JP2619870B2 - Ultrasound endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus provided with an endoscope observing unit in an ultrasonic diagnostic direction and an observing unit in an endoscope inserting direction.

[Related Art] In recent years, endoscopes capable of optically observing and inspecting the inside of a body cavity or a lumen by inserting an elongated insertion portion so that the insertion portion can be inserted have been widely used. became.

In addition, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus capable of obtaining an ultrasonic diagnostic image provided with an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in addition to the optical observation function is in practical use.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, the conventional ultrasonic endoscope apparatus has a drawback that when inserted into a body cavity or the like, the ultrasonic visual field range cannot be confirmed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus capable of observing an ultrasonic diagnostic direction and confirming an ultrasonic visual field range.

[Means for Solving the Problems and Functions] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the present invention. In the video ultrasonic endoscope 1, an ultrasonic probe 3 is housed at a distal end side of an elongated insertion portion 2 that can be inserted into a body cavity or the like so that a transmitting / receiving surface 3A faces a side surface. The solid-state imaging device 5 is arranged so that the imaging surface faces substantially parallel to the transmission / reception surface 3A of the ultrasonic probe 3 so that the ultrasonic transmission / reception range 3 (ultrasonic field range) 3 can be optically observed. . An optical lens 6 for imaging is arranged at a position in front of the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 5 to form an optical field range 7 covering the ultrasonic field range 4 of the ultrasonic probe 3.

Further, an optical lens 8 and a solid-state imaging device 9 are arranged at the image forming position of the optical lens 8 on the distal end surface of the insertion section 2, and an optical observation visual field range 10 is formed in a direct viewing direction where the insertion section 2 is inserted. I have.

A signal line 11 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is connected to the ultrasonic probe 3, and by connecting a connector 12,
The signal can be transmitted to and received from the diagnostic device 13, and the monitor 14 can display an ultrasonic diagnostic image on another monitor.

The signal lines 15, 16 connected to the solid-state imaging devices 5, 9 are also provided.
Is connected to a switching circuit 18 in the operation unit 17, and can be selectively connected to a camera control unit (CCU) 20 in the diagnostic device 13 by a changeover switch 19 of the operation unit 17. The signal is processed by this CCU 20 and the monitor 14
In this case, the image can be switched and displayed with the ultrasonic diagnostic image, or can be divided and displayed.

With this configuration, when inserting the solid-state imaging device 9 into a body cavity, the solid-state imaging device 9 capable of observing the insertion direction is selected, and an image captured by the solid-state imaging device 9 is displayed on the monitor 14, so that the monitor 14 is By observing, the insertion operation can be performed safely. Also, after insertion,
When obtaining an ultrasonic diagnostic image, the changeover switch 19
Is operated, the solid-state imaging device 5 arranged adjacent to the ultrasonic probe 3 is switched so as to be selected, and the diagnosis site can be optically observed.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically with reference to the drawings.

2 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 shows the outer shape of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus in the first embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the video ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG.
The figure shows a plan view on the tip side in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows the tip face in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 21 of the first embodiment
Is a video ultrasonic endoscope 22 having a function of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and a video endoscopic observation function, and an endoscope connector 23 and an electric connector 24 of the video ultrasonic endoscope 22 are detachable. And a video ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 27 provided with an endoscope connector receiver 25 and an electrical connector receiver 26 which can be mounted by the user.

The video ultrasonic endoscope 22 has an elongated insertion portion 28 formed so as to be inserted into a body cavity or the like, and an enlarged diameter operation portion 29 is provided at a rear end of the insertion portion 28. A universal cord 31 extends from 29. This operation unit 29
Is provided with a changeover switch 32.

The video ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 27 includes an ultrasonic operation panel.
33, video endoscope operation unit 34 is provided adjacent to,
A monitor base 35 is erected on the upper side of the operation units 33 and 34 so that a monitor 37 for displaying an ultrasonic image 36 and a monitor 39 for displaying an endoscope image 38 can be arranged.

A keyboard 41 can be arranged below the operation units 33 and 34. In the diagnostic device 27, for example, external storage devices 42 and 43 are arranged below the connector receivers 25 and 26 and laterally of the keyboard 41.

By the way, a light guide 44 is inserted into the insertion portion 28 and the universal cord 31 of the video ultrasonic endoscope 22, and a light guide connector 44A protrudes from the endoscope connector 23 as shown in FIG. The illumination light is supplied to the end face of the connector 44A from a light source (not shown) by being mounted on the endoscope connector receiver 25. The illumination light transmitted by the light guide 44 is emitted from the other end.

On the tip side of the insertion portion 28, an ultrasonic probe 45 has a transmitting / receiving surface 45A as shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 4).
Are arranged so as to face the side near the tip. The ultrasonic probe 45 is capable of transmitting an ultrasonic wave in a forward direction (a side direction of the insertion section 28) facing the transmitting / receiving surface 45A by applying an ultrasonic driving pulse via a signal wire bundle 46. In addition, the received reflected ultrasonic waves are converted into electric signals and transmitted to the diagnostic device 27, where the signals are processed by an ultrasonic processing circuit (not shown) in the diagnostic device 27.
It can be displayed as 36.

The ultrasonic probe 45 is composed of a large number of piezoelectric element arrays, and can obtain an ultrasonic image of an ultrasonic transmission / reception range (ultrasonic field range) 47 shown in FIG. 3 by linear electronic scanning.

The side surface portion adjacent to the side surface on which the ultrasonic probe 45 is arranged is cut out to form a flat surface slightly forward from the side surface of the insertion portion 28, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. An optical lens 48 for image formation is arranged, and a CCD 49 as a solid-state image sensor is arranged on a focal plane of the optical lens 48 to form an imaging means.

An imaging range (field range) 50 in which an image can be formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 49 by the optical lens 48 becomes a conical range centered on the field center line V1, and as shown in FIG. (Transmission surface 45A
Excluding distances close to). A light distribution lens 51 is disposed adjacent to the optical lens 48, as shown in FIG. 4, and a front end surface of the light guide 52 faces the inside thereof, and the illumination light is expanded and emitted in the direction of the center of the visual field. An object (for example, a body cavity wall surface) in the visual field range 50 can be illuminated.

On the flat surface to which the optical lens 48 and the orientation lens 51 are attached, a forceps channel 53 and an air supply nozzle 54 are formed as shown in FIG.

Note that converging lenses 55 and 55 are provided on both sides of the ultrasonic probe 45 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion so that the ultrasonic visual field range 47 can be confirmed. Guide light (for example, He-Ne laser light) transmitted by the guide light fiber bundles 56 facing the
The beam can be emitted in parallel with both ends of 47. The guide lights emitted in parallel are indicated by reference numerals 57 and 57.

By the way, in the first embodiment, the ultrasonic field range 47 in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received can be displayed on the monitor 39 by the illumination / observation means arranged adjacent to the ultrasonic probe 45, and furthermore, A feature is that illumination / observation means is also formed on the distal end surface of the insertion section 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, an optical lens 58 for imaging is arranged so as to face the front end surface, and a CCD 59 is arranged on a focal plane of the optical lens 58. Thus, a field-of-view range 62 is formed in which a conical range can be observed (imaged) with the field-of-view center line V2 facing axially forward of the insertion section 28 as the field center.
As shown in FIG. 5, a light distribution lens 63 is disposed so as to illuminate an object within the visual field range 62 at least.
Are arranged so that the light-emitting end face faces. An air / water nozzle 65 is arranged adjacent to the optical lens 58.

By the way, the signal lines 66, 6 connected to the two CCDs 49, 59
7 is a changeover switch 3 provided on the operation unit 29 as shown in FIG.
2, and only one of the signal lines 68 drawn from the changeover switch 32 can be selectively conducted. The signal line 68 is connected to (the connection pin of) the electrical connector 24, and the electrical connector 24 is attached to the electrical connector receptacle 26 of the diagnostic device 27, whereby the signal is processed by a video signal processing circuit (not shown) in the diagnostic device 27. The monitor 39 displays a signal captured by the turned-on CCD 49 or 59 as an endoscope image 38. The electric connector 24 is provided with a guide rod 69 for guiding the mounting. The guide rod 69 can be easily mounted by inserting the guide rod 69 into the insertion port 70 of the connector receiver 26.

The light guides 52, 64 arranged so that their end faces are adjacent to the CCDs 49, 59 are integrated, for example, in the insertion portion 28, and further inserted through the universal cord 31 (reference numeral 44).
Indicated by ), And protrudes from the end surface of the endoscope connector 23 as a light guide connector 44A. In addition, the rear end sides of the guide light fiber bundles 56, 56 are also integrated, and protrude from the end surface of the endoscope connector 23 as a guide light connector 56A, and the endoscope connector 31 is attached to the endoscope connector receiver 25. By doing so, guide light is supplied from a guide light generator (not shown) facing the guide light connector 56A.

An air supply pipe 72 protrudes adjacent to the light guide connector 44A. Also, as shown in FIG.
An air supply port 73 and a suction port 74 are provided on the side of 23.

The operation according to the first embodiment thus configured will be described below.

When the video ultrasonic scope 22 is inserted into the body cavity wall 75 as shown in FIG. 2, the changeover switch 32 is operated so that the CCD 59 that allows the front end of the insertion section 28 to be observed forward is selected. I do. (Note that the two connectors 23 and 24 are attached to the corresponding connector receivers 25 and 26, respectively.) Then, the end rule of the insertion portion 28 through the light distribution lens 63 from the emission end face of the light guide 64 adjacent to the CCD 59. Is illuminated on the deep side of the body cavity wall into which the optical lens 58 is inserted.
The image is formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 59, processed by the video signal processing circuit in the diagnostic device 27, and displayed on the display screen of the monitor 39. Therefore, it is possible to safely insert the front and periphery of the insertion portion while watching the screen of the monitor 39. That is, since the insertion can be performed while confirming the insertion, even if there is a stenosis or the like, the insertion can be performed while ensuring safety.

On the other hand, when the insertion to the desired portion is completed, the changeover switch 32 is operated to switch so that the CCD 49 arranged on the side surface on the distal end side of the insertion portion 28 is selected. By this switching, the surface of the part that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves and obtains an ultrasonic diagnostic image can be displayed on the screen of the monitor 39 and confirmed. That is, it can be used as a normal video ultrasonic scope.

In the first embodiment, two CCDs 49 and 59 as solid-state imaging devices are provided, and these are selectively switched by using a switch. Can be selected and set.

FIG. 6 shows a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention. The video ultrasonic scope 81 in the second embodiment is of a mechanical radial scan type. A single ultrasonic transducer 84 is provided on the inner side covered with a cap 83 formed of a member that transmits ultrasonic waves on the distal end side of the insertion portion 82.
It is attached to the tip of a shaft 86 attached to the tip of a flexible shaft 85, and the shaft 86 is rotatably supported by a bearing 87. The flexible shaft 85 is driven to rotate by a motor 89 inside an operation unit 88. .

An ultrasonic transmission medium 91 is provided around the transducer 84.
Are filled. This transducer 84 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from its transmitting and receiving surface 84A. When the transducer 84 is rotated together with the shaft 86, the transducer 84 radially emits ultrasonic waves in a direction orthogonal to the shaft 86 over an angle range of, for example, about 180 ° as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the radially transmitted and received range is the ultrasonic tomographic range 92. As can be seen from the plan view shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from the center angle direction of this range 92, two illumination lenses 94 and 9 are provided on the side portion adjacent to the transducer 84.
4, optical lens 95, air / water nozzle 96, and suction channel 9
7 and are arranged.

