JP3709325B2 - Ultrasound endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope that is inserted into a body cavity and includes a mechanical scanning ultrasonic transducer at a distal end portion of an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an ultrasonic pulse is repeatedly transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer into a living tissue, and an echo of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the living tissue is received by the same or a separate ultrasonic transducer, Various ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have been proposed in which information collected from a plurality of directions in a living body is displayed as a visible ultrasonic diagnostic image by gradually shifting the direction in which the ultrasonic pulses are transmitted and received.
[0003]
In recent years, various ultrasonic endoscopes capable of observing a deep portion in a body cavity with an endoscope and ultrasonic waves have been proposed. Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-1050 discloses an observation site such as a lesion in a body cavity. The tip of the insertion part is inserted as required so that the ultrasonic oscillator can be accurately and easily guided while closely observing and closely contacting the lesion with the lesion. An ultrasonic scanner device for in-vivo examination having a protruding structure from the outside to the outside is shown.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-249041 discloses that the insertion into the luminal organ can be performed easily and reliably, and the ultrasonic transducer is not cut out from the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and the sliced ultrasonic wave In order to obtain a tomographic image, an observation optical system having an ultrasonic wave transmission / reception window portion that emits and enters an ultrasonic beam substantially entirely in a direction substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the insertion portion and has a front visual field direction An intra-body-cavity ultrasonic endoscope is shown in which is arranged in parallel with the ultrasonic transducer section so as to be substantially parallel to the central axis of the insertion section.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the ultrasonic scanner device for in-vivo examination of the Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 63-1050, the scanning surface of the ultrasonic oscillator is protruded outward from the distal end portion of the insertion portion as necessary to observe a lesioned portion or the like. Since the site was subjected to ultrasonic examination, it was necessary to place the lesion on the distal end side of the insertion part.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the intracorporeal ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-249041, the observation optical system is arranged in parallel with the ultrasonic transducer section so as to be substantially parallel to the central axis of the insertion section. Tokura Lena had a slice-shaped ultrasonic tomographic image over 360 ° so.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and depending on the positional relationship between the observation site and the insertion portion, the ultrasonic transducer portion is protruded from the distal end portion of the insertion portion or stored in the distal end portion as necessary. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic endoscope capable of performing an ultrasonic examination in either state.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity, a distal end configuration that is located at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and that includes an objective optical system and an illumination optical system for observing the inside of the body cavity An ultrasonic transducer unit provided in a predetermined direction by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam, and communicated with an outer surface of the tip component unit A cutout portion , formed as a storage portion capable of storing the ultrasonic transducer portion when the ultrasonic transducer portion retreats toward the tip configuration portion, and And a transducer part storage space for restricting the emitting direction of the ultrasonic beam only in the direction of the notch part .
[0009]
According to this configuration, an ultrasonic inspection with the ultrasonic transducer portion protruding from the distal end portion of the insertion portion or an ultrasonic inspection with the ultrasonic transducer portion accommodated in the distal end portion depending on the situation. It can be done selectively.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope, FIG. 2 is a view explaining a configuration of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic transducer part with respect to the tip component part.
[0011]
2A is a view when the front end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope is viewed from the front, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the front end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. The figure which shows the state which accommodated the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator part in the vibrator | oscillator part accommodation space part of a front-end | tip structure part, FIG.3 (b) is a figure which shows the state which protruded the ultrasonic vibrator part from the front-end | tip structure part, FIG. (C) is an A arrow view of FIG.3 (b).
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment also serves as a flexible insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a body cavity and a gripping portion connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2. A main operation unit 3, a sub operation unit 4 provided at the rear end of the main operation unit 3 and incorporating a drive unit, and extending from a side of the main operation unit 3 to a light source device (not shown) at a base end A universal cord 5 having a light source connector 5a that is freely connected, and an electric connector portion 5b to which a camera cable (not shown) extending from a camera control unit (not shown) is connected to a side portion of the light source connector 5a. And an ultrasonic cord 6 having an ultrasonic connector 6a extending from a side portion of the sub-operation unit 4 and detachably connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic observation apparatus (not shown) at a base end portion. Yes.
[0013]
The insertion portion 2 includes, in order from the distal end side, a distal end constituting portion 7 formed of a rigid member, for example, a bending portion 8 that can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a flexible tube portion 9 formed of a flexible and slender sheath. Concatenated. The ultrasonic endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment incorporates an ultrasonic transducer, which will be described later, in an ultrasonic transducer unit 30 projecting and retracting from the distal end constituting unit 7 constituting the insertion unit 2.
[0014]
The ultrasonic observation apparatus includes a drive control unit that controls the ultrasonic transducer, a signal processing unit that transmits and receives signals to and from the ultrasonic transducer, and an image generated by the ultrasonic observation device. An ultrasonic image can be observed by outputting a signal to a display device.
[0015]
A treatment instrument outlet 11 that opens through the distal end surface 7a of the distal end configuration section 7 shown in FIG. 2A through the insertion section 2 is inserted into the main operation section 3 through a treatment instrument such as a puncture needle. A treatment instrument insertion port 3a serving as an entrance to a treatment instrument insertion channel, a bending operation knob 3b for bending the bending portion 8 in a desired direction, an air supply / water supply button 3c for performing air supply and water supply operations, and suction A suction button 3d for performing the above operation and an advancing / retracting operation knob 3e for projecting and retracting the ultrasonic transducer section 30 are provided. On the other hand, the sub-operation unit 4 is provided with a plurality of remote switches 4a for stopping an ultrasonic image or an endoscope optical image or taking a picture.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, an ultrasonic transducer unit 30 for performing ultrasonic observation is provided in the distal end constituting unit 7 constituting the insertion unit 2 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1. The vibrator portion storage space portion 21 is formed as a storage space for storing the. Then, a part of the outer surface of the tip constituting portion 7 communicates with the transducer unit storage space 21, and when the ultrasonic transducer unit 30 is stored in the transducer unit storage space 21, A cutout portion 7 b is formed in which a part of the outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer portion 30 is located on the outer surface of the tip constituting portion 7.
[0017]
The cutout portion 7b is formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. When the ultrasonic transducer section 30 projects and retracts in response to the advance / retreat operation of the advance / retreat operation knob 3e, the ultrasonic transducer The outer peripheral surface portion of the portion 30 moves forward and backward with the opening end portion of the cutout portion 7b as a guide. That is, the notch 7b is used for both observation and guidance.
[0018]
In addition, an observation optical system 10 that captures an observation site is also arranged and fixed at a predetermined position integrally with the distal end constituting portion 7 by an adhesive or a screw. The observation optical system 10 includes a plurality of optical lenses 10a that form an optical image of an observation region on an imaging surface of a CCD (not shown), a lens frame 10b that holds these optical lenses 10a, and the like.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the distal end surface 7a of the distal end configuration portion 7 includes a treatment instrument outlet 11 that guides the treatment instrument to the observation site, an observation lens cover 12 that constitutes the observation optical system, and an illumination optical system. Nozzles for ejecting two illumination lens covers 13 and liquid for removing dirt and body fluids adhering to the surfaces of the lens covers 12 and 13, or air for blowing off liquid adhering to the surfaces of the lens covers 12 and 13 14 is disposed at a predetermined position.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2B, a first bending piece 8a constituting the bending portion 8 is fixedly provided on the outer periphery of the proximal end portion of the distal end constituting portion 7, and a plurality of bending portions are provided on the first bending piece 8a. The pieces 8b,..., 8b are rotatably connected. The outer peripheries of these bending pieces 8a, 8b,..., 8b are covered with a net tube 8c and an outer tube 8d. Further, a cap 15 is fixed to the tip constituting portion 7, and one end of a guide tube 16 that is inserted through the insertion portion 2 is fixed to the cap 15 by pincushion bonding or the like. A bending wire (not shown) is fixed to the bending piece 8a at a predetermined position.
