JPH02134147A - Direct viewing type ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid the generation of a blind portion in an ultrasonic image by providing a frame memory adapted to store an image formation video signal of a solid state image pick-up element in synchronization with the rotation of an ultrasonic vibrator and reading out the signal to be displayed on a monitor screen while the ultrasonic vibrator intercepts an illuminating optical path and an observation optical path. CONSTITUTION:A solid state image pick-up element 12 is adapted to convert an image formation light image into an electric signal and output the above signal to a frame memory 20. On the other hand, in the frame memory 20, an ultrasonic vibrator 3 is rotated, and an image takenby the solid state image pick-up element 12 is stored in synchronization with the formation of an ultrasonic image to be displayed on a TV monitor 16. Timing of storing the image in the frame memory 20 is the time when the ultrasonic vibrator 3 slips off an illuminating optical path between a lens 8 and a lens 6 for illumination light and an observation optical path, which is the lens optical axis between a lens 10 and an image formation lens 7 at the same time. At this time, the illumination light illuminates a tested body, and reflected light from the tested body is passed through the observation optical path, an image guide 11 and an image formation lens 13 and formed into an image by the solid state image pick-up element 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an improvement in a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope, specifically a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope that is mechanically scanned in the radial direction.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, ultrasonic endoscopes are already well known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 168337-1983 and 284634-1982. Currently, most ultrasound endoscopes used by being inserted into a body cavity are of a forward perspective type due to their structure. Direct viewing types include those with an ultrasonic transducer that rotates 380 degrees so that the lumen wall can be easily observed, and those that are equipped with a solid-state image sensor that rotates integrally with the ultrasonic transducer. has been done.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the above-mentioned direct-viewing ultrasound endoscope in which the ultrasound transducer is rotated 360 degrees to diagnose the lumen wall, there is a The light guide and observation image guide obstruct the scanning direction of the ultrasonic transducer, which rotates 360° around the central axis of the endoscope and scans the ultrasonic waves, resulting in blind spots in the ultrasonic display. It was necessary to rotate the ultrasound endoscope to observe this area. In addition, in the case where a solid-state imaging device is integrally mounted on an ultrasonic transducer, the solid-state imaging device rotates, so it is necessary to use a slip ring, rotary transformer, etc. to take out the signal line. The disadvantage is that the structure is complicated and large, making it extremely inconvenient to use.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional direct-viewing ultrasound endoscopes, and to provide a compact and easy-to-operate direct-viewing ultrasound endoscope without creating blind areas in ultrasound images. It is on offer.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is arranged rotatably within a tip cap containing an ultrasonic transmission fluid, is rotationally driven by a rotary operation shaft, and is provided with a An ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam toward and an ultrasonic vibrator for illumination light and Each lens for observation light, a means for transmitting illumination light to the illumination light lens, a solid-state imaging probe on which an observation light image is formed by the observation light lens, and a combination of the solid-state imaging probe ( and a frame memory that stores an image signal in synchronization with the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer, reads out the image signal, and displays it on a monitor screen while the ultrasonic transducer interrupts the illumination optical path and the observation optical path. It is characterized by

[Function] When the illumination optical path and the observation optical path are secured, the image from the solid-state imaging probe is displayed and stored in the frame memory, and when the optical path is obstructed, the image stored in the frame memory is displayed. Read and display.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the tip of the direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. 1 above. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cap.

The direct view type ultrasound endoscopy vt1 in this example is the 1.2th
As shown in the figure, an ultrasonic transducer 3 is rotatably arranged in the center of the tip cap 2 by a flexible shaft 4, and is designed to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves laterally. At the same time, the cap is filled with ultrasonic transmission fluid 5. In addition, the tip cap 2
A lens 6 for illumination light and a lens 7 for forming an observation image are arranged at symmetrical positions on the peripheral edge of the distal end surface so as to face the subject (not shown). A lens 8 is disposed at the end of the cap on the optical axis of the illumination light lens 6, and the lens is optically connected to a light guide 9 disposed on the optical axis of the illumination light lens 6. The rear end of the light guide 9 is connected to an endoscope light source device (not shown). On the other hand, the imaging lens 7
A lens 10 is disposed at the end of the cap on the optical axis, and is optically coupled to an image guide 11 disposed on the optical axis of the imaging lens 7. At the rear end of the image guide 11, an imaging lens 13 for forming the transmitted image of the image guide 11 onto the solid-state imaging probe 12 is disposed to face the image guide 11.

Further, the flexible shaft 4 is connected to a motor (not shown), and is also connected to a rotation detector 14 via a belt 15. The output of the solid-state image sensor 12 is input to the frame memory 20 together with the output of the rotation detector 14, and is displayed as an optical image on the TV monitor 16.

The direct-viewing "V'ν ultrasonic wave endoscope 1" of this embodiment configured in this way operates as follows. First, the ultrasonic transducer 3
In order to scan in the radial direction, the flexible shaft 4 is operated by a motor (not shown) to scan
rotated within l. Then, the rotation is caused by the belt 15
The rotational position information is detected by the rotation detector 14 and inputted to the frame memory 20 as rotational position information. On the other hand, illumination light from an endoscope light source device (not shown) is transmitted by the light guide 9, diffused by the lens 8 and the illumination light lens 6, and irradiated onto the subject (not shown).

Then, the reflected light from the subject is imaged on the front end surface of the image guide 11 by the imaging lens 7 and lens 10, and this image is transmitted to the rear end surface of the id 11 and formed by the imaging lens 13. Through the solid-state imaging probe 12
imaged on top. The solid-state image sensor 12 converts the formed optical image into an electrical signal and outputs the signal to the frame memory 20.

On the other hand, the frame memory 20 stores an image captured by the solid-state image sensor 12 in synchronization with the rotation of the ultrasound transducer 3 and the formation of an ultrasound image, and stores the image captured by the solid-state image sensor 12 on the TV monitor 16.
Display above. The timing at which the ultrasonic transducer 3 is stored in the frame memory 20 is such that the ultrasonic transducer 3 simultaneously starts from the illumination optical path between the lens 8 and the illumination light lens 6 and from the observation optical path which is the lens optical axis between the lens 10 and the imaging lens 7. At this time, as shown in FIG. The image is formed on the solid-state image sensor 12. As shown in FIG. 2, this timing can be achieved twice during one rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 3 by making the ultrasonic transducer 3 a symmetrical rectangular body centered on the rotation axis 4. become.

The ultrasonic transmission fluid 5 is used to transmit ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 3 to the outer surface of the tip cap 2 without loss.

In this way, the direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscopy vt1 of this embodiment allows direct viewing without creating any blind parts, and is also simple in structure, small in size, and easy to operate.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the direct-viewing ultrasound endoscope IA of the second embodiment is constructed almost the same as the direct-viewing ultrasound endoscope I shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the members, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. The same applies to each of the following examples.

This direct-view ultrasonic endoscope IA uses the image-forming lens 10 described above, except for the image guide 11 and the imaging lens 13 in the direct-view ultrasonic endoscope 1 in the first embodiment. The image is formed on a solid-state imaging probe 12.

By omitting the image guide and imaging lens for light image transmission in this way, it is possible to prevent the quality of the optical image from deteriorating due to the image guide and imaging lens, obtain a good optical image, and reduce production costs accordingly. be able to. Other effects.

The effect is the same as that of the direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows that the tip of the direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. This is an easy-to-understand diagram.

The direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope IB in the third embodiment integrates the illumination light lens 6 and observation lens 7 in the first embodiment with the ultrasonic transducer 3 through a transparent connecting body 21. The shield is rotatably coupled so that it rotates together with the ultrasonic transducer 3. By doing this, the bright light lens 6 and the observation light lens 7 rotate together with the ultrasonic transducer 3, so that 1 g of body cavity mucus, etc. does not adhere, and the lens surface is protected from dirt. The effect of protection can be obtained.The other functions and effects of Configuration 1 are the same as those of the above-mentioned direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope] and IA.

In addition, in ultrasonic endoscopes, observation of ultrasonic images is often used in liquid to ensure transmission of ultrasonic waves, and cleaning of the tip surface and lens is not particularly important, but this third If 11 lenses are prepared as in the embodiment, the lens surface is cleaned.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the direct-viewing ultrasound endoscope IC of the fourth embodiment, instead of the rotation detector 14 in the direct-viewing ultrasound system ff1ffll in the first embodiment, the M
A portion of the tip is reflected by a reflection plate 19 attached to the rear surface of the ultrasonic transducer 3, and is received by a photodetector 17 via a light guide 18.

In this way, even if the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 3 is uneven, the reflection plate 19 integrated with the ultrasonic transducer 3
recognizes the rotational position of the vibrator 3 and detects this on the photodetector 17.
, the rotational position of the vibrator 3 is reliably detected, and the solid-state image sensor 12 and the ultrasonic vibration J'-3 can be synchronized even more reliably. Other IW formation functions and effects are the same as those of the direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope 1 in the first embodiment.

In addition, as a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope, an optical system member for direct viewing should be placed in the center of the outer tube, and the ultrasonic vibration J'- should be rotated along the inner peripheral surface of the tip cap. It is also possible, but it would be necessary to place a light source, image guide, or solid-state imaging probe within the rotation axis.
Rotation control becomes extremely troublesome and is not practical.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, in a direct-viewing ultrasound endoscope, an imaging lens is disposed at the tip thereof, and the imaging lens is moved in synchronization with the rotation of the ultrasound transducer. Since the optical image from the object is memorized and displayed on the TV monitor, it is now possible to directly view the optical image of the subject, allowing the introduction of an endoscope to be carried out safely and reliably, and eliminating the drawbacks of the conventional method. 6. ! type ultrasound endoscope.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope (1'4 diagram) showing the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope (IX1 diagram) showing the second embodiment of the present invention; Direct inkstone type super d1i showing examples
A schematic 1114 diagram of the main parts of the endoscope, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the direct view ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of main parts of a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) It is rotatably disposed within the tip cap containing the ultrasonic transmission fluid, and is rotationally driven by a rotary operation shaft,
An ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic beams laterally, and an illumination light disposed on the tip surface of the tip cap so as to form a lens optical axis parallel to the rotational operation axis. a means for transmitting illumination light to the illumination light lens; a solid-state image sensor on which an observation light image is formed by the observation light lens; A frame memory that stores a video signal in synchronization with the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer, and reads out the video signal and displays it on a monitor screen while the ultrasonic transducer interrupts the illumination optical path and the observation optical path. A direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope featuring: