JP2010017229A - Ultrasonic endoscope and ultrasonic inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus by which good ultrasonic echo images can be obtained. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 has an insertion portion 10, an ultrasonic transducer portion 31 arranged in the insertion portion 10, a balloon 33 covering the ultrasonic transducer portion 31 and secured to the insertion portion 10, a tubular path 36 discharging a liquid ultrasonic transferring medium L injected in the balloon inside space 35 which is the space formed by the insertion portion 10 and the balloon 33, and an illumination portion 40 for illuminating the balloon inside space 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

  Ultrasound for use in medical fields such as the digestive tract and other body cavities and to examine the surface and depth of tissues, or in industrial fields such as pipes to inspect the surface and depth of such objects An endoscope is used.

  Conventional ultrasonic endoscopes are typically provided with an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit in an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject. The ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit is applied to the subject, The ultrasonic echo is received by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit. The received ultrasonic echo is imaged, and the image is used for diagnosis of the condition of the surface and deep part of the subject.

  Here, when a gas such as air is interposed between the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit and the observation site of the subject, the ultrasonic wave is attenuated, and an ultrasonic echo for generating an image cannot be obtained. Therefore, a stretchable balloon is detachably attached to the insertion portion so as to cover the ultrasonic transmission / reception portion, and a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium such as water is contained in the balloon internal space which is a space formed by the insertion portion and the balloon. Is injected. The balloon inflated by injecting the ultrasonic transmission medium comes into close contact with the observation site, whereby the space between the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit and the observation site is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium.

  By the way, when the ultrasonic transmission medium is injected into the balloon internal space, the gas staying in the pipe for supplying the ultrasonic transmission medium may become bubbles and be mixed into the balloon internal space. Therefore, conventionally, prior to insertion into the subject, an ultrasonic transmission medium is preliminarily injected into the balloon internal space. Thereby, the gas in the supply path of the ultrasonic transmission medium is pushed out, and the supply path is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium. The bubbles in the balloon inner space are sucked and removed together with the ultrasonic transmission medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The ultrasonic endoscope described in Patent Document 1 further includes an index for indicating an ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon internal space and an opening of a conduit for discharging bubbles. In accordance with this index, bubbles in the balloon internal space are collected near the opening of the conduit and sucked to prevent bubbles from remaining in the balloon internal space.
JP 2001-112761 A

  The above-described preparatory work of injecting an ultrasonic transmission medium into the balloon inner space and sucking and removing bubbles in the balloon inner space is not always performed under sufficient illumination. Furthermore, latex, silicon rubber, and the like are used as the balloon material, but they are generally translucent with a milky white color, and the visibility of bubbles in the balloon internal space is not necessarily good. I can't say that. Therefore, in the above preparatory work, there is a possibility that bubbles remaining in the balloon inner space may be overlooked, and the remaining bubbles may cause defects in the ultrasonic echo image, which may hinder accurate diagnosis.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus that can obtain a good ultrasonic echo image.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (6).
(1) An insertion part to be inserted into a subject, an ultrasonic transmission / reception part provided in the insertion part, a balloon covering the ultrasonic transmission / reception part and attached to the insertion part, the insertion part and the balloon An ultrasound endoscope comprising: a conduit that discharges a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium injected into a balloon internal space, which is a space formed by: and an illumination unit that illuminates the balloon internal space.
(2) The ultrasonic endoscope according to (1), wherein the illumination unit irradiates illumination light onto a surface of the balloon on the balloon internal space side.
(3) The ultrasonic endoscope according to (1) or (2), wherein the illumination unit is provided adjacent to an opening portion of the duct opening in the balloon internal space. Sonic endoscope.
(4) The ultrasonic endoscope according to (1) or (2), wherein the illuminating unit illuminates the balloon internal space through an opening portion of the duct opening in the balloon internal space. Ultrasound endoscope.
(5) The ultrasonic endoscope according to (4), wherein the illuminating unit is provided on a tube wall facing the opening of the conduit.
(6) Ultrasound observation for imaging an ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic endoscope according to any one of (1) to (5) and the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit of the ultrasonic endoscope An ultrasonic inspection apparatus comprising: an apparatus; and a display device that displays an image generated by the ultrasonic observation apparatus.

