JPH04327825A - Instrument for sealing space of tubular guide insertion type body-cavity ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To seal a space formed when a body-cavity ultrasonic probe is inserted into a tubular guide for a peritoneal cavity endoscope without disturbing move ment of the probe. CONSTITUTION:An air leak preventing cock 16 is disposed on the starting end side of a guide 12 through which an ultrasonic probe 10 is passed. The bore of the air leak preventing cock 16 is variable so that the cock is in sealing contact with the ultrasonic probe 10; The space formed between the guide 12 and the ultrasonic probe 10 is thereby sealed. A deformable elastic body through which a through-hole for inserting the ultrasonic probe is formed may be used in place of the air leak preventing cock 16.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gap sealing device for sealing a gap created when an intracorporeal ultrasound probe is inserted into a laparoscopic cylindrical guide.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Laparoscopes have conventionally been used when performing operations or examinations on abdominal organs, etc. This laparoscope makes a small hole in a part of the abdomen, and a part of the laparoscope is inserted into the body through the hole to observe the inside of the body. And when using the laparoscope,
In order to observe surface areas such as abdominal organs, air is injected into the abdominal cavity. That is, observation is performed with air injected into the abdominal cavity to form an internal cavity.

When using this laparoscope, a cylindrical guide has conventionally been used to insert the laparoscope into the body through a hole formed in the body. That is, this guide is interposed between the laparoscope and the living body to ensure smooth insertion and withdrawal of the laparoscope. By the way, when performing ultrasound diagnosis with such a guide inserted into a living body, there are cases where an ultrasound probe for use in a body cavity is inserted through the guide to perform ultrasound diagnosis.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the ultrasonic probe 10 is inserted through the guide 12. Here, the guide 12 includes a cylindrical insertion section 12a and a base end section 12b disposed at the outer side end of the insertion section 12a. Of course, this guide 12 is normally used for laparoscopy.

[0005] A tip portion 10a for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is formed at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 10, and echo data is thereby captured. The distal end portion 10a is formed to have a slightly larger diameter than the insertion tube 10b connected thereto. That is, a member such as a vibrator is housed within the tip portion 10a, and the diameter thereof is therefore slightly enlarged.

[0006] Therefore, when such an ultrasonic probe 10 is inserted into the guide 12, the insertion portion 12 inevitably
A certain amount of gap is created between the insertion tube 10b and the insertion tube 10b.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, due to the existence of such a gap, there is a problem in that the air that was originally injected into the body cavity for laparoscopic use leaks out of the body.

[0008] Conventionally, it has been considered to forcibly stuff some kind of material into the gap, but in this case, it would interfere with the operation of the ultrasound probe 10 and prevent smooth ultrasound diagnosis. It was a hindrance.

[0009] Also, in general, in an ultrasound probe for use in a body cavity that is used while being inserted into a body cavity, a cylindrical attachment similar to the guide 12 shown in Fig. 6 is used. In this case as well, a member is required to seal the gap between the ultrasound probe and such an attachment in order to prevent water, etc. injected into the body cavity with the balloon from leaking out of the body. was requested.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to reduce the gap created between the cylindrical guide and the intracorporeal ultrasound probe to prevent the movement of the ultrasound probe. An object of the present invention is to provide a gap sealing tool capable of effectively sealing a gap without causing any damage.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cylindrical guide that is disposed at the outer side end of a cylindrical guide through which an intracorporeal ultrasonic probe is inserted, and a central part of the cylindrical guide that allows the intracorporeal ultrasonic probe to pass therethrough. It includes a gap sealing member in which an insertion hole with a variable diameter is formed through which a probe is inserted, and the gap created between the intrabody cavity ultrasound probe and the cylindrical guide is located outside the body of the cylindrical guide. The end portion is sealed by the gap sealing member.

0012

[Operation] According to the above structure, the gap created between the ultrasonic probe and the cylindrical guide is sealed by the gap sealing member at the outer side end of the cylindrical guide. Here, since the gap sealing member has a diameter-variable insertion hole through which the ultrasonic probe is inserted, the degree of adhesion to the probe can be freely varied to ensure smooth ultrasonic probe operation. It becomes possible to secure child operations. In addition, some insertion tube 10b
Even if the ultrasonic probes have different diameters, it is possible to reliably seal the gap.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a gap sealing device as a first embodiment of the present invention. This gap sealing tool 14 is composed of an air leak prevention plug 16 and a substrate 18. This substrate 18 has a hole approximately in the center thereof through which an ultrasonic probe is inserted.