[0021]
The ultrasonic transducer unit 30 includes an ultrasonic transducer 31 in which the direction of ultrasonic wave emission is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the insertion unit, a curved surface portion 32a on which the ultrasonic transducer 31 is disposed and fixed, and an elongated shaft unit. And a vibrator holder 32 that is rotated by a rotational driving force from a flexible shaft, which will be described later, and a through hole into which a shaft portion 32b of the vibrator holder 32 is loosely fitted. The vibrator main body 33 formed of a metal member such as stainless steel having a substantially convex shape in cross section having a recess formed with a female screw, and the shaft 32b of the vibrator holder 32 are slidably inserted. The large-diameter portion 34a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male screw that is screwed into the female screw formed in the concave portion of the vibrator portion main body 33 and the through-hole of the vibrator portion main body 33 are engaged. Sliding shaft having a small diameter portion 34b A tip cap 35 formed of a material excellent in ultrasonic transmission, such as polymethylpentene, polyethylene, and polyether block amide, which is fixedly disposed on the tip side of the member 34 and the vibrator portion main body 33 by pincushion bonding or the like. And a lid 36 having a threaded portion that is screwed into the tip cap 35 that is attached and detached when an ultrasonic transmission medium such as liquid paraffin, water, carboxymethyl cellulose aqueous solution, KY jelly, or the like is enclosed in the tip cap 35. It is mainly composed of. An escape recess 36 a that allows the end of the ultrasonic transducer 31 to be disposed is formed on the end cap space side of the lid 36.
[0022]
For example, stainless steel or the like, which is an advancing / retreating member for projecting and retracting the ultrasonic transducer portion 30 with respect to the distal end constituting portion 7 according to the operation of the advancing / retreating operation knob 3e, A distal end portion of a sheath 37 for advancement / retraction with a reduced elasticity such as a blade formed in a layer structure by integrally forming an insulating resin member in a net shape is fixed by, for example, bobbin bonding Yes. The advance / retreat sheath 37 extends through the guide tube 16 to the operation unit 3.
[0023]
Further, a guide screw 38 for smoothly guiding and moving the ultrasonic transducer unit 30 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion unit in accordance with the advance / retreat movement of the advance / retreat sheath 37 is provided at a predetermined position on the side surface of the transducer unit body 33. Screwed and fixed. The base end portion of the guide screw 38 is disposed in a guide groove 7c formed in the inner portion of the vibrator portion storage space 21 facing the notch portion 7b in the insertion portion longitudinal axis direction.
[0024]
One end portion of a flexible shaft 39 having a hollow structure for transmitting a rotational driving force of a driving device (not shown) is fixed to the concave portion on the distal end side of the vibrator body 33. A signal cable 31 a that extends from the ultrasonic transducer 31 and transmits a drive signal for controlling the ultrasonic transducer 31 and a signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 31 is inserted into the flexible shaft 39. Yes. The flexible shaft 39 is inserted and arranged in a state of loosely fitting in the advance / retreat sheath 37.
[0025]
The opening width dimension of the notch 7b is set so that the ultrasonic transducer 30 is prevented from dropping from the transducer storage space 21 in the arrow direction shown in FIG. It is possible to secure a scanning range that is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip cap 35 constituting the transducer unit 30 and is sufficient for observation, and to insert a cleaning brush in consideration of the cleanability of the transducer unit storage space 21. The dimensions are set as possible.
[0026]
Reference numeral 40 denotes an ultrasonic wave reflection preventing member that prevents the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 31 from being reflected from the inner surface of the vibrator housing space 21. Reference numeral 41 denotes a first O-ring that prevents dirt and the like from entering the insertion portion 2. Reference numeral 42 indicates that the ultrasonic transmission medium sealed in the tip cap 35 leaks to the flexible shaft 39 side, or the lubricating oil sealed in the forward / backward sheath 37 for the purpose of improving slidability leaks into the tip cap. This is the second O-ring to prevent. Reference numeral 43 denotes a third O-ring that prevents the ultrasonic transmission medium and the lubricating oil from leaking through the gap between the vibrator body and the sliding bearing member. Reference numeral 44 denotes a sealing screw for sealing a through hole communicating with the space portion of the advance / retreat sheath 37 in which lubricating oil to be enclosed for the purpose of improving slidability is enclosed.
[0027]
The operation of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the ultrasonic transducer unit 30 is stored in the transducer unit storage space 21 formed in the distal end configuration unit 7, and the observation optical system 10 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is stored. The insertion portion 2 is inserted to the target observation site while observing the endoscopic image obtained through the observation lens cover 12 constituting the above.
[0028]
In the case where the ultrasonic scanning is performed with the ultrasonic transducer unit 30 being housed in the distal end component 7, the position of the target observation site is confirmed through the observation lens cover 12, and then the flexible shaft 39. By rotating the ultrasonic transducer 31 fixed to the transducer holder 32 to emit ultrasonic waves, and appropriately performing a hand operation such as a bending operation or a twisting operation. The notch part 7b formed in the part 7 is arranged at the target observation site. As a result, an ultrasonic image of the target observation site is displayed on a display device (not shown) and can be observed.
[0029]
On the other hand, when performing ultrasonic scanning with the ultrasonic transducer unit 30 protruding from the tip component 7, the flexible shaft 39 is rotated to be fixed to the transducer holder 32. The ultrasonic transducer 31 is rotated to emit ultrasonic waves, and the advancing / retracting operation knob 3e provided in the main operation unit 3 is operated while observing the target observation site through the observation lens cover 12.
[0030]
Then, the ultrasonic transducer portion 30 gradually protrudes from the tip configuration portion 7 with the cutout portion 7b and the guide groove 7c as a guide, and the ultrasonic transducer as shown in FIGS. The part 30 is in a state of protruding from the tip constituting part 7 and is arranged at the target observation site. As a result, an ultrasonic image over the entire 360 ° circumference of the target observation site is displayed on a display device (not shown) for observation.
[0031]
As described above, by forming a notch portion serving both for observation and guidance substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion in the transducer portion storage space portion for storing the ultrasonic transducer portion provided in the tip configuration portion. Ultrasonic observation over a predetermined scanning range in a state in which the ultrasonic transducer unit is accommodated in the transducer unit accommodating space, and a state where the ultrasonic transducer unit is projected from the transducer unit accommodating space and over 360 °. The sound wave observation can be selectively performed according to the situation of the observation site.
[0032]
Further, the shaft portion of the vibrator holder is rotatably held by a sliding bearing member that can be fixedly placed on the vibrator portion main body by screwing. It is possible to shorten the hard length by eliminating the need for a holding member, a holding member that prevents the bearing from falling off, and a fixing member such as a lock nut that holds and holds the holding member. Can be improved.
[0033]
In addition, a relief recess that allows a part of the ultrasonic transducer disposed in the tip cap to be disposed on the distal cap internal space side of the lid of the distal cap is formed, thereby forming the ultrasonic transducer. The tip cap can be shortened without forming a small diameter, and the body cavity wall and mucous membrane enter the vibrator housing space 21 through the notch 7b formed in the tip constituting portion 7. In order to prevent this, a substantially pipe-shaped cover member is arranged over the entire circumference of the tip constituting portion 7 so as to close the notch portion 7b.
[0034]
At this time, when the cover member is formed of, for example, an elastic member such as rubber having elasticity, the elastic cover 45 is formed as shown in FIG. In order to prevent the tip portion 7 from falling off, a cover member mounting recess 46 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 7. As a result, the insertion portion 2 can be smoothly inserted to the target site in a state where the elastic cover 45 is disposed on the tip constituting portion as shown in the drawing showing the elastic cover mounting state in FIG. Further, as shown in the drawing showing the state in which the ultrasonic transducer part protrudes from the tip component part to which the elastic cover of FIG. 4C is attached, the ultrasonic transducer part 30 is made to protrude from the tip component part 7. Ultrasonic observation over the entire 360 ° circumference can be performed.
[0035]
When the cover member is formed of an ultrasonically transparent member such as low-density polyethylene or polymethylpentene, the relationship between the ultrasonically transparent cover and the tip component in FIG. As shown in the drawings to be described, when the ultrasonically transmissive cover 47 is attached to the tip constituting portion 7, it is fixed by the adhesive sheet 48 or the like. Accordingly, it is possible to perform ultrasonic observation of the target observation site in a state where the ultrasonic transducer unit is disposed in the transducer unit storage space of the tip configuration unit.
