic probe. Reference numeral 100 denotes an inflatable balloon which is detachably provided so as to surround the ultrasonic probe 4.

A bending section operation knob 6 for bending the bending section 2 and the like are arranged on the operation section 5 connected to the base end of the flexible tube section 1. Reference numeral 7 denotes a treatment tool insertion port for inserting treatment tools into the treatment tool insertion channel 15 inserted and arranged in the flexible tube portion 1.

The first connecting flexible tube 8 connected to the operating section 5
A video signal connector section 81 and a light guide connector section 82 connected to a video processor (not shown) are provided side by side at the tip of the second flexible tube 9. An ultrasonic signal connector unit 91 connected to the ultrasonic signal processing device is provided.

FIG. 1 shows a tip portion of the insertion portion.
As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic probe 4 has an ultrasonic transducer array section 41 formed in a substantially annular shape.
Are integrated by being held by a plastic receiving member 42.

As shown in FIG. 4 showing a cross section taken along the line IV-IV, an ultrasonic transducer array 41 in which a number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged around an axis is moved from an ultrasonic transducer array section 41 around the axis, for example.
Ultrasonic signals are sequentially transmitted and received (electronic scanning) within a range of 0 °, and radial scanning is performed in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

The inner space of the ultrasonic transducer array 41 is formed in a cylindrical hole centered on the axis, and the rear end (upper in FIG. 3) of the ultrasonic transducer array 41 has an ultrasonic wave. A flexible board 43 provided with wiring for transmitting signals input / output to / from the vibrator array section 41 is connected and extends rearward.

As shown in FIG. 5 showing a VV cross section, the flexible substrate 43 has a plurality of (for example, eight) flexible substrates.
The flexible substrates 43 are provided in an arc around the axis of the ultrasonic probe 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible substrate 43 is arranged in an arc shape, for example, in a range of about 270 °. A groove 44 for fitting a rotation stopping member 13 to be described later is formed in a portion not arranged.

Returning to FIG. 3, at the rear end of the receiving member 42, a centering fitting portion 46 for fitting with a centering fitting portion 32 of the tip end body 3 described later is provided with high dimensional accuracy at the outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the boundary portion adjacent to the outer surface of the distal end body 3 is formed concentrically with 45. A circumferential groove 11 for banding the distal end portion of the inflatable balloon 100 is formed in the distal end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the receiving member 42.

Returning to FIG. 1 again, as shown in FIG. 6, the distal end body 3 formed of a plastic material or the like has a front half 33 in which the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic probe 4 is applied. It is formed thin to a size that is fitted into the inner peripheral surface 41 a of the child array portion 41. The boundary outer peripheral surface 31 adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic probe 4 is formed to have the same size as the boundary outer peripheral surface 45 of the ultrasonic probe 4.

At the leading end of the outer peripheral surface 31 of the boundary portion of the distal end main body 3, a centering fitting portion 32 that fits with the centering fitting portion 46 of the ultrasonic probe 4 is provided with high dimensional accuracy. 31 are formed concentrically. At the rear end of the outer peripheral surface, a circumferential groove 12 for banding the rear end portion of the balloon 100 is formed.

In the forward portion of the front half portion 33 of the distal end body 3, an object arrangement hole 34a, an illumination light guide arrangement hole 34b, and a treatment instrument passage hole 35 are formed in a direction parallel to the axis. In the rear portion, a built-in passage 36 having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the front half portion 33 is formed to the rear end.

A flexible substrate 43 is provided on the rear half of the distal end body 3 substantially on the extension of the outer peripheral surface of the front half 33, as shown in FIG. A flexible board passage hole 37 for passing is formed in an arc around the axis in accordance with the arrangement position of the flexible boards 43.

However, in the vicinity of the rear end of the front end body 3, as shown in FIG.
At least one connecting portion 37 a that divides the flexible board passage hole 37 in the middle is provided with the flexible board passage hole 37.
To ensure that the distal end body 3 is not crushed by external force.

Returning to FIGS. 6 and 7, the flexible substrate passage hole 37 is formed in an arc shape in the range of about 280 °, and the balloon 100 is formed in a portion where the flexible substrate passage hole 37 is not formed. A liquid flow path 38 for injecting and draining deaerated water is formed in a direction parallel to the axis, and communicates with a balloon communication opening 38 a opened in the balloon 100.

Two liquid channels 38 are formed in parallel, one of which is for exhaust. The liquid flow path 38 does not originally appear in FIG. 6 (and FIG. 1), but is also shown in FIG. 6 (and FIG. 1) for ease of explanation. 39 is
It is a groove for fitting the rotation stopper 13.

Returning to FIG. 1, the front half 3 of the tip main body 3 will be described.
The ultrasonic probe 4 fitted to the end 3 is pressed and fixed to an intermediate step surface of the end main body 3 by a nut member 10 screwed into a male screw formed on the outer periphery of the end of the end main body 3. .

As shown in FIG. 9, which shows a cross section taken along line IX-IX, the rectangular parallelepiped rotation stopping member 13 extends over the groove 44 of the ultrasonic probe 4 and the groove 39 of the distal end body 3.
Is fitted to regulate the positioning of the distal end body 3 and the ultrasonic probe 4 in the rotational direction. Thereby, the relationship between the ultrasonic scanning direction and the direction of the observation visual field is set correctly. 17 is a light guide fiber for illumination.