  According to the present invention, by illuminating the balloon internal space with the illumination unit, the outline of the bubble in the balloon internal space is clearly raised, and the visibility of the bubble is enhanced. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the remaining bubbles in the balloon inner space from being overlooked, and to reliably remove the bubbles from the balloon inner space. And it can prevent that the defect | deletion resulting from a bubble arises in the image produced | generated from the obtained ultrasonic echo.

  If the illumination unit irradiates illumination light onto the balloon inner space side surface (inner surface) of the balloon, scattering on the outer surface when illuminating the illumination surface on the outer surface of the balloon is reduced. The nature is further enhanced.

  If the illuminating unit is provided adjacent to the opening of the duct opening in the balloon internal space, the position of the opening of the duct can be indicated by the illuminating illuminating part. Further, if the illumination unit illuminates the balloon internal space through the opening of the conduit opening in the balloon internal space, the illumination light is emitted from the opening of the conduit and the opening of the conduit The part shines, thereby indicating the position of the opening of the conduit. This is particularly effective in a small-sized ultrasonic endoscope, and an opening of a conduit that is reduced as the entire size is reduced can be easily and reliably found. And while checking the bubbles in the balloon internal space, it is efficient because these bubbles can be collected near the opening of the pipeline, and by collecting and sucking the bubbles near the opening of the pipeline, It is possible to prevent bubbles from remaining in the balloon internal space.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the bubbles are removed from the balloon internal space of the ultrasonic endoscope as described above, it is possible to obtain an ultrasonic echo image free from defects caused by the bubbles and perform an accurate inspection. It becomes possible.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus and an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of a mirror, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 that images an ultrasonic echo obtained by the ultrasonic endoscope 2, and an ultrasonic observation apparatus. And a monitor (display device) 4 for displaying the ultrasonic echo image generated in 3. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 further accommodates an optical image light source device 5 and a processor 6 described later, and an ultrasonic transmission medium described later, and supplies (discharges) the ultrasonic transmission medium to the ultrasonic endoscope 2. And a syringe barrel 13 for the purpose. The ultrasonic observation device 3, the monitor 4, the light source device 5, and the processor 6 are appropriately installed on the shelf of the cart 9. An electric pump device may be used instead of the manual injection cylinder 13.

  Further, referring to FIG. 2, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion 10 to be inserted into a subject, an operation portion 11 that also serves as a grip portion provided continuously to the rear end portion of the insertion portion 10, An injection port 21 for injecting an ultrasonic transmission medium provided at the rear end of the operation unit 11 and a universal cable 12 extending from the operation unit 11 are provided.

  Although the insertion part 10 may be a hard tube depending on the application, it is a flexible tube in the illustrated example, and an ultrasonic transmission / reception part 31 is provided at the distal end thereof. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 3 via a wiring inserted through the insertion unit 10 and the universal cable 12 and an ultrasonic connector 12 a provided in the universal cable 12. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 generates an ultrasonic wave toward the subject based on the drive signal input from the ultrasonic observation device 3, receives an ultrasonic echo reflected by the subject, and outputs this as an electrical signal And output to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3.

  The bending portion 10a of the insertion portion 10 corresponding to the base of the ultrasonic transmission / reception portion 31 can be bent. The operation portion 11 is provided with an operation knob 20 for remotely controlling the bending of the bending portion 10a. A plurality of wires having one ends connected to the bending portion 10a are inserted into the insertion portion 10 in the operation knob 20. Inserted and connected. These wires are selectively pulled or drawn out by the rotation operation of the operation knob 20, whereby the bending of the bending portion 10a is remotely controlled.

  The ultrasonic endoscope can further include an optical system for acquiring an optical image of the subject surface in addition to the ultrasonic echo image. As such an optical system, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 collects an imaging device, an illumination optical system that emits illumination light for illuminating the subject, and reflected light reflected by the subject at the distal end portion of the insertion unit 10. And an objective lens that emits light and forms an image on the imaging device. A light guide member such as an optical fiber that guides subject illumination light and a signal cable that transmits an imaging signal converted by the imaging element are inserted through the insertion portion 10 and the universal cable 12.

  The light guide member that guides the object illumination light is connected to the light source device 5 via the LG connector 12b provided on the universal cable 12, and the object illumination light emitted from the light source device 5 is transmitted to the illumination optical system. It is guiding light. In addition, the signal cable that transmits the imaging signal is connected to the processor 6 via an electrical connector 12c provided on the universal cable 12, and the processor 6 generates an optical image from the imaging signal. The optical image generated by the processor 6 is displayed on the monitor 4 by switching to an ultrasonic echo image as appropriate, for example, or by picture-in-picture as an ultrasonic echo image.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 is provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 10 as described above. The ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes a balloon 33 that covers the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 and is attached to the distal end of the insertion unit 10, and a balloon internal space 35 that is a space formed by the balloon 33 and the insertion unit 10. And a lighting unit 40 that illuminates the balloon inner space 35.

  The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 is provided with an ultrasonic transducer 32 that converts electrical signals and ultrasonic waves into each other. The ultrasonic transducer 32 is a radial scanning ultrasonic transducer in which a plurality of elements are arranged in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the cylindrical insertion portion 10. Therefore, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 extends over the entire circumference of the distal end portion of the insertion unit 10.

  The balloon 33 covering the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion 10 by inserting the distal end portion of the insertion portion 10 therein. Two annular balloon attachment grooves 34a and 34b are formed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 10 so as to sandwich the ultrasonic transmission / reception portion 31 therebetween. The balloon 33 is provided with thick annular fastening portions 37 at both ends thereof, and these fastening portions 37 are water-tightly attached to the balloon attachment grooves 34a and 34b, respectively, and are fixed to the distal end portion of the insertion portion 10. . Thereby, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 is covered with the balloon 33 on the entire outer periphery thereof.

  A liquid ultrasonic transmission medium L such as deaerated water is appropriately injected into the balloon inner space 35. The balloon 33 is formed of a stretchable transparent or translucent waterproof material such as latex or silicone rubber, for example, and expands when the ultrasonic transmission medium L is injected into the balloon inner space 35. It is in close contact with the surface of the observation site of the subject.

  The duct 36 is disposed in the insertion portion 10 and opens to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 10 between the two balloon attachment grooves 34a and 34b, that is, opens to the balloon inner space 35. Yes. The injection of the ultrasonic transmission medium L into the balloon internal space 35 and the discharge of the ultrasonic transmission medium L from the balloon internal space 35 are performed via the conduit 36.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe line 36 is connected to an injection port 21 provided in the operation unit 11, and the injection cylinder 13 is connected to the injection port 21. When using a pump device instead of the syringe barrel 13, the pump device is connected to the injection port 21 via a connecting pipe, for example. The ultrasonic transmission medium L is accommodated in the injection cylinder 13 or the pump device, and injection and discharge of the ultrasonic transmission medium L are controlled by a push-pull operation of the injection cylinder 13 or an injection / discharge operation of the pump device. .

  In the ultrasonic endoscope 2, the ultrasonic transmission medium L is injected and discharged by the injection cylinder 13 connected to the injection port 21 or the pump device via the pipe line 36, but the pipe line 36 is not necessarily used. The structure which provided the connection port for injection | pouring and the connection port for discharge | emission in the operation part 11 apart from the structure for only injection | pouring and the pipe line for discharge | emission may be sufficient, respectively.

  As described above, the ultrasonic transmission medium L is injected into the balloon inner space 35, and the balloon 33 is inflated and closely contacts the surface of the observation site of the subject, so that the ultrasound transmission / reception unit 31 and the observation site of the subject are between. Is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium L. However, in the first injection of the ultrasonic transmission medium L, the gas staying in the pipe line 36 or the like may be mixed into the balloon internal space 35 as bubbles. is there. Therefore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 2, the bubbles in the balloon internal space 35 are removed before the insertion unit 10 is inserted into the subject.

  As an example of the operation of removing bubbles from the balloon inner space 35, first, the fastening portion 37 of the balloon 33 is attached only to the balloon attachment groove 34b, and the balloon attachment groove 34a side is opened. And the ultrasonic transmission medium L is inject | poured from the injection cylinder 13 connected to the injection port 21, or a pump apparatus. Thereby, the gas in the pipe line 36 is pushed out, and the inside of the pipe line 36 is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium L. And the fastening part 37 by the side of the balloon attachment groove 34a is attached. Further, by injecting the ultrasonic transmission medium L, the balloon inner space 35 is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium L and inflated. At this time, if there are bubbles in the balloon inner space 35, the syringe barrel 13 or the pump device is operated to suck the bubbles together with the ultrasonic transmission medium L and remove the bubbles from the balloon inner space 35. When the bubbles are discharged to the syringe barrel 13 or the pump device, the inside of the pipe line 36 is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium L, so that the bubbles to the balloon internal space 35 are injected by the subsequent injection of the ultrasonic transmission medium L. Mixing of is gone.

