JP2001340343A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe which can perform a favorable ultrasonic observation by forming a positional relationship between an ultrasonic oscillator section and a sheath to be a specified positional relationship regardless of the stretch of the sheath. SOLUTION: A flexible shaft rotating section 24 is engaged and arranged in the distal end side of the internal hole of a torque transmitting section 23. Then, a thread- like structural section which becomes a connecting section having a position-regulating mechanism is constituted of a male thread-like section 24a which is formed on the external surface of the flexible shaft rotating section 24 and a female thread-like section 23a which is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the torque transmitting section 23 and is engaged with the male thread-like section 24a. The threading direction of the thread-like structural section is formed in the opposite direction from the rotating direction which is transmitted from a driving unit 3a. Therefore, when the torque transmitting section 23 rotates, the flexible shaft rotating section 24 engaged with the female thread-like section 23a moves to the distal end side. The threading angle of the thread-like structural section is formed while taking a force amount which tries to move the flexible shaft rotating section 24 to the distal end side by the torque of the torque transmitting section 23 into consideration.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe for observing the inside of a body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ultrasonic pulse is repeatedly transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer into a living tissue, and an echo of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the biological tissue is received by the same or separate ultrasonic transducer. Various ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have been proposed which can be used for diagnosing a disease or the like by displaying the two-dimensional ultrasonic image as an ultrasonic tomographic image.

[0003] Such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generally uses an extracorporeal ultrasonic probe. But,
In recent years, it has been inserted into a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope and introduced into a body cavity through an endoscope, and a target site including a lesion such as mucosal tissue or polyp that has become cancerous under endoscopic observation has been superposed. A small-diameter ultrasonic probe for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image is also used.

[0004] The structure of this ultrasonic probe is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-270140. The ultrasonic probe is inserted, for example, through a forceps port of an endoscope to observe the inside of a patient's body cavity, or is inserted into a blood vessel for observation, so that it has sufficient flexibility and is normal even in a curved state. A flexible shaft is used to transmit the rotational force from the drive motor so that ultrasonic diagnosis can be performed, and the tip of the flexible shaft rotates with the rotation of the flexible shaft to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. The insertion portion is constituted by a tubular and elongated sheath formed of a flexible member for fixing an ultrasonic transducer and supporting and protecting them.

[0005] The flexible shaft is formed of a single layer or a plurality of layers of tightly coiled elastic material so that the vibrator can rotate smoothly irrespective of the bending state of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe at the time of diagnosis. . On the other hand, the sheath is a thin and relatively soft material in consideration of the permeability of an ultrasonic signal, or being bent when passing through a curved portion during insertion for diagnosis, for example, It was formed of a resin material such as Teflon (registered trademark) or polyethylene.

However, the ultrasonic probe having this configuration has the following disadvantages. For example, when used by being inserted into the treatment instrument channel of the endoscope, when the tip of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe is pulled while in a state of being sandwiched by the forceps table or arranged in a part with a sharp bend angle, An excessive tensile force is applied to the sheath constituting the insertion section. On the other hand, when the diameter of the treatment instrument channel is small and there is only a small gap with the insertion portion, an excessive compressive force is applied to the sheath due to a frictional force at the time of insertion.
When these tensile and compressive forces are applied to the sheath, the sheath is formed of a thin and soft resin material, so that the entire length is extended with respect to the tensile force and deformed such that the overall length is reduced with respect to the compressive force. Occurs.

The resin material constituting the sheath is as follows:
In general, since the amount of deformation with respect to a temperature change is large, the overall length dimension expands or contracts greatly depending on the use environment temperature. On the other hand, the flexible shaft has high rigidity because it is formed of a close-coiled elastic material. Therefore, even if the flexible shaft temporarily expands and contracts with respect to the tensile force and the compressive force, the amount of the elastic shaft is small, and since the elastic shaft is in the range of elastic deformation, there is almost no change in the overall length. In addition, the amount of deformation with respect to temperature is extremely small as compared with a resin material.

[0008] Considering these facts, there is a possibility that the relative length of the sheath and the flexible shaft may change significantly. In other words, when the sheath shrinks, the tip of the inner surface of the sheath comes into contact with the vibrator and applies a compressive force to the flexible shaft. In the worst case, the smooth rotation of the flexible shaft is hindered. There is a possibility that an ultrasonic diagnostic image cannot be obtained.

In order to prevent this problem, it is general to increase the clearance between the tip of the inner surface of the sheath and the vibrator in consideration of the contraction of the sheath in advance. However, by providing the clearance, the distance between the tip of the inner surface of the sheath and the vibrator is large, so it takes time to grasp the positional relationship between the vibrator and the observation site. There is a problem in that the examination time is spent before obtaining the information, thereby increasing the burden on the patient. And, in the case where elongation occurs in the sheath due to the above-described tensile force or temperature change, the clearance is further expanded,
Further examination time is required until the intended ultrasonic diagnostic image is obtained.

In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
Japanese Patent No. 11982 discloses that at least one wire, which is a material having a smaller elongation with respect to a tensile load in the axial direction than the sheath, extends over the entire length or a part of the thick portion of the sheath so as not to be exposed on the sheath surface. 1 shows an ultrasonic probe having a configuration substantially buried in the axial direction.

[0011]

However, the ultrasonic probe disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-311982 does not completely solve the above-mentioned problem. The flexibility of the flexible shaft may be impaired, making it difficult to use, and increasing the resistance to bending may cause an unnecessary load to be applied to the flexible shaft that penetrates the inside, preventing smooth rotation from occurring. there were.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and makes it possible to smoothly perform favorable ultrasonic observation by setting the positional relationship between the ultrasonic vibrator portion and the sheath to a predetermined positional relationship regardless of the expansion and contraction of the sheath. It is intended to provide an ultrasonic probe.

[0013]

An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention has a vibrator portion at the distal end of a flexible shaft inserted through an elongated and flexible sheath, and the flexible probe is provided at the base end of the sheath. An ultrasonic probe provided with a connector portion detachably connected to a drive unit also serving as a drive source for rotating a shaft, wherein the connector portion,
A rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational driving force of the drive unit to the ultrasonic probe side, and a flexible shaft rotating unit that engages with the rotational force transmitting unit and transmits a rotational force to the flexible shaft; A vibrator portion disposed at a distal end portion of the flexible shaft by connecting the flexible shaft rotating portion and the rotating force transmitting portion to the engagement portion between the rotating force transmitting portion and the flexible shaft rotating portion so as to be able to advance and retreat; And a position adjusting mechanism for bringing the inner surface of the sheath into contact with the inner surface end of the sheath with a predetermined pushing force to bring the rotational force transmission state.

According to this configuration, regardless of the expansion and contraction of the sheath, the vibrator portion is rotated with the rotation of the flexible shaft while the distal end portion of the vibrator portion is always in contact with the distal end of the inner surface of the sheath with a predetermined pushing force. Rotates smoothly.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic system including the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic probe, FIG. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the vibrator part and the tip of the inner surface of the sheath, FIG. 4 is a view for explaining in detail the engagement portion between the rotational force transmitting part and the flexible shaft rotating part of the connector shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the positional relationship of a child part and the sheath inner surface front end, and an effect | action. FIG. 5 (a)
5A and 5B illustrate an operation when a clearance is formed between the vibrator portion and the distal end of the sheath inner surface, and FIG. 5B illustrates an operation when a force is applied to the vibrator portion from the distal end of the sheath inner surface. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 2 through which an ultrasonic probe 1 having an ultrasonic vibrator, which will be described later, is disposed at a distal end thereof, and an ultrasonic diagnostic system. It comprises an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 for obtaining an image. In addition, in this figure, it is a configuration example when the ultrasonic probe 1 is introduced endoscopically into a body cavity,
It is also possible to appropriately insert the ultrasonic probe 1 directly into a body cavity without passing through the endoscope 2.

The insertion portion 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1 passes through a forceps port 2a of the endoscope 2 and a treatment tool channel (not shown), and is led out of the endoscope end portion 2b into a body cavity. At the base end of the ultrasonic probe 1, there is provided a connector section 20 also serving as a driving force transmitting section, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 3 has the connector section 20 fixed to the cart 5 via a support arm 4. By connecting to the drive unit 3a, mechanical and electrical connection is performed.

That is, by connecting the connector unit 20 to the drive unit 3a, an ultrasonic vibrator unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a vibrator unit) in which an ultrasonic vibrator described later of the ultrasonic probe 1 is provided. A driving force for rotating the in the radial direction is transmitted. An ultrasonic observation device 6 is connected to the drive unit 3a, and an ultrasonic drive signal generated by a drive signal generation circuit (not shown) of the ultrasonic observation device 6 transmits the ultrasonic wave through the drive unit 3a. While applying ultrasonic waves to the vibrator to emit ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic signals reflected by the living body are received, and an electric signal (echo signal) converted by the ultrasonic vibrator is converted into a video signal (not shown) via the drive unit 3a. Input to the processing circuit to generate a video signal. Then, this video signal is output to the monitor 7 and an ultrasonic diagnostic image is displayed on the screen.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ultrasonic probe 1 has a sheath 12 formed of a flexible resin member such as polyethylene or fluororesin, which is an outer peripheral member constituting the insertion portion 11, in an elongated pipe shape. The main part is constituted by a vibrator part 13 disposed at a distal end in the sheath 12 and the connector part 20 provided at a base end of the sheath 12.
The opening of the distal end of the sheath 12 is sealed with a sealing member or the like.

In the sheath 12, a flexible shaft 16 having a distal end fixedly inserted into a vibrator holding portion 15 for holding an ultrasonic vibrator 14 constituting the vibrator portion 13 disposed on the distal end side of the insertion portion. are doing. The flexible shaft 16 is formed of a hollow contact coil spring having one or more layers, and a signal cable 17 extending from the vibrator 14 is inserted into the hollow space. Further, the inside of the sheath 12 is filled with an ultrasonic medium 18 such as water, liquid paraffin, or the like, which is a medium having good transmission of ultrasonic signals.

The connector portion 20 includes a tubular connector body 21 made of, for example, resin, which is an exterior member, and a distal convex portion 22a fixedly disposed in the connector body 21 and having a base end of the sheath 12 disposed therein. A rotating support portion 22 having a central through-hole made of, for example, metal;
A substantially tubular rotational force transmitting portion 23 rotatably disposed via a ball bearing 31 disposed therein and connected to a drive source (not shown) of the drive unit 3a to transmit rotational driving force.
A flexible shaft rotating unit 24 disposed in an inner hole of the distal end portion of the rotational force transmitting unit 23 to transmit rotational force to the flexible shaft 16; and a flexible shaft rotating unit 24 disposed in an inner hole of the rotational force transmitting unit 23, and And an electrical connector 25 electrically connected to the

The flexible shaft rotating section 24 includes:
In order to rotate the flexible shaft 16 integrally, the flexible shaft 16 is integrally fixed to a base end thereof, and a through hole through which the signal cable 17 is inserted is formed in a central portion.

The electric connector 25 is electrically connected to the signal cable 17 inserted through the through-hole of the flexible shaft rotating portion 24, and the signal cable 17 is connected to an inner hole of the rotational force transmitting portion 23. In order to have a margin in the length, it is spirally arranged.

Reference numeral 32 denotes an O-ring which is disposed on the distal end side of the bearing 31 and maintains watertightness between the rotational force transmitting portion 23 and the rotation supporting portion 22. Also,
A configuration in which a slide bearing is provided instead of providing the ball bearing 31 may be employed.

Here, the flexible shaft rotating unit 24
The configuration of the engaging portion between the motor and the rotational force transmitting unit 23 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a flexible shaft rotating part 2 fixed to a base end of the flexible shaft 16 is provided.
Numeral 4 is engaged with the rotational force transmitting portion 23 at the distal end side of the inner hole. In the figure, one or a plurality of male screw-shaped portions 24a are formed on the outer surface of the flexible shaft rotating portion 24, and the male screw-shaped portion 24a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotational force transmitting portion 23. A female screw-shaped portion 23a to be engaged is formed to constitute a screw-shaped structure serving as a connecting portion with a position adjusting mechanism.

The threading direction of the threaded structure is formed in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation transmitted from the drive unit 3a. Therefore, the rotation of the torque transmitting portion 23 receiving the torque of the drive unit 3a rotates,
The flexible shaft rotating part 24 having the male screw part 24a meshing with the female screw part 23a is moved to the distal end side. In addition, in the figure, the female screw 23
Although the a and the external thread portion 24a are trapezoidal screws, they are not limited to trapezoidal screws, but may be triangular screws, square screws, or the like.

The threading angle of the screw-shaped structure portion is determined by a force for moving the flexible shaft rotating portion 24 toward the distal end by the rotational force of the rotational force transmitting portion 23 (this force is also referred to as a pushing force). It is formed in consideration of. Therefore, the distal end portion 15a of the vibrator holding portion 15 comes into contact with the distal end surface 12a of the inner surface of the sheath 12, and the flexible shaft 16 moves the flexible shaft rotating portion 24 to the proximal end side. Is greater than the pushing-in force, the pushing-back force acts on the flexible shaft rotating unit 24 against the pushing-in force.

That is, with the above-described configuration, when the distal end portion 15a is away from the sheath inner distal end surface 12a as shown in FIG. 5A, the rotational force transmitting portion 23 rotates. Then, the vibrator holding unit 15 moves in the direction of the arrow with the pushing force F by moving the flexible shaft rotating unit 24 to the distal end side. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion 15a abuts against the distal end surface 12a of the inner surface of the sheath with a pushing force F, thereby adjusting the position so that the pushing force and the pushing back force are balanced, and rotating the flexible shaft. The position of the portion 24 is held in the rotational force transmitting portion 23. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted from the rotational force transmitting unit 23 to the flexible shaft rotating unit 24, and the flexible shaft 16 rotates, so that the ultrasonic transducer 14 provided in the transducer unit 13 performs radial scanning.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the distal end portion 15a is in contact with the distal end surface 12a of the inner surface of the sheath and the push-back force f is acting as shown by an arrow, the push-in force is opposed. The flexible shaft rotating unit 24 via the flexible shaft 16 to the rotational force transmitting unit 2
Move to the proximal end within 3. Then, the position is adjusted so that the pushing force and the pushing back force are balanced in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3, the position of the flexible shaft rotating unit 24 is maintained, and the rotating force is transmitted from the rotating force transmitting unit 23 to the flexible shaft. The vibration is transmitted to the rotating unit 24 and the flexible shaft 16 rotates, so that the ultrasonic transducer 14 provided in the transducer unit 13 performs radial scanning.

The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 configured as described above will be described. An electric pulse, which is an ultrasonic drive signal generated by the observation device 6, is transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 14 of the transducer unit 13 via the drive unit 3a and the signal cable 17. Then, ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 14 toward the body cavity. On the other hand, the rotational driving force generated by the drive unit 3a is transmitted to the flexible shaft 16 via the rotational force transmitting unit 23 and the flexible shaft rotating unit 24, and the vibrator unit 13 is also rotated by the rotation of the flexible shaft 16. It rotates together.

Therefore, the rotating ultrasonic vibrator 1
The ultrasonic echo emitted from 4 and reflected in the body cavity is
The ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic transducer 14 and converted into an electric signal. The electric signal is transmitted to the signal cable 17,
The video signal is transmitted to the observation device 6 via the drive unit 3a, is generated into a video signal by a video signal processing circuit (not shown) in the observation device 6, and is displayed on the screen of the monitor 7 as an ultrasonic diagnostic image.

For example, the ultrasonic probe 1 is
When the ultrasonic probe 1 is used by being inserted through the forceps port 2a of the endoscope 2 as shown in FIG.
When there is only a small gap with the insertion portion 11 or when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into a curved portion, an excessive compression force is applied to the sheath 12 constituting the insertion portion 11 due to frictional force. By repeating this operation, the sheath 1 made of a thin and soft resin material is formed.
In No. 2, shrinkage occurs due to the compressive force. Also, when stored at a low temperature, shrinkage similarly occurs.

A flexible shaft rotating unit 24 fixedly mounted on a base end of a flexible shaft 16 provided with the vibrator unit 13 at a distal end is connected to a rotational force transmitting unit 23 via a screw-like structure that can move forward and backward. Therefore, when the push-back force generated by the contraction of the sheath 12 is large, the flexible shaft rotating part 24 moves to the proximal end side in the rotational force transmitting part 23 against the pushing force of the screw-shaped structure part. Is done. Then, the holding state is established at a position where the push-back force and the pushing force are balanced, and the rotational force is transmitted from the rotational force transmitting unit 23 to the flexible shaft rotating unit 24. At this time, the flexible shaft 16 rotates smoothly, and the ultrasonic vibrator 14 provided in the vibrator portion 13 is rotated.
Performs a radial scan to obtain a good ultrasonic diagnostic image.

On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 1 is used by being inserted into the forceps port 2a of the endoscope 2, the ultrasonic probe 1 may be pulled while being held in a state where the tip of the ultrasonic probe 1 is sandwiched between the forceps tables.
Pulled with a tight bend angle,
Alternatively, when the sheath 12, the flexible shaft 16, and the signal cable 17 are pulled while being inserted into a convoluted body cavity such as a blood vessel, a tensile force is applied. In this case, the sheath 12 formed of the soft resin material of the meat fillet expands according to the tensile force.
Also, when stored at a high temperature, elongation occurs similarly.

In this state, the flexible shaft rotating part 24 fixed to the base end of the flexible shaft 16 provided with the vibrator part 13 at the distal end is rotated by a rotationally movable screw-like structure. Since it is connected to the transmitting portion 23, the flexible shaft rotating portion 24 is moved to the distal end side in the rotational force transmitting portion 23 so as to eliminate the clearance between the sheath inner surface distal end 12a and the distal end portion 13a. The portion 13a is brought into contact with the sheath inner surface front end 12a with a predetermined pushing force. Then, the pushing force and the pushing-back force are in a balanced holding state, and the rotational force transmitting unit 2
Rotational force is transmitted from 3 to the flexible shaft rotating unit 24, the flexible shaft 16 rotates smoothly, and the ultrasonic vibrator 14 provided in the vibrator unit 13 performs a radial scan to obtain a good ultrasonic diagnostic image. can get.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the flexible shaft and the rotational force transmitting portion are formed so as to form a screw-shaped structure and are connected so as to be movable by a predetermined pushing force, so that the sheath can be expanded and contracted. Regardless, the tip of the vibrator holding part is adjusted to a predetermined position where it comes into contact with the tip of the inner surface of the sheath, and the vibrator part can be smoothly rotated. As a result, the image is prevented from being disturbed, and since the vibrator portion is disposed at a predetermined position at the distal end of the sheath, the ultrasonic observation surface from the distal end of the probe does not change. A sound image can be easily obtained. Therefore, the examination time is shortened and the burden on the patient is reduced.

In this embodiment, the flexible shaft rotating portion 24 is engaged with the inner hole of the rotational force transmitting portion 23 and the threaded structure is provided at the engaged portion. Rotational force transmitting part 23 in inner hole
And a screw-like structure may be provided at the engaged portion.

Further, by providing the screw-shaped structure, the flexible shaft rotating portion 24 and the rotating force transmitting portion 23 can be moved forward and backward, and the distal end portion 13a is brought into contact with the sheath inner surface distal end 12a with a predetermined pushing force. Instead, as shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 24b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a flexible shaft rotating portion 24 connected to the base end side of the flexible shaft 16, while the drive unit 3a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotational force transmitting portion 23. The slanted hole 23b twisted in the direction opposite to the rotation direction transmitted from the
b may be engaged in the inclined hole 23b.

Thus, the same operation and effect as those of the screw-shaped structure can be obtained with a simple configuration of the inclined hole and the projection.

In FIG. 6, the projections 24b and the inclined holes 23b are formed as one set. However, the projections 24b and the inclined holes 23b may be constituted by a plurality of pairs of projections and inclined holes. Also,
A configuration in which an inclined hole-like structure is formed in the flexible shaft rotating unit 24 and a protrusion is formed in the rotational force transmitting unit may be employed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) A drive unit having a vibrator at the distal end of a flexible shaft inserted through an elongated and flexible sheath and having a base end of the sheath also serving as a drive source for rotating the flexible shaft. In an ultrasonic probe having a connector portion detachably connected, the connector portion is engaged with a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational driving force of the drive unit to the ultrasonic probe side, and the rotational force transmitting portion is engaged with the rotational force transmitting portion. And a flexible shaft rotating portion that transmits a rotating force to the flexible shaft, and an engagement portion between the rotating force transmitting portion and the flexible shaft rotating portion includes the flexible shaft rotating portion and the rotating force transmitting portion. Are connected to each other so that the vibrator portion disposed at the distal end portion of the flexible shaft is pushed into the distal end of the inner surface of the sheath by a predetermined amount. Ultrasonic probe provided with a position adjusting mechanism is brought into contact with a force to the rotational force transmitting state.

(2) The position adjusting mechanism is a single or plural threaded structure formed on the rotating force transmitting portion, the flexible shaft rotating portion and the engaging portion, and is configured to rotate by the rotation transmitted from the driving unit. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a thread cutting direction of the screw structure is set so that the flexible shaft rotating unit moves toward the distal end with a predetermined amount of force with respect to the rotational force transmitting unit.

(3) The position adjusting mechanism includes a convex portion provided on the rotational force transmitting portion, the flexible shaft rotating portion, and the engaging portion, and a torsion groove into which the convex portion is engaged. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein a twisting direction of the engaging groove is set such that the rotation of the flexible shaft moves toward the distal end with a predetermined amount of force with respect to the rotational force transmitting unit by the transmitted rotation.

As a result, the vibrator portion moves to the distal end side by the rotation of the flexible shaft rotating portion due to the rotation of the rotational force transmitting portion, and comes into contact with the distal end of the sheath inner surface.

(4) The thread cutting angle of the screw structure is
A force for moving the flexible shaft rotating section to the distal end side by the rotational force of the rotational force transmitting section, and a vibrator section in the sheath abuts on a distal end surface of the sheath and the flexible shaft rotating section via the flexible shaft. Note 2 that is set based on the force to move the
An ultrasonic probe as described.

(5) The torsion angle of the engagement groove is determined by the force for moving the flexible shaft rotating portion toward the distal end by the rotating force of the rotating force transmitting portion, and the vibrator portion in the sheath is controlled by the sheath portion. 4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic probe is set based on a force that comes into contact with the distal end surface of the flexible shaft and moves the flexible shaft rotating unit to the proximal end side via the flexible shaft.

Thus, the force for moving the flexible shaft rotating portion toward the distal end by the rotational force of the rotational force transmitting portion is pushed in, and the flexible shaft attempts to move the flexible shaft rotating portion toward the proximal end. When the force is a push-back force and the relationship between the push-in force and the push-back force is greater than the push-back force, the flexible shaft rotating part moves to the distal end side. On the other hand, when the pushing force is smaller than the pushing-back force, the flexible shaft rotating part moves to the base end side. When the push-in force and the push-back force are balanced, the flexible shaft rotating portion is held at that position and transmits the rotating force from the rotating force transmitting portion to the flexible shaft rotating portion.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, regardless of the expansion and contraction of the sheath, the ultrasonic transducer portion and the sheath can be set to a predetermined positional relationship to smoothly perform excellent ultrasonic observation. An acoustic probe can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 relate to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic system including the ultrasonic probe of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a vibrator portion and a tip of an inner surface of a sheath.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating in detail a portion where a rotational force transmitting portion and a flexible shaft rotating portion of the connector portion shown in FIG. 2 are engaged.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the relationship between the positional relationship between the vibrator portion and the distal end of the inner surface of the sheath and the effect;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining another configuration of the rotational force transmitting section and the flexible shaft rotating section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic probe 16 ... Flexible shaft 17 ... Signal cable 20 ... Connector part 21 ... Connector main body 22 ... Rotation support part 23 ... Rotational force transmission part 23a ... Female thread part 24 ... Flexible shaft rotation part 24a ... Male thread part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A flexible shaft, which is inserted into an elongated and flexible sheath, has a vibrator at a distal end thereof, and is attached to and detached from a drive unit serving as a drive source for rotating the flexible shaft at a base end of the sheath. An ultrasonic probe provided with a connector portion that is freely connected, wherein the connector portion is engaged with a rotational force transmitting portion that transmits the rotational driving force of the drive unit to the ultrasonic probe side, and the rotational force transmitting portion is engaged with the rotational force transmitting portion. A flexible shaft rotating unit that transmits a rotating force to the flexible shaft, and the flexible shaft rotating unit and the rotating force transmitting unit are connected to an engagement portion between the rotating force transmitting unit and the flexible shaft rotating unit. By connecting the vibrator portion disposed at the distal end of the flexible shaft to the inner surface distal end of the sheath by a predetermined pushing force, Ultrasound probe, characterized in that a position adjusting mechanism for the torque transmission state is brought into contact.