Returning to FIG. 1 again, when the ultrasonic probe 4 is fixed to the distal end main body 3, the front half 33 of the distal end main body 3 and the inner peripheral surface 41 a of the ultrasonic vibrator array 41 are in contact with each other. Are fitted, and the centering fitting portion 32 of the distal end main body 3 and the centering fitting portion 46 of the ultrasonic probe 4 are fitted. It is formed larger.

As a result, there is almost a step at the joint between the distal end body 3 and the ultrasonic probe 4, which is exposed on the surface, of the joint between the distal end body 3 and the ultrasonic probe 4. Instead, a tip portion with good insertability to the patient is formed.

An objective optical system 14a is arranged in the front portion of the objective arrangement hole 34, and the solid-state image pickup device 14
b is disposed, and a signal cable 14 c for transmitting an image signal or the like passes through the internal object passage hole 36 and is formed in the rear curved portion 2.
Extends inside. The treatment tool insertion channel 15 is connected to the treatment tool passage hole 35 via a stainless steel pipe.

A flexible pipe tube 16 is connected to each of the two liquid flow paths 38, and both ends of the liquid flow path 38 have circumferential grooves 11,1.
In the balloon 100 fixed to 2, the piping tube 16
The deaerated water can be taken in and out of the operation unit 5 through the, so that the balloon 100 can be inflated and deflated.

As shown in FIG. 1, a flexible board 43 for transmitting signals input / output to / from the ultrasonic transducer array section 41 passes through a flexible board passing hole 37 formed in the tip end body 3 and is provided at the rear. It is drawn into the curved portion 2.

In the latter half of the flexible board passage hole 37, as shown in FIG. 10, in order to avoid interference with the connecting portion 37a, the adjacent flexible board 43 is used.
It is arranged with some overlap, and the rear curved part 2
Is passed through.

In the bending section 2, all signals input to and output from the ultrasonic transducer array section 41 are transmitted by wiring formed on the thin flexible substrate 43. Therefore, there is no need to insert and arrange signal cables and the like in the bending portion 2.

The flexible substrate 43 is a solid-state image pickup device 1
4b signal cable 14c, treatment tool insertion channel 15
In addition, they are arranged in an arc shape surrounding various built-in components such as the light guide fiber 17 and the like. Therefore, various built-in objects are inserted and arranged in the curved portion 2 so as not to waste the internal space, and the curved portion 2 can be formed thin.

As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible substrates 43 are formed to have different lengths. However, even the shortest flexible substrate 43 is set to have a length that passes through the inside of the curved portion 2. The signal cable 47 is connected to the distal end of the signal line 47 a of the signal cable 47 inserted in the flexible tube 1 so as to be displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction.

The connecting portion between the signal line 47a of the signal cable 47 and the flexible board 43 becomes thicker due to soldering or the like. However, since the position is sequentially shifted, it is avoided that the whole becomes locally thicker. Thus, the flexible tube portion 1 and the curved portion 2 can be formed thin.

FIG. 12 shows the connection portion disposed in the flexible tube portion 1. The distal end portion of the signal cable 47 in which a large number of signal lines 47a are integrated into one is connected to the flexible tube portion. Each of the plurality of signal lines 47a which are loosened in units of one signal line 47a and connected to one flexible substrate 43 is shrink-coated with a flexible heat-shrinkable tube 48 to form one unit. Is bundled. Such a configuration is effective in preventing disconnection of each signal line 47a.

The ends of the heat-shrinkable tubes 48 are sequentially shifted in position. As a result, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 1 does not suddenly change, and the change in the overall diameter becomes smooth and the diameter is also prevented from becoming large. Then, the flexible thick heat-shrinkable tube 49 is shrink-coated so as to bind all the parts together.

[0038]

According to the present invention, a plurality of flexible substrates for transmitting signals input / output to / from the ultrasonic probe are arranged in an arc around the axis of the ultrasonic probe and pass through the distal end body. The ultrasonic probe and the tip main body are arranged in a state where the liquid flow path communicating with the inside of the balloon is arranged at a position where the arc is extended in the circumferential direction and the flexible substrate is not arranged. It is possible to realize a radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope which can be connected in a compact manner, has a hard distal end portion of the insertion portion as short as possible, and has good insertability and high practicality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion section of a radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an overall configuration of a radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the distal end body according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a passing state of the flexible substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a rear end portion of the flexible substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a connection portion between the flexible board and the signal cable according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 Curved portion 3 Tip main body 4 Ultrasonic probe 10 Nut member 37 Flexible substrate passage hole 38 Liquid flow path 38a Balloon communication opening 43 Flexible substrate 100 Balloon

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic probe which is formed in an annular shape so as to perform radial scanning and is disposed at a tip of an insertion portion; and an objective optical system for observing the front of the insertion portion is attached to the ultrasonic probe. In a radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope having a distal end main body in which the outer diameter of the front half portion to be inserted into the distal end portion is formed to be thin, and an inflatable balloon arranged around the ultrasonic probe. A plurality of flexible substrates for transmitting signals input / output to / from the ultrasonic probe are arranged in an arc around the axis of the ultrasonic probe and arranged so as to pass through the distal end main body; A radial scanning forward-looking ultrasonic endoscope, wherein a liquid flow path communicating with the inside of the balloon is disposed at a position where the flexible substrate is not disposed at a position where the flexible substrate is disposed at a position extending in the circumferential direction. mirror.