JP2006271493A - Ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform the maintenance while an endoscopic examination unit and an ultrasonic examination unit are separated without injuring a member disposed in an insertion part. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscopic examination unit 10 with a support member 11 in which an illumination part 13 and an observation part 14 are mounted is surrounded by the ultrasonic examination unit 30 for the electronic radial scanning. The ultrasonic examination unit 30 consists of two-divided semicircular ultrasonic divided units 30a with an ultrasonic transducer 31, and first and second holder members 36 and 37, which are jointed to each other and incorporated in the annular shape. The endoscopic examination unit 10 and the ultrasonic examination unit 30 are fixed to the distal end of an angle part 2b with a fastening screw 42 by engaging a locking projection 39 and a locking recess 21 and fitting a narrow part 37a of the second holder member 37 in a distal end ring 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope in which an endoscopic inspection unit and an ultrasonic inspection unit that is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the endoscopic inspection unit and electronically scans in a rotation direction are integrated. In particular, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope that can be easily disassembled and assembled.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope, an endoscope inspection unit including an illumination unit and an observation unit and an ultrasonic inspection unit including an ultrasonic transducer are attached to the distal end of an insertion unit to be inserted into a body cavity. As an ultrasonic transducer, a configuration in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a certain direction and electronic scanning is performed has been conventionally used. Here, the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducers may be an arc shape or an annular shape, and thereby, in the rotation direction, that is, radial or convex ultrasonic scanning is performed.

At the distal end hard part of the insertion part, a cylindrical member is provided at the center, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the member so as to penetrate in the axial direction. The endoscopic examination unit is configured by providing a treatment instrument passage and the like to guide the treatment instrument, and an annular support member is provided so as to surround the endoscopic examination unit. A configuration in which an ultrasonic inspection unit is provided by arranging a predetermined number of strip-shaped ultrasonic transducers on the support member in the circumferential direction has been conventionally known as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. .
JP 2001-314403 A

  By the way, in the ultrasonic inspection means for performing electronic scanning, wiring is connected to each of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer. In order to increase the resolution of the ultrasonic image so that the ultrasonic inspection by the ultrasonic inspection means can be performed with high accuracy, the number of ultrasonic transducers to be mounted is increased as much as possible. The wiring connected to each ultrasonic transducer extends from the insertion portion to the inside of the universal cord through the main body operation portion, and is finally detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus. Therefore, as the number of ultrasonic transducers increases, the number of wires increases accordingly. The distal end hard portion of the insertion portion is not only equipped with an ultrasonic transducer, but is also provided with an endoscopy means, a treatment instrument insertion channel, and the like. In particular, when configured as an electronic endoscope provided with a solid-state imaging device in the observation section of the endoscopic inspection means, a predetermined number of signal cables are connected to the substrate of the solid-state imaging device. The illumination unit is provided with a light guide emitting end made of an optical fiber bundle. These signal cables and light guides extend at least from the insertion portion to the main body operation portion. In addition to these, a treatment instrument insertion channel, an air / water supply pipe, and the like are inserted through the insertion portion.

  Since the demand for reducing the diameter of the insertion portion is extremely high, the inside of the insertion portion has a very high filling rate, and the possibility of damage to the insertion member increases accordingly. In particular, the wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer, the signal cable drawn from the solid-state imaging device, the light guide facing the illumination window, and the like are fragile members and may be disconnected due to pressure. Further, since the endoscope observation means is composed of a solid-state image sensor, a failure or the like may occur in the solid-state image sensor and the board on which the solid-state image sensor is mounted. Therefore, in order to perform maintenance such as inspection, repair, and part replacement in the insertion portion, the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion in the ultrasonic endoscope must be able to be disassembled. In Patent Document 1 described above, the endoscope inspection unit is attached from the distal end side to the predetermined position at the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic inspection unit is fitted into the endoscope inspection unit from the distal end side. Will be combined. Then, in order to fix the endoscopic inspection unit and the ultrasonic inspection unit in the mounted state, a stopper wall is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the endoscopic inspection unit, and the ultrasonic inspection unit is connected to the distal end side of the endoscopic inspection unit. So that the end face is in contact with the stopper wall. Therefore, the endoscopic inspection unit cannot be taken out ahead of the ultrasonic inspection unit. Since the ultrasonic inspection unit has ultrasonic transducers arranged in an annular shape, the wiring drawn out from them surrounds the endoscopic inspection unit. For this reason, when performing maintenance of the endoscopic inspection unit, the wiring from the ultrasonic transducer must be shifted to expose the endoscopic inspection unit. This work requires caution. For example, if the wiring is entangled with another insertion member, for example, a signal cable or a light guide connected to the solid-state imaging device, it may cause inconvenience such as disconnection, and the maintainability in the insertion portion is poor. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The object of the present invention is to provide a member provided in the insertion portion for maintenance work performed by separating the endoscopic inspection unit and the ultrasonic inspection unit. It is to be able to perform easily without damage.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an endoscope in which a distal end hard portion is connected to the distal end of an angle portion, and the distal end hard portion is provided with at least an illumination portion and an observation portion attached to a support member. An inspection unit and an annular member fitted to the endoscope inspection unit, and a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a circumferential shape or an arc shape so that the longitudinal direction thereof is in the axial direction An ultrasonic endoscope provided with an ultrasonic inspection unit, wherein the ultrasonic inspection unit is composed of a plurality of ultrasonic division units having an arc shape, and an endoscopic inspection unit is mounted inside, These ultrasonic division units are assembled so as to be joined to each other, and when each of the ultrasonic division units surrounds the endoscopic examination unit, the endoscopic examination unit is arranged in the axial direction of the ultrasonic examination unit. Move Axial fixing portion for fixing the one in which the ultrasonic divided unit as its characterized in that a configuration and a radial fixing portion for fixing so as not to separate.

  Here, it is desirable that the support member constituting the endoscopic inspection unit has a cylindrical shape, but it can also have a rectangular column shape close to a circular column such as a hexagonal column or an octagonal column. On the other hand, the ultrasonic dividing unit is configured by arranging a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers, but at least the outer peripheral surface is annular. The inner surface of the ultrasonic division unit has a shape that matches the outer peripheral surface of the endoscopic inspection unit. The plurality of ultrasonic wave dividing units having an arc shape are contacted and separated in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the distal end hard portion in the insertion portion. Therefore, when the ultrasonic division unit is separated, the endoscopic inspection unit can be exposed to the outside. The ultrasonic division unit is mounted so as to surround the endoscopic inspection unit, and thus an ultrasonic inspection unit that surrounds the endoscopic inspection unit is configured. The number of divisions of the ultrasonic division unit is 2 or more, and the respective arc angles may be the same or different. That is, it can also be constituted by an ultrasonic division unit that is constituted by an ultrasonic division unit that is divided into two at 180 °, divided into three at 120 °, or divided into four at 90 °. In addition, when the divided arc angles are not equally divided, for example, a division mode such as 120 ° and 240 ° may be employed.

  In the assembled state, the endoscope inspection unit is fixed so as not to move in the axial direction with respect to the ultrasonic inspection unit. For this purpose, an axial direction fixing part is provided, and this axial direction fixing part is composed of an uneven fitting part provided on the inner surface of at least one of the ultrasonic division units and the outer peripheral surface of the endoscopic inspection unit. can do. A convex portion may be provided on any side, and a concave portion may be provided on any side. Regardless of whether it is a convex part or a concave part, the concave / convex fitting part formed in the ultrasonic division unit may be provided only in one of the divided ultrasonic division units, or all ultrasonic divisions. It can also be provided in the unit. If the concave and convex fitting portions are provided in all the ultrasonic division units and are formed in different shapes, the direction can be confirmed when the ultrasonic division unit and the endoscopic inspection unit are assembled. The ultrasonic division unit is joined and disassembled in the radial direction with respect to the endoscopic inspection unit, and it is not necessary to exert a special holding force in the joined state by the concave-convex fitting. If it is configured to exhibit the action function, a certain amount of fixing force is exhibited in the joined state. However, when considering the disassembling work of the hard tip portion, it is desirable that the fixing force of the ultrasonic division unit to the endoscopic inspection unit by this snap action is not so strong.

