JP2002345819A - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope which minimize a reduction in ultrasonic transfer media due to volatility, while retaining less ultrasonic attenuation. SOLUTION: The ultrasonic probe 1 is mainly composed of a flexible sheath 3 with a forefront 2 housing an ultrasonic search unit 5 and a connector 4 installed in a basic edge of the sheath 3 to be connected with an ultrasonic surveillance unit that drives the above ultrasonic search unit 5. The above forefront 2 has an acoustic emission window 3b at the tip of the sheath 3 for transmitting ultrasonic waves to be sent and received by the above ultrasonic search unit 5. The above ultrasonic search unit 5 is solidly adhered to the housing 6. This housing 6 is installed in a leading edge of a freely rotating or rocking shaft 7. An inner portion of the above sheath 3 is filled with the ultrasonic transmission media 10 composed of oil whose main component is a fatty acid glyceride so that the space between the above ultrasonic search unit 5 and the above acoustic emission window 3b can be filled with the above component.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope connected to a (medical) ultrasonic observation apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ultrasonic probes and ultrasonic endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field. These ultrasonic probes and ultrasonic endoscopes are used by being connected to a (medical) ultrasonic observation device. These ultrasonic probes and ultrasonic endoscopes obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image by mechanically rotating or swinging a built-in ultrasonic probe and scanning an ultrasonic wave.

[0003] The ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves incorporated in a sheath. On the other hand, the ultrasonic endoscope incorporates the ultrasonic probe in a distal end cap as an acoustic radiation window provided in the insertion portion distal end main body. And these ultrasonic probes and ultrasonic endoscopes
The inside of the sheath or tip cap containing the ultrasonic probe is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium.

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic endoscope, liquid paraffin, water, an aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), etc., which are less toxic to the living body, have been used as an ultrasonic transmission medium.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic endoscope will be described below using an ultrasonic transmission medium such as the liquid paraffin, water, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) aqueous solution. There was such a problem. The above conventional ultrasonic probe or ultrasonic endoscope uses water or an aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as an ultrasonic transmission medium,
There was a decrease in the medium over time due to volatilization of the aqueous solution, and it was necessary to periodically replenish the ultrasonic transmission medium.

On the other hand, the conventional ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic endoscope described above have a viscosity of 7 as an ultrasonic transmission medium.
When liquid paraffin of about 0 mm ² / s is used, the decrease of the ultrasonic transmission medium over time due to volatilization of the aqueous solution is reduced. However, when the above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic probe or ultrasonic endoscope incorporates a high-frequency ultrasonic probe of 10 MHz or more, if the above-mentioned liquid paraffin is used, the ultrasonic attenuation in this liquid paraffin is reduced. And it was difficult to obtain sufficient characteristics.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and minimizes the decrease in the ultrasonic transmission medium due to volatilization.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope that have low ultrasonic attenuation.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic probe in which a built-in ultrasonic probe is mechanically turned or rocked to contact a living body. In an ultrasonic probe for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image by scanning an ultrasonic wave through a window, a fatty acid glyceride is mainly used as an ultrasonic transmission medium filled between the ultrasonic probe and the acoustic emission window. It is characterized by using oil as a component. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic probe built in the distal end portion is mechanically rotated or swung, and the ultrasonic wave is scanned through an acoustic radiation window that comes into contact with a living body. In an ultrasonic endoscope for obtaining an ultrasonic tomographic image, as an ultrasonic transmission medium filled between the ultrasonic probe and the acoustic emission window, an oil containing fatty acid glyceride as a main component is used. Features. This configuration minimizes the loss of the ultrasonic transmission medium due to volatilization,
In addition, an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope with low ultrasonic attenuation are realized.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an external view of an ultrasonic probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip part of 1 ultrasonic probe. In the present embodiment, an ultrasonic probe that is connected to an (medical) ultrasonic observation apparatus and is used endoscopically will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic probe 1 comprises a flexible sheath 3 made of a polyamide elastomer having a distal end 2 having a built-in ultrasonic probe described later, and a proximal end of the sheath 3. Connector 4 for connecting to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown) for driving the ultrasonic probe
It is mainly composed of In addition, the said ultrasonic probe 1
For example, by being inserted into a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope (not shown), it is inserted into a body cavity and used transendoscopically. The sheath 3 is made of polyamide elastomer, and the sheath 3 is made of polymethylpentene, polyamide elastomer, polyurethane,
It may be made of polyethylene fluoride, polyethylene or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic probe 1
Is an ultrasonic probe 5 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.
It is built in. The distal end 2 has an acoustic radiation window 3b formed at the distal end of the sheath for transmitting ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe 5.

