JPH0670930A - Forward scanning type in-vivo ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To safely obtain a satisfactory palpating touch and an ultrasonic image from a device for ultrasonically diagnosing an organism or the like, in the abdominal cavity through the intermediary of a tracker or the like, without damaging a part to be examined or the tissue surface of a patient even though a pressure is applied from a probe. CONSTITUTION:An ultrasonic probe 1 maintains its hardness by means of a resilient sheath part 7 provided to an insertion part 9 with no damage when the pressure is less than a preset value, but is curved when the pressure exceeds the preset value. A shape memory coil is disposed in the resilient sheath part 7. The shape memory coil is deenergized when the output of a pressure sensor is below a predetermined value. At this time the coil has a flexibility.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of an anterior scan type internal ultrasonic probe for ultrasonically diagnosing an organ such as a liver in the abdominal cavity through a trocar or the like. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional probe in a body cavity, Shokai 6
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-169111 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-244739, an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface is oriented laterally with respect to the insertion axis to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image in the lateral direction, and the insertion axis. There is an apparatus which aims to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image in the forward direction by directing the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface in the forward direction.

As the former, there is an ultrasonic probe having a flexible portion formed of a flexible tube or the like and a curved portion formed of a curved tube or the like on the proximal side of the ultrasonic probe. These soft parts and curved parts have the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface directed to the side surface as the target site,
It is provided so as to be oriented parallel to each other, and is always flexible, or is bent positively by a bending operation of the hand side operation unit.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is a need to perform ultrasonic diagnosis with a sense of palpation without having to open the abdomen using an intraperitoneal ultrasonic probe. For this purpose, it is more suitable that the insertion axis is hard and the ultrasonic probe is arranged so as to perform forward scanning, than the side scanning type. But,
Unlike palpation, which involves pressing an organ with your finger, it is difficult to grasp the contact pressure through a rod-shaped object, and while you are enthusiastic to obtain a good ultrasonic image, the organ is pressed too much at the tip and damaged. The defect was a hard one.

Further, in the case where a soft tube or the like is provided between the ultrasonic head and the hard portion, the soft tube eliminates the feeling from the organ, and it is not possible to obtain a more tactile sensation than the reponse.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when ultrasonic diagnosis is performed on a subject, for example, an abdominal organ, through a trocar or the like, even if pressure is applied from the probe, An object of the present invention is to provide an anterior scan type intracorporeal ultrasonic probe capable of safely obtaining a good ultrasonic image with a good palpation sensation without damaging a test part or a tissue surface.

[0007]

An anterior scan type ultrasonic probe for internal use according to the present invention has an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, and the insertion portion has a forward ultrasonic tomographic image on its tip side. The ultrasonic head part in which the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is arranged so as to obtain the elastic force, the elastic sheath part that bends when the pressure exceeds a certain pressure, and the elastic sheath part that bends when the pressure exceeds the certain pressure, and the hard hard sheath part. It consists of and.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the elastic sheath portion provided in the insertion portion keeps the material rigid without damaging it at a predetermined pressure or lower, while bending when the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure. It is possible to safely obtain a good ultrasonic image together with a good palpation feeling of the subject without damaging the subject.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to the first embodiment, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the tip of an anterior scanning abdominal ultrasound probe, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a modification of a shape memory coil. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state.

FIG. 1 shows the distal end side of the insertion portion of a front scan type intra-abdominal ultrasonic probe 1 according to this embodiment. The intra-abdominal ultrasonic probe 1 shown in FIG.
Ultrasonic diagnosis of an abdominal organ 3 such as a liver in a subject is performed through a guide tube 2 such as a trocar. This intra-abdominal ultrasonic probe 1 has an elongated insertion portion 9 to be inserted into a body cavity and a grip portion (not shown).

The insertion section 9 has an ultrasonic head section 6 having an ultrasonic transmission / reception section 5 which is rotatably arranged inside the insertion section 9 so as to obtain a forward ultrasonic image, and an elastic sheath section 7. , And a hard hard sheath 8.

The elastic sheath portion 7 is constructed so as to be rigid even when pressed below a predetermined pressure, and to bend when the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure.

The hand side of the hard sheath 8 is connected to the observation device constituting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from the gripping part (not shown) via a signal cable and a connector (not shown). The observation device processes the output signal of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 5 and outputs it to a monitor (not shown), and this monitor displays an ultrasonic tomographic image.

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view of the vicinity of the tip of the insertion portion 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic head unit 6
Is a head cover 6a having a hemispherical tip and a cylindrical shape.
And a head body member 6b mounted on the rear end side of the head cover 6a. The ultrasonic head unit 6
A reflection mirror 14 attached to a rotary shaft 12a of a small motor 12 such as an ultrasonic motor is attached to the ultrasonic transducer 11 connected to the signal cable 10 in the middle thereof. The ultrasonic transducer 11 and the small motor 12 are sandwiched between the head cover 6a and the head body member 6b. The ultrasonic transducer 11 and the rotary shaft 12a are held in a watertight manner with respect to the head body member 6b by a seal member 15 such as an O-ring.

The ultrasonic transducer 11 is a signal cable 1
It is connected to the observation device via 0 and the connector, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves under the control of the observation device. The ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 11 is reflected by the rotating reflecting mirror 14 and is emitted to the abdominal organ 3. In addition, the abdominal organs 3
The reflected echo of the ultrasonic wave from is reflected by the reflection mirror 14 and received by the ultrasonic transducer 11.
It should be noted that the ultrasonic transducer 11 has a scanning range in the front as shown in FIG. 1 and is of a sector scan type.

In the head cover 6a of the ultrasonic head portion 6, a hemispherical dome formed at the tip thereof also serves as an acoustic window, and the ultrasonic transmission medium liquid 17 is filled inside the dome. There is.

Head body member 6 of the ultrasonic head section 6
In b, the elastic sheath portion 7 is connected to the rear end through a connecting member 6c. The elastic sheath portion 7 has a watertight / protective soft tube or a coating layer 18 made of elastic rubber or the like formed on the outer periphery thereof. The tip of the coating layer 18 is attached to the connecting member 6c, while the rear end is connected to the hard sheath 8.

The coating layer 18 of the elastic sheath portion 7 adheres to the inside of the elastic sheath portion 7 as shown in FIG. 3 (a) to become hard when energized. When the energization is released, as shown in FIG. 3 (b). A shape memory alloy coil 20 that extends to become a coarse winding and has flexibility
Are inserted at equal intervals in the axial direction. The tip ends of the shape memory alloy coils 20 are fixed by a head body member 6b and a connecting member 6c, respectively. Also,
The rear ends of the shape memory alloy coils 20 are sandwiched and fixed by the hard sheath 8.

The head cover 6a has a structure in which a pressure detecting resin or a pressure sensor is incorporated and is adapted to detect pressure. For example, the pressure sensor of the head cover 6a is electrically connected to the energization controller 22 provided in the grip or the observation device via the detection signal transmission cable 21a and the connector. Also,
The shape memory alloy coil 20 is a cable 2 for controlling energization.
It is electrically connected to the energization control unit 22 via 1a and the connector, and energization from a power source (not shown) is controlled.

The energization control unit 22 receives the detection signal of the pressure sensor, cuts off the energization to the shape memory alloy coil 20 when the pressure exceeds a predetermined constant pressure, and energizes when the pressure falls within the predetermined pressure. Has become.

With the above construction, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transducer 11 are reflected by the rotating reflecting mirror 14 and emitted to the abdominal organ 3. The reflection echo of the ultrasonic wave from the abdominal organ 3 is reflected by the reflection mirror 14 and received by the ultrasonic transducer 11.

The reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 11 is input to the observation device via the signal cable 10. The observation device displays a tomographic image of the abdominal organ 3 on the monitor.

By the way, in order to improve the passage of ultrasonic waves and obtain a good tomographic image, the ultrasonic head portion 6 of the ultrasonic transducer 11 is scanned while being in contact with the abdominal organ 3. In addition, before the tomographic image is obtained, the ultrasonic head unit 6 is brought into contact with the subject, and the affected part of the subject is searched for by the palpation sensation.

In order to obtain a good palpation sensation and an ultrasonic tomographic image that are safe for the patient in advance, the pressure applied to the abdominal organ 3 may be within a certain pressure. Set it in the section 22. That is, the set pressure value may be a pressure that does not damage the subject, and may be in a range sufficient to obtain a good tactile sensation and a good tomographic image.

Even if the operator heats too much and presses the head portion 6 against the abdominal organ 3 too much, if the pressure exceeds a certain level, the energization control portion 22 causes the four shape memory alloy coils 20 to be pressed.
Since the power supply to the shape memory alloy coil 20 is released,
It extends and becomes a coarse winding, and flexibility occurs. Since the elastic sheath portion 7 bends and the pressure applied to the abdominal organ 3 is reduced, damage to the abdominal organ 3 can be prevented, and the patient is safe. Then, in this embodiment, a good ultrasonic tomographic image can be safely obtained without damaging the organs of the patient.

In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to safely obtain a palpable sensation reaction of an abdominal organ in combination with ultrasonic examination.

The subject to be examined is not limited to the abdominal organ.

4 to 8 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the tip of an ultrasonic probe, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is C of FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of monitor display, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another example of monitor display.

In the probe 25 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the elastic sheath portion is formed by a cage-shaped column 23 instead of the shape memory alloy coil 20 of the first embodiment. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic probe 25
The skeleton of the elastic sheath portion 7A is formed by a basket-shaped column 23 made of a material such as bamboo or elastic plastic that does not bend up to a certain fixed pressure and becomes a certain pressure or more. A plurality of slits are formed in the basket-shaped support column 23 in the axial direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), in the basket-shaped column 23, when the axial pressure is equal to or higher than a certain pressure, the portion where the slit is formed opens like a basket and absorbs the applied pressure. There is. That is, the pressure applied to the subject from the head portion can be reduced.

Inside the basket-shaped support column 23, the coating layer 18 having flexibility and waterproofing is formed to cover internal members and the like.

The ultrasonic head portion 6A at the tip is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the acoustic lens portion 24, which is formed of a material such as silicon that also serves as a surface protection and a sealing layer and has a dome-shaped tip, and a plurality of strip-shaped (array-shaped) acoustics in order from the front end side. It has a matching layer 25, an ultrasonic transducer 26 composed of a plurality of transducer groups, a damper layer 27 also serving as a support, and a head body member 6b '. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers 26 are arranged facing each other in the plurality of acoustic matching layers 25 arranged along the dome-shaped acoustic lens portion 24. A plurality of signal lines of a cable 28 are connected to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 26, and the cable 28 is electrically connected to the observation device.

The acoustic lens portion 24 and the acoustic matching layer 25
The ultrasonic transducer 26 and the damper layer 27 constitute a convex electronic scanning ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 29. The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 29 is used for the head body member 6
It is fixed to b'with an adhesive 30. Then, in the observation device, between the ultrasonic scanning range D shown in FIG.
The ultrasonic tomographic image 32 shown in FIG. 7 can be obtained.

Further, the ultrasonic head portion 6 has an acoustic lens portion 33 as shown in FIG. 6 when viewed from the tip direction (C direction arrow direction).
Pressure sensor 33 fixed in the center of the
Two pressure sensors 34 fixed to the periphery of and are attached and fixed to the vicinity of the boundary between the tip dome and the side surface. These pressure sensors 33 to 34
Is electrically connected to the observation device through a cable 28 and is used as a warning sensor for notifying that the pressure is equal to or higher than a certain pressure.

In this embodiment, the operator is strong and the abdominal organ 3
Even if the ultrasonic head 6 is pressed against the surface, the basket-shaped support 2
When 3 becomes a certain pressure or more, the organ does not get damaged because it bends.

Also, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic head portion 6A is used.
By the pressure detection of the pressure sensors 33 to 35 provided in
A numerical display 36 of pressing force shown in FIG. 7, a color display 37 such as blue → yellow → red shown in FIG. 8 and a safety mechanism for visually and audibly indicating a danger by a warning buzzer are provided. , Can be inspected more safely. The numerical display 36 is, for example, the amount of pressure detected by the pressure sensor 33. Alternatively, it may be an added value of the detection amounts of the pressure sensors 33 to 35.

The color display 37 may be changed in color depending on the amount detected by the pressure sensor 33. Alternatively,
The color may be changed as the pressure is detected by the pressure sensors 33, 34 and 35. That is, the contact of only the pressure sensor 33 is blue, the contact of the pressure sensor 34 is yellow, and the contact of the pressure sensor 35 is red. In addition, a warning buzzer may be configured to sound when the pressure sensor 35 also contacts.

The other effects are similar to those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

9 to 10 relate to the third embodiment, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the tip of an ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of ultrasonic scanning in conjunction with a bending operation.

The ultrasonic probe 37 shown in FIG. 9 is of the side-view type, unlike the above-mentioned embodiments. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The electronic linear scanning type ultrasonic probe 38 shown in FIG. 9 stably attaches the ultrasonic scanning surface of the distal end side to the surface of the abdominal organ 3 to obtain a good ultrasonic image in a wide range. It is for.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the insertion portion 9 of the ultrasonic probe 37 has an ultrasonic head portion in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving portion 38 having an ultrasonic scanning surface oriented in the lateral direction is built in in order from the tip. 39, a soft sheath portion 40, a bending portion 41, and a hard sheath portion 8.

As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 9 (b), in the insertion portion 9, in the ultrasonic head portion 39, the ultrasonic head is provided on the rear side of the ultrasonic scanning surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving portion 38. A pulling wire 42 for bending the portion 39 is inserted. The ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 38 is connected to the observation device via a cable 28A.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the guide tube 2
When the probe 37 is inserted into or removed from the probe 37, the insertion portion 9 is straightened over its entire length. As shown in FIG. 9B, after pulling the pulling wire 42 in the abdominal cavity so that the side surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 38 faces the surface of the organ 3, the pulling force of the pulling wire 42 is changed as shown in FIG. 9C. To release. Due to the elastic force of the soft sheath portion 40, pressure is constantly applied to the organ surface, and the scanning surface side of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving portion 38 contacts the organ 3 with an appropriate force.

Further, the bending portion 41 is provided with ultrasonic scanning,
It has a configuration (not shown) that is interlocked with the bending operation of bending in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, a wide range of good ultrasonic tomographic images can be obtained by bending and shaking left and right as shown in FIG. To be

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the tip of the ultrasonic probe according to the fourth embodiment.

The purpose of this embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment.
The configuration is different from that of the third embodiment. A different point is a long hole into which a biasing rod (stylet) 43 for straightening the ultrasonic head portion 39, the soft sheath portion 40, and the bending portion 41 can be removably inserted on the back side of the ultrasonic scanning surface. (Or channel) 44 is provided. Further, in the present embodiment, a bending urging spring 45 such as a leaf spring that bends so that the scanning surface side of the ultrasonic probe 38 faces inward is provided in the soft sheath portion 40.

With the above construction, the urging rod 4 is attached to the soft sheath portion 40.
When 3 is not located, the bending biasing spring 45 causes the flexible sheath portion 40 to bend so that the scanning surface side of the ultrasonic probe 38 faces inward.

At the time of insertion / removal, since the biasing rod 43 is positioned up to the tip of the probe portion 39, the insertion portion 9 is straight as shown in FIG. 11 (a). During the ultrasonic inspection, the biasing rod 43
11 (b), the organ 3 is lifted up by the grasping tool 46 such as forceps, and the ultrasonic head section 39 is inserted under the organ. As a result, the scanning surface side of the normal ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 38 comes into contact with the organ 3 with an appropriate force on the back side of the organ 3.

In this embodiment, instead of the biasing rod 43, the shape memory alloy coil may be energized to switch between hard and soft.

Further, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention may be an electronic sector type or a lattice type two-scan sectional type other than the mechanical sector, the electronic linear type, and the convex type. Alternatively,
A type in which an elastic water bag such as a balloon is provided at the tip may be used.
Various modifications are possible so that a good image can be safely obtained.

[0052]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the front scan type ultrasonic probe for internal use of the present invention, when ultrasonic diagnosis is performed on a subject, for example, an organ in the abdominal cavity through a trocar or the like, pressure is applied from the probe. Also, there is an effect that it is possible to safely obtain a good ultrasonic image with a good palpation sensation without damaging the test part or the tissue surface of the subject.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an abdominal cavity ultrasonic probe tip.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a deformed state of the shape memory coil.

4 to 8 relate to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the tip of an ultrasonic probe.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view on arrow C in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor display.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the monitor display.

9 to 10 relate to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the tip of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of ultrasonic scanning in conjunction with bending operation.

FIG. 11 is a distal end configuration diagram of an ultrasonic probe according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic probe 2 ... Guide tube 3 ... Body cavity organ 4 ... Abdominal wall 6 ... Ultrasonic head part 7 ... Elastic sheath part 8 ... Hard sheath part 11 ... Ultrasonic vibrator 20 ... Shape memory alloy coil

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic head section having an insertion section to be inserted into a subject, the insertion section having ultrasonic transmission / reception means arranged at the distal end side thereof so as to obtain an ultrasonic tomographic image in the forward direction. ,
Front scan type internal ultrasonic waves, characterized by comprising an elastic sheath portion that bends when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and a rigid hard sheath portion while maintaining rigidity even if pressed under a predetermined pressure. probe.