  In the state where the ultrasonic division unit is joined, the radial direction fixing portion for preventing the ultrasonic division unit from being separated is constituted by the most advanced ring located at the forefront among the angle rings constituting the angle portion. be able to. The ultrasonic inspection unit is configured to be fitted to the base end portion of the ultrasonic division unit to which this state-of-the-art ring is joined, and is screwed into the ultrasonic division unit from the outer peripheral surface of the ring using a screw. In addition, the endoscope inspection unit can be fixed to the tip of the angle portion. As described above, when the concavo-convex fitting portion is caused to perform a snap action, the concavo-convex fitting portion also functions as an auxiliary radial direction fixing portion.

  By configuring as described above, by removing the screw that fixes the ultrasonic dividing unit to the ring, the ultrasonic dividing unit can be divided and the endoscopic examination unit can be exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform maintenance such as inspection / repair of each member mounted on the ultrasonic division unit and the endoscope inspection unit and replacement of parts.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope is roughly composed of a main body operation unit 1, an insertion unit 2, and a universal cord 3. Although not shown, the ultrasound endoscope is detachably connected to the light source device and the video signal processing device, and is also detachably connected to the ultrasound observation device. The universal cord 3 extended from the main body operation unit 1 is branched in the middle, and at its end, a connection connector 3a connected to the light source device, a connection connector 3b connected to the video signal processing device, and an ultrasonic wave A connection connector 3c connected to the observation apparatus is provided.

  The main body operation unit 1 can be operated by a surgeon or the like with one hand. The main body operation unit 1 is provided with an angle operation means 4 and a treatment instrument introduction unit 5, and operates an air supply / water supply button 6, a suction button 7, and the like. Buttons are attached and various switches 8 are also provided.

  The insertion part 2 is a cord-like member provided by being connected to the main body operation part 1, and is inserted into the body of the subject. The insertion part 2 is a flexible part 2a that bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path in the body cavity from the connection part to the main body operation part, and the angle part 2b is connected to the tip of the flexible part 2a. Further, a hard tip portion 2c is connected to the tip of the angle portion 2b. The angle portion 2b can be bent up and down and left and right by remote operation in order to direct the distal end hard portion 2c in a desired direction. The angle operation means 4 provided in the main body operation unit 1 is for bending the angle unit 2b.

  The structure of the distal end hard portion 2c of the insertion portion 2 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a state where the tip hard portion 2c is assembled, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the respective parts constituting the tip hard portion 2c are separated. FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG. As is clear from these, the distal end hard portion 2 c is composed of the endoscopic inspection unit 10 and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30. The endoscopic inspection unit 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape that forms the central portion of the distal end hard portion 2 c, and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 has a substantially annular shape so as to surround the endoscopic inspection unit 10. It has become.

  The endoscope inspection unit 10 includes a columnar support member 11 and a distal end cap 12 that covers the distal end portion of the support member 11, and the support member 11 is provided with a plurality of through holes penetrating in the axial direction. The illumination part 13 and the observation part 14 are attached to each of these through holes, and a treatment instrument outlet 15 is opened. The illuminating unit 13 includes a diverging lens for illumination and a light guide 22 (see FIG. 5) arranged so that the emitting end faces the diverging lens. The light guide is connected to the universal cord from the insertion unit 2 through the main body operation unit 1. 3 connector 3a. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the observation unit 14 includes an objective optical system 16 and a solid-state imaging device 17 disposed at an image forming position of the objective optical system 16, and the objective optical system 16 includes an objective lens 16 a. And a prism 16b for bending the optical path of the objective lens 16a by 90 °. Therefore, the solid-state imaging device 17 is arranged so that its imaging surface faces the axial direction of the support member 11. A plurality of signal cables 19 are connected to the substrate 18 on which the solid-state imaging device 17 is mounted. The signal cables 19 are bundled on the way, and the universal cord 3 passes from the insertion unit 2 through the main body operation unit 1. Connected to the connector 3b.

  The distal end cap 12 fitted to the distal end portion of the support member 11 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the support member 11 in a state where it is mounted with, for example, about three set screws 20 provided. Accordingly, the support member 11 is made of a metal such as stainless steel, but the tip cap 12 is made of plastic, thereby preventing the support member 11 made of a metal material from being exposed to the outside.

  A locking recess 21 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support member 11. As shown in FIG. 5, at least two locking recesses 21 are formed in the circumferential direction, and four locking recesses 21 are formed in the present embodiment. A locking protrusion 39 provided on the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 side described later is engaged with the locking recess 21. The locking recess 21 and the locking projection 39 function as an axial fixing portion that fixes the endoscope inspection unit 10 and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 so as not to move in the axial direction when the endoscope inspection unit 10 and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 are assembled. It is.

  FIG. 5 shows an XX cross section of the support member 11 in FIG. 2, and the objective optical system 16 constituting the observation unit 14 already described is inserted into the support member 11. A light guide 22 facing the illumination unit 13 is inserted, and a connecting pipe 23 leading to the treatment instrument outlet 15 is attached. A treatment instrument insertion channel 24 made of a flexible tube is connected to the connection pipe 23.

  Next, as is apparent from FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 showing the cross section at the YY position, the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 includes an ultrasonic transducer 31 that performs radial electronic scanning. Is composed of a large number of ultrasonic transducers 32 arranged in an annular shape, and a backing layer 33 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the ultrasonic transducers 32 arranged in this manner, and acoustic waves are disposed on the outer peripheral side. An acoustic lens 34 is mounted via the matching layer. Further, before and after the ultrasonic transducer 31, first and second holding members 36 and 37 each having a concave groove 35 to which an end of the balloon is fixed are disposed. The holding members 36 and 37 are connected by a plurality of bridging members 38. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducer 31 is provided such that it abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the bridging member 38 and the front and rear ends thereof abut on the first and second holding members 36 and 37, respectively.

  The ultrasonic inspection unit 30 is divided into a plurality of parts. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic division units 30a and 30a are configured by being divided into two so that the angle is approximately 180 ° so as to be equally divided in the circumferential direction. is doing. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 31 and the first and second holding members 36 and 37 are also divided into two semicircular shapes, and are assembled in an annular shape by joining them together. The front and rear end surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer 31 that forms a semicircular shape constituting both the ultrasonic dividing units 30a, and the first and second holding members 36 and 37 that are formed in a semicircular shape are used as an adhesive. Further, the ultrasonic transducer 31 is also fixed to the bridge member 38, whereby the two ultrasonic dividing units 30a are unitized.

  Electronic radial scanning can be performed by a large number of ultrasonic transducers 32 constituting the ultrasonic transducer 31 formed into an annular shape by joining both ultrasonic division units 30a. Further, the concave groove 35 to which the balloon is fixed is formed in an annular shape, and a fixing ring constituting both ends of the balloon is mounted between the front and rear concave grooves 35, 35 thus formed in the annular shape. When performing ultrasonic electronic radial scanning, an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied into the balloon, but illustration of the means for supplying the ultrasonic transmission medium is omitted.

  A locking projection 39 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first holding member 36 constituting the divided ultrasonic unit 30a. The locking projection 39 has a shape corresponding to that at a position corresponding to the locking recess 21 provided on the support member 11 in the endoscope inspection unit 10. As a result, the endoscopic inspection unit 10 is surrounded by the ultrasonic inspection unit 30, and cannot be relatively moved in the axial direction due to the engagement between the locking protrusion 39 and the locking recess 21. Here, the locking projection 39 has a low height, and the locking recess 21 is deeper than the height of the locking projection 39. Then, the locking projection 39 is fitted into the locking recess 21 by a snap action, whereby the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 including the two divided ultrasonic units 30a is fitted into the endoscope unit 10. It will be temporarily fixed in the state. Further, the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 and the endoscope unit 10 cannot be moved relative to each other in the rotational direction. Since the two ultrasonic dividing units 30a are divided in half, there is at least one engaging portion between the locking projection 39 and the locking recess 21 at the position of each ultrasonic dividing unit 30a. In this embodiment, two locations are provided. The outer diameter dimension of the distal end cap 12 fitted to the distal end portion of the support member 11 of the endoscopic inspection unit 10 is substantially the same as the outer diameter dimension of the first holding member 36 formed into an annular shape by joining. Therefore, the contact line of the ultrasonic wave dividing unit 30a is not exposed to the outside at the front end portion, apart from the side surface portion.

  The divided ultrasonic units 30a and 30a are fixed to the joined state. Therefore, the base end side of the second support member 37 is reduced in diameter, and the reduced diameter portion 37a is connected to the angle portion 2b. The outer portion of the angle portion 2b has a node ring structure in which a predetermined number of angle rings 40 are pivotally attached to each other, and a skin layer 41 made of a net and angle rubber is covered on the outer periphery of the angle ring 40. It is worn. And the front-end | tip part of this outer skin layer 41 is being fixed by the spool and adhesion | attachment. The state-of-the-art ring 40a constituting the angle ring 40 functions as a connecting ring between the angle portion 2b and the distal end hard portion 2c, and is contracted on the proximal end side in the second holding member 37 constituting the ultrasonic inspection unit 30. The diameter portion 37 a is fitted to the most advanced ring 40, and a set screw 42 is inserted from the outer peripheral side of the most advanced ring 40 a and is screwed into a screw hole provided in the reduced diameter portion 37 a of the second holding member 37. As a result, the two ultrasonic divided units 30a and 30a are held so as not to be separated, and the distal end hard portion 2c is connected to the angle portion 2b. Accordingly, the radially fixed portion is configured by fitting the reduced diameter portion 37 a of the second holding member 37 into the most advanced ring 40 a and fixing it with the set screw 42. Since the second holding member 37 is divided into two parts, it is necessary to provide one or more screwing portions on at least both of the second holding members 37.

  Accordingly, the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 is connected to the angle portion 2b, and the ultrasonic division units 30a and 30a are regulated so as not to be separated. In particular, the ultrasonic division units 30a and 30a divided into two are fixed in a connected state by a set screw 42 at the proximal end side and by engagement between the locking projection 39 and the locking recess 21 at a position near the distal end. Further, since the endoscopic examination unit 10 is not movable in the axial direction by the ultrasonic examination unit 30, the endoscopic examination unit 10 is also held fixedly. The abutting portion of the ultrasonic dividing unit 30a and the abutting portion of the distal end cap 12 and the first holding member 36 are each filled with a sealing material, and as a result, the inside of the ultrasonic endoscope is hermetically sealed. Kept in a state. Here, the sealing material is only for sealing the inside, and it is not necessary to apply a special fixing force, but the sealing material may have a weak adhesive function.

  By the way, wiring 50 is connected to each of a large number of ultrasonic transducers 32 arranged in an annular shape constituting the ultrasonic inspection unit 30, and the number of these wirings 50 is at least that of the arranged ultrasonic transducers 32. The number is one more than the number. The wires 50 are routed from the main body operation unit 1 to the connector 3 c of the universal cord 3, and these wires 50 can be combined into one or more inside the insertion unit 2, but at least to the ultrasonic transducer 31. The wiring 50 is arranged in an annular shape at the connection portion.

  The wiring 50 can be directly connected to the ultrasonic transducer 32, but as shown in FIG. 7, each wiring 50 and each ultrasonic transducer 32 are electrically connected via the flexible substrate 51. It has become. As can be seen from the figure, the flexible substrate 51 is provided with vibrator-side electrodes 52 and wiring connection electrodes 53 at both ends, and between these vibrator-side electrodes 52 and the wiring connection electrodes 53. Are connected by a wiring pattern 54. Here, since the flexible substrate 51 must pass through the position of the bridging member 38, a notch 55 is formed to avoid the position of the bridging member 38. Therefore, the wiring 50 is connected to the flexible substrate 51 at the inner peripheral portion of the second holding member 37 or at a position inside the most advanced ring 40a. As described above, the flexible substrate 51 is provided with a large number of wiring connection electrodes 53 substantially in the entire width direction. Therefore, when the flexible substrate 51 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 32, the connection portion of the wiring 50 is substantially the same. Many will be arranged as a circle.

  By configuring as described above, in the state assembled as an ultrasonic endoscope, a front visual field can be obtained from the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 2c of the insertion portion 2 inserted at a predetermined position in the body cavity. . That is, it is possible to irradiate illumination light from the illumination unit 13 and observe an image in the body cavity through the observation unit 14 under this illumination. As a result of this observation, when an affected part or the like is found, an appropriate treatment tool is inserted from the treatment tool introduction unit 5 and led out from the treatment tool outlet port 15, so that a desired treatment such as excision / removal of the affected part is performed. Extraction, hemostasis, injection solution injection, and the like can be performed.

  Further, in addition to the optical image of the observation target part obtained via the observation part 14, an ultrasonic tomographic image can also be acquired. That is, when the color of the inner wall of the body cavity is changed in the optical image of the observation target portion obtained by the observation portion 14, the position of the insertion portion 2 is adjusted and provided on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end hard portion 2c. The ultrasonic transducer 31 is made to face the region of interest. In this state, by operating the ultrasonic transducer 31, ultrasonic radial scanning is performed, and an ultrasonic tomographic image of this region of interest can be acquired.

  If the ultrasonic endoscope is used repeatedly, maintenance such as inspection / repair of each part of the endoscopic inspection unit 10 or the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 constituting the ultrasonic endoscope due to failure or the like occurs. Necessary. For example, if there is a failure of the solid-state imaging device 16 constituting the observation unit 14, a disconnection of the signal cable 18 connected to the substrate 17 on which the solid-state imaging device 16 is mounted, or a disconnection of the wiring 50 connected to the ultrasonic transducer 32, Repair or replacement of parts must be performed. During this maintenance, each member must be disassembled so as not to damage a normally functioning member or the like.

  Therefore, in disassembling the distal end hard portion 2c in this ultrasonic endoscope, first, the spool of the outer skin layer 41 to which the distal end is fixed is removed from the angle portion 2b, and the outer skin layer 41 is removed from the base of the angle portion 2b. Pull to the end. As a result, the set screw 42 is exposed to the outside, and the set screw 42 is removed. As a result, the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 with the endoscopic inspection unit 10 mounted therein can be pulled out to the distal end side of the angle portion 2b. Here, since the wirings 50 immediately after being drawn out from the flexible substrate 51 are arranged in a substantially circumferential shape, a part of the wirings 50 is drawn out from the endoscope inspection unit 10 by a bending operation or the like of the angle portion 2b. In some cases, the light guide 22, the signal cable 18, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 24 are entangled. For this reason, when the endoscopic inspection unit 10 and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 are relatively moved in the axial direction, inconveniences such as disconnection of the wiring 50 occur.