The ultrasonic probe 5 is configured such that an acoustic lens 5b made of epoxy resin is formed on the front surface of a piezoelectric vibrator 5a, and a packing layer 5c made of ferrite rubber is formed on the back surface. The ultrasonic probe 5 is bonded and fixed to the housing 6. The housing 6 is provided at the tip of a rotatable or swingable shaft 7. A bubble trap 8 having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the sheath 3 is arranged near the ultrasonic probe 5 on the shaft 7.

Although not shown, the ultrasonic probe 5 has signal electrodes formed on both sides of a piezoelectric vibrator. The signal electrode provided on the surface side of the acoustic lens 5b is connected to the shaft 7
Are electrically connected to a ground line of a coaxial cable (not shown) that passes through. On the other hand, the backing layer 5
The signal electrode on the c side is electrically connected to the signal line of the coaxial cable. The other ends of these coaxial cables are connected to the connector 4 and to the ultrasonic observation device.

In the ultrasonic probe 1, the connector 4 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device, and the ultrasonic probe 5 is mechanically rotated by operating the ultrasonic observation device. Alternatively, the ultrasonic wave is scanned by being swung, and an ultrasonic tomographic image can be obtained.

The inside of the sheath 3 is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 10 so as to be filled between the ultrasonic probe 5 and the acoustic radiation window 3b. As a conventional ultrasonic transmission medium, liquid paraffin, which has a small decrease over time due to volatilization with respect to water or an aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), has been widely used.

However, a conventional ultrasonic transmission medium is:
When the ultrasonic probe 5 driven at a high frequency of 10 MHz or more is incorporated in the sheath and the above-mentioned liquid paraffin is used, ultrasonic attenuation in the liquid paraffin is large and sufficient characteristics are obtained. It was difficult.

Therefore, the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment
Uses an ultrasonic transmission medium 10 formed from oil containing fatty acid glyceride as a main component. Table 1 shows the density, sound speed, and ultrasonic attenuation when the above-described oil containing fatty acid glyceride as the main component and conventional liquid paraffin are filled in the sheath as the ultrasonic transmission medium. In addition, this ultrasonic attenuation measurement is performed by driving the ultrasonic probe at a high frequency having a center frequency of 5 MHz.

[0018]

[Table 1] As shown in Table 1, when the oil containing fatty acid glyceride as the main component is used as the ultrasonic transmission medium, the ultrasonic attenuation rate is reduced to about 1/4 as compared with the case where the conventional liquid paraffin is used. I do. It is to be noted that the same applies to a case where the center frequency is driven at a high frequency of 10 MHz or more.

As a result, the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment uses the oil mainly composed of fatty acid glyceride as the ultrasonic transmission medium 10 filling the space between the ultrasonic probe 5 and the sheath 3. However, conventional liquid paraffin has a problem that ultrasonic attenuation is large and the depth is insufficient.
Even with an ultrasonic probe of 0 MHz or more, it is possible to save the trouble of replenishing the ultrasonic transmission medium by volatilization while securing a sufficient depth.

As a result, the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment can be used stably for a long period of time without deteriorating the ultrasonic characteristics, suppressing a decrease in the ultrasonic transmission medium over time, and without regular replenishment. can do.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the ultrasonic probe 1 used transendoscopically. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the present invention may be applied directly to an ultrasonic probe surgically used on a living body.
In that case, the ultrasonic probe does not necessarily need to include the ultrasonic probe at the distal end of the sheath, and may be configured by providing the ultrasonic probe at a predetermined position inside the sheath.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 3 and 4 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external view of an ultrasonic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the ultrasonic probe 1 connected to the (medical) ultrasonic observation apparatus, but in the second embodiment (medical). The present invention is applied to an ultrasonic endoscope connected to an ultrasonic observation apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic endoscope 11 has an elongated insertion portion 13 having an ultrasonic probe 12 at the distal end and inserted into a body cavity, and a proximal end of the insertion portion 13. And an operation unit 14 connected to the unit. Insert section 13
Is a hard distal end portion 15 containing the ultrasonic probe 12 and an imaging device described later, a bendable bending portion 16 connected to the distal end portion 15, and a continuous connection to the bending portion 16. And a flexible tube portion 17 having flexibility.

The operating section 14 includes a gripping section 18, a main operating section 19 connected to the gripping section 18, and a sub-operating section 20 connected to the main operating section 19 in this order from the insertion section 13 side. Be composed. The grasping portion 18 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 21 near the front end for inserting a treatment instrument (not shown). The treatment instrument insertion port 21 communicates with a treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown) inside thereof.

The main operating portion 19 has a flexible universal cord 22 extending from the side thereof. This universal cord 22 has a scope connector 2 at the end.
3 are provided. The scope connector 23 includes a light source connector 23a detachably connected to a light source device (not shown) and an electric connector 23b detachably connected to a video processor (not shown).

The main operation section 19 is provided with a bending operation knob 24. The bending operation knob 24 can bend the bending portion 16 by performing a bending operation. The main operation section 19 is provided with a suction button 25 for performing suction, and a suction base 26 protruding from the vicinity of the base end of the suction button 25. The suction base 26 is connected to a suction machine via a tube (not shown). The suction base 26 is provided with the suction button 25.
Is operated to communicate with a suction channel (not shown) through which the insertion portion 13 is inserted, so that a bodily fluid or the like can be sucked from a not-shown tip opening of the tip portion 15.

The main operation section 19 is provided with an air / water supply button 27 for performing an air / water supply operation. When the air / water button 27 is pressed down, the air / water button 27 communicates with an air / water channel (not shown) through which the insertion section is inserted, and transfers the liquid from the liquid supply source or the gas from the gas supply source to the tip section. 15 can be supplied.

The sub-operation section 20 has a flexible ultrasonic cord 28 extending from the side. The ultrasonic cord 28 has an ultrasonic connector 29 at an end. The ultrasonic connector 29 is connected to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown).

The sub operation unit 20 is provided with the ultrasonic probe 1
A drive device (not shown) including a motor (not shown) for driving the rotation of the ultrasonic probe 2 and an encoder (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of the ultrasonic probe 12 driven by the motor is built in. I have. The driving device controls the radial rotation of the insertion portion distal end portion 15 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction via a flexible shaft (not shown) that passes through the main and sub operation portions 19 and 20 and the insertion portion 13. The light is transmitted to the tip 15. The main and sub operation units 9, 10
Is provided with a plurality of remote switches 30 for stopping an ultrasonic image or an endoscope optical image or taking a picture.

As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portion 15 is provided with a rigid distal end portion main body 31 constituting the distal end portion. The distal end body 31 has a distal end cap 3 serving as an acoustic radiation window having a cylindrical shape and a hemispherical distal end on the distal end side.
2 is covered.

Inside the tip cap 32, a housing 33 is fixed to the tip body 31. The housing 33 constitutes an ultrasonic scanning unit 34 including the ultrasonic probe 12 therein. The inside of the tip cap 32 is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 35.

