JP3052745B2 - Body cavity diagnostic device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vivo diagnostic device such as an endoscope and an ultrasonic diagnostic device which is inserted into a body cavity and performs various examinations and diagnoses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an ultrasonic endoscope is known as an in-body-cavity diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic endoscope is provided with a main body operation section connected to an insertion section into the body cavity, a light source device and a processor. , A universal cord connected to the ultrasonic observation device is provided continuously. The insertion part has a flexible part for most of the length from the part connected to the main body operation part, an angle part is connected to this flexible part, and a hard tip part is connected to the angle part. The endoscope observation means and the ultrasonic observation means are attached to the hard distal end portion.

An illumination window and an observation window constituting an endoscope observation means are provided at the distal end hard portion, and an illumination lens and an objective lens are mounted on the illumination window and the observation window, respectively. . The illumination lens is mounted so that the exit end of the light guide faces, and a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD is mounted at the image forming position of the objective lens, and if necessary, from the observation window to the solid-state image sensor. In some cases, a prism for bending the optical path between them may be provided. Further, in addition to these, a treatment tool insertion channel for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps is opened, and a fluid ejection nozzle for supplying a cleaning fluid toward the observation window is provided. On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation means has an ultrasonic vibrator, and this ultrasonic vibrator is fixedly provided on a hard end portion or rotatably provided. Further, in order to prevent attenuation of an ultrasonic signal transmitted / received by the ultrasonic transducer, a groove or the like for mounting a balloon for enclosing an ultrasonic transmission medium is formed.

[0004] From the above, various processes are required for the hard end portion, and therefore, the material is generally formed of a metal material which can be processed finely and precisely.
In addition, the angle part connected to this tip end hard part,
It is provided to orient the distal end hard portion in a desired direction, and has a structure in which a plurality of angle rings are sequentially connected to each other so as to be pivotally connected, and a protection net is provided outside the angle rings. An outer skin layer is formed on the protective net. The flexible portion connected to the angle portion is provided with a protective net over the spiral tube, and an outer skin layer is formed thereon. Here, the outer layer in the angle portion and the soft portion is formed of a resin material such as urethane resin, but since the angle ring and the spiral tube located inside have a function as a structure in each portion, It is formed of a metal material. In addition, the connection between the hard end portion and the angle portion and the connection between the angle portion and the soft portion are performed through a connection ring. However, since the connection ring also needs to be structurally robust, a metal ring is required. It is formed with.

[0005]

By the way, a signal cable connected to a solid-state imaging device and an ultrasonic transducer is inserted into an insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope. Although these signal cables are insulated, the angle portions are particularly bent at a large angle, so that the signal cables may be caught between adjacent angle rings. As a result, when the insulating covering of the signal cable is damaged, an electric path is formed from the damaged portion of the signal cable to the hard end portion through the connecting ring from the angle ring formed of the metal material. If a large current flows for some reason while the distal end hard portion is in contact with the inner wall of the body cavity, it is dangerous for the patient. Therefore, in the prior art, the signal cable and the power supply are configured to be connected via an isolation mechanism such as a transformer.

If the isolation mechanism is provided as described above, however, in order to improve the strength of the insulating coating of the signal cable, an excessive current does not flow on the signal cable side. As an instrument,
Ensuring security is a very important matter, and it is necessary to double and triple secure the protection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an insulation coating on a current-carrying member such as a signal cable inserted into an insertion portion from being damaged, and to prevent an angle ring from being damaged. The present invention is to reliably prevent a current from flowing into a patient's body even when the patient comes into contact with a spiral tube or a spiral tube.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a hard tip portion is provided at a tip portion.
A metal layer is provided inside the hard end of the
With an insertion section with an insertion section body connected to the resin layer
Body diagnostic device, wherein the distal end hard portion is formed of metal.
Inspection and diagnosis means are attached to this hard tip,
A tip hard portion made of this metal, and a metal of the insertion portion main body.
With an insulating member electrically insulating between
In this insulating member, before being supported by the rigid tip portion,
A plurality of members that make up the inspection / diagnosis means
It is characterized in that the insertion hole is formed .