A CCD 98 is disposed on the focal plane of the optical lens 95, and a side-view type imaging unit (observation unit) capable of observing the transmission / reception direction at the center position of the range 92 where ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received is formed.

Also, an optical lens 101 is disposed on the distal end surface of the insertion section 82, and a CCD 102 is disposed on the focal plane of the optical lens 101.
Direct-view type imaging means is formed so that the axial direction in which the insertion portion 82 is inserted can be observed.

CCD98 and 1 forming the side-view and direct-view imaging means
02 are connected to signal lines 103 and 104, respectively.These signal lines 103 and 104 are connected to the connector receptacle 107 of the video ultrasonic endoscope processor 106 by connecting the electric connector 105,
It can be connected to the switching circuit 108.

The changeover circuit 108 includes a changeover switch 1 provided in the operation unit 88.
By operating the switch 09, the signal from the switch 109 is input to the switching circuit 108 via the signal line 111, and controls the switching of the switching circuit 108. That is, the operation of the changeover switch 109 causes the changeover circuit 108 to operate the signal line 103 or the CCD 98 or 102.
One of the terminals 104 is connected to the CCD drive circuit 112 and the signal processing circuit 113.

Note that an ultrasonic circuit 114 is provided in the video ultrasonic endoscope processor 106, and is connected to a contact portion 116 in an operation portion 88 via a signal line 115, and a signal is transmitted to the transducer 84 via the contact portion 116. Can be sent and received.

A motor that rotates the flexible shaft 85
The encoder 117 is mounted on the rotation axis of 89, and the motor 8
The rotation of 9 is detected, the detected signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic circuit 114 via the signal line 115, and transmission / reception is performed in synchronization with the rotation.

Output signals of the signal processing circuit 113 and the ultrasonic circuit 114 are input to a monitor (not shown) so that an endoscope image and an ultrasonic image can be displayed.

In order to confirm the direction of the center angle position of the range 92 where the ultrasonic wave is transmitted / received, the transducer at this position is
The LEDs 118, 118 arranged at positions on both sides of 84 are capable of emitting two parallel guide lights 119, 119.
When CD98 is selected, these two guide lights 119, 119
Can be observed.

The LEDs 118 are connected to a power supply (not shown) via an LED drive cable 120 so that power for light emission can be supplied. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 8, two light guides 122, 122 are provided adjacent to the optical lens 101,
The illumination light is emitted in the direct viewing direction.

The second embodiment is characterized in that the first embodiment is a linear electronic scan, but is a mechanical sector scan, but has the same effect as the first embodiment. In other words, in addition to having the function of a normal ultrasonic endoscope that can optically observe the direction of transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, when inserting the insertion section 82, perform the insertion operation safely with the insertion direction in the field of view Can be.

FIG. 9 shows the distal end side of the video ultrasonic endoscope 131 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is of the electronic sector scan type,
On the other hand, observations by the CCDs 132 and 133 are such that the rear oblique range is 134 and the front oblique range 135 is.

An electronic sector crossing layer type probe 137 is arranged at the tip side of the insertion portion 136 such that the transmitting / receiving surface 137A faces the side surface so that signals transmitted / received via signal lines 138,. It is.

An optical lens 139 is disposed adjacent to the probe 137 so as to face the side surface, and a CCD 132 is disposed on a focal plane thereof.
The optical axis direction of the optical lens 139, that is, the viewing direction 139A is a rear oblique direction slightly rearward from the side, so that the center side of the ultrasonic transmission / reception range can be observed. Further, the distal end surface of the insertion portion 136 is inclined, and an optical lens 141 is provided on the inclined surface.
D133 is arranged so that the front perspective can be observed centering on the viewing direction 135A.

Signal lines 142 and 143 are connected to the CCDs 132 and 133, respectively, and one of the CCDs 132 and 133 can be selected by a changeover switch provided on an operation unit (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 10, which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 9, guide light emitting portions 144, 144 are provided on both sides of the probe 137, and the height from these guide light emitting portions 144, 144 is high. The guide lights 145 having the brightness can be emitted.