FIG. 2 shows how the inner diameter of the air leak prevention plug 16 can be varied. This air leak prevention plug 1
6 has a hollow interior and is constructed by injecting liquid or gas into the interior. In order to vary its inner diameter, the air leak prevention stopper 16 is made of a flexible material as a whole, but only the outer periphery contains cloth, glass fiber, etc. that inhibit flexibility. Alternatively, when gas is injected and pressurized, the outer diameter changes little and the inner diameter deforms to become smaller. Therefore, by injecting the liquid or gas, the inner diameter of the air leak prevention plug 16 is reduced as shown in FIG. 2(B). Of course, other materials may be used as long as they have a structure that allows the inner diameter to be varied.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which such a gap sealing device is installed. Here, the ultrasonic probe 10 is inserted through the guide 12. A base end portion 12b formed at the base end of the guide 12 is provided with a substrate 18 into which the ultrasonic probe 10 is inserted and an air leak prevention plug 16.

In FIG. 3, the inner diameter of the air leak prevention plug 16 is reduced, thereby ensuring close contact with the ultrasonic probe 10. However, this does not go so far as to restrict the back-and-forth movement of the ultrasound probe 10, and the back-and-forth movement and rotation of the ultrasound probe 10 are maintained freely.

Next, a second embodiment of the gap sealing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, an elastic body 28 made of, for example, a rubber material is interposed between the front plate 24 and the rear plate 26. As shown in FIG. Further, side plates 30 are arranged on the sides of the elastic body 28 to connect the front plate 24 and the rear plate 26. Furthermore, a lever 32 that can be opened and closed with respect to the rear plate 26 is arranged on one side of the front plate 24 (on the opposite side from the side plate 30). In addition,
The front plate 24, the rear plate 26, and the elastic body 28 each have insertion holes through which the ultrasound probe 10 is inserted.

Here, the working end of the lever 32 is formed into a key shape, and the rear plate 26 is formed with a groove 26a that engages with the key-shaped working end. The overall length of this lever 32 is set to be slightly shorter than the thickness of the elastic body 28 in the axial direction of the ultrasound probe.

Therefore, by engaging the active end of the lever 32 with the groove 26a, the elastic body 28 is elastically compressed by the clamping pressure of the front plate 24 and the rear plate 26.

FIG. 5 shows such an elastic compression state. This FIG. 5 corresponds to the VV' cross section in FIG. 4. FIG. 5(A) is a diagram when the lever 32 is not engaged, and FIG. 5(B) is a diagram when the lever 32 is engaged.

As shown, the lever 32 is inserted into the groove 26.
a, the elastic body 28 expands in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the ultrasound probe, and as a result, the ultrasound probe inserted into the through-hole is clamped by the through-hole itself. That will happen. In other words, the gap is sealed by this clamping.

[0023] Such a gap sealing tool 22 is arranged at the base end portion 12b shown in FIG. 3. Note that it is also preferable to provide an adjustment mechanism that can vary the length of the lever 32.

As described above, both the first and second embodiments can effectively seal the gap that occurs between the guide 12 and the ultrasonic probe 10. Even in such cases, the movement of the ultrasonic probe can be ensured. In addition, in order to improve the adhesion between the substrate 18 and front plate 24 described above and the base end portion 12b, it is also effective to provide a structure similar to the lever structure shown in FIG. 4, for example. Alternatively, it is also effective to interpose a viscous member or the like that can be attached and detached to some extent between the two members.

[0025]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
The gap between the cylindrical guide and the ultrasound probe can be reliably sealed without interfering with the movement of the ultrasound probe, and as a result, for example, leakage of air injected into the body cavity can be prevented. etc. can be effectively prevented. Therefore, for example, it becomes possible to quickly exchange a laparoscope and an ultrasound probe, and this has the effect of shortening the surgical time in abdominal surgery or the like.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a gap sealing tool 14 of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the air leak prevention plug.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the gap sealing tool 14 is attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gap sealing tool 22 of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the action of the elastic body 28.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ultrasonic probe is inserted into the guide.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 Air leak prevention plug 28 Elastic body

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A cylindrical guide through which an intracorporeal ultrasound probe is inserted is disposed at the outer side of the body, and an insertion hole with a variable diameter is formed in the center through which the intrabody cavity ultrasound probe is inserted. A gap sealing member is included, and the gap generated between the intrabody cavity ultrasound probe and the cylindrical guide is sealed by the gap sealing member at the outer side end of the cylindrical guide. A gap sealing device for a cylindrical guide insertion type intrabody cavity ultrasound probe.