  In the above operation of removing bubbles from the balloon inner space 35, the bubbles remaining in the balloon inner space 35 are visually recognized through the balloon 33. In the ultrasonic endoscope 2, the illumination unit 40 illuminates the balloon internal space 35 in order to prevent the bubbles A remaining in the balloon internal space 35 from being overlooked due to a decrease in visibility caused by passing the balloon 33.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the illumination unit 40 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 41 as a light source. The LED 41 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 10 between the two balloon attachment grooves 34a and 34b. Therefore, the LED 41 is covered with the balloon 33, and the surface of the balloon 33 on the side of the balloon internal space 35 (inner surface). Illuminate with illumination light. The supply of power to the LED 41 is performed, for example, via a wire inserted through the insertion unit 10, and control such as ON / OFF is performed by the operation unit 11.

  When the LED 41 emits light, the balloon inner space 35 is illuminated. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5A, the outline of the bubbles G remaining in the balloon internal space 35 is clearly raised, and the visibility of the bubbles is enhanced even through the balloon 33. Here, the illumination of the balloon 33 can be improved by illuminating the balloon inner space 35 by irradiating the outer surface of the balloon 33. In particular, the LED 41 emits illumination light to the inner surface of the balloon 33. Irradiation illuminates the balloon inner space 35, and scattering on the outer surface of the balloon 33 is reduced, so that the visibility of the bubbles is further enhanced.

  For reference, FIG. 5B shows a case where there is no illumination of the balloon inner space 35, and the outline of the bubbles G remaining in the balloon inner space 35 is unclear, and the tendency thereof is general latex or silicon rubber. This is conspicuous in a translucent balloon formed with a milky white color, and the visibility of the bubbles G is not sufficient.

  Note that a phosphorescent material may be used instead of the LED 41. Examples of the phosphorescent material include an oxide such as aluminum oxide as a base material, and a rare earth element or the like added thereto. Moreover, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an optical system for acquiring an optical image of the subject surface as described above. Therefore, in this optical system, a branch line may be branched from the light guide member that guides the subject illumination light of the light source device 5, and this branch line may be led to the position of the LED 41 to serve as the light source of the illumination unit 40 that replaces the LED 41.

  When the balloon inner space 35 is illuminated by the illuminating unit 40 and bubbles are recognized in the balloon inner space 35, the operation of sucking the bubbles together with the ultrasonic transmission medium L is repeatedly performed from the balloon inner space 35. Air bubbles are completely removed. Here, when the bubbles are sucked together with the ultrasonic transmission medium L, the bubbles in the vicinity of the opening 36 a of the pipe line 36 are easily sucked.

  The opening 36 a of the conduit 36 is also visually recognized through the balloon 33. Therefore, the visibility is not sufficient as with the bubbles. Therefore, the LED 41 is preferably provided adjacent to the opening 36a. According to this, since the position of the opening 36a is indicated by the shining LED 41, it is possible to easily recognize the rough position of the opening 36a. Furthermore, it is efficient because these bubbles can be collected in the vicinity of the opening 36a of the duct 36 while confirming the bubbles in the balloon internal space 35.

  By performing the above preparatory work, the bubbles are completely removed from the balloon inner space 35, and the bubbles are not mixed into the balloon inner space 35 by the re-injection of the ultrasonic transmission medium L. Thereafter, the insertion unit 10 is inserted into the subject, and the ultrasonic transmission medium L is injected into the balloon internal space 35. When the ultrasonic transmission medium L is injected into the balloon internal space 35 and the balloon 33 is inflated, and the inflated balloon 33 comes into close contact with the surface of the observation site of the subject, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 and the observation site of the subject are observed. Is filled with the ultrasonic transmission medium L.

  The ultrasonic wave radiated from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 to the subject reaches the subject without being attenuated by the bubbles, and the ultrasonic echo reflected by the subject is also not attenuated by the bubbles. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 is reached. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a defect caused by bubbles from occurring in an image generated from the obtained ultrasonic echo.