In FIG. 10, a range indicated by reference numeral 146 is a sector tomographic plane by the probe 137.

The operation and effect of the third embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a distal end side of a video ultrasonic endoscope 151 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a linear electronic scanning method is used.
Observations by 52 and 153 are a front perspective and a front perspective in a side view.

A probe 155 is provided at the tip end of the insertion section 154 such that the transmitting / receiving surface 155A faces the side surface. Adjacent to the probe 155, an optical system 156 of a front perspective view in side view is arranged, and a CCD 152 is arranged on a focal plane of the optical system 156. This optical system 1
The visual field range 157 according to 56 is expanded and the ultrasonic transmission / reception range 158
To cover.

Further, a front oblique type optical system 159 is disposed on the inclined front end surface of the insertion portion 154, and a CCD 153 is disposed on a focal plane of the optical system 159. However, the insertion portion 154 is also covered in the axial direction so that the insertion portion 154 can be visually recognized at the time of insertion.

Signal lines 161 and 162 are connected to these CCDs 152 and 153, and an image captured by any one of the CCDs 152 and 153 can be displayed by a changeover switch provided on an operation unit (not shown).

Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment. The operation and effect of the fourth embodiment are almost the same as those of the third embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the optical observation means is formed by using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD in the endoscope insertion portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CCD 49, FIG.
An image guide is used instead of 59, and two CCs are provided on the operation unit or eyepiece facing the rear end of these image guides.
It is also possible to form a television camera unit with D facing and switch between two CCDs so that observation in a desired direction can be performed. If one uses an image guide and the other is observed by CCD, the switching means is not necessarily indispensable.

The switching means is not limited to the one provided on the operation unit, and may have a similar function by a foot switch attached to a cord extended from a diagnostic device or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the observing means can optically observe the surface of the ultrasonic diagnostic site by the ultrasonic probe and guide the ultrasonic probe to a position sandwiching the ultrasonic probe. Since the light emitting member is arranged, the guide light generated by the light emitting member makes it possible to clearly confirm the ultrasonic transmission / reception range (ultrasonic field of view) of the ultrasonic probe. When a site that is recognized is found, the probe can be quickly approached to that site, and the inspection time can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the distal end of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the distal end face of FIG. 3, and FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a video electronic endoscope according to the second embodiment,
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the distal end side of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end side when cut along the line AA in FIG. 6, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the structure of the distal end side of the insertion portion of the third embodiment, FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9, and FIG. FIG. 1,22 video endoscope 2,28 insertion section 3,45 ultrasonic probe 6,8,48,58 optical lens 5,9 solid-state image sensor 13,27 …… (Ultrasonic) diagnostic device 19,32 …… Changeover switch 49,59 …… CCD

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Ozeki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the O-Limpus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeaki Nakamura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo O-limpus Inside Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuka Tojo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo O Inside Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Shinichi Nishigaki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo e (72) Inventor Hiromasa Suzuki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Investigator, Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Munehiko Higuchi (56) References JP-A-58-127642 (JP, A) JP-A-59-103642 (JP, A) JP-A-55-81633 (JP, A) JP-A-57-190551 (JP, A) JP-A-61-244334 (JP, A) 120002 (JP, U) Fully open sho 57-90114 (JP, U) Really open sho 58-43403 (JP, U) Real open sho 58-193905 ( P, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus having an ultrasonic probe provided with a transmitting / receiving surface on an outer surface near an end of an insertion portion, wherein the ultrasonic probe optically observes a surface of an ultrasonic diagnostic site by the ultrasonic probe. In addition to providing an observation unit that enables the ultrasonic probe, a guide light emitting member that emits guide light in an ultrasonic emission direction by the ultrasonic probe is provided at a position sandwiching the ultrasonic probe near the ultrasonic probe. An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus.