JPH025766Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic lithotripter probe for crushing stones in body cavities such as the bladder, urethra, and kidney by ultrasonic vibration.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

In general, this type of ultrasonic lithotripsy probe consists of a grip section containing an ultrasonic vibrator and a transmission tube for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations. Then, the tip of the transmission tube is applied to the stone in the body cavity and vibrated to crush the stone. Further, the crushed stone pieces are sucked out of the transmission pipe and the suction hole formed in the ultrasonic vibrator in the grip part.

The suction hole formed in the ultrasonic vibrator is connected to a cap for a suction tube provided in the exterior case of the grip part. In this case, the ultrasonic vibrator side and the base are required to have a structure that does not adversely affect ultrasonic vibrations. Therefore, conventionally, a method has been adopted in which the two are connected via a tube made of resin. (UK, PAT, GB2116045A).

However, this method has an insufficient vibration isolation effect, resulting in vibration loss. Furthermore, the reliability of ensuring watertightness in this part is poor.

[Purpose of invention]

This invention was made with attention to the above circumstances,
The purpose is to provide an ultrasonic lithotripter probe that has extremely little vibration loss and can ensure watertightness when connecting a suction hole formed in an ultrasonic vibrator to a suction pipe in a subsequent stage.

[Summary of the idea]

In the present invention, the ultrasonic lithotripter probe includes a first support means that supports the vicinity of the vibration nodes of the ultrasonic vibrator on an exterior case, and a second support means that supports the ultrasonic vibrator side more loosely than the first support means. The second support means is provided with a component on the ultrasonic transducer side in which a suction hole is formed, and is provided on the exterior case side and loosely fits with the component and communicates with the suction hole. and an elastic member that is interposed between the fitting portions between the two members and blocks the gap between the fitting portions.

[Example of idea]

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic lithotripsy probe 1, which consists of a grip part 2 and an insertion part 3. The grip part 2 is made up of an exterior case 4 that houses a Languevant type vibrator 5, and the Languevant type vibrator 5 is composed of a piezoelectric element 6, an electrode plate 7, a front metal block 8, and a rear metal block 9. ing. The piezoelectric element 6 and electrode plate 7 are sandwiched between front and rear metal blocks 8, 9. Furthermore, the front metal block 8 has a bolt portion 1.
0 is integrally attached, thereby forming an integrated component 11. The bolt portion 10 passes through the piezoelectric element 6, the electrode plate 7 and the rear metal block 9. The piezoelectric element 6, electrode plate 7, and rear metal block 9 are compressed and fixed by a nut 12 screwed onto the bolt portion 10. The Languevent type vibrator 5 is fixed to the exterior case 4 by means of first supporting means, which is exteriorized with screws 13 at points located at vibration nodes. That is, in this embodiment, the peripheral surface of the front metal block 8 is fixed with screws 13. In addition,
A collar 14 is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the front end of the front metal block 8, and this collar 14 abuts against the front end of the exterior case 4.

The rear end surface of a conical horn 15 is in close contact with the front end surface of the front metal block 8, and is connected and fixed by a screw 16. Furthermore, a metal pipe 17 serving as a transmission tube constituting the insertion portion 3 is connected to the tip of the horn 15 . That is, this pipe 1
7 is connected and fixed by tightly fitting its base end into a connecting hole 18 formed coaxially with the tip of the horn 15 and welding it.

On the other hand, the rear end of the front cover 21 is screwed into the outer periphery of the front end of the exterior case 4 . This front cover 21 surrounds the horn 15. Furthermore, a retaining ring 23 is attached to the tip of the front cover 21. Two circumferential grooves 24 are formed on the inner surface of the retaining ring 23, and an elastic O-ring 25 is fitted into each circumferential groove 24. And each elasticity O
The ring 25 elastically contacts the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical end of the horn 15 to shield the space therebetween.

Further, the rear end side portion of the vibrator 5 is loosely supported by second support means, which will be described later. Second
The supporting means is constructed as follows. That is,
A cap 28, which serves as a member for connecting a suction pipe at a later stage such as the suction tube 27, is screwed and fixed to the rear end wall 6 of the exterior case 4 so as to pass therethrough in a watertight manner. A small diameter portion 29 formed at the protruding end of the bolt portion 10 is loosely fitted inside the cap 28 . Further, two circumferential grooves 31 are formed on the inner surface of the cap 28, and an elastic O-ring 32 as a shielding elastic member is fitted into each circumferential groove 31, respectively. Each of the elastic O-rings 32 elastically contacts the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 29 to shield the space therebetween.

By the way, through holes 33 and 34 are bored in the center of the integrated part 11 of the Languevent type vibrator 5 and the horn 15 along the axial direction thereof.
These and the inner hole 35 of the pipe 17 are aligned on the same straight line and communicate with each other, and form a suction hole 36. The inner diameter of the through hole 34 in the horn 15 is equal to the inner diameter of the inner hole 34 of the pipe 17.
and smaller than that of the through hole 33 in the integrated part 11. In other words, the inner hole 35,
The inner diameters of the through holes 34 and 33 increase in this order. Further, the inner diameter of the cap 28 is even larger than that of the through hole 33.

On the other hand, on the outer periphery of the rear metal block 9, there are two
A circumferential groove 41 is formed, and a circumferential groove 42 is also formed on the outer periphery of the nut 12. One elastic O-ring 43 is fitted into each of the circumferential grooves 41 of the rear metal block 9. Furthermore, two elastic O-rings 44 are fitted into the circumferential groove 42 of the nut 12. Each of the elastic O-rings 43 and 44 constitutes a flexible member interposed between the Languevain type vibrator 5 and a power cord 45 led to the electrode plate 7 of the piezoelectric element 6. This member prevents the power cord 45 from directly hitting the metal parts of the rear metal block 9 and the nut 12. The power cord 45 passes through the rear end wall 26 of the exterior case 4 and is led to an external power source (not shown). A duct 46 is provided. Inside this lead-out duct 46 is a power cord 45.
Two resilient O-rings 47 are provided for receiving. Furthermore, an elastic tube 48 for securing is attached to the rear end of the lead-out duct 46 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality of slits 49 are formed at the most distal end of the pipe 17 as the insertion section 3, forming an abutting section 50 that contacts a stone in the body cavity. And this abutment part 5
The surface of 0 is coated with a super hard film 51 such as TiN. Note that this film 51 covers the abutting portion 5.
Not limited to 0. It may be provided throughout the pipe 17.

Next, how to use the ultrasonic lithotripsy probe 1 will be explained. FIG. 5 shows a case where a stone 52 formed in the kidney is crushed. That is, a sheath 55 of a nephroscope 54 is inserted into the nephroscope 53 in advance, and a scope 56 with a treatment instrument insertion channel is inserted into the sheath 55. Additionally, an injection tube 57 at the proximal end of the sheath 55
Physiological saline is perfused into the kidney 53 through the drainage tube 58 and the supply/drainage path (not shown) in the sheath 55. Then, the insertion portion 3 of the ultrasonic lithotripsy probe 1 is inserted into the kidney 53 through the treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown) of the scope 56. Then, as shown in FIG.
The abutting portion 50 is directed toward the stone 52 under observation with a renal speculum 54 protruding from the tip of the nephroscope 54.

Here, a driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 6 from the power source. As a result, ultrasonic vibration is generated in the Languevin type vibrator 5, and this vibration is amplified by the horn 15 and is transmitted to the abutment portion 50 provided with the hard coating 51 via the pipe 17 (transmission tube). . Therefore, when the ultrasonically vibrating abutment part 50 is pressed against the calculus 52, the vibration becomes a crushing force,
The stone 52 is crushed.

Further, at the time of this crushing, suction is carried out through the suction tube 27 and the suction hole 36 by a suction pump (not shown), so that the crushed fragments are expelled from the body through the suction hole 36 along with the physiological saline.

