JP2006122132A - Ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule permitting speedy filling of an ultrasonic transmitting medium into the capsule while discharging air from the capsule after an ultrasonic unit is disposed inside the capsule. <P>SOLUTION: A side aperture 3h and a slot 3e as medium apertures and a circumferential groove 3i are formed in a shell 3 of the capsule, and a stepped aperture 4b as a medium aperture is formed in a thick part 4a of a distal end cap 4. When paraffin 31 is started to flow into the capsule 2 from the stepped aperture 4b of the distal end cap 4, air inside the capsule 2 is discharged out of the capsule via the side aperture 3h or the slot 3e and the circumferential groove 3i, and the capsule 2 is filled with paraffin 31. The capsule 2 is filled with paraffin 31 by closing the side aperture 3h with a first shell sealing member 6a, closing the slot 3e with a second shell sealing member 6b and closing the stepped aperture 4b with a cap sealing member 7 to constitute the ultrasonic capsule 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule in which a mechanical scanning ultrasonic unit disposed in a capsule introduced into a body cavity is immersed in an ultrasonic transmission medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a medical method is known in which a capsule configured for medical use is introduced into a body cavity to collect information on a lesion in the body cavity or to administer a drug solution. In recent years, capsule endoscopes have been put into practical use in which capsules configured for medical use can be sent into body cavities and images in the body cavities can be acquired.

On the other hand, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits and receives an observation ultrasonic signal to a living tissue and obtains an ultrasonic tomographic image for diagnosis using an echo signal reflected from the living tissue is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135732. An ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule has been proposed that enables ultrasonic diagnosis of a site that is difficult to insert with an ultrasonic probe.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135832

  However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135732, it is shown that the ultrasonic transmission medium is filled in the sealed chamber, but the step of filling the ultrasonic transmission medium in the sealed chamber is shown. There is no specific explanation for. For this reason, it is considered that a step of filling the ultrasonic transmission medium is provided in the middle of assembling various parts constituting the ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule.

  If the period from the production of the ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule to the use of the capsule is long, the ultrasonic transmission medium in the capsule may evaporate and bubbles may be generated in the medium.

  If bubbles are present in the ultrasonic transmission medium filled in the capsule, the observation ultrasonic signal emitted from the ultrasonic transducer cannot pass through the bubbles, so that the observation ultrasonic waves toward the target biological tissue No signal is emitted.

  Even if the observation ultrasonic signal reaches the target biological tissue, if there are bubbles in the ultrasonic transmission medium, the echo signal reflected by the biological tissue cannot pass through the bubbles. The sound wave is not received by the sound wave vibrator.

  That is, the presence of bubbles in the ultrasonic transmission medium in the capsule may deteriorate the ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image or make it difficult to acquire the ultrasonic tomographic image of the examination target site.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an ultrasonic unit that can quickly fill an ultrasonic transmission medium into a capsule while excluding air in the capsule after an ultrasonic unit is disposed in the capsule. The aim is to provide a diagnostic medical capsule.

The ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule of the present invention includes an ultrasonic vibrator and a drive motor for rotating the ultrasonic vibrator in a capsule constituted by integrating a tip cap and a capsule sheath. An ultrasonic diagnostic capsule in which a sound wave unit is arranged,
In a configuration in which the ultrasonic unit is immersed in a medium by an insulating ultrasonic transmission medium filled in the capsule, the medium is used for injecting or discharging the ultrasonic transmission medium to and from the tip cap and the capsule sheath A hole is provided.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the ultrasonic unit is disposed in the capsule, for example, the ultrasonic transmission medium is filled from the medium hole provided in the tip cap. Then, the ultrasonic transmission medium is gradually filled in the capsule, and the air in the capsule is discharged to the outside from the medium hole provided in the capsule exterior. Further, when the ultrasonic transmission medium is further filled, air is discharged to the outside from the through hole provided in the capsule exterior, and the ultrasonic transmission medium overflows, and the capsule is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule capable of quickly filling an ultrasonic transmission medium into a capsule while excluding air in the capsule after the ultrasonic unit is disposed in the capsule. it can.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 17 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another shape of the gripping surface, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another shape of the gripping surface provided on the capsule exterior, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule, and FIG. Is a schematic diagram illustrating a capsule and a container used when an ultrasonic transmission medium is filled in the capsule, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the capsule is suspended in the container, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the acoustic wave transmission medium has entered, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the capsule is substantially filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium, and FIG. 10 is a diagram of the ultrasonic transmission medium filled in the capsule. Model explaining bubble removal work to remove bubbles outside the capsule FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation for filling an ultrasonic transmission medium into a capsule using a syringe, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule having a substantially conical capsule sheath, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example in which a large number of side holes are provided in the capsule exterior, FIG. 14 is a side view showing the arrangement positions of the large number of side holes provided in the capsule exterior, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the side hole provided in the capsule exterior, and FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of the first exterior sealing plug member that closes the side hole. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule (hereinafter abbreviated as “ultrasonic capsule”) 1 of this embodiment is mainly composed of a capsule 2 and a mechanical scanning ultrasonic transducer disposed in the capsule 2. And an ultrasonic unit (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 5) to be described later. The capsule 2 is filled with insulating liquid paraffin (reference numeral 31 in FIG. 5, hereinafter abbreviated as paraffin) which is an insulating ultrasonic transmission medium. Therefore, the ultrasonic unit in the capsule 2 is in a state of being immersed in paraffin.

  The capsule 2 is composed of a capsule sheath 3 and a tip cap 4 having a substantially cylindrical shape and a curved surface at the end. The capsule sheath 3 is formed of a hard resin member having biocompatibility. On the other hand, the tip cap 4 is made of polymethylpentene, polyethylene, polyether block amide or the like having excellent ultrasonic wave permeability and elasticity. The capsule sheath 3 and the tip cap 4 are integrally fixed by, for example, a bobbin adhering portion 5 in a state in which the opening side of the tip cap 4 is fitted on the opening side of the capsule sheath 3.

  A water-tightness provided with an O-ring that closes a later-described side hole (see reference numeral 3h in FIG. 5) serving as a medium hole for injecting or discharging paraffin at a predetermined position on the side peripheral surface of the capsule sheath 3 to maintain a watertight state. A first exterior sealing plug member 6a, which is a holding member, is provided. Further, a second exterior formed by an elastic member that is a watertight holding member that closes a later-described long hole (see reference numeral 3e in FIG. 2) serving as a medium hole at the base end portion of the capsule exterior 3 and maintains a watertight state. A sealing plug member 6b is provided.

  Further, on the side peripheral surface of the capsule sheath 3, a gripping surface portion 3a is formed which serves as both a rotation restricting portion and a gripping portion for preventing the capsule 2 from rolling when placed on a desk or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the gripping surface portion 3a in the present embodiment is a cut-out plane formed by cutting out a predetermined amount of a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface facing each other.

  Furthermore, from the base end top part of the capsule exterior 3, the base end convex part 16a which comprises the unit housing (refer code | symbol 16 of FIG. 3) mentioned later protrudes. A signal cable 8 having a general shield (see reference numeral 8a in FIG. 5) also serving as an operation string extends from the base end convex portion 16a. The base end portion of the signal cable 8 is electrically connected to an ultrasonic observation apparatus (not shown).

  On the other hand, a cap stopper provided with an O-ring described later, which is a water-tight holding member that closes a later-described stepped hole (reference numeral 4b in FIG. 5) serving as a medium hole at the tip top of the tip cap 4 and maintains a watertight state A member 7 is provided.

  Note that the gripping surface portion 3a is not limited to the notch plane shown in FIG. 2, but as shown in FIG. As shown, the outer shape may be an oval shape and may be the gripping surface portion 3c or the like. In addition, although not shown in the figure, a character or a picture for notifying that the gripping portion is on the gripping surface portion may be provided or colored. Reference numeral 3d is a through hole in which the base end convex portion 16a is disposed. Reference numeral 3e denotes a long hole that communicates with a circumferential groove 3i to be described later and constitutes a medium hole. The long holes 3e are formed, for example, at predetermined intervals around the through holes 3b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a circumferential groove 3g in which a convex portion 3f that prevents the tip cap 4 from dropping off and an O-ring 9a that is a watertight member is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the capsule exterior 3 constituting the capsule 2 as shown in FIG. And are provided.

  The opening side of the tip cap 4 and the opening side of the capsule sheath 3 are fixed and held in an integrated and watertight state by a bobbin adhering portion 5. The distal end cap 4 is fitted on the capsule sheath 3. At this time, the open end of the tip cap 4 is disposed at a position beyond the convex portion 3f and the O-ring 9a. As a result, the O-ring 9a and the convex portion 3f are positioned below the inner peripheral surface on the opening side of the tip cap 4, so that the tip cap 4 is disposed on the capsule sheath 3 by elastic force.

  In this arrangement state, the bobbin adhering portion 5 is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the tip cap 4. At this time, the opening side inner peripheral surface of the tip cap 4 and the O-ring 9a are brought into close contact with each other. As a result, watertightness between the tip cap 4 and the capsule sheath 3 is maintained.

  A side hole 3h serving as a medium hole communicating with the inner hole is provided, for example, at a predetermined position on the side peripheral surface of the capsule sheath 3 constituting the capsule 2 so as to face each other. The central axis of the side hole 3h is set to be orthogonal to the capsule central axis. The head of the first exterior sealing plug member 6a is disposed in the side hole 3h. An O-ring 9b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the head portion of the first exterior sealing plug member 6a. In the arrangement state, the O-ring 9b is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the side hole 3h to be in a watertight state. That is, by arranging the first exterior sealing member 6a in the side hole 3h, the side hole 3h is closed.

  Further, a circumferential groove 3i communicating with one opening of the long hole 3e is provided at the end of the capsule sheath 3 so as to surround the through hole 3d. That is, the long hole 3e and the circumferential groove 3i communicate with each other to form a medium hole. A donut-shaped second exterior sealing plug member 6b is press-fitted and disposed in the circumferential groove 3i against the elastic force. By press-fitting and arranging the second exterior sealing plug member 6b in the circumferential groove 3i, one opening of the long hole 3e is closed to be in a watertight state.

  On the other hand, a thick portion 4 a is provided at the end of the tip cap 4 constituting the capsule 2. A stepped hole 4b serving as a medium hole is formed in the thick part 4a. In this stepped hole 4b, a cap sealing member 7 having an O-ring 9d provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip is disposed. By disposing the cap sealing plug member 7 in the stepped hole 4b, the O-ring 9d is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 4c to be in a watertight state. That is, by arranging the cap sealing member 7 in the stepped hole 4b, the stepped hole 4b is closed.

  The ultrasonic unit 10 fixed in the capsule 2 is mainly composed of an ultrasonic transducer 11, a slip ring 12, an encoder 13, a drive motor 14, a brush holder 15, and a unit housing 16. Yes.

  The unit housing 16 is a cylindrical member formed of a metal member or a hard resin member that forms the outermost exterior of the ultrasonic unit 10, and is integrally disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the capsule exterior 3 by screws or adhesion. It is like that.

  The unit housing 16 has a larger diameter than the first space portion 16b in which the base end side portion of the motor body 14a constituting the drive motor 14 is disposed and the first space portion 16b in which the brush holder 15 is disposed. And a second space portion 16c.

  From the base end surface of the unit housing 16, the base end convex portion 16a protrudes. An O-ring 9c that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 3d is disposed at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the base end convex portion 16a. The O-ring 9c is kept in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 3d, so that the watertight state is maintained.