[0009]

In the entire insertion part, the angle part and the soft part are provided with an outer insulating layer such as urethane resin and the like, and the angle ring and the spiral tube made of metal are provided inside the outer layer. Therefore, there is no direct contact with the inner wall of the patient's body cavity. However, since the distal end hard portion is formed of metal and is not covered by any member, the metal comes into direct contact with the inner wall of the body cavity. on the other hand,
The greatest risk of damage to the insulating coating of a signal cable or the like is in the angled portion that is greatly bent, and then in the flexible portion that is bent along the insertion path. Since the signal cable does not substantially move inside the hard distal end portion, it does not slide with other members, and in a normal state, there is no danger of damage.

In view of the above, in the present invention, an insulating member is interposed between a continuous portion of a hard tip portion and an angle portion to keep the hard tip portion in a non-contact state with other conductive members. To keep it electrically insulated. As a result, even if the insulating coating of the signal cable is damaged, no current flows through the hard distal end portion that contacts the inner wall of the patient's body cavity. Here, the insulating member electrically cuts off the connection between the hard end portion and the angle ring of the angle portion. The insulating member is used to connect a signal cable, a light guide, a treatment tool insertion channel, an air supply / water supply pipe, and the like. It becomes a partition for insertion. Therefore, an insertion hole is provided in the insulating member to allow these members to be inserted. By forming the insertion hole individually in each member, it is possible to prevent the members from being entangled with each other. In addition, if the insulating member is formed of ceramic, strength and durability are excellent, and processing of the insertion hole and the like can be performed accurately and easily.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope as an example of a body cavity diagnostic device. In the figure, 1 denotes an ultrasonic endoscope, 2 denotes an endoscope observation device, and 3 denotes an ultrasonic observation device. The ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 4 to be inserted into a body cavity, and a main body operation portion 5 connected to a base end of the insertion portion 4.
And a universal cord 6 connected to the main body operation unit 5. The endoscope observation device 2 includes a light source unit 2a
, A processor 2b, and a monitor device 2c. The ultrasonic observation device 3 includes a signal processing unit 3a and a monitor device 3c.
b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion 4 is composed of a flexible portion 10, an angle portion 11, and a hard distal portion 12 in order from the portion connected to the main body operation portion 5. The flexible portion 10 constitutes most of the insertion portion 4, and the flexible portion 1
0 has flexibility so that it can bend in any direction along the insertion path in the body cavity. The angle portion 11 is for directing the distal end hard portion 12 in a desired direction,
By operating the angle knob 13 provided in the main body operation section 5, the bending is performed by remote control. And, it is designed to be bent at an angle of 180 ° or more.

The flexible portion 10 has a structure in which a spiral tube 10a in which a metal strip is spirally wound is provided on the innermost side as a structure, and the spiral tube 10a is covered with a protection net 10b. The protective net 10b is provided with a skin layer 10c formed of a resin material such as urethane resin. The angle portion 11 is formed of a metal ring on the innermost side,
A plurality of angle rings 11a constituting the structure are pivotally connected in sequence, and the angle rings 11a are provided with a protective net 11b and a skin layer 11c formed of a resin material. The flexible portion 10 and the angle portion 11 are connected by a connection ring (not shown) made of metal.

FIG. 3 shows a distal end portion of the insertion portion 4. As described above, the angle portion 11 is provided with the angle rings 11a. Of these, the tip ring main body 12a constituting the tip rigid portion 12 is connected to the angle ring 11a 'located at the foremost end. I have. This tip body 12
“a” is made of metal, and an endoscope observation unit and an ultrasonic observation unit are provided on the distal end body 12a.

As the endoscope observation means, as is well known,
It has an illumination window (not shown) for irradiating illumination light toward the observation target portion, and is provided with an observation window 13. The observation window 13 has a cover glass 14 and a prism 15 attached thereto. An objective lens 16 is mounted. The solid-state imaging device 1 is located at the image forming position of the objective lens 16.
The solid-state imaging device 17 is connected to a signal cable 18. Although not shown, a treatment tool insertion channel for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps and a nozzle for cleaning the cover glass 14 of the observation window 13 are provided. On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation means has an ultrasonic vibrator 19 provided at a position in front of an arrangement portion of the endoscope observation means, and a signal cable 20 is connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 19. In addition, circumferential grooves 21a and 21b are formed in the front end body 12a at positions before and after the mounting position of the ultrasonic vibrator 19, and each of the grooves 21a and 21b has an internal A balloon in which a sound wave transmission medium is enclosed is mounted.