By the way, since the inner diameter of the suction hole 36, the inner diameter of the inner hole 35 of the pipe 17, the through holes 33 and 34, and the mouthpiece 28 gradually increase toward the rear of the flow of suction, debris during suction does not get caught. It doesn't get clogged.

Furthermore, since the front metal block 8 and the bolt part 10 are integrally formed as an integrated part 11,
There is no joint in the through hole 33, and there is no room for gaps or steps at the joint. Therefore, the risk of deterioration in suction efficiency due to fragments being caught or increased pipe resistance is eliminated. Moreover, there is no leakage of physiological saline near the piezoelectric element 6. In other words, it is possible to avoid the risk of impairing the operation of the piezoelectric element 6 due to leakage of physiological saline.

Further, the bolt part 1 which is the rear end of the integrated part 11
The small diameter portion 29 of 0 is in soft contact with an elastic O-ring 32 provided on the base 28 in a watertight manner. On the other hand, the tip of the horn 15 is also in soft contact with the elastic O-ring 25 in a watertight manner. Therefore, each of these parts is prevented from causing vibration loss and leakage is ensured.

In addition, since the abutting part 50 at the tip of the pipe 17 as a transmission pipe is coated with an ultra-hard coating 51, it is resistant to wear even if it comes into contact with stones 52 repeatedly during stone crushing, and always maintains the best stone crushing efficiency. Can be maintained. Moreover, since it is hard, its stone crushing efficiency is further improved.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a tapered part 60 for fitting is formed at the rear end of the bolt part 10, and this tapered part 60 is loosely fitted into the base 28 for connection.
A rubber elastic packing 61 made of silicone or the like is interposed between the fitting portion of the tapered portion 60 and the tapered portion 60. The elastic packing 61 watertightly seals the gap between the fitting parts. Even if the elastic member is made of such elastic packing 61,
The periphery of the tapered portion 60 is elastically received, a vibration isolating effect is obtained, and vibration loss can be prevented. moreover,
This ensures watertightness in this part, improving reliability.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a cylindrical part 62 of the same diameter for fitting is integrally formed protruding from the connection cap 28, and this cylindrical part 62 is formed at the rear end of the bolt part 10 to form a fitting hole. 63 and the cylindrical part 62
An O-ring 64 as an elastic member is interposed between the hole 63 and the hole 63. The above O-ring 64
are held by being fitted into circumferential grooves 65 formed on the inner periphery of the hole 63. In this case as well, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

In FIG. 8, the small diameter portion 29 in the first embodiment is replaced with a cylindrical portion 66 of equal diameter which is a separate member from the bolt portion 10.
It is fitted in and fixed by brazing etc. In this case as well, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, according to the present invention, while the ultrasonic transducer can be reliably supported by the first support means,
Furthermore, the second support means can ensure the watertightness of the connecting portion when connecting the suction hole formed in the ultrasonic vibrator to the subsequent suction conduit, and can significantly reduce vibration loss.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of an ultrasonic lithotripsy probe showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tip of the insertion portion thereof, Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the tip thereof, and Fig. 4 5 is a front view of the tip thereof, FIG. 5 is a view of the probe in use, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are side sectional views of the pipe connecting portion of other different embodiments. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Ultrasonic lithotripter probe, 5... Languevent type vibrator, 27... Suction tube, 28... Mouthpiece, 29... Small diameter portion, 31... Circulating groove, 32...
Elastic O-ring, 33, 34... Through hole, 36...
Suction hole, 61... Elastic packing, 62... Cylindrical part, 63... Hole part, 66... Cylindrical part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] a first support means for supporting the vicinity of the vibration nodes of the ultrasonic transducer on an exterior case; and a second support means for supporting the ultrasonic transducer side more loosely than the first support means; The second support means is for connecting a component on the ultrasonic transducer side in which a suction hole is formed, and a downstream suction hole conduit that is provided on the exterior case side and loosely fits with the component and communicates with the suction hole. An ultrasonic lithotripter probe comprising: a member; and an elastic member interposed between a fitting portion between the two members to block a gap between the fitting portion.