JP4217485B2 - Ultrasound endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic scanning ultrasonic endoscope in which a holder having an ultrasonic transducer in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged is arranged on the distal end side of a distal end rigid portion of an endoscope insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an ultrasonic transducer is provided at the distal end of an endoscope insertion portion that can be inserted into a body cavity, and the treatment tool is led into the body cavity through the treatment tool insertion channel of the endoscope, and the tissue of the lesioned part is collected. In addition, an electronic scanning or mechanical scanning ultrasonic endoscope that can perform diagnosis and treatment such as the above and obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image by the ultrasonic transducer has been put into practical use.
[0003]
In the electronic scanning ultrasonic endoscope, a large number of piezoelectric elements are arranged in a housing (described as a holder in the present embodiment), and the wires (signal lines) extending from these piezoelectric elements are super-exposed. Connected to the sonic device. Therefore, a desired ultrasonic image can be obtained by appropriately driving the piezoelectric element by this ultrasonic apparatus. An ultrasonic image having excellent resolution can be obtained by arranging as many piezoelectric elements as possible in the housing.
[0004]
For example, in an ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-170054, a housing in which a transducer array that constitutes an ultrasonic transducer section is arranged is provided in a vibrator through-hole formed in a distal end hard portion. It was a configuration to arrange.
[0005]
In this ultrasonic endoscope, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the distal end portion of the distal end rigid portion 100 into the balloon mounting groove 101 and a balloon (not shown). The annular portion 104 having the liquid injection path 103 in which the injection port 102 was formed was provided.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-170054 (page 3, FIG. 3 (b))
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there has been a demand for reducing the diameter of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope for the purpose of, for example, expanding the insertable portion and reducing the patient's pain, and the superstructure of the configuration shown in FIGS. In the sonic endoscope, when the diameter is reduced with this configuration, the thickness of the pipe portion constituting the base end portion of the housing inserted and disposed in the vibrator through hole of the distal end rigid portion becomes thin. The desired strength could not be obtained, and the reduction in diameter had to be abandoned.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an ultrasonic endoscope having a reduced diameter without reducing the strength of the pipe portion of the ultrasonic transducer portion inserted and disposed in the distal end rigid portion. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ultrasonic endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention is configured by arranging a plurality of piezoelectric elements in a holder that is inserted and arranged in a holder arrangement hole formed in a distal end rigid portion that constitutes a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion. In an ultrasonic endoscope provided with an ultrasonic transducer,
The holder is provided with a balloon injection path for supplying a liquid into a balloon covering the ultrasonic transducer, and a balloon mounting groove is formed at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the holder so as to face the distal end surface of the distal end rigid portion. The circumferential convex part to form is provided.
With this configuration, the meat portion required for forming the annular portion at the distal end portion of the distal end rigid portion is provided on the holder side, so that the diameter of the distal end rigid portion can be reduced and the strength of the holder can be maintained.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a tip portion of an ultrasonic transducer part, and FIG. Is a cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 3A, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG of FIG. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the tip portion of the ultrasonic transducer unit.
[0010]
2A is a side view for explaining the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 2B is a view when the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope is viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2 (c) is a view when the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope is viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. 3 (a) is a DD line in FIG. 2 (b). FIG. 3B is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2A.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic endoscope 1 according to this embodiment includes, for example, an elongated insertion portion 2 that is inserted into a trachea, an operation portion 3 that is located at the proximal end of the insertion portion 2, and the operation portion 3. And a universal cord 4 extending from the side portion of the operation portion 3. An eyepiece portion 5 is provided at the proximal end portion of the operation portion 3.
[0012]
An endoscope connector 4 a connected to a light source device (not shown) is provided at the base end portion of the universal cord 4. From the endoscope connector 4a, an ultrasonic cable 6 is detachably connected to an ultrasonic observation apparatus (not shown) via the ultrasonic connector 6a.
[0013]
The insertion portion 2 includes a rigid member 7A formed of a hard resin member in order from the distal end side, a distal end rigid portion 7 having an inclined surface 7a, and a bending portion 8 that can be bent and operated at the rear end of the distal end rigid portion 7. A flexible tube portion 9 having a small diameter and a long length, which is located at the rear end of the bending portion 8 and reaches the distal end portion of the operation portion 3, is continuously provided. On the distal end side of the distal rigid portion 7, an ultrasonic transducer unit 20 including an ultrasonic transducer configured by arranging a plurality of piezoelectric elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves is provided.
[0014]
As the material of the hard member 7A, polysulfone having good chemical resistance and biocompatibility is used. The operation unit 3 includes an angle knob 11 for bending the bending portion 8 in a desired direction, and a treatment tool serving as an entrance for a treatment tool introduced into the body cavity through a treatment tool insertion channel (not shown). An insertion port 12 and the like are provided.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c), the distal end rigid portion 7 includes an observation window 13 constituting an observation optical system, an illumination window 14 constituting an illumination optical system, and a treatment instrument insertion channel. An outlet side opening (hereinafter abbreviated as an opening) 15 and a pin hole 16 into which a fixing pin (reference numeral 41 in FIG. 4) to be described later is inserted are provided. Both the observation window 13 and the illumination window 14 are arranged together on one side with respect to the opening 15. The opening 15 is formed so that a part thereof is on the inclined surface 7a.
[0016]
The central axis in the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic transducer section 20 is formed so that the observation visual field of the observation optical system and the illumination range of the illumination optical system are prevented from being largely blocked by the ultrasonic transducer section 20. The observation window 13 and the illumination window 14 are arranged at predetermined positions on the inclined surface 7a so as to be misaligned downward with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction.
[0017]
The ultrasonic transducer section 20 has a holder 20A that protrudes from the distal end surface 7b of the rigid member 7A. The holder 20A includes a transducer arrangement unit 22 in which an ultrasonic transducer 21 having an ultrasonic scanning surface 21a configured by arranging, for example, several tens of piezoelectric elements (not shown) in an arc shape, and the transducer. A pipe portion 23 that is inserted and arranged in a holder arrangement hole (see reference numeral 7c in FIG. 3), which will be described later, which is a through hole for a vibrator that protrudes from the base end surface of the arrangement portion 22 and is formed in the distal end surface 7b of the rigid member 7A. And is mainly composed.
[0018]
A circumferential convex portion 24 a that protrudes over the entire circumference is provided on the distal end side, which is a predetermined position on the vibrator arrangement portion side of the pipe portion 23. In addition, a liquid injection port 25a, which is an opening on the distal end side of the fluid conduit, which will be described later, is formed between the distal end side surface of the circumferential convex portion 24a and the proximal end surface of the vibrator arrangement portion 22.
[0019]
With reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the configuration of the ultrasonic transducer section 20 and the distal end rigid section 7 will be described.
As shown in the drawing, the pipe portion 23 of the holder 20A is arranged in a holder arrangement hole 7c in which an opening is formed in the distal end surface 7b of the rigid member 7A. Then, by arranging the pipe portion 23 at a predetermined position of the holder arrangement hole 7c, the proximal end surface side of the circumferential convex portion 24a is opposed to the distal end surface 7b, thereby forming a groove for attaching a balloon. .
[0020]
The pipe portion 23 inserted and arranged in the holder arrangement hole 7c is formed to be smaller than the large-diameter pipe portion 23a constituting the proximal end side and the large-diameter pipe portion 23a constituting the distal end side which is the vibrator arrangement portion side. And a small-diameter pipe portion 23b. At the proximal end portion of the small diameter tube portion 23b, there is a distal end portion of an insulating tube 32 through which an ultrasonic cable 31 in which a plurality of signal lines 21b extending from each piezoelectric element constituting the ultrasonic vibrator 21 are collectively inserted is inserted. Communication is fixed. The insulating tube 32 extends through the insertion portion 2 to the operation portion 3.
[0021]
In addition to the circumferential convex portion 24a, the large-diameter pipe portion 23a constituting the pipe portion 23 is water-tight between the large-diameter pipe portion 23a and a later-described engagement hole of the holder arrangement hole 7c. A circumferential groove 24b in which the ring 33 is disposed is formed at a predetermined position over the entire circumference.
[0022]
Further, a fluid conduit 25 communicating with the liquid injection port 25a is formed in the large diameter pipe portion 23a. The base end side opening 25b of the fluid pipe 25 is formed on the step surface (see FIG. 3B) of the large diameter pipe portion 23a and the small diameter pipe portion 23b. A tube connection cap 34 is provided. The tip of the liquid injection tube 35 is connected and fixed to the tube connection base 34.
[0023]
On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the distal end rigid portion 7 is formed with a treatment instrument insertion channel hole 17 having the holder arrangement hole 7 c and the opening 15. Further, the bending piece 8a constituting the bending portion 8 is connected and fixed to the proximal end portion of the distal end rigid portion 7, and the distal end portion of the bending rubber 8b covering the bending piece 8a and the like is secured by the bobbin adhering portion 8c. It is fixed integrally.
[0024]
The holder arrangement hole 7c is formed substantially parallel to the endoscope longitudinal axis. The holder arrangement hole 7c forms a distal end side and forms an engagement hole 7d in which the proximal end side portion of the large-diameter pipe portion 23a constituting the pipe portion 23 is engaged, and a proximal end side. A loose fitting hole 7e formed by a predetermined dimension larger than the outer dimension of the small-diameter pipe portion 23b.
[0025]
The small-diameter pipe portion 23b, the insulating tube 32, and the liquid injection tube 35 are inserted into the loose fitting hole 7e, and the large-diameter pipe portion 23a is arranged in the engagement hole 7d. That is, when the pipe part 23 is arranged at a predetermined position of the holder arrangement hole 7c, the O-ring 33 arranged in the circumferential groove 24b of the large-diameter pipe part 23a is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 7d. It will be in the state of ensuring watertightness.
[0026]
The opening 15 is formed across the side surface of the distal end rigid portion 7 and the inclined surface 7a. Specifically, most of the opening 15 is formed on the side surface of the rigid member 7A, and a part of the opening 15 is formed on the inclined surface 7a.
This prevents the side surface of the rigid member 7A from coming into close contact with the body wall in the suction state. Further, at the time of puncturing under ultrasonic guidance, the protruding angle θ1 of the puncture needle 36 protruding from the opening 15 is shown, for example, indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the puncture needle 36 is moved as much as possible to the ultrasonic scanning surface of the ultrasonic transducer 21. Puncture to an observation site far from 21a is possible.
[0027]
The treatment instrument insertion channel hole 17 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope. Specifically, the treatment instrument insertion channel hole 17 includes a distal end side channel hole 17a constituting the opening 15 side and a proximal end side channel hole 17b constituting the proximal end opening side, and the distal end side The inclination angle of the channel hole 17a is set as large as possible so that the protrusion angle θ1 is as large as possible. Further, the base end side channel hole 17b is also inclined by a predetermined amount (θ2).
[0028]
A treatment instrument insertion channel tube 38 constituting a treatment instrument insertion channel is communicated with the base end side channel hole 17b inclined by a predetermined amount via a tube connection pipe 37.
[0029]
For these reasons, the puncture needle 36 guided through the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 38 smoothly moves in the proximal channel hole 17b and the distal channel hole 17a and protrudes from the opening 15.
[0030]
The pipe part 23 constituting the ultrasonic transducer part 20 is inserted into the holder arrangement hole 7c of the distal end rigid part 7, and the step surface of the large diameter pipe part 23a and the small diameter pipe part 23b, the engaging hole 7d and the loose hole 7d. In a state where the fitting hole 7e is in contact, positioning is performed by the fixing pin 41 as shown in FIG. As a result, a groove for attaching a balloon is formed by the circumferential convex portion 24a and the distal end surface 7b. In addition, the ultrasonic scanning surface 21a of the ultrasonic transducer unit 20 is in a predetermined direction.
[0031]
The fixing pin 41 is inserted and disposed in the pin hole 16 formed in the distal end hard portion 7, and is integrally bonded and fixed to the distal end hard portion 7 by an adhesive 42. In this bonded state, both end portions of the fixing pin 41 are positioned on the distal end rigid portion 7 side, and the central portion of the fixing pin 41 is positioned in the hole 23c formed in the large-diameter tube portion 23a. Become.
[0032]
As a result, even if the longitudinal position of the ultrasonic transducer portion 20 arranged in the distal end rigid portion 7 changes or the cross-sectional shape of the large-diameter tube portion 23a is formed in a circular shape, the large-diameter tube portion 23a. This prevents the ultrasonic scanning surface 21a from being displaced due to rotational movement in the engagement hole 7d. However, when the cross-sectional shape of the large diameter tube portion 23a is non-circular, one end of the fixing pin 41 may be positioned on the distal end rigid portion 7 side, and the other end may be positioned in the large diameter tube portion 23a.
[0033]
The distal end rigid portion 7 is formed with a working through hole 43 having a diameter smaller than that of the pin hole 16 and communicating with the pin hole 16. By providing the work through hole 43, when the fixing pin 41 is inserted into the pin hole 16 in the state where the adhesive 42 has been applied in advance, the excess adhesive 42 is removed into the work through hole 43. However, the fixing pin 41 can be smoothly arranged at a predetermined position of the pin hole 16. Further, when removing the fixing pin 41 that is adhered and fixed to the distal end rigid portion 7 by the adhesive 42, first, the working hole 43 and the adhesive 42 filled in the pin hole 16 are removed. Thereafter, the fixing pin 41 can be knocked out by inserting a rod member (not shown) through the work through hole 43.
[0034]
Reference numeral 44 denotes an image guide facing the observation window 13 constituting the observation optical system, and reference numeral 45 denotes a light guide facing the illumination window 14 constituting the illumination optical system.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the image guide 44 and the light guide 45 disposed on the rigid member 7A are inclined by a predetermined amount with respect to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope. A bent portion forming hole 46 for forming bent portions of the image guide 44 and the light guide 45 is formed below the proximal end of the rigid member 7A. By providing the bent portion forming hole 46, the image guide 44 and the light guide 45 are bent with a margin at the bent portion forming hole 46, thereby preventing fiber breakage. Actually, only a part of the image guide 44 is shown in the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4, but the entire vicinity of the tip of the image guide 44 is shown for the sake of clarity.
[0036]
As a result, the image guide 44 and the light guide 45 are directly inclined on the hard member 7A without producing a small optical prism for refracting light, and the observation window 13 and the light guide 45 are placed at predetermined positions on the inclined surface 7a. An illumination window 14 is arranged.
[0037]
When the bent portion forming hole 46 is processed, a notch that is exposed on the outer surface of the rigid member 7A may be formed. At this time, after the lid member 47 formed in a predetermined size is arranged to close the notch, the bending piece 8a and the bending rubber 8b are arranged to provide the bonding portion 8c, and the notch The occurrence of problems due to parts is prevented.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the bending piece 8a constituting the bending portion 8, an insulating tube 32 covering an ultrasonic cable 31 through which a plurality of signal lines 21b extending from the ultrasonic transducer 21 are inserted, A treatment instrument insertion channel tube 38 communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel hole 17, an image guide 44 extending from the observation window 13, a light guide 45 extending from the illumination window 14, and a tube connection base 34 are communicated. An injection tube 35 and the like are inserted. Reference numeral 8u is an upward bending wire for bending the bending portion upward, and 8d is a downward bending wire for bending the bending portion downward.
[0039]
And in this embodiment, it arrange | positions so that the mutual center of the said insulation tube 32 and the channel tube 38 for treatment instrument penetration may pass along the center vicinity of the curved piece 8a, and may arrange | position on this straight line. The image guide 44, the light guide 45, and the liquid injection tube 35 are arranged separately in spaces formed on both sides of the insulating tube 32 and the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 38. As a result, the image guide 44 and the light guide 45 and the liquid injection tube 35 are arranged in the insertion portion while maintaining the positional relationship therebetween.
[0040]
Thus, while providing the circumferential convex part and the fluid conduit on the large-diameter pipe part of the holder constituting the ultrasonic transducer part, the convex part having the balloon mounting groove and the liquid injection path on the distal end surface of the rigid member Without providing a holder, a holder arrangement hole into which the pipe portion of the holder is inserted is arranged, and the holder is arranged and fixed in the holder arrangement hole, whereby a groove for attaching a balloon and a fluid conduit capable of supplying fluid Can be configured.
[0041]
This eliminates the convex portion having the balloon mounting groove and the liquid injection path from the distal end surface of the rigid member, thereby realizing a reduction in the diameter of the rigid member.
[0042]
Moreover, the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced by arranging the insulating tube covering the ultrasonic cable and the treatment instrument insertion channel tube in the bending piece so that the respective centers are aligned in a substantially straight line.
[0043]
Furthermore, by arranging the observation window and the illumination window on one side of the opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel, when the treatment instrument protrudes from the opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel, the treatment instrument removes the illumination window from the illumination window. It can prevent reliably that the emitted illumination light is interrupted | blocked and an observation site | part becomes dark.
[0044]
In addition, by placing the image guide fiber facing the illumination window and the balloon injection path between the treatment instrument insertion channel tube and the ultrasonic cable, the balloon injection path is positioned near the image guide fiber. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent a problem that occurs when the image guide fiber is rapidly cooled by the fluid flowing through the balloon injection channel.
[0045]
When the ultrasonic transducer section 20 having this configuration is applied to the ultrasonic endoscope having the thickness shown in FIG. 10, a convexity having a balloon mounting groove and a liquid injection path from the distal end surface of the rigid member 7A. As shown in FIG. 7, the large-diameter tube portion 23a has a thick wall thickness t as shown in FIG.
[0046]
8 and 9 are related to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the formation positional relationship between a through hole through which an ultrasonic cable provided in a pipe portion is inserted and a fluid conduit, and FIG. 9 is an insulating tube. It is a figure explaining the arrangement | positioning positional relationship with a liquid injection tube.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the formation position of the cable through hole for inserting and arranging the ultrasonic cable 31 formed in the large-diameter pipe portion 23a of the pipe portion 23 as shown in FIG. While being displaced from the center, the position of the fluid conduit is moved according to the distance from 23c to the cable through hole.
[0048]
As a result, the distance between the fluid conduit and the cable through-hole is widened, and as shown in FIG. 9, the tube connection cap 34 is formed in a straight shape, and the liquid injection tube 35 is provided with a margin. The base 34 is fixed in communication.
[0049]
As described above, a holder that is easy to use can be configured by appropriately considering the arrangement positions of the cable through holes and the fluid conduits formed in the pipe portion.
[0050]
In the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the tube portion is circular. However, the cross-sectional shape of the tube portion is not limited to a circular shape. For example, a substantially D-shaped or elliptical shape having one chord portion. It may be a shape or an oval shape.
[0051]
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.
[0052]
[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0053]
(1) Ultrasound provided with an ultrasonic transducer formed by arranging a plurality of piezoelectric elements in a holder that is inserted and arranged in a holder arrangement hole formed in a distal end rigid portion constituting the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion In an endoscope,
The holder is provided with a balloon injection path for supplying a liquid into a balloon covering the ultrasonic transducer, and is attached to the balloon at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the holder so as to face the distal end surface of the distal rigid portion. An ultrasonic endoscope provided with a circumferential projection that forms a groove.
[0054]
(2) Ultrasound inside provided with an observation window, an illumination window, and a treatment instrument insertion channel opening at the distal end rigid portion provided with an ultrasonic vibrator and provided with a holder provided with a balloon injection channel. In the endoscope,
The treatment instrument insertion channel tube communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel opening and the ultrasonic cable extending from the ultrasonic transducer are arranged in a row in the endoscope insertion section in accordance with the arrangement positional relationship of the distal end rigid portion. Ultrasound endoscope placed in.
[0055]
(3) The ultrasonic endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the positional relationship between the observation window and the illumination window is set in consideration of the position of the treatment instrument insertion channel opening.
[0056]
Thus, for example, when a puncture needle protrudes from the treatment instrument insertion channel opening, the illuminating light emitted from the illumination window is blocked by the puncture needle, and an endoscopic image captured by the observation window is displayed on the endoscopic image. The trouble that the shadow is reflected is prevented.
[0057]
(4) The image guide fiber and the light guide fiber facing the illumination window, and the liquid injection path for the balloon are arranged as described in the supplementary note 2 or the supplementary note 3, with the treatment instrument insertion channel tube and the ultrasonic cable interposed therebetween. Ultrasound endoscope.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic endoscope with a reduced diameter without reducing the strength of the pipe portion of the ultrasonic transducer portion that is inserted and disposed in the distal end rigid portion. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope. FIG. 2 illustrates a distal end portion of an ultrasonic transducer section. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3 (a). FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic transducer section. FIG. 8 and FIG. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the formation positional relationship between the through hole through which the ultrasonic cable provided in the pipe portion is inserted and the fluid conduit. FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the insulating tube and the injection tube. FIG. 10 is a diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope in which a convex portion having a balloon mounting groove and a liquid injection path for supplying an ultrasonic transmission medium is provided at the distal end portion of the distal rigid portion. Diagram for explaining the [description of the code]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasound endoscope 7 ... Hard end part 7A ... Hard member 7b ... End face 7c ... Holder arrangement | positioning hole 20 ... Ultrasonic vibrator part 20A ... Holder 23 ... Pipe part 23a ... Large diameter pipe part 24a ... Circumferential convex Part 25 ... Fluid conduit

Claims (1)

An ultrasonic endoscope provided with an ultrasonic transducer in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged in a holder that is inserted and arranged in a holder arrangement hole formed in a distal end rigid portion constituting the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. In
The holder is provided with a balloon injection path for supplying a liquid into a balloon covering the ultrasonic transducer, and a balloon mounting groove is formed at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the holder so as to face the distal end surface of the distal end rigid portion. An ultrasonic endoscope comprising a circumferential convex portion to be formed.

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