  The base end convex portion 16a is provided with a through hole 16d communicating with the first space portion 16b. The signal cable 8 is inserted and disposed in the through hole 16d. The signal cable 8 is driven by an electric wire (not shown) for supplying power to the drive motor 14 constituting the ultrasonic unit 10 or the ultrasonic transducer 11. A drive signal line (not shown) for transmitting a signal, an echo signal line (not shown) for transmitting an echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 11, and a signal line (for transmitting rotation angle information output from the encoder 13). (Not shown) is inserted.

  The total shield 8 a provided in the signal cable 8 is integrally fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the first space portion 16 b of the unit housing 16, for example, by a fixing member 19 such as solder or adhesive. Therefore, for example, when the surgeon grasps the signal cable 8 and pulls it while the ultrasonic capsule 1 is introduced into the body cavity, a load is applied to the electric wires and various signal lines inserted through the signal cable 8. Is prevented. For this reason, the malfunction which generate | occur | produces in the electrical connection part etc. which are provided in the electric wire and various signal wires reduces drastically.

  A first female screw portion 16e that communicates with the first space portion 16b is provided on the side surface proximal end side of the unit housing 16 so as to face the side hole 3h. A male screw provided in the first exterior sealing plug member 6a is screwed into the first female screw portion 16e. Therefore, the unit housing 16 is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position of the capsule sheath 3 by screwing the male screw of the first external sealing plug member 6a into the first female screw portion 16e.

  Further, for example, a pair of second female screw portions 16 f communicating with the second space portion 16 c is provided in the central portion of the side peripheral surface of the unit housing 16. A fixing member 21 such as a screw is screwed to the second female screw portion 16f.

  The brush holder 15 has a pipe shape, and a pair of brush members 15a and 15b formed of a conductive member having elasticity are disposed at a predetermined position on the tip side. The brush members 15a and 15b are formed in a predetermined shape so as to contact a predetermined position of the slip ring 12 in a predetermined state. A driving signal line or an echo signal line inserted through the signal cable 8 is electrically connected to the brush members 15a and 15b.

The brush holder 15 is disposed in a predetermined state in the second space portion 16c of the unit housing 16, and then integrally with the unit housing 16 by a fixing member 21 that is screwed to the second female screw portion 16f of the unit housing 16. Fixed. That is, as the fixing member 21 is tightened, the brush holder 15 is pressed to the inner peripheral surface side of the second space portion 16c to be in a fixed state. In this fixed state, the inner hole of the brush holder 15 and the first space portion 16b of the unit housing 16 are in communication with each other.
For example, a pair of female screw portions 15 c communicating with the inner hole is provided at a predetermined position on the side surface of the brush holder 15. A motor fixing member 22 such as a screw is screwed to these female screw portions 15c.

  The ultrasonic transducer 11 emits an ultrasonic signal and acquires an echo signal reflected by a living tissue for constructing an ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image. The ultrasonic transducer 11 is integrally fixed to the transducer fixing member 17. The vibrator fixing member 17 includes a vibrator shaft 17a, and a ring holder 12a constituting the slip ring 12 is integrally disposed on the vibrator shaft 17a.

  The slip ring 12 is a rotary signal transmission means, and exchanges signals between the ultrasonic transducer 11 and an ultrasonic observation apparatus (not shown). Specifically, the slip ring 12 includes a ring holder 12a disposed on the vibrator shaft 17a, and annular ring members 12b and 12c formed of a pair of conductive members that are externally disposed on the ring holder 12a. It is an insulating member, and is composed of a spacing ring 12d that is fitted on the ring holder 12a so as to be positioned between the ring member 12b and the ring member 12c. Brush members 15a and 15b disposed in the brush holder 15 are in electrical contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the ring members 12b and 12c, respectively, by an urging force.

  An input / output signal cable (not shown) extends from the ultrasonic transducer 11. The input signal cable and the output signal cable are connected to the ring member 12b or the ring member 12c of the slip ring 12, respectively. Therefore, for example, the echo signal acquired by the ultrasonic transducer 11 is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation apparatus via the output signal cable, the ring member 12c, the brush member 15b, and the echo signal line inserted through the signal cable 8. It has become so.

  The encoder 13 detects the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer 11. The signal detected by the encoder 13 is used for rotation control of the drive motor 14 and construction of a sonic diagnostic tomographic image. Therefore, the encoder 13 is, for example, an encoder drum 13a provided with a magnetized portion (not shown) magnetized at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, and an encoder sensor (not shown) that reads the magnetized portion provided on the encoder drum 13a. And is mainly composed.

  The encoder drum 13a is integrally fixed to the vibrator shaft 17a by, for example, adhesion. In this fixed state, a part of the encoder drum 13 a is arranged so as to cover the motor shaft 14 b of the drive motor 14. The encoder sensor is disposed on the brush holder 15 so as to face the magnetized portion of the encoder drum 13a. A signal line inserted through the signal cable 8 is electrically connected to the encoder sensor.

  The drive motor 14 generates a rotational driving force that rotates the ultrasonic transducer 11. The motor shaft 14b provided in the drive motor 14 is integrally connected and fixed by adhesion, for example, in a state of being engaged and arranged in a fixing hole 17b provided in the vibrator shaft 17a.

  An elastic sheet member 18 is fixed to a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the front end side of the motor body 14a of the drive motor 14 by, for example, adhesion. The front end side of the motor main body 14 a of the drive motor 14 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the rear end side of the brush holder 15. In this arrangement state, the elastic sheet member 18 is arranged to face the female screw portion 15 c of the brush holder 15.

  Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the motor main body 14 a is pressed against the inner peripheral surface on the rear end side of the brush holder 15 by tightening the motor fixing member 22 screwed to the female screw portion 15 c and pressing the elastic sheet member 18. Thus, the drive motor 14 in which the motor shaft 14b is integrally fixed to the vibrator shaft 17a is fixedly disposed on the brush holder 15 while the motor body 14a is prevented from rotating with respect to the brush holder 15. .

  The drive motor 14 is electrically connected to an electric wire that passes through the signal cable 8. Further, the tightening force of the motor fixing member 22 may be a pressing force that prevents the motor main body 14 a from rotating in the brush holder 15 when the drive motor 14 is driven.

With reference to FIG. 6 thru | or FIG. 10, the procedure in which the medical worker fills the capsule 2 with the paraffin 31 and comprises the ultrasonic capsule 1 in a medical field is demonstrated with reference to FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, a medical staff such as a doctor or a nurse removes the capsule 2 with the first exterior sealing member 6a, the second exterior sealing member 6b, and the cap sealing member 7 removed, and paraffin. For example, a transparent container 30 for storing 31 is prepared.

  Next, the medical staff attaches the signal cable 8 extending from the capsule 2 to a fixture (not shown), and arranges the capsule 2 in a state where it is suspended at a predetermined position in the container 30. As a result, the long hole 3e and the circumferential groove 3i provided in the capsule sheath 3 are arranged on the upper side. In this state, paraffin 31 is supplied into the container 30 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the paraffin 31 is stored in the container 30 and the storage amount gradually increases. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the paraffin 31 enters the capsule 2 through the stepped hole 4b. That is, the inflow of paraffin 31 into the capsule 2 starts from the stepped hole 4b provided in the tip cap 4, while the air in the capsule 2 is encapsulated via the side hole 3h or the long hole 3e and the circumferential groove 3i. It is discharged to the outside of 2.

  Further, by further supplying the paraffin 31 into the container 30, as shown in FIG. 9, the capsule 2 is immersed in the paraffin 31, and the capsule 2 is substantially filled with the paraffin 31. Become. In this state, the supply of paraffin 31 into the container 30 is stopped.

  Next, the medical staff confirms whether or not the bubbles 32 are present in the capsule 2 through the container. Here, when the air bubble 32 is confirmed by the medical staff, the medical staff grasps the signal cable 8 and the capsule 2 is placed in the paraffin 31 as shown by a solid line, a one-dot chain line or the like as shown in FIG. Do the bubble removal work to move with. Then, the air bubbles 32 remaining in the capsule 2 are discharged to the outside of the capsule 2 through the side holes 3h or the long holes 3e and the circumferential groove 3i, and the inside of the capsule 2 is filled with paraffin 31. Become.

  Here, the medical staff checks again whether or not the bubbles 32 remain in the capsule 2. At this time, when the medical worker confirms that the medium is filled, the capsule 2 is immersed in the paraffin 31 and attached to the side hole 3h of the first exterior sealing plug member 6a. The sealing plug member 6b is attached to the circumferential groove 3i and the cap sealing plug member 7 is attached to the stepped hole 4b.

  Then, in the first exterior sealing plug member 6a, the male screw is screwed into the first second female screw portion 16f, and the O-ring 9b closes the side hole 3h in a watertight state in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the side hole 3h. Further, in the second exterior sealing plug member 6b, the long hole 3e is closed in a watertight state in which one opening of the long hole 3e is closed by being press-fitted and disposed in the circumferential groove 3i. Further, the cap sealing plug member 7 is disposed in the stepped hole 4b, thereby closing the stepped hole 4b in a watertight state in which the O-ring 9d is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 4c.

  Thus, the ultrasonic capsule 1 shown in FIG. 5 in which the capsule 2 is filled with the paraffin 31 is configured.

  On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 9, when the medical staff confirms that the capsule 2 is in a medium-filled state in which bubbles in the capsule 2 are excluded, the capsule 2 is immersed in the paraffin 31 as described above. The ultrasonic capsule 1 is configured by attaching the first exterior sealing member 6a, the second exterior sealing member 6b, and the cap sealing member 7 to the side hole 3h, the circumferential groove 3i, and the stepped hole 4b.

The operation of the ultrasonic capsule 1 configured as described above will be described.
While the ultrasonic capsule 1 of the present embodiment is swallowed by the subject, power is supplied to the drive motor 14 from an ultrasonic observation device (not shown) through the signal cable 8 and the signal cable 8 A transducer drive signal is output toward the ultrasonic transducer 11 through the drive signal line, the brush member 15a, the ring member 12b, and the input signal cable inserted therethrough.

  Then, the ultrasonic transducer 11 is rotated, and an ultrasonic signal for observation is repeatedly transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 11 toward the living tissue to perform radial scanning, and an echo signal reflected by the living tissue is generated. Received by the ultrasonic transducer 11.

  The echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 11 is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation apparatus via the output signal cable, the ring member 12c, and the brush member 15b, and the echo signal line inserted through the signal cable 8. . An image processing circuit provided in the ultrasonic observation apparatus generates an image signal from the echo signal and outputs it to a display device (not shown). As a result, an ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image is displayed on the screen of the display device.

  In addition, when the operator who is observing the ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image wants to observe the ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image of the portion through which the ultrasonic capsule 1 has passed again, the operator holds the signal cable 8. Then, the signal cable 8 is pulled to the desired side by a desired amount. Then, the ultrasonic capsule 1 is pulled back to the hand side against the peristaltic motion. Therefore, it is possible to acquire an ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image of the passing portion again.

  When the ultrasonic capsule 1 is taken out from the body cavity after the ultrasonic examination is finished, the operator grasps the signal cable 8 and continuously pulls the signal cable 8 toward the hand side. As a result, the ultrasonic capsule 1 moves inside the body cavity against the peristaltic motion and is removed from the oral cavity.

