JP3881511B2 - Ultrasound endoscope - Google Patents

Ultrasound endoscope Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3881511B2
JP3881511B2 JP2000394596A JP2000394596A JP3881511B2 JP 3881511 B2 JP3881511 B2 JP 3881511B2 JP 2000394596 A JP2000394596 A JP 2000394596A JP 2000394596 A JP2000394596 A JP 2000394596A JP 3881511 B2 JP3881511 B2 JP 3881511B2
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JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
light guide
ultrasonic signal
signal cable
ultrasonic
protective tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
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JP2000394596A
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Japanese (ja)
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JP2002191603A (en
Inventor
慎介 岡田
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ペンタックス株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Priority to JP2000394596A priority Critical patent/JP3881511B2/en
Publication of JP2002191603A publication Critical patent/JP2002191603A/en
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Publication of JP3881511B2 publication Critical patent/JP3881511B2/en
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Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、光学観察部材と超音波走査部材とが挿入部の先端に併設された超音波内視鏡に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
超音波内視鏡においては、光学観察のための照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとを外部の光源装置と超音波信号制御装置とに接続する必要がある。
【0003】
ただし、光源装置と超音波信号制御装置とは一体化されていないのが普通なので、光源装置及び超音波信号制御装置への接続部は、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとが分離された構造をとることになる。
【0004】
そこで従来は、図9に示されるように、照明用ライトガイドが挿通配置された可撓性のライトガイド保護管11と超音波信号ケーブルが挿通配置された可撓性の超音波信号ケーブル保護管12とを、操作部1から別々に延出させたものと、図10に示されるように、操作部1から延出する一本の可撓性の共通保護管10を、途中でライトガイド保護管11と超音波信号ケーブル保護管12とに分岐させたものとがある。
【0005】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、図9に示されるようなライトガイド保護管11と超音波信号ケーブル保護管12とが完全に分離された構造のものは、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとを操作部1の別々の位置から外方へ引き出さなければならないので、組み立て及び分解修理の際の作業性が悪い欠点がある。
【0006】
一方、図10に示されるようなライトガイド保護管11と超音波信号ケーブル保護管12とを中間で分岐した構造のものは、分岐部20を構成する一塊の部材が検査中に術者の周囲に引き回されて操作の妨げになる欠点がある。
【0007】
そこで本発明は、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとを、組み立て及び分解修理の際の作業性がよく、しかも操作性を妨げないように操作部から延出させた構造の超音波内視鏡を提供することを目的とする。
【0008】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するため、本発明の超音波内視鏡は、光学観察部材と超音波走査部材とが挿入部の先端に併設され、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとが操作部から延出されて外部の光源装置と超音波信号制御装置とに別々に接続される超音波内視鏡において、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとを、操作部から出る部分では一つの共通通過孔に通すと共に、その外側に隣接する位置で分岐させて、互いに独立した可撓性の保護管内に挿通配置したものである。
【0009】
【発明の実施の形態】
図面を参照して本発明の実施例を説明する。
図2は超音波内視鏡の側面図であり、操作部1の下端に連結された挿入部2の先端に、対物光学系等が内蔵された光学観察対物部3と、超音波プローブ等が配置された超音波走査部4とが並んで設けられている。
【0010】
光学観察対物部3内の対物光学系による被写体の結像位置には固体撮像素子が配置されていて、固体撮像素子から撮像信号が送出されるようになっている。ただし、イメージガイドファイババンドルによって観察像を伝達してもよい。
【0011】
操作部1の上半部の後面からは、平面図である図1にも示されるように、照明用のライトガイドファイババンドル6が挿通配置された可撓性のライトガイド保護管11と、超音波信号ケーブル8が挿通配置された可撓性の超音波信号ケーブル保護管12とが延出している。
【0012】
ライトガイドファイババンドル6と超音波信号ケーブル8とは、操作部1から延出する部分では後述する一つの共通通過孔21aに通されて、そのすぐ外側に隣接して設けられた分岐部20において分岐され、互いに独立して設けられたライトガイド保護管11内と超音波信号ケーブル保護管12内とに分けて挿通配置されている。13と14は、ライトガイド保護管11の端部と超音波信号ケーブル保護管12の端部が各々急激に曲がるのを緩和するための折れ止めである。
【0013】
超音波信号ケーブル保護管12の先端には、図示されていない超音波信号制御装置に接続される超音波信号コネクタ19が連結され、ライトガイド保護管11の先端には、図示されていない光源装置兼ビデオプロセッサに接続されるライトガイドコネクタ15が連結されている。16はライトガイド接続管、17は撮像信号コネクタ、18は送気送水口金であり、ライトガイドコネクタ15の裏面側には吸引口金等が配置されている。
【0014】
図3は分岐部20を拡大して示しており、一本の筒状の共通支持筒21が操作部1から後方に向けて突設されており、共通支持筒21の内部空間が、ライトガイドファイババンドル6と超音波信号ケーブル8を通す共通通過孔21aになっている。
【0015】
IV−IV断面を示す図4にも示されるように、共通支持筒21の共通通過孔21a内には、照明用ライトガイドファイババンドル6、撮像信号ケーブル7、超音波信号ケーブル8の他、送気、送水、吸引用のチューブ等が一束になって挿通されている。
【0016】
共通支持筒21の突端には、ライトガイド保護管11の基端口金11aと超音波信号ケーブル保護管12の基端口金12aとが並んで連結された分岐部支持部材22が固定されている。12bは、超音波信号ケーブル保護管12の基端口金12aと折れ止め14とを分岐部支持部材22に連結する連結口金である。
【0017】
そして、超音波信号ケーブル8は、共通支持筒21の側壁に形成された分岐孔21bから共通支持筒21外に出されて、V−V断面を示す図5にも示されるように超音波信号ケーブル保護管12内に導かれ、ライトガイドファイババンドル6と撮像信号ケーブル7は、チューブ類等と共に共通支持筒21の共通通過孔21a内を真っ直ぐに通過してライトガイド保護管11内に導かれている。
【0018】
図3に示される23は、超音波信号ケーブル8が分岐部20において露出するのを防止するための分岐部カバーである。24は、分岐部カバー23を装着するために必要な空間を外装するための空間カバーであり、ゴム環25によって締め付け固定されている。
【0019】
図6ないし図8は、分岐部20の組み立て工程を示しており、ライトガイドファイババンドル6及び超音波信号ケーブル8等内蔵物の図示は省略されている。
図6に示されるように、超音波信号ケーブル保護管12は連結口金12bを介して予め分岐部支持部材22に取り付けられており、ゴム環25は広げて操作部1側に退避させ、分岐部カバー23を遊ばせた状態で、分岐部支持部材22、ライトガイド保護管11及び折れ止め13等を順に連結接続し、図7に示されるように、共通支持筒21とライトガイド保護管11の基端口金11aとをビス26で固定する。
【0020】
そして最後に、図8に示されるように、分岐部カバー23を後方に移動させて超音波信号ケーブル8の通過部分を外装してビス26で固定し、分岐部カバー23が移動した空間に空間カバー24を取り付け、その外側をゴム環25で締め付けて固定する。
【0021】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとを、操作部から出る部分では一つの共通通過孔に通すと共に、その外側に隣接する位置で分岐させて、互いに独立した可撓性の保護管内に挿通配置したことにより、組み立て及び分解修理が容易で作業性がよく、しかも保護管の途中に連結部等がないので術者の操作性を妨げない優れた効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡の平面図である。
【図2】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡の側面図である。
【図3】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡のライトガイド保護管と超音波信号ケーブル保護管の分岐部の拡大平面断面図である。
【図4】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡の図3におけるIV−IV断面図である。
【図5】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡の図3におけるV−V断面図である。
【図6】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡のライトガイド保護管と超音波信号ケーブル保護管の分岐部の組み立て工程を示す分解図である。
【図7】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡のライトガイド保護管と超音波信号ケーブル保護管の分岐部の組み立て工程を示す分解図である。
【図8】本発明の実施例の超音波内視鏡のライトガイド保護管と超音波信号ケーブル保護管の分岐部の組み立て工程を示す分解図である。
【図9】従来の超音波内視鏡の第1の例の平面図である。
【図10】従来の超音波内視鏡の第2の例の平面図である。
【符号の説明】
1 操作部
2 挿入部
3 光学観察対物部
4 超音波走査部
6 ライトガイドファイババンドル(照明用ライトガイド)
8 超音波信号ケーブル
11 ライトガイド保護管
12 超音波信号ケーブル保護管
20 分岐部
21 共通支持筒
21a 共通通過孔
21b 分岐孔
22 分岐部支持部材
[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope in which an optical observation member and an ultrasonic scanning member are provided at the distal end of an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ultrasonic endoscope, it is necessary to connect an illumination light guide for optical observation and an ultrasonic signal cable to an external light source device and an ultrasonic signal control device.
[0003]
However, since it is normal that the light source device and the ultrasonic signal control device are not integrated, the light guide for illumination and the ultrasonic signal cable are separated in the connection portion to the light source device and the ultrasonic signal control device. It will take the structure.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, a flexible light guide protective tube 11 in which an illumination light guide is inserted and a flexible ultrasonic signal cable protective tube in which an ultrasonic signal cable is inserted and arranged. 12 are extended separately from the operation unit 1 and, as shown in FIG. 10, a single flexible common protective tube 10 extending from the operation unit 1 is protected by a light guide. Some are branched into a tube 11 and an ultrasonic signal cable protection tube 12.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the structure in which the light guide protective tube 11 and the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube 12 are completely separated as shown in FIG. 9, the illumination light guide and the ultrasonic signal cable are separately connected to the operation unit 1. Therefore, the workability during assembly and disassembly repair is poor.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the structure in which the light guide protection tube 11 and the ultrasonic signal cable protection tube 12 are branched in the middle as shown in FIG. There is a drawback that the operation is hindered.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention provides an ultrasonic endoscope having a structure in which the illumination light guide and the ultrasonic signal cable are extended from the operation unit so that the workability during assembly and disassembly and repair is good and the operability is not hindered. The purpose is to provide a mirror.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the ultrasonic endoscope of the present invention, the optical observation member and the ultrasonic scanning member are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, and the illumination light guide and the ultrasonic signal cable are provided from the operation portion. In an ultrasonic endoscope that is extended and connected separately to an external light source device and an ultrasonic signal control device, the light guide for illumination and the ultrasonic signal cable pass through one common passage at the part that exits the operation unit. In addition to being passed through the hole, it is branched at a position adjacent to the outside, and is inserted into a flexible protective tube independent of each other.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the ultrasonic endoscope. An optical observation objective unit 3 including an objective optical system and the like, an ultrasonic probe, and the like are provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 2 connected to the lower end of the operation unit 1. The arranged ultrasonic scanning unit 4 is provided side by side.
[0010]
A solid-state image sensor is disposed at the imaging position of the subject by the objective optical system in the optical observation objective unit 3, and an imaging signal is transmitted from the solid-state image sensor. However, the observation image may be transmitted by an image guide fiber bundle.
[0011]
From the rear surface of the upper half of the operation unit 1, as shown in FIG. 1 which is a plan view, a flexible light guide protective tube 11 in which a light guide fiber bundle 6 for illumination is inserted and arranged, A flexible ultrasonic signal cable protective tube 12 in which the acoustic signal cable 8 is inserted and arranged extends.
[0012]
The light guide fiber bundle 6 and the ultrasonic signal cable 8 are passed through one common passage hole 21a, which will be described later, in a portion extending from the operation portion 1, and in a branching portion 20 provided adjacent to the outside thereof. The light guide protective tube 11 and the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube 12 which are branched and provided independently of each other are inserted and arranged separately. Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote bends for reducing the sudden bending of the end portion of the light guide protective tube 11 and the end portion of the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube 12, respectively.
[0013]
An ultrasonic signal connector 19 connected to an ultrasonic signal control device (not shown) is connected to the tip of the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube 12, and a light source device (not shown) is connected to the tip of the light guide protective tube 11. A light guide connector 15 connected to the video processor is coupled. Reference numeral 16 denotes a light guide connecting pipe, 17 denotes an imaging signal connector, 18 denotes an air / water feeding base, and a suction base or the like is disposed on the back side of the light guide connector 15.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the branching portion 20, and a single cylindrical common support tube 21 protrudes rearward from the operation unit 1, and the internal space of the common support tube 21 is a light guide. A common passage hole 21 a through which the fiber bundle 6 and the ultrasonic signal cable 8 pass is formed.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 4 showing the IV-IV cross section, in addition to the illumination light guide fiber bundle 6, the imaging signal cable 7 and the ultrasonic signal cable 8, the common support tube 21 has a common passage hole 21 a. Tubes for air, water supply, suction, etc. are inserted in a bundle.
[0016]
A branch support member 22 is fixed to the protruding end of the common support tube 21, in which the base end cap 11 a of the light guide protection tube 11 and the base end cap 12 a of the ultrasonic signal cable protection tube 12 are connected side by side. Reference numeral 12 b denotes a connection base that connects the base end base 12 a and the folding stopper 14 of the ultrasonic signal cable protection tube 12 to the branching support member 22.
[0017]
And the ultrasonic signal cable 8 is taken out of the common support cylinder 21 from the branch hole 21b formed in the side wall of the common support cylinder 21, and also as shown in FIG. The light guide fiber bundle 6 and the imaging signal cable 7 are guided straight into the light guide protective tube 11 through the common passage hole 21a of the common support tube 21 together with tubes and the like. ing.
[0018]
Reference numeral 23 shown in FIG. 3 denotes a branch portion cover for preventing the ultrasonic signal cable 8 from being exposed at the branch portion 20. Reference numeral 24 denotes a space cover for covering a space necessary for mounting the branch portion cover 23, and is fastened and fixed by a rubber ring 25.
[0019]
6 to 8 show an assembling process of the branching portion 20, and illustrations of built-in components such as the light guide fiber bundle 6 and the ultrasonic signal cable 8 are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic signal cable protection tube 12 is attached to the branching support member 22 in advance via a connection base 12b, and the rubber ring 25 is expanded and retracted to the operation unit 1 side. In the state where the cover 23 is allowed to play, the branching support member 22, the light guide protective tube 11, the anti-folding 13 and the like are connected in order, and the base of the common support tube 21 and the light guide protective tube 11 as shown in FIG. The end cap 11 a is fixed with screws 26.
[0020]
Finally, as shown in FIG. 8, the branch portion cover 23 is moved rearward so that the passing portion of the ultrasonic signal cable 8 is covered and fixed with screws 26, and the space where the branch portion cover 23 has moved is spaced. The cover 24 is attached, and the outside is fastened and fixed with a rubber ring 25.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the light guide for illumination and the ultrasonic signal cable are passed through one common passage hole at the portion coming out of the operation portion, and branched at a position adjacent to the outside thereof, so that they are independent of each other. By being inserted into the protective tube, assembly and disassembly / repair are easy and workability is good, and since there is no connecting portion or the like in the middle of the protective tube, there is an excellent effect that does not hinder the operability of the operator.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan sectional view of a branching portion of a light guide protective tube and an ultrasonic signal cable protective tube of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3 of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing an assembling process of a branch portion of the light guide protective tube and the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing an assembling process of a branch portion of the light guide protective tube and the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing an assembly process of a branching portion of the light guide protective tube and the ultrasonic signal cable protective tube of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a first example of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second example of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 Insertion part 3 Optical observation objective part 4 Ultrasonic scanning part 6 Light guide fiber bundle (Light guide for illumination)
8 Ultrasonic signal cable 11 Light guide protective tube 12 Ultrasonic signal cable protective tube 20 Branch portion 21 Common support cylinder 21a Common passage hole 21b Branch hole 22 Branch portion support member

Claims (1)

光学観察部材と超音波走査部材とが挿入部の先端に併設され、照明用ライトガイドと超音波信号ケーブルとが操作部から延出されて外部の光源装置と超音波信号制御装置とに別々に接続される超音波内視鏡において、
上記照明用ライトガイドと上記超音波信号ケーブルとを、上記操作部から出る部分では一つの共通通過孔に通すと共に、その外側に隣接する位置で分岐させて、互いに独立した可撓性の保護管内に挿通配置したことを特徴とする超音波内視鏡。
An optical observation member and an ultrasonic scanning member are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, and an illumination light guide and an ultrasonic signal cable are extended from the operation portion to be separately provided to an external light source device and an ultrasonic signal control device. In the connected ultrasound endoscope,
The illumination light guide and the ultrasonic signal cable are passed through one common passage hole at the portion exiting from the operation section, and branched at a position adjacent to the outside thereof, so that they are independent from each other in a flexible protective tube. An ultrasonic endoscope characterized in that it is inserted into the endoscope.
JP2000394596A 2000-12-26 2000-12-26 Ultrasound endoscope Expired - Fee Related JP3881511B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000394596A JP3881511B2 (en) 2000-12-26 2000-12-26 Ultrasound endoscope

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000394596A JP3881511B2 (en) 2000-12-26 2000-12-26 Ultrasound endoscope

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2002191603A JP2002191603A (en) 2002-07-09
JP3881511B2 true JP3881511B2 (en) 2007-02-14

Family

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JP2000394596A Expired - Fee Related JP3881511B2 (en) 2000-12-26 2000-12-26 Ultrasound endoscope

Country Status (1)

Country Link
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JP2002191603A (en) 2002-07-09

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