  However, the locking recess 21 on the endoscopic inspection unit 10 side and the locking protrusion 39 on the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 side are kept engaged, that is, the endoscopic inspection unit 10 and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 By pulling forward without breaking the positional relationship, even if the wiring 50 is intertwined with any member constituting the endoscopic inspection unit 10, there is no risk of disconnection, and members other than the wiring 50 are damaged. Never do.

  The endoscope inspection unit 10 and the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 are moved in front of the angle portion 2b while being integrated with each other, so that they are placed in an open space, and the internal state is established via the wiring 50. Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not there is interference between the members disposed in the insertion portion 2. Since the ultrasonic inspection unit 30 can be divided in the direction orthogonal to the axis, as shown in FIG. 3, if there is any interference between the members, carefully eliminate it. The distal end rigid portion 2c can be easily divided into three parts without damaging any member by displacing the ultrasonic dividing units 30a, 30a in the direction indicated by the arrows and separating them. Accordingly, maintenance of the ultrasonic endoscope can be easily performed, and normal parts and members are not damaged at the time of inspection, repair, and part replacement.

  When the maintenance is completed, the ultrasonic division units 30a and 30a and the endoscope inspection unit 10 can be assembled as the distal end hard portion 2c by performing the reverse operation to the above, and the distal end hard portion 2c is configured. The reduced diameter portion 37a of the second holding member 37 to be pressed is pushed into the innermost ring 40a of the angle portion 2b and fixed with a set screw 42, and the outer skin layer 41 is further pulled out to a predetermined position to wind the thread Then, the reassembly is completed by applying an adhesive.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of an insertion part. It is sectional drawing of the state which pulled out the front-end | tip hard part from the angle part and isolate | separated the ultrasonic inspection unit. It is a figure which shows the front end surface of a front-end | tip hard part. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is YY sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view of a flexible substrate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body operation part 2 Insertion part 2b Angle part 2c End hard part 10 Endoscopic inspection unit 11 Support member 12 End cap 13 Illumination part 14 Observation part 15 Treatment instrument outlet 21 Locking recessed part 30 Ultrasonic inspection unit 30a Ultrasonic division unit 30a Unit 31 Ultrasonic transducer 32 Ultrasonic transducer 36 First holding member 37 Second holding member 37a Reduced diameter portion 38 Crossing member 39 Locking protrusion 40 Angle ring 40a Most advanced ring 41 Outer skin layer 42 Set screw 50 Wiring 51 Flexible substrate

Claims (4)

A hard tip part is connected to the tip of the angle part, and this hard tip part is fitted with an endoscopy unit with at least an illumination part and an observation part attached to a support member, and this endoscopy unit. Endoscopic endoscope comprising a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers and an ultrasonic inspection unit in which a predetermined number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a circumferential shape or an arc shape with the longitudinal direction thereof oriented in the axial direction In
The ultrasonic inspection unit is composed of a plurality of ultrasonic division units having an arc shape, and is installed so that each of the ultrasonic division units is bonded to each other by mounting an endoscopic inspection unit inside,
When the endoscopic inspection unit is surrounded by these ultrasonic division units, an axial direction fixing unit that fixes the movement of the endoscopic inspection unit in the axial direction of the ultrasonic inspection unit, and each ultrasonic wave An ultrasonic endoscope characterized by comprising a radial direction fixing portion for fixing the division unit so as not to be separated. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic division unit is configured to be divided into two so as to form an arc of approximately 180 °. The said axial direction fixing | fixed part was comprised by the uneven | corrugated fitting part provided in the inner surface of at least one ultrasonic division unit and the outer peripheral surface of the said endoscopy unit. The described ultrasonic endoscope. The radial direction fixing portion is fitted to a base end portion of each of the ultrasonic division units, and is configured by a most advanced ring that forms the angle portion. The most advanced ring and the base end portion of each of the ultrasonic division units The ultrasonic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultrasonic endoscope is fixed by a set screw provided at least at one position between each of the two.

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