  In the present embodiment, the procedure for supplying the paraffin 31 to the container 30 and filling the capsule 2 with the paraffin 31 in a state where the capsule 2 is suspended in the container 30 is shown. The procedure for filling the paraffin 31 into the 2 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip 41 of the syringe 40 in which the paraffin 31 is stored is disposed in the stepped hole 4b, for example. The ultrasonic capsule 1 may be configured by filling the capsule 2 with paraffin 31.

  Although not shown, in the process of manufacturing the ultrasonic capsule 1, for example, a plurality of capsules 2 with the first exterior sealing member 6a, the second exterior sealing member 6b, and the cap sealing member 7 removed. 2 is immersed in paraffin stored in a container, and then the container is put into a vacuum deaerator to eliminate bubbles in the capsule 2, and the first exterior sealing member 6 a and the second exterior The ultrasonic capsule 1 may be configured by attaching the sealing member 6b and the cap sealing member 7 to the side hole 3h, the circumferential groove 3i, and the stepped hole 4b.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the side hole 3h, the long hole 3e, and the circumferential groove 3i are provided in the capsule sheath 3 constituting the capsule 2 is shown, but the side hole 3h or the long hole is provided in the capsule sheath 3. Only one of 3e and circumferential groove 3i may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the capsule 2 is constituted by a capsule sheath 3 and a tip cap 4 having a substantially cylindrical shape and a curved portion at the end, and the capsule sheath 3A is, for example, an end as shown in FIG. The part side may be formed in a substantially conical shape having a small diameter. Thus, when the signal cable 8 is pulled, the ultrasonic capsule 1 can be moved to the hand side against the peristaltic motion more smoothly.

  In this embodiment, the ultrasonic capsule 1 is a so-called stringed ultrasonic capsule 1 in which the signal cable 8 is extended from the proximal end side of the capsule sheath 3 constituting the capsule 2. It is not limited to a string and may be an ultrasonic capsule without a string.

  Regardless of the ultrasonic capsule with the string or the ultrasonic capsule without the string, the position or the shape and the number of the medium holes provided in the capsule sheath 3 constituting the capsule 2 are the side holes 3h shown in FIG. It is not limited to the hole 3e and the circumferential groove 3i. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of side holes 3h and side holes 3k are provided, and the side holes 3h,. You may make it arrange in the direction at predetermined intervals. The side hole 3k is provided in the vicinity of the capsule central axis.

  As a result, the ultrasonic transmission medium flows into the capsule 2 from any of the side holes 3h,..., 3h, 3k, while the air in the capsule 2 is discharged from any of the side holes 3h,. Therefore, when the capsule 2 is immersed in the ultrasonic transmission medium and the medium filling operation is performed, the immersion posture of the capsule 2 can be freely set.

  Alternatively, the medium holes 33 and 34 may be provided in consideration of the flow direction of the ultrasonic transmission medium as indicated by arrows a and b in FIGS. 15 and 16. That is, the direction of the central axis of the medium holes 33 and 34 is set in consideration of the fluid flow direction, not the direction orthogonal to the capsule central axis. As a result, the air in the capsule 2 can be more smoothly discharged to the outside of the capsule 2 and the ultrasonic transmission medium can be filled smoothly.

  Further, instead of the first exterior sealing plug member 6a for closing the side hole 3h provided in the capsule exterior 3, as shown in FIG. 17, a sealing cap 6d having a retaining projection 6c formed of an elastic member is provided in the side hole 3h. You may make it provide in. This makes it possible to easily attach the cap plug 6d to the side hole 3h and obtain a watertight state. Reference numeral 3m denotes a retaining recess where the retaining projection 6c is disposed.

  In this way, by providing a medium hole in the capsule sheath and the tip cap constituting the capsule of the ultrasonic capsule, a medical worker confirms the presence or absence of bubbles in the capsule at the medical site, and transmits the ultrasonic wave. Can be smoothly filled.

  As a result, it is possible to obtain a good ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image in which the ultrasonic diagnostic tomographic image is not deteriorated by bubbles present in the capsule.

  In addition, an ultrasonic transmission is provided in the capsule without the provision of a seal portion that supports the transducer shaft and prevents the ultrasonic transmission medium from entering the drive motor or the like in the capsule in which the ultrasonic unit is disposed. By filling the liquid unit with insulating liquid paraffin as a medium and configuring the ultrasonic unit in an immersion state, it is possible to reduce the size of the ultrasonic capsule by using a small motor with a low torque.

  Furthermore, the encoder shaft is fixed to the vibrator shaft so that a part of the encoder drum constituting the encoder is covered with the motor shaft, and the motor shaft is integrally bonded to the vibrator shaft in which the encoder and the slip ring are integrally arranged. As a result of the fixing, a connecting member such as a coupling is not required, and the longitudinal length of the ultrasonic capsule can be greatly shortened.

  As a result, there is no need to provide a rotary bearing for holding the transducer shaft, and the ultrasonic capsule can be further reduced in size.

  Further, the front end surface of the motor fixing member is brought into contact with an elastic sheet member provided on the motor body of the drive motor, and the drive motor is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the brush holder to be fixedly arranged. Further, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the motor body in order to fix and arrange the drive motor, and to further reduce the size of the drive motor.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The perspective view explaining an ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule AA line sectional view of FIG. The figure explaining the gripping surface part of the other shape provided in the capsule exterior The figure explaining the grip surface part of another shape provided in the capsule exterior Longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule The figure explaining the container used when filling a capsule and an ultrasonic transmission medium in a capsule The figure which shows the state which suspended and arranged the capsule in the container The figure which shows the state which the ultrasonic transmission medium has penetrate | invaded in the capsule The figure which shows the state in which the inside of a capsule was substantially satisfy | filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium The figure explaining the bubble removal operation | work which excludes the bubble in the ultrasonic transmission medium with which the capsule was filled out of a capsule The figure which shows the work example which fills an ultrasonic transmission medium in a capsule using a syringe. The figure which shows the ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule provided with the substantially cone-shaped capsule exterior Sectional drawing which shows the structural example which provided many side holes in the capsule exterior Side view showing the arrangement positions of a number of side holes provided in the capsule exterior Sectional drawing which shows the other structural example of the side hole provided in a capsule exterior Sectional drawing which shows another structural example of the side hole provided in a capsule exterior The figure explaining the other structural example of the 1st exterior sealing plug member which obstruct | occludes a side hole

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Ultrasound diagnostic medical capsule
2 ... Capsule 3 ... Capsule exterior 3e ... Long hole 3h ... Side hole 3i ... Circumferential groove 4 ... Tip cap
4b ... Stepped hole 6a ... First sealing plug member 6b ... Second sealing plug member 7 ... Cap sealing member 30 ... Container 31 ... Paraffin (ultrasonic transmission medium)
Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic diagnostic capsule in which an ultrasonic unit including an ultrasonic vibrator and a drive motor for rotating the ultrasonic vibrator is disposed in a capsule formed by integrating a tip cap and a capsule sheath. Because
In the configuration in which the ultrasonic unit is immersed in the medium by the insulating ultrasonic transmission medium filled in the capsule,
An ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule, wherein a medium hole for injecting or discharging an ultrasonic transmission medium is provided in the distal end cap and the capsule sheath.   The ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule according to claim 1, wherein the medium hole is closed by a watertight holding member that maintains a watertight state after the capsule is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium.   The ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule according to claim 2, wherein the watertight holding member is a fastening member having an O-ring or an elastic member that closes the medium hole by press-fitting.   The ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule according to claim 1, wherein the medium hole provided in the tip cap is provided in the vicinity of the top of the cap.   The ultrasonic diagnostic medical capsule according to claim 1, wherein the medium hole provided in the capsule exterior is provided in at least one of a top portion or an exterior side peripheral surface.

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