JP3067300B2 - Endoscope 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 endoscope apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic probe which is inserted into an insertion section of an endoscope apparatus so as to enable ultrasonic scanning, and an optical image and an ultrasonic image. And an endoscope device capable of obtaining both of the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various electronic endoscopes using a solid-state imaging device such as an electric coupling device (CCD) as imaging means have been proposed. In addition, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that use ultrasound to diagnose internal tissues and organs have rapidly advanced.
Recently, an ultrasonic endoscope that inserts an ultrasonic probe endoscopically into a body cavity and can perform ultrasonic scanning from within the body cavity has also been used. Since this ultrasonic endoscope performs ultrasonic scanning by inserting an ultrasonic probe into the body cavity, it can scan the test site without intervening tissues that attenuate ultrasonic waves such as skin and fat, There is an advantage that the ultrasonic wave transmission is good and a clear ultrasonic image with good resolution can be obtained.

When a solid-state image sensor as a means for obtaining an optical image and an ultrasonic probe as a means for obtaining an ultrasonic image are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus, the solid-state image sensor is A video processor that performs signal processing, an ultrasonic observation device that performs signal processing on the ultrasonic probe,
A light source device that supplies illumination light to the solid-state imaging device is required. JP-A-63-264046 discloses that such a solid-state imaging device and an ultrasonic probe are provided at the distal end of an insertion portion.
An endoscope apparatus including signal processing means for a solid-state imaging device, signal processing means for an ultrasonic probe, and means for supplying illumination light to the solid-state imaging device is disclosed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of such a conventional endoscope apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 51 includes a video ultrasonic scope 52, a video ultrasonic observation apparatus 53 for observing an optical image and an ultrasonic image obtained by the video ultrasonic scope 52, and an optical image And an image display device 54 for displaying an ultrasonic image.

[0005] The video ultrasonic scope 52 has a flexible insertion portion 55 that can be inserted into a body cavity, and this insertion portion 55.
And a flexible universal cord 57 extending from the rear end of the operation unit 56. A connector 58 is provided at the rear end of the universal cord 57 so as to be connected to a connector receiver 59 provided on the side of the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 53.
The insertion portion 55 includes a flexible portion 61, a bendable bending portion 62 connected to the distal end side of the flexible portion 61, and a distal end rigid portion 63 provided on the distal side of the bending portion 62. The operation section 56 is provided with a bending operation knob 64. By rotating the knob 64, the bending section 62 can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions. A remote switch 65 is provided at the rear end of the operation unit 56. By operating the switch 65, the observation image can be stopped or the like.

The connector 58 includes an illumination system connector 66,
The air supply connector 67 and the electric connector 68 are integrated. On the side of the connector 58, a water supply base 69 and a suction base 70 are provided. From the connector 58, the universal cord 57, the operation unit 56,
An air supply / water supply channel communicating with the air supply system connector 67 and the water supply base 69 and a suction channel communicating with the suction base 70 extend to the distal end rigid portion 63 via the insertion portion 55. The operation unit 56 is provided with air / water buttons 71 and 72 for performing air / water supply.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the distal end rigid portion 63 of the endoscope device 51 shown in FIG. Tip hard part 6
3 is provided with a substantially cylindrical tip main body 81 made of a hard material such as metal, and an observation through hole 82 is provided near the center axis of the tip main body 81 in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion 55. Is formed. On one side of the observation through-hole 82, an illumination through-hole 83 and a suction channel 84 are formed, and on the other side, an air / water supply channel 85 close to the observation through-hole 82.
Are formed. Further, an ultrasonic probe 100 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the air / water supply channel 85 so as to be exposed on the side surface of the distal end rigid portion 63.

An objective lens system 90 is mounted at the tip of the observation through-hole 82. For example, a CCD as an image pickup means for obtaining an optical image at an image forming position of the objective lens system 90.
A solid-state image sensor 86 such as the above is provided. This CCD
A signal cable 87 is connected to 86, and the signal cable 87 is inserted into the insertion portion 55 and the universal cord 57, and is connected to the electrical connector 68 of the connector 58 (see FIG. 4). A light distribution lens 88 is mounted on the front end of the illumination through hole 83, and a light guide fiber 89 is disposed on the rear end of the light distribution lens 88. The light guide fiber 89 extends into the insertion portion 55 and the universal cord 57, and is connected to the illumination system connector 66 of the connector 58. Suction channel 84
Is connected to a suction channel tube (not shown), and this suction channel tube is inserted into the insertion portion 55 and the universal cord 57, and is connected to the suction base 70 of the connector 58. The air / water channel 85 is connected to an air / water channel tube (not shown). The air / water channel tube is inserted into the insertion portion 55 and the universal cord 57, and the air / water channel of the connector 58. It is connected to the water supply base 69.

The ultrasonic probe 100 includes a vibrator 102 mounted on a flexible substrate 101 for generating an ultrasonic pulse. On the vibrator 102, a first matching layer 1 is provided.
03, an acoustic lens 105 is provided via the second matching layer 104. The acoustic lens 105 is exposed on the outer peripheral portion of the distal end portion 63 and has a function of protecting the human body from insulation and protecting the vibrator 52. In addition, by appropriately selecting the material and shape of the acoustic lens 105, utilizing sound refraction,
Convergence of ultrasonic waves may be performed. The first matching layer 103 and the second matching layer 104 are provided so that ultrasonic waves can enter the human body smoothly. A damper layer 106 is provided on the back side of the flexible substrate 101, and functions to quickly dissipate the vibration energy confined in the vibrator 102 and prevent the width of the ultrasonic pulse from becoming long. Flexible board 1
01, a signal cable 107 is connected. The signal cable 107 is inserted into the insertion portion 55 and the universal cord 57, and the electrical system connector 6 of the connector 58 is connected to the signal cable 107.
8 is connected.

In this example, an ultrasonic probe 100 and an ultrasonic matching circuit (not shown) for electrically matching the ultrasonic probe 100 and a signal processing circuit for the ultrasonic probe 100 are provided in the connector 58. A scope recognition circuit (not shown) for recognizing the type of the scope is built in. When a scope such as the video ultrasonic scope 52 is connected to the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 53, the scope recognition circuit includes an identification circuit (not shown) provided in the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 53.
, So that the type of the scope connected by the identification circuit can be identified.

Video ultrasonic observation device 53 (see FIG. 4)
The signal processing means for performing signal processing for the CCD 86 and a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illumination through-hole 83 via a light guide fiber 89 in order to obtain an optical image are integrated into one housing 73. It is a thing that has been stored. By connecting the connector 58 of the video ultrasonic scope 52 to the connector receiver 59 provided on the side surface of the housing 73, the CCD 86 and the ultrasonic probe 100 provided on the distal end rigid portion 63 of the video ultrasonic scope 52 are respectively connected. And a light guide fiber 89 is connected to the light source device.

A video controller 74 for operating on an optical image obtained by the CCD 86 and an ultrasonic wave for operating on an ultrasonic image obtained by the ultrasonic probe 100 are provided on the entire surface of the housing 73. A controller 75 is provided on the left and right sides, and a keyboard 76 is provided below these controllers so that an operation can be commonly performed for both the optical image and the ultrasonic image. The housing 73 is configured such that an external storage device such as a tape recorder can be stored below the keyboard 76, and an external storage device such as a polaroid camera (product name) or a printer can be attached to a side portion. . The casing 73 has a caster 77.
Are provided so that they can move freely.