The distal end hard portion 12 is provided with various members as described above. For this purpose, an insertion passage through which the members are inserted is formed in the distal end body 12a. An accommodating portion is formed, and the grooves 21a, 21
b is also formed. As described above, it is necessary to perform complicated processing on the distal end portion main body 12a, and high strength is also required. In addition to metal, for example, a material having good workability and sufficient strength is, for example, ceramic. However, since ceramic is a porous member and has poor cleaning properties, it is not appropriate to form it as a hard distal end portion that directly contacts the body cavity.

When performing endoscopic observation or ultrasonic observation with the insertion section 4 inserted into the body cavity, the angle section 11 is bent in an appropriate direction.
If the bending operation 1 is repeated, the signal cable 18 connected to the solid-state imaging device 17 and the signal cable 20 connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 19 may be damaged by being bitten by the angle ring 11a. Although the signal cables 18 and 20 are naturally coated with an insulating material, if the signal cables 18 and 20 are bitten by the angle ring 11a, the insulating material may be damaged. If the cable is used while the insulating coating is damaged, the core wires of the signal cables 18 and 20 are
There is a possibility that a large current flows through the signal cables 18 and 20 by contact with the signal cable 1a. The electric current flows from the angle ring 11a made of metal to the distal end main body 1 of the distal end hard portion 12.
When flowing to 2a, electric current flows in the body of the patient, which is dangerous.

In the first place, when a mechanism for energizing a member inserted into a body cavity, such as an ultrasonic endoscope, is provided, an excessive current flows into the body cavity due to an accident or the like from the viewpoint of patient protection. Must not be. For this purpose, a safety mechanism is provided. As the safety mechanism, a structure that electrically isolates the signal cables 18 and 20 from the power supply is used. FIG. 4 shows a configuration of an isolation mechanism of the signal cable 20 connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 19. As can be seen from the figure, the signal cable 20 connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 19 has a core wire 20a having an insulating coating 20b.
The signal cable 20 and the power supply 30 are connected via a transformer 31. By passing through the transformer 31, there is no possibility that a large current flows to the signal cable 20 side.

In the present invention, a double safety mechanism is provided in addition to the above-described safety mechanism in order to further ensure patient protection. That is, if the insulation of the signal cables 18 and 20 is damaged,
A current flows through the angle ring 11a and the spiral tube 10a.
However, the angle ring 11a and the spiral tube 1
By electrically disconnecting the distal end body 12a from the distal end main body 12a, the distal end main body 12a is floated from another metal member. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a situation in which a current flows through the device.

For this purpose, an electrically insulating member 22 such as ceramic or synthetic resin is used. This insulating member 22 is screwed into a female screw 23 formed at the base end of the distal end body 12a. And is fixed using an adhesive or the like. Here, an annular ridge 22a is formed at the center of the outer peripheral surface of the insulating member 22. The distal end main body 12a is screwed to a position where it comes into contact with the ridge 22a. Is in contact with the stepped portion on the opposite side of the protruding ridge 22a across the distal end main body 12a. As a result, the insulating member 22 functions as a connecting member between the angle portion 11 and the distal end hard portion 12, and the angle ring 11a and the distal end body 12a made of metal, respectively.
It has a function to electrically shut off between

Since the insulating member 22 is provided at a position between the angle portion 11 and the distal end hard portion 12, various members guided into the distal end hard portion 12 are inserted into the insulating member 22 through the insertion holes 22b, 22b. Are formed so as to be inserted through these insertion holes 22b. When a member is inserted into the insertion hole 22b formed in the insulating member 22, a metal pipe is used. For example, when the inserted member itself is made of metal, such as a treatment tool insertion channel, the member is directly inserted into the insertion hole 22b and fixed by means such as soldering. In the signal cables 18, 20 and the like, a metal pipe 23 is inserted through an insertion hole 22b formed in the insulating member 22, fixed by means such as soldering, and the member is inserted inside.

With the above configuration, there is no possibility that a current flows through the inner wall of the body cavity of the patient. That is, the electric current flows through the inner wall of the body cavity of the patient because the insulating coating of the signal cables 18 and 20 is damaged and the core wire is inserted into the insertion section 4.
Is the time when the conductive member comes into contact with the conductive member. Here, the conductive member of the insertion portion 4 is the soft portion 10.
Are the spiral tube 10a, the angle ring 11a, which constitutes the angle portion 11, and the distal end portion main body 12a of the distal end hard portion 12. Among these conductive members, the helical tube 10a and the angle ring 11a have outer skin layers 10c and 11c made of synthetic resin formed outside thereof.
Therefore, there is no possibility that the spiral tube 10a and the angle ring 11a directly contact the inner wall of the body cavity. On the other hand, since the distal end portion main body 12a is exposed to the outside, it comes into direct contact with the inner wall of the body cavity.

On the other hand, the signal cables 18 and 20 are connected to the solid-state imaging device 17 and the ultrasonic vibrator 19, respectively. 10 are inserted. The rigid distal end portion 12 does not bend due to its properties, and furthermore, an insulating member 22 is provided between the rigid distal end portion 12 and the angle portion 11, and the signal cables 18 and 20 are formed of the insulating member 22. It is fixed to the insertion hole 22b. Therefore, the signal cables 18 and 20 are held in a very stable state in the distal end hard portion 12, and there is no possibility of contact with the distal end body 12a. Angle part 11
And within the flexible portion 10, the signal cables 18, 20
Is in a free state, and the other members are also in a free state. Therefore, when the members are rubbed against each other during the insertion operation into the body cavity, the insulating coating of the signal cables 18 and 20 is worn,
In particular, in the angle portion 11 that is largely bent, the insulation may be damaged due to the insulating coating being sandwiched between the angle rings 11a. As a result, the angle ring 1
The core wires of the signal cables 18 and 20 may come into contact with 1a and the like, and a current may flow into the angle ring 11a. However, since the insulating member 22 is interposed between the distal end main body 12a of the distal end hard portion 12 exposed to the outside and the angle ring 11a, a current flows through the distal end main body 12a. It is not. This further enhances patient safety.

In the above-described embodiment, an ultrasonic endoscope is described as an in-vivo diagnostic device. However, the in-vivo diagnostic device in which a current-carrying member is inserted through an insertion portion into the body cavity is essential. For example, the same configuration can be adopted in an electronic endoscope, a body-insertable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the like. Further, the material constituting the insulating member is preferably ceramic, resin, or the like, and particularly, ceramic is most preferable in terms of strength, workability, and the like. However, the material is not limited thereto, and any material having an insulating property, maintaining a predetermined strength, and having excellent workability may be used.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the tip hard
Material and the metal layer of the insertion section body
Insulation member that intersects the
The strength and processing of the material of the
Metals that are advantageous in terms of properties, etc.
According to the configuration, even if the insulating coating on the current-carrying member such as the signal cable inserted into the insertion portion is damaged, and even if it comes into contact with an angle ring, a spiral tube, or the like, it is possible to reliably prevent a current from flowing into the patient's body. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope as an in-vivo diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an insertion unit.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a hard distal end portion.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an isolation mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope 2 Endoscope observation apparatus 3 Ultrasound observation apparatus 4 Insertion part 10 Flexible part 10a Helical tube 10c Outer layer 11 Angle part 11a, 11a 'Angle ring 11c Outer layer 17 Solid-state image sensor 18,20 Signal cable 19 ultrasonic transducer 22 insulating member 22a ridge

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 8/12 A61B 1/00-1/04

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hard tip portion is provided at a tip portion, and
A metal layer is provided inside the hard end portion, and a tree is formed on this metal layer.
A body having an insertion portion in which an insertion portion main body covered with a fat layer is continuously provided.
In the intracavity diagnostic apparatus, the hard tip portion is formed of metal, and the hard tip portion is detected.
Inspection / diagnosis means is mounted, and a hard tip portion made of this metal and a metal of the insertion portion main body.
With an insulating member electrically insulating between
In addition, the insulating member is provided with the detection member supported by the rigid end portion.
Multiple insertions to insert each member constituting the inspection / diagnosis means
An in-body cavity diagnostic device, wherein a hole is formed . 2. The diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member is formed of ceramic. 3. The insulating member is provided at a tip end of the metal layer.
So that it is inserted and abuts against the end face of this metal layer.
None, the insulating member is provided at the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion main body.
A connection member to
The diagnostic apparatus for a body cavity according to claim 1 or claim 2.
Place. 4. A connection between the insulating member and the distal end hard portion.
The parts are fixed by screwing.
The in-vivo diagnostic device according to claim 3. 5. An inspection / diagnosis provided on the hard tip portion
The means consisted of an ultrasonic observation means positioned on the tip side,
Endoscope observation means at a position proximal to the sound wave observation means
2. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is an ultrasonic endoscope.
In-vivo diagnostic device.