The distal end main body 31 is provided with an illumination lens 36 constituting an illumination optical system and an objective lens 37 constituting an observation optical system obliquely forward as an endoscope optical system. The base end side of the illumination lens 36 is provided with an emission end side of a light guide (not shown) for transmitting illumination light from the light source device. The illumination lens 36
Is designed to illuminate a subject obliquely forward by expanding the illumination light from the light guide.

On the base end side of the objective lens 37, an image pickup device (not shown) is arranged at an image forming position of this lens. This imaging device outputs an imaging signal obtained by imaging an optical image of a subject formed by the objective lens 37 to a video processor (not shown). The video processor outputs a video signal obtained by performing signal processing on an image pickup signal to a monitor (not shown), and displays an endoscope optical image on the monitor.

A cleaning nozzle 38 is provided on the right side of the illumination lens 36 for cleaning dirt on the objective lens 37 during an endoscopic inspection. The washing nozzle 38 supplies the liquid from the liquid supply source via the air / water supply channel.

Further, on the right side of the objective lens 37, an opening 39 on the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel is formed. The treatment tool (not shown) inserted from the treatment tool insertion port 21 is connected to the distal opening 3 of the treatment tool insertion channel.
The distal end of the treatment tool is protruded from 9 so that treatments such as puncture and biopsy can be performed.

The ultrasonic endoscope 11 according to the second embodiment
Is an ultrasonic transmission medium 3 made of oil containing fatty acid glyceride as a main component, as in the first embodiment.
5 is used. As a result, the ultrasonic endoscope 11 according to the second embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

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 spirit of the invention.

[Supplementary note] (Supplementary note 1) An ultrasonic tomographic image is obtained by mechanically turning or swinging a built-in ultrasonic probe and scanning an ultrasonic wave through an acoustic radiation window that comes into contact with a living body. An ultrasonic probe characterized by using an oil mainly composed of fatty acid glyceride as an ultrasonic transmission medium filled between the ultrasonic probe and the acoustic emission window. .

(Additional Item 2) An ultrasonic tomographic image is obtained by mechanically rotating or swinging an ultrasonic probe built in the distal end portion and scanning an ultrasonic wave through an acoustic radiation window that comes into contact with a living body. In an ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic transmission medium filled between the ultrasonic probe and the acoustic emission window is made of oil containing fatty acid glyceride as a main component. Sonic endoscope.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic endoscope in which the reduction of the ultrasonic transmission medium due to volatilization is minimized and the ultrasonic attenuation is small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an ultrasonic probe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an ultrasonic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic probe 2 ... Tip part 3 ... Sheath 3b ... Sound emission surface 4 ... Connector part 5 ... Ultrasonic probe 5a ... Piezoelectric vibrator 5b ... Acoustic lens 5c ... Packing layer 6 ... Shaft 8 ... Bubble trap 10 ... Ultrasonic transmission medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ryo Kikuchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toru Mizuguchi 2-4-2-3 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2G047 AC13 BA03 BC13 CA01 DB03 EA05 EA07 GB04 GE01 4C301 AA02 BB02 BB03 BB26 BB30 BB35 EE06 EE07 FF04 GC01 GC12

Claims (2)

[Claims] An ultrasonic probe for mechanically rotating or swinging a built-in ultrasonic probe and scanning an ultrasonic wave through an acoustic radiation window that comes into contact with a living body to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image. An ultrasonic probe, wherein an oil containing fatty acid glyceride as a main component is used as an ultrasonic transmission medium filled between the ultrasonic probe and the acoustic radiation window. 2. An ultrasonic probe which mechanically rotates or swings an ultrasonic probe incorporated in a distal end portion and scans an ultrasonic wave through an acoustic radiation window which comes into contact with a living body to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image. In an ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic transmission medium which is filled between the ultrasonic probe and the acoustic emission window uses an oil containing fatty acid glyceride as a main component. mirror.