[0036]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0037]
[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0038]
(1) An insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity, and an ultrasonic transducer unit that is located at the distal end portion of the insertion portion and incorporates an objective optical system, an illumination optical system, and the like and that can be protruded and retracted from the distal end configuration portion An ultrasonic endoscope comprising a distal-end constituent part provided with a transducer part storage space for storing
A part of the outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit when the ultrasonic transducer unit is stored in the transducer unit storage space in communication with the transducer unit storage space at a part of the outer surface of the tip component unit An ultrasonic endoscope in which a notch portion is formed on the outer surface of the tip component portion.
[0039]
(2) The ultrasonic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the cutout portion is formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic transducer portion moves forward and backward along the cutout portion.
[0040]
(3) The width dimension of the notch is narrower than the outer diameter dimension of the tip cap constituting the ultrasonic transducer part, and is sufficient for observation and is a dimension through which the cleaning brush is inserted. Endoscope.
[0041]
(4) The ultrasonic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a distal end cover member that covers the cutout portion is detachably disposed on the distal end constituent portion.
[0042]
(5) The ultrasonic endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein the tip cover member is an elastic member.
[0043]
(6) The ultrasound endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein the tip cover member is an ultrasound transmissive member.
[0044]
(7) An insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity, and an ultrasonic transducer portion which is located at the distal end portion of the insertion portion and incorporates an objective optical system, an illumination optical system, and the like and which can be protruded and retracted from the distal end configuration portion In an ultrasonic endoscope comprising: a distal end configuration part provided with a vibrator part storage space for storing the head part; and an advancing / retracting member for projecting and retracting the ultrasonic vibrator part,
An ultrasonic endoscope in which a watertight member for watertightness between the advancing / retracting member and the insertion portion inner hole is provided in the vicinity of the transducer housing space.
[0045]
(8) an ultrasonic transducer that emits ultrasonic waves;
A rotatable vibrator holder having a shaft portion to which the ultrasonic vibrator is fixed and a rotational driving force from a flexible shaft is transmitted;
A vibrator body having a through-hole in which the shaft portion of the vibrator holder is loosely fitted and having a recess formed with a female screw on the tip side;
A large-diameter portion in which the shaft portion is slidably inserted and formed on the outer peripheral surface of a male screw that is screwed into a female screw formed in the concave portion of the vibrator body;
A sliding bearing member having a small-diameter portion that is engaged and disposed in the through hole of the vibrator body;
A tip cap having ultrasonic permeability, which is fixedly arranged on the tip side of the vibrator body,
A lid that is attached and detached when the ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in the tip cap;
An ultrasonic transducer part of an ultrasonic endoscope comprising:
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, depending on the positional relationship between the observation site and the insertion portion, the ultrasonic transducer portion protrudes from the distal end portion of the insertion portion or is stored in the distal end portion as necessary. In either case, an ultrasonic endoscope capable of performing ultrasonic examination can be provided.
In addition, ultrasonic observation in a predetermined scanning range in a state where the ultrasonic transducer unit is accommodated in the transducer unit accommodating space and a state where the ultrasonic transducer unit is protruded from the transducer unit accommodating space and over 360 °. The sound wave observation can be selectively performed according to the situation of the observation site .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope. FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic transducer unit with respect to the tip component part. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the tip cover member and the tip component part to which the tip cover member is attached.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasound endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 7 ... Tip structure part 7b ... Notch part 21 ... Oscillator part storage space part 30 ... Ultrasound vibrator part 31 ... Ultrasound vibrator 37 ... Advance and retreat sheath 39 ... Flexible shaft

Claims (1)

An insertion part to be inserted into the body cavity;
Located at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and a distal end constituting portion incorporating an objective optical system and an illumination optical system for observing the inside of the body cavity,
An ultrasonic transducer unit that is provided so as to be capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the tip component part, and having a scanning range in a predetermined direction by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam;
The distal end configuration part includes a notch portion that communicates with the outer surface of the distal end configuration unit, and the ultrasonic transducer unit can be accommodated when the ultrasonic transducer unit retreats toward the distal end configuration unit A transducer housing space that restricts the direction of emission of the ultrasonic beam only in the direction of the notch with respect to the scanning range ;
An ultrasonic endoscope comprising:

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