In addition to the above-described ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, in recent years, a small-diameter ultrasonic probe which can be used by being inserted into a forceps hole of an endoscope has been developed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which such an ultrasonic probe is inserted into a forceps hole of an endoscope. As shown in FIG.
The ultrasonic scanning is performed by inserting the small-diameter insertion portion 113 of the ultrasonic probe 112 from the forceps port 114 into the forceps channel extending into the insertion portion 111 of the ultrasonic signal, and the ultrasonic signal thus obtained. Is processed by the ultrasonic observation device 115 to obtain an ultrasonic image. Of course, the optical information obtained by the CCD provided at the tip of the endoscope probe 110 is
And the video processor 116 with a signal cable,
An optical image of a body cavity is obtained. In such a device, the ultrasonic probe is inserted and the ultrasonic scanning is performed by using a forceps channel or the like provided in the insertion portion of the endoscope, so that the diameter of the insertion portion is increased. Instead, both an optical image and an ultrasonic image can be obtained.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-279146 discloses that an ultrasonic probe having a very small diameter is inserted into a large-diameter ultrasonic probe, and two ultrasonic probes are inserted into a body cavity. An apparatus capable of performing ultrasonic scanning using an ultrasonic probe and displaying two angles of view is disclosed. In the device disclosed herein, two ultrasonic probes (an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic probe) are configured to be rotationally driven by one rotational driving device.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-264046, the distal end rigid portion 63
An ultrasonic probe 100, an optical system for obtaining an optical image,
That is, the illumination optical system (82, 89) and the imaging optical system (9
0, 86), it was difficult to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion 55. Also, when performing ultrasound diagnosis, it may be necessary to change the frequency of the ultrasound probe according to the diagnosis site, in this case, a different video ultrasound scope is required for each frequency used However, there are drawbacks such as an increase in cost.

As shown in FIG. 6, it has been proposed to use a combination of a small-diameter ultrasonic scope and a normal video endoscope. In this case, however, an ultrasonic probe 112 and an endoscope probe 110 are used. However, since the number of connecting cables for connecting the video processor, the light source device, and the ultrasonic diagnostic device increases, there is a drawback in that the number of connecting cables hinders diagnosis. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the device is susceptible to noise due to a difference in GND level between these devices.

According to the present invention, an optical image and an ultrasonic image can be obtained with a simple configuration without increasing the diameter of the insertion portion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus that is resistant to noise.

Means and Action for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image processing apparatus, an insertion section provided with an image pickup means for obtaining an optical image at a tip, an operation section for operating the insertion section, In an endoscope apparatus including a video scope including a universal cord for connecting the operation unit and the image processing apparatus, a connector for connecting an ultrasonic probe to the operation unit is provided, and an optical device is provided in the universal cord. A signal cable for obtaining an image and a signal cable for obtaining an ultrasonic image are provided, and an ultrasonic probe is configured to be detachably attached to the operation unit via the connector, and an insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe is provided. Is inserted into a channel provided in the insertion section of the video scope to perform ultrasonic scanning, thereby obtaining an optical image and an ultrasonic image. A.

As described above, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention is configured so that the ultrasonic probe is inserted into the insertion section through the forceps channel or the like of the endoscope to perform ultrasonic scanning. It is possible to obtain both an optical image and an ultrasonic image without increasing the diameter, and a connector for connecting an ultrasonic probe to an operation unit for operating an insertion unit of a videoscope is provided. A signal cable for obtaining an optical image and a signal cable for obtaining an ultrasonic image are provided in a universal cord for connecting an ultrasonic image and an optical image through a common universal cord. Therefore, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that is resistant to external noise. In addition, the structure of the entire apparatus is simplified, and troubles such as a wiring cable obstructing diagnosis can be avoided.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an ultrasonic probe is inserted into the endoscope apparatus of the present invention. The detailed configuration of the video scope 2 and the video ultrasonic observation apparatus is the same as that of the above-described conventional apparatus, and thus the detailed description is omitted. Hereinafter, the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the conventional apparatus.

The endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment comprises a video scope 2, a video ultrasonic observation device 3, an ultrasonic probe 4
It is composed of As shown in FIG.
Video scope 2 having a channel in the insertion section
The ultrasonic probe 4 is fixed to the operation unit 5 of the video scope 2 by connecting an ultrasonic probe drive signal connector 6 to the operation unit 5 and connecting the connector 6 to the connector 7 provided on the ultrasonic probe side. I do. The probe section 8 of the ultrasonic probe is inserted from the forceps port 9 of the video scope into the forceps channel provided in the insertion section 10 to perform ultrasonic scanning.

The video scope 2 has a flexible universal cord 11 for connecting the operation unit 5 and the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3. An imaging optical system including an objective lens system and a CCD, an illumination optical system including a light distribution lens and a light guide fiber, and an air supply / water supply port, a water supply port, and the like are provided in the distal end rigid portion 10a of the insertion section 10. The signal cable connected to the imaging optical system, the light guide fiber, the air / water supply channel, the water supply channel, etc., extend into the insertion portion 10 and further connect to the connector 12 of the universal cord 11. Has been extended. Since the ultrasonic probe is not arranged at the distal end of the insertion section, the insertion section 10 corresponds to the probe and the signal cable connected to the probe.
Can be reduced in diameter. In addition, a forceps channel for inserting forceps for collecting cells of the subject is formed in the insertion section 10.

FIG. 2 shows a video scope 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which an ultrasonic probe 4 is connected, and a probe section 8 of the ultrasonic probe is inserted into an insertion section 10 of the video scope 2. The operation unit 5 of the video scope 2 is provided with a connector 6 for transmitting an ultrasonic signal, and connects the connector 7 of the ultrasonic probe 4 to the connector 6. The probe portion 8 of the ultrasonic probe has a very small diameter, and is inserted through the forceps channel through the forceps port 9 provided in the operation portion 5 to form the distal end rigid portion 10a of the endoscope insertion portion 10. The tip is projected to the outside of the body, and the inside of the body cavity is ultrasonically scanned.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a wiring configuration of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. Inside the universal cord 11, an ultrasonic signal cable 21, a drive control cable 22 for driving and controlling the rotation of the ultrasonic probe 13 provided at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 4, and insertion of the video scope 2 CCD for driving and controlling the CCD 14 provided at the tip of the unit 10
A drive cable 213 extends. The CCD driving cable 23 connects the CCD 14 and the connector 12 provided at the rear end of the universal cord 11, and the ultrasonic signal cable 21 and the probe driving cable 22
The connector 12 is connected to an ultrasonic probe connection connector 6 provided on the operation unit 5 of the video scope 2.

As described above, the ultrasonic probe 4 is fixed to the video scope 5 by connecting the connector 7 and the connector 6, and the probe section 8 of the ultrasonic probe 4 is connected.
Is inserted through the forceps port 9 into the forceps channel 9a.

The ultrasonic probe 4 comprises a driving unit 24 and a probe unit 18. A driving motor for rotating the ultrasonic probe 13 provided at the tip of the probe unit and an encoder are provided in the driving unit 24. , A rotation control unit 25 including a rotation speed control circuit, and a preamplifier 26.

On the other hand, the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is provided with an ultrasonic circuit 31, a CCD drive and signal processing circuit 32, and a signal control circuit 33. Ultrasonic circuit 31
Is a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, a delay circuit, a detection circuit, an A / D converter, a DSC, as in a general ultrasonic observation apparatus.
(Digital scan converter) and the like. C
The CD drive and signal processing circuit 32 includes a CCD drive control circuit, various memories, filters, and the like, like a general video processor. Also, the signal control circuit 33
Is a circuit for switching between an optical image and an ultrasonic image, superimposing, synthesizing an image, and the like, and includes a switching circuit, various memories, a D / A converter, and the like.

Power is supplied from an ultrasonic circuit 31 provided in the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 to a rotation speed control circuit of a rotation control unit in an ultrasonic drive unit 24 via an ultrasonic signal cable 21 and a motor. Rotates at a constant speed. By the rotation of this motor, the ultrasonic probe 1 provided at the tip of the probe 8
3 rotates, and an ultrasonic scan is performed. Ultrasonic probe 13
Is detected by an encoder in the rotation control unit 25, and is input to the ultrasonic circuit 31 via the probe drive control cable 22 to generate a timing signal for image display by the DSC.

The transmission / reception signals of the ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received via the ultrasonic signal cable 21. Transmission signal is ultrasonic circuit 3
1, a high voltage is supplied to the ultrasonic probe 13 from a transmission circuit, and a reception signal from the ultrasonic probe 13 is amplified by a preamplifier 26 in a driving unit 24 of the ultrasonic probe 4.
It is input to the amplifier in the ultrasonic circuit 31 and after D / A conversion,
Ultrasound images are obtained by input to the DSC.

On the other hand, the optical image is obtained from the CCD 14 at the tip of the video scope 5, and the CCD drive signal and the CCD 1
The output signal from 4 is input to the CCD drive and signal processing circuit 32 of the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 via the CCD drive cable 23 so as to obtain an optical image.

When the ultrasonic scope 4 is not used, the connector 6 and the connector 7 are detached, and an inspection similar to that of an ordinary video scope can be performed. In this case, the video scope 2 can be cleaned by attaching a cap to the connector 6 provided on the operation unit 205 of the video scope.

In the present embodiment, the connector 6 for the ultrasonic probe 4 is provided on the operation unit 5 of the video scope 2. However, even when the ultrasonic probe is attached to the fiber scove, the same as in the above-described embodiment. The present invention can be implemented.

[0033]

As described above, in the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, a small-diameter ultrasonic probe is inserted into the insertion section of the video scope by using the channel provided in the insertion section of the video scope. In order to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image, a connector for transmitting a signal to the ultrasonic probe is provided on the operation unit of the video scope, and the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the video scope, and a cable for the ultrasonic signal is attached to the universal cord. And an image signal cable, so that both an ultrasonic image and an optical image can be obtained with a simple configuration. In addition, since the ultrasonic probe is not fixedly provided at the distal end of the video scope, the diameter of the insertion portion of the video scope can be reduced to obtain an ultrasonic image and an optical image. Furthermore, since the signal cable required for the ultrasonic probe is connected to the observation device through the universal cord connected to the video scope, a device with high external noise can be provided. In addition, when not performing an ultrasonic inspection, it can be used as a normal videoscope.In addition, when performing an ultrasonic inspection, when it is necessary to change the frequency of the ultrasonic wave depending on an inspection part, an ultrasonic probe is used. Diagnosis can be easily performed by changing the frequency because only replacement is required. Furthermore, by using an observation device having both a signal processing unit for obtaining an optical image and a signal processing unit for obtaining an ultrasonic image, cables can be reduced and the whole device can be made compact. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where an ultrasonic probe is inserted into the endoscope apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of wiring of the endoscope apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a rigid distal end portion of a conventional endoscope device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration of a conventional endoscope apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 2 Video scope 3 Observation device 4 Ultrasonic probe 5 Operation part 6 Connector for ultrasonic probe 9 Forceps port 10 Insertion part 11 Universal code 12 Connector 13 Ultrasonic probe 14 CCD

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus, an insertion section provided with an image pickup means for obtaining an optical image at a tip, an operation section for operating the insertion section, and a universal cord for connecting the operation section to the image processing apparatus. An endoscope apparatus comprising a video scope comprising: a connector for connecting an ultrasonic probe to the operation unit; a signal cable for obtaining an optical image in the universal cord; and an ultrasonic image for obtaining an ultrasonic image. And an ultrasonic probe can be attached to and detached from the operation section via the connector, and the insertion section of the ultrasonic probe is inserted into a channel provided in the insertion section of the video scope. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that an optical image and an ultrasonic image can be obtained by performing an ultrasonic scan by using the endoscope apparatus.