JP2012005767A - Ultrasonic endoscope, and insertion assistance tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic endoscope and an insertion assistance tool which can be quickly inserted into a body to be examined thanks to the improved insertability of an insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic endoscope has: the insertion portion; a treatment tool insertion opening which is an opening provided at the tip of the insertion portion and provided capably of projecting the treatment tool along the insertion shaft of the tip; an ultrasonic wave observation portion having an ultrasonic vibrator to send and receive ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic vibrator to send and receive ultrasonic waves, projecting in the tip direction from the treatment tool insertion opening and arranged to allow the plane including the scanning plane of the ultrasonic waves to pass through the treatment tool insertion opening; and a slope portion formed of a surface sloping with respect to the insertion axis so as to separate more from the ultrasonic wave observation portion toward the base end side from the region contacting or intersecting the part of the surface of the ultrasonic wave observation portion that faces the treatment tool insertion opening and contacting or intersecting the surface of the ultrasonic wave observation portion when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the scanning plane.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope that includes an ultrasonic observation unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an insertion unit, and an insertion assisting tool that can be attached to and detached from the ultrasonic endoscope.

  As an apparatus for acquiring an ultrasonic tomographic image in a subject such as a human body, an ultrasonic endoscope including an ultrasonic observation unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to an insertion unit inserted into the body is known. Yes. An ultrasonic endoscope is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  The ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a distal end surface substantially orthogonal to the insertion axis at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and a treatment instrument for projecting the treatment instrument on the distal end surface. An insertion opening and an optical observation unit for taking an optical image are provided. In addition, the ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an ultrasonic observation unit disposed so as to protrude in the distal direction from the distal end surface.

JP 2007-260381 A

  When an ultrasonic endoscope as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is inserted into a site where the entrance, such as the esophagus, is narrow, for example, the nodule of the entrance to the esophagus is against the distal end surface that is substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis. Since it abuts from a substantially orthogonal direction, a force that resists the force for inserting the insertion portion is generated. That is, when an ultrasonic endoscope as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is inserted into the esophagus, the insertion operation may be caught.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and improves the insertability of an insertion portion of an ultrasonic endoscope and can be quickly inserted into a subject and an insertion aid. The purpose is to provide ingredients.

  The ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention includes an insertion portion and an opening provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and the treatment instrument is provided so as to be able to protrude along the insertion axis of the distal end portion. It has an insertion opening and an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, protrudes in the distal direction from the treatment instrument insertion opening, and a plane including the ultrasonic scanning surface passes through the treatment instrument insertion opening. The ultrasonic observation unit arranged to be in contact with or intersecting the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit facing the treatment instrument insertion port when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the scanning plane, And an inclined surface portion formed of a surface inclined with respect to the insertion axis so as to move away from the ultrasonic observation portion as it goes from the portion in contact with or intersecting the surface of the ultrasonic observation portion toward the proximal end side. It is characterized by being.

  Further, the insertion assisting tool of the present invention is an insertion portion, an opening provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and the treatment instrument insertion provided so that the treatment instrument can protrude along the insertion axis of the distal end portion. It has an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and protrudes in the distal direction from the treatment instrument insertion port, and a plane including the ultrasonic scanning surface passes through the treatment instrument insertion port. An insertion aid that can be attached to and detached from the distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope having an ultrasonic observation section arranged in a manner that is perpendicular to the scanning plane when mounted on the distal end portion As seen from the surface of the ultrasonic observation part that touches or intersects with the surface facing the treatment instrument insertion port, and toward the proximal side from the part that contacts or intersects the surface of the ultrasonic observation part The insertion shaft away from the ultrasonic observation unit Characterized by comprising a slope portion formed of inclined surface Te.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the insertion property of the insertion part of an ultrasonic endoscope can be improved, and it can insert in a subject rapidly.

It is a figure explaining the composition of the ultrasonic endoscope of a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope of 1st Embodiment. It is the side view which looked at the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope of 1st Embodiment from the direction orthogonal to a scanning surface. It is the front view which looked at the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope of 1st Embodiment from the front end side. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the ultrasonic endoscope of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the tip part of the 1st modification of a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of the tip part of the 2nd modification of a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view of the front-end | tip part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the modification of 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of 4th Embodiment. In 4th Embodiment, it is a side view which shows the state which removed the insertion auxiliary tool from the front-end | tip part. In 4th Embodiment, it is a side view which shows the state which mounted | wore the front-end | tip part with the insertion assistance tool.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale is different for each component in order to make each component large enough to be recognized on the drawing. It is not limited only to the quantity of the component described in the figure, the shape of the component, the ratio of the size of the component, and the relative positional relationship of each component.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. An ultrasonic endoscope 101 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 enables observation of the predetermined portion by an ultrasonic tomographic image by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a predetermined portion in the body of a subject such as a human body. It is.

  The endoscope 101 includes an insertion unit 102 that is introduced into the body of a subject, an operation unit 103 that is located at the proximal end of the insertion unit 102, and a universal cord 104 that extends from the side of the operation unit 103. It is mainly composed.

  An endoscope connector 104 a connected to a light source device (not shown) is provided at the base end portion of the universal cord 104. The endoscope connector 104a is detachably connected to a camera control unit (not shown) via an electrical connector 105a and detachably connected to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown) via an ultrasonic connector 106a. An ultrasonic cable 106 is extended.

  The insertion portion 102 is disposed at the distal end portion 120 disposed at the distal end, the bendable bending portion 108 disposed on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 120, and the operation portion 103 disposed on the proximal end side of the bending portion 108. A flexible tube portion 109 having flexibility connected to the distal end side is connected.

  The operation unit 103 includes an angle knob 111 for operating the bending of the bending unit 108, and an air / water supply button for controlling a fluid supply operation from the nozzle 60, which is an opening provided in the distal end 120. 112 and a suction button 113 for controlling the suction operation from the treatment instrument insertion port 201 which is an opening provided in the distal end portion 120 described later.

  A detailed configuration of the insertion unit 102 of the ultrasonic endoscope 101 according to this embodiment will be described below. In the insertion portion 102, a treatment instrument insertion conduit 200 is provided. The treatment instrument insertion conduit 200 is a conduit that communicates the treatment instrument insertion port 201 provided in the distal end portion 120 and the opening 211 of the conduit fitting 210 provided in the operation unit 103.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope 101 of the present embodiment, for example, by inserting a treatment tool from the opening 211 of the pipe base 210, the treatment tool is inserted into the distal end portion 120 through the treatment tool insertion conduit 200. The treatment tool can be introduced into the body of the subject by protruding from the mouth 201. The type of treatment tool is not particularly limited, but a suction biopsy needle or forceps for collecting tissue or body fluid at a predetermined site of the subject can be applied. Further, as described above, the pipe line 200 is used for suction of fluid.

  The detailed configuration of the distal end portion 120 of the insertion portion 102 of the ultrasonic endoscope 101 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, a treatment instrument insertion port 201, an ultrasonic observation unit 20, an optical observation unit 30, an illumination light emitting unit 40, a nozzle 60, a liquid delivery port 50, and an inclined unit 10 are disposed at the distal end portion 120. Has been.

  As described above, the treatment instrument insertion port 201 is an opening provided in the distal end portion 120 for projecting the treatment instrument, and communicates with the treatment instrument insertion conduit 200. The treatment instrument insertion port 201 is formed on the distal end surface 121 facing the distal end direction of the distal end portion 120. In the present embodiment, as an example, the distal end surface 121 is a plane portion that is substantially orthogonal to the insertion axis A of the distal end portion 120.

  The treatment instrument insertion port 201 is provided so that the treatment instrument inserted through the treatment instrument insertion conduit 200 protrudes substantially parallel to the insertion axis A direction of the distal end portion 120. Specifically, the central axis B of the treatment instrument insertion conduit 200 in the vicinity of the treatment instrument insertion port 201 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the insertion axis A direction of the distal end portion 120. With this configuration, the treatment instrument that is inserted through the treatment instrument insertion conduit 200 and protrudes from the treatment instrument insertion port 201 protrudes in a direction substantially parallel to the insertion axis A direction of the distal end portion 120.

  The ultrasonic observation unit 20 includes an ultrasonic transducer 21 and a holding unit 22 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 21. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic observation unit 20 is provided so as to protrude in the distal direction from the treatment instrument insertion port 201.

  The ultrasonic observation unit 20 has a form called a so-called convex scan type, and drives a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in an arc shape constituting the ultrasonic transducer 21 at a predetermined timing. It is possible to scan the ultrasonic beam in a substantially fan shape along a plane substantially parallel to the insertion axis A. The surface on which electronic scanning is performed by the ultrasonic transducer 21 is referred to as a scanning surface 20a.

  Note that, for example, a piezoelectric element such as piezoelectric ceramic, an electrostrictive element, or an ultrasonic transducer (MUT: Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer) using a micromachine technique can be applied to the ultrasonic vibrator constituting the ultrasonic vibrator 21.

  The ultrasonic observation unit 20 is disposed on the substantially fan-shaped scanning surface 20a so that the treatment tool protruding from the treatment tool insertion port 201 is located. In other words, in the ultrasonic endoscope 101 of the present embodiment, the treatment tool protruding from the treatment tool insertion port 201 is present in an ultrasonic tomographic image that is an area observed by the ultrasonic observation unit 20. The treatment instrument insertion port 201 and the ultrasonic observation unit 20 are positioned and arranged.

  The ultrasound observation unit 20 has the scanning surface 20a positioned on the distal end side of the insertion axis with respect to the treatment instrument insertion port 201, and a plane including the scanning surface 20a is substantially parallel to the central axis B of the treatment instrument insertion hole 201. In addition, a plane including the scanning surface 20 a is disposed so as to pass through the treatment instrument insertion port 201.

  Then, in order for the treatment tool protruding from the treatment tool insertion port 201 to be positioned on the scanning surface 20a, the ultrasonic observation unit 20 protrudes more distally than the treatment tool insertion port 201, and The central axis of the substantially fan-shaped scanning surface 20a is disposed so as to be inclined toward the treatment instrument insertion port 201 with respect to the insertion axis A.

  In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic observation section 20 has a substantially arc-shaped surface, and an ultrasonic transducer 21 is disposed in a portion having the substantially arc-shaped surface. And the ultrasonic observation part 20 is arrange | positioned so that at least one part of the substantially arc-shaped surface in which the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 21 was arrange | positioned may face the direction in which the treatment tool penetration port 201 was provided. .

  The optical observation unit 30 includes an imaging optical system member and an image sensor, and captures an optical image. The optical observation unit 30 is electrically connected to the camera control unit via the electric cable 105 described above. Note that the optical observation unit 30 is not limited to a mode in which an optical image is electronically captured, and may be configured to guide the optical image to an eyepiece provided in the operation unit 103 via an optical fiber cable. .

  In the present embodiment, the optical observation unit 30 is disposed on the distal end surface 121 of the distal end portion 120 so that the optical axis of the imaging optical system member is substantially parallel to the insertion axis A of the insertion portion 102. In other words, the optical observation unit 30 in the present embodiment is disposed so that the tip direction along the insertion axis A is captured at the approximate center of the field of view.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the distal end portion 120 is viewed from the distal end side along the insertion axis A, the optical observation unit 30 is on one side with respect to the plane including the scanning surface 20a (in FIG. On the right side).

  The illumination light emitting unit 40 emits illumination light for illuminating the visual field of the optical observation unit 30. The illumination light emitting unit 40 is configured to emit light that is emitted from the light source device to which the endoscope connector 104a described above is connected, and that is guided to the distal end portion 120 via the optical fiber cable. The illumination light emitting unit 40 may be configured to include a light source such as an LED at the distal end portion 120 of the insertion unit 102.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, a pair of illumination light emitting portions 40 is disposed at the distal end portion 120. As shown in FIG. 4, when the distal end portion 120 is viewed from the distal end side along the insertion axis A, the pair of illumination light emitting portions 40 are disposed so as to sandwich a plane including the scanning surface 20a. If the intensity and range of the illumination light emitted from one illumination light emitting unit 40 is sufficient to illuminate the field of the optical observation unit 30 in the body, the illumination light emitting unit 40 is It may be a form in which only one tip 120 is disposed.

  The nozzle 60 delivers a fluid toward the optical observation unit 30 in order to clean the optical observation unit 30. The nozzle 60 is disposed at a position adjacent to the optical observation unit 30. The nozzle 60 communicates with a fluid delivery line 61 inserted into the insertion portion 102.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope 101 of the present embodiment, the fluid is delivered from the nozzle 60 by operating the air / water supply button 112 provided in the operation unit 103. Here, the fluid delivered from the nozzle 60 is at least one of a gas such as air and a liquid such as physiological saline. In the ultrasonic endoscope 101 of the present embodiment, the tip surface of the optical observation unit 30 can be cleaned by sending a fluid from the nozzle 60, and the optical image obtained by the optical observation unit 30 is in a clear state. Can be kept in.

  The liquid delivery port 50 is for delivering a liquid in the direction of the insertion axis A of the distal end portion 120. The part to be observed by the optical observation unit 30 can be washed with the liquid delivered from the liquid delivery port 50.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the inclined portion 10 is disposed at the distal end portion 120 of the insertion portion 102. The inclined portion 10 is a member provided so as to be in contact with both the distal end surface 121 of the distal end portion 120 and the surface of the ultrasonic observation portion 20, and the inclined portion 11 is provided at a portion facing the distal end direction of the insertion axis A. It is comprised.

  The inclined surface portion 11 contacts or intersects with the surface facing the treatment instrument insertion port 201 side of the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit 20, and as it goes from the portion that contacts or intersects the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit 20 toward the proximal end side. The surface is inclined with respect to the insertion axis A so as to be away from the ultrasonic observation unit 20.

  In addition, the inclined portion 10 has a shape that avoids the above-described treatment instrument insertion port 201, optical observation unit 30, illumination light emitting unit 40, liquid delivery port 50, and nozzle 60. . For example, when the inclined portion 10 overlaps with the treatment instrument insertion port 201, a through hole is provided in the overlapping region so as not to prevent the treatment tool from protruding from the treatment instrument insertion port 201. Further, for example, when the inclined portion 10 overlaps the optical observation portion 30, a through-hole or a cut is formed in the overlapping region so as not to disturb the optical observation portion 30 and the fluid sent from the nozzle 60 toward the optical observation portion 30. A notch is provided.

  The inclined portion 10 may be formed integrally with one or both of the front end surface 121 of the front end portion 120 and the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit 20, or may be formed with the front end portion 120 and the ultrasonic observation unit 20. Alternatively, it may be formed separately and then fixed at a predetermined position.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the inclined portion 10 is formed of a curved surface that is in contact with both the distal end surface 121 of the distal end portion 120 and the surface of the substantially arc-shaped ultrasonic observation unit 20 protruding from the distal end surface 121 in the distal end direction. A slope 11 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the distal end portion 120 is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning surface 20 a, the inclined portion 10 is provided so as to protrude from the substantially arcuate surfaces of the distal end surface 121 and the ultrasonic observation unit 20. It has been. A slope 11 that is a curved surface that smoothly connects the tip surface 121 and the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit 20 is formed on the tip-side surface of the inclined portion 10. In the present embodiment, the inclined surface portion 11 is a curved surface having a concave shape in the proximal direction.

  Thus, by making the inclined surface portion 11 of the inclined portion 10 disposed in the vicinity of the optical observation portion 30 and the illumination light emitting portion 40 into a concave curved surface toward the proximal direction, the field of view of the optical observation portion 30 and With respect to the illumination light emitted from the illumination light emitting unit 40, the range in which the inclined portion 10 is blocked can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the inclined portion 10 is disposed at a position that does not overlap the scanning surface 20 a of the ultrasonic transducer 21. In the present embodiment, a pair of inclined portions 10 is disposed at the distal end portion 120. As shown in FIG. 4, when the distal end portion 120 is viewed from the distal end side along the insertion axis A, the pair of inclined portions 10 are respectively located outside the ultrasonic transducer 21 on both sides of the scanning surface 20a. It is arranged. Thus, by arranging the inclined portion 10 so as not to overlap the scanning surface 20a, the scanning surface 20a can be brought close to the vicinity of the treatment instrument insertion port 201.

  Further, a through hole is formed in the region of the inclined portion 10 that overlaps the liquid delivery port 50 so as not to hinder the delivery of the liquid from the liquid delivery port 50. Moreover, the area | region which overlaps with the optical observation part 30 and the nozzle 60 of the inclination part 10 is notched so that these operation | movement may not be prevented.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic endoscope 101 according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the insertion portion 102 is inserted into the esophagus 1 at the branching portion between the esophagus 1 and the trachea 2 in the human body that is the subject.

  When the insertion part 102 of the ultrasonic endoscope 101 is inserted into the esophagus 1 at the branch part between the esophagus 1 and the trachea 2, first, the ultrasound observation part 20 protruding in the distal direction from the distal end part 120 is inserted into the esophagus. Enter the 1 entrance. At this time, a nodule 3 such as a small-angle nodule at the entrance of the esophagus 1 abuts on the slope 11 of the slope 10.

  Since the inclined surface portion 11 is inclined with respect to the insertion axis A so as to be separated from the ultrasonic observation portion 20 toward the proximal end side, when a force pushing the distal end portion 120 in the insertion axis A direction is applied, A force in the direction of pushing the nodule 3 toward the airway 2 is applied to the nodule 3 in contact with the slope 11. That is, in this embodiment, when the tip 120 is inserted into the esophagus 1 by the action of the slope portion 11 such as a so-called wedge, the entrance of the esophagus 1 is expanded.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the front-end | tip part 120 of the insertion part 102 does not get caught in the nodule 3 in the entrance of an esophagus, and can insert the insertion part 102 in the esophagus 1 smoothly. That is, the ultrasonic endoscope 101 of the present embodiment has a good insertion property and can quickly insert the insertion portion 102 into the subject.

  In the present embodiment described above, the slope portion 11 is formed of a curved surface having a concave shape in the proximal direction, but the form of the slope portion 11 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, as in the first modification shown in FIG. 6, the slope 11 may be configured by a plane. Even in the modified example shown in FIG. 6, the inclined surface portion 11 is inclined with respect to the insertion axis A so as to be separated from the ultrasonic observation portion 20 toward the proximal end side, so that the esophagus is like a wedge. 1 inlet can be pushed wide.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inclined portion 10 and the optical observation unit 30 are disposed adjacent to each other at the distal end portion 120. However, the position of the optical observation portion 30 in the distal end portion 120 is limited to the above-described embodiment. It is not something that can be done. For example, as in the second modification shown in FIG. 7, the optical observation unit 30 may be disposed at a position separated from the inclined unit 10. The second modification shown in FIG. 7 differs from the above-described embodiment in that only one illumination light emitting unit 40 is provided and the optical observation unit 30 is disposed in a vacant region.

  Even in the second modified example shown in FIG. 7, the slope 11 of the slope 10 pushes the entrance of the esophagus 1 like a wedge as in the above-described embodiment, and thus has the same effect. Needless to say. In the modification shown in FIG. 7, the optical observation unit 30 is disposed at a position away from the inclined portion 10 protruding from the tip surface 121, so that the optical observation unit 30 is compared to the above-described embodiment. The viewing angle can be made wider.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the distal end portion 120 of the insertion portion 102. Hereinafter, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the first embodiment described above, when the distal end portion 120 is viewed from the distal end side along the insertion axis A, the pair of inclined portions 10 are disposed on both sides of the plane including the scanning surface 20a. The portion 10 may be arranged only on one side with respect to the plane including the scanning surface 20a.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inclined portion 10 is disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the optical observation unit 30 is disposed with respect to the plane including the scanning surface 20 a. Yes. In other words, in this embodiment, the inclined part 10 is not provided in the vicinity of the optical observation part 30.

  Thus, even in the present embodiment in which the inclined portion 10 is provided only on one side with respect to the scanning surface 20a, the inclined surface portion 11 of the inclined portion 10 is like a wedge as in the first embodiment. Since the entrance of the esophagus 1 can be widened, the same effect is produced.

  In the present embodiment, since the inclined portion 10 protruding from the distal end surface 121 is disposed at a position away from the optical observation unit 30, the field of view of the optical observation unit 30 compared to the first embodiment. The corner can be made wider.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the distal end portion 120 of the insertion portion 102. Hereinafter, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the ultrasonic endoscope of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the inclined portion 10 having the inclined portion 11 is provided over the entire radial direction of the distal end portion 120. According to the present embodiment, since the unevenness on the surface of the distal end portion 120 can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment, better insertability of the insertion portion 102 can be obtained.

  When the inclined portion 10 is formed of a material that can transmit ultrasonic waves, the inclined portion 10 is disposed so as to overlap the ultrasonic transducer 21 as in the modification shown in FIG. The form provided may be sufficient. In this case, the material constituting the inclined portion 10 is preferably a material having acoustic impedance close to that of a living body, such as a soft synthetic resin. In the modification shown in FIG. 11, since the scanning surface 20a can be brought closer to the treatment instrument insertion port 201 than the above-described embodiment, treatment using the treatment instrument under observation with an ultrasonic tomogram is easier. It can be carried out.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that the slope 11 is provided on a member different from the tip 120. Hereinafter, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the inclined surface portion 11 is provided on the insertion assisting tool 13 that can be attached to and detached from the distal end portion 120 of the insertion portion 102 of the ultrasonic endoscope. Specifically, the insertion assisting tool 13 is a substantially cylindrical member that can be fitted to the outer periphery of the distal end portion 120. The inclined surface portion 11 is formed at the end portion on the distal end side of the substantially cylindrical insertion assisting tool 13.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the distal end portion 120 is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning surface 20a, the inclined surface portion 11 is an ultrasonic observation unit in a state where the insertion assisting tool 13 is fitted to the outer periphery of the distal end portion 120. It is formed so as to be in contact with or intersect with the surface of 20 and away from the ultrasonic observation unit 20 toward the proximal end side.

  The inclined surface portion 11 is in contact with or intersects with the surface facing the treatment instrument insertion port 201 side of the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit 20, and as it goes from the portion in contact with or intersects with the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit 20 toward the proximal end side. The surface is inclined with respect to the insertion axis A so as to be away from the ultrasonic observation unit 20.

  The insertion assisting tool 13 of the present embodiment can be attached to the distal end portion of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-260381. And even if it is a case where the slope part 11 is provided in the insertion assistance tool 13 which is a member which can be attached or detached to the front-end | tip part 120 like this embodiment, the slope part 11 is in the state in which the insertion assistance tool 13 was mounted | worn. Since it is inclined with respect to the insertion axis so as to be separated from the ultrasonic observation unit 20 toward the proximal end side, the entrance of the esophagus 1 can be expanded like a wedge. If the insertion assisting tool 13 of this embodiment is used, the insertability of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope can be improved.

  In addition, it is preferable that the insertion assistance tool 13 is comprised with transparent materials, such as a synthetic resin. If the insertion aid 13 is transparent, it is possible to prevent the field of view of the optical observation unit 30 from being narrowed by mounting the insertion aid 13.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. An endoscope and an insertion aid are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for an ultrasonic endoscope including an ultrasonic observation unit protruding from the distal end portion of the insertion unit.

1 esophagus,
2 trachea,
3 Nodules,
10 Inclined part,
11 Slope,
13 Insertion aid,
20 Ultrasonic observation section,
20a scanning plane,
21 ultrasonic transducer,
22 holding part,
30 Optical observation part,
40 Illumination light emitting part,
50 liquid outlet,
60 nozzles,
101 ultrasound endoscope,
102 insertion part,
103 operation unit,
104 Universal code,
105 electric cable,
105a electrical connector,
106 ultrasonic cable,
106a ultrasonic connector,
108 bends,
109 flexible tube,
111 Angle knob,
112 Air / Water button,
113 Suction button,
120 tip,
121 tip surface,
200 treatment instrument insertion conduit,
201 treatment tool insertion port,
A insertion shaft (at the tip 120),
B Central axis (of the treatment instrument insertion port 201).

Claims (8)

An insertion part;
A treatment instrument insertion port provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, the treatment instrument being provided so as to project a treatment instrument along an insertion axis of the distal end portion;
It has an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and is arranged so that it protrudes in the distal direction from the treatment instrument insertion port and a plane including the ultrasonic scanning surface passes through the treatment instrument insertion port. An installed ultrasound observation unit;
When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the scanning plane, a portion that touches or intersects with the surface facing the treatment instrument insertion port of the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit and touches or intersects with the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit From the base end side toward the base end side, an inclined surface portion made of a surface inclined with respect to the insertion axis so as to be separated from the ultrasonic observation portion,
An ultrasonic endoscope characterized by comprising:   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface portion is disposed so as not to overlap the scanning surface.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein when viewed from the distal end side along the insertion axis, the inclined surface portion is disposed on one side with respect to the scanning surface. Comprising an optical observation unit for observing an optical image at the tip,
The ultrasonic wave according to claim 3, wherein when viewed from the distal end side along the insertion axis, the optical observation unit is disposed on the opposite side across the inclined surface and the scanning surface. Endoscope.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inclined surface portion is formed of a curved surface having a concave shape toward the base end direction.   The ultrasonic wave according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface portion is disposed so as to overlap the scanning surface, and at least a portion overlapping the scanning surface is formed of a material capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves. Endoscope.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface portion is provided in an insertion assisting tool that can be attached to and detached from the distal end portion. Insertion part,
An opening provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, a treatment instrument insertion port provided so that the treatment instrument can protrude along the insertion axis of the distal end, and ultrasonic vibration for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves An ultrasonic observation unit that includes a child and protrudes in a distal direction from the treatment instrument insertion port, and is disposed so that a plane including the ultrasonic scanning surface passes through the treatment instrument insertion port. An insertion aid that can be attached to and detached from the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope,
When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the scanning plane in a state where the distal end is mounted, the ultrasonic observation section touches or intersects the surface facing the treatment instrument insertion port, and An insertion aid comprising an inclined surface formed of a surface inclined with respect to the insertion axis so as to move away from the ultrasonic observation unit from a portion in contact with or intersecting with the surface of the ultrasonic observation unit toward the proximal end side. Ingredients.

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