  Next, another example of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the component which is common in the ultrasonic endoscope 2 mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic endoscope 102 includes an insertion unit 10 to be inserted into a subject, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31 provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 10, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 31. Covering the balloon 33 attached to the insertion portion 10, the conduit 36 for discharging the ultrasonic transmission medium L from the balloon inner space 35, which is a space formed by the insertion portion 10 and the balloon 33, and the balloon inner space 35. And an illumination unit 140 that illuminates.

  The duct 36 opens into the balloon internal space 35, extends in the radial direction from the opening 36 a toward the central axis of the insertion portion 10, and bends substantially at a right angle to the central axis of the insertion portion 10. And extends toward the operation unit 11. In this bent portion, a recess 36b is formed in the tube wall facing the opening 36a in the radial direction.

  The illumination unit 140 includes an LED 141 as a light source and a lens 142, and the LED 141 is accommodated in the recess 36 b of the conduit 36. The lens 142 closes the opening of the recess 36b in a watertight manner.

  When the LED 141 emits light, the illumination light passes through the lens 142 and is emitted from the opening 36a of the duct 36 to the balloon internal space 35, and the balloon internal space 35 is illuminated. As a result, the outline of the bubbles remaining in the balloon internal space 35 is clearly raised, and the visibility of the bubbles is enhanced even through the balloon 33.

  In particular, the illumination light of the LED 141 emitted from the opening 36 a of the duct 36 to the balloon internal space 35 is applied to the inner surface of the balloon 33 to illuminate the balloon internal space 35. Therefore, scattering on the outer surface when illuminating the outer surface of the balloon 33 is reduced, and the visibility of the bubbles is further enhanced.

  Further, by increasing the visibility of the bubbles, it is possible to prevent the remaining bubbles from being overlooked in the balloon inner space 35 and to reliably remove the bubbles from the balloon inner space 35. And it can prevent that the defect | deletion resulting from a bubble arises in the image produced | generated from the obtained ultrasonic echo.

  Furthermore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 102, the illumination light is emitted from the opening 36a of the pipe 36, and the opening 36a of the pipe 36 shines, whereby the opening 36a of the pipe 36 is illuminated. The position is indicated directly. Thereby, the exact position of the opening 36a can be easily recognized. Furthermore, it is efficient because these bubbles can be collected in the vicinity of the opening 36a of the duct 36 while confirming the bubbles in the balloon internal space 35.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus and an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the mode of the bubble visually recognized through the balloon of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the ultrasonic endoscope of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic inspection apparatus 2 Ultrasound endoscope 3 Ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 Monitor (display apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Light source device 6 Processor 9 Cart 10 Insertion part 10a Bending part 11 Operation part 12 Universal cable 13 Syringe 20 Operation knob 21 Inlet 31 Ultrasonic transmission / reception part 32 Ultrasonic transducer 33 Balloon 34a, 34b Balloon attachment groove 35 Balloon interior space 36 Pipe line 36a Pipe line opening part 36b Pipe line concave part 37 Tightening part 40 Illumination part 41 LED
102 Ultrasound endoscope 140 Illumination unit 141 LED
142 Lens G Bubble L Ultrasonic transmission medium

Claims (6)

An insertion portion to be inserted into the subject;
An ultrasonic transmission / reception unit provided in the insertion unit;
A balloon attached to the insertion portion covering the ultrasonic transmission / reception portion;
A conduit for discharging the liquid ultrasonic transmission medium injected into the balloon internal space, which is a space formed by the insertion portion and the balloon;
An ultrasound endoscope comprising: an illumination unit that illuminates the balloon internal space. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1,
The illumination unit is an ultrasonic endoscope that irradiates illumination light onto a surface of the balloon on the side of the balloon internal space. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2,
The illuminating unit is an ultrasonic endoscope provided adjacent to an opening of the duct opening in the balloon internal space. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2,
The illuminating unit is an ultrasonic endoscope that illuminates the balloon internal space through an opening of the duct opening in the balloon internal space. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 4,
The said illumination part is an ultrasonic endoscope provided in the tube wall which faces the said opening part of the said pipe line. The ultrasonic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An ultrasonic observation apparatus that images an ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit of the ultrasonic endoscope;
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus comprising: a display device that displays an image generated by the ultrasonic observation device.

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