JPH0788101A - Endoscopic probe of electronic spin resonance device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the endoscopic probe so that it can be inserted satisfactorily into a hollow part of various inside diameters, and also, can receive an electronic spin resonance signal with high sensitivity at the time of measurement after the insertion. CONSTITUTION:This endoscopic probe is constituted so that a microwave for causing an electronic spin resonance is oscillated, and also, and antenna 3 consisting of a shape memory alloy for receiving an electronic spin resonance signal obtained after this microwave is oscillated is provided with a hollow part in the inside, and moreover, attached to an antenna supporting body consisting of a bendable and deformable electric insulator by supplying a fluid into this hollow part and discharging the fluid from in the hollow part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscopic probe of an electron spin resonance apparatus used in an electron spin resonance method for nondestructively inspecting a biological material or other sample structure, and more specifically, it has an appropriate shape. The present invention relates to an endoscopic probe for an electron spin resonance apparatus which can be deformed and is particularly suitable for use when an endoscopic probe is inserted into a body cavity or the like for inspection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electron spin resonance (E
The SR) method is widely applied. This electron spin resonance method is a resonance phenomenon represented by the spin of electrons; that is, when an unpaired electron with a magnetic moment and spin is in a static magnetic field,
When this is irradiated with microwaves such as electromagnetic waves, the electrons absorb the energy of the electromagnetic waves and are activated, and the electron spin resonance signal is measured from the absorption spectrum obtained by this resonance phenomenon based on the phenomenon of transition from the ground state to the excited state. Then
For example, it directly detects paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals existing in the living body.

In conducting an inspection by applying such an electron spin resonance method, various devices are used depending on the inspection method or the structure of the substance to be inspected. When the device is inserted into the body cavity or hollow organ for examination, an electron spin resonance device having the following configuration is used, for example. That is, such an electron spin resonance device is provided with an endoscopic probe in which an antenna pattern, for example, a conductor formed in a loop is fixed to an antenna support made of an electrical insulator, and an angle part capable of bending movement. Attached to the distal end of an endoscopic device including an insertion portion formed of a flexible tube continuously connected to the angle portion and an operation portion connected to the insertion portion to operate the angle portion, and further, the antenna pattern In addition, an oscillator that oscillates a microwave such as an electromagnetic wave and a receiver that receives an electron spin resonance signal obtained after the oscillation of the electromagnetic wave are electrically connected, and a magnetic field is generated outside the test substance such as the human body. A magnetic field generator is arranged.

Then, while the endoscopic probe is inserted into the body cavity or hollow organ, electromagnetic waves are emitted from the antenna pattern by the oscillator, and a magnetic field is applied from the outside of the human body by the magnetic field generator to obtain the magnetic field. By obtaining an electron spin resonance signal from an absorption spectrum and processing the signal, paramagnetic ions, active oxygen, various free radicals, etc. existing in the human body are detected.

[0005]

By the way, the endoscopic probe of the electron spin resonance apparatus as described above is limited in size because it has to be inserted into a site having a very small diameter such as a body cavity or a hollow organ. It must be smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion site. However, contrary to this, generally, the antenna pattern of the electron spin resonance probe is formed, for example, in a loop shape in order to favorably receive the electron spin resonance signal, and the size of this loop is
For example, it depends on various conditions at the time of measurement, such as the operating frequency, and is generally larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion of the endoscopic device inserted into a body cavity or hollow organ. For this reason, there is a strong demand for an endoscopic probe that can be inserted into a small-diameter portion and that secures good reception of electron spin resonance signals, but such a device has not been provided so far. Is the reality.

The present invention is capable of solving the above problems, and its purpose is to enable good insertion into hollow portions having various inner diameters, and high sensitivity for electron spin during measurement after insertion. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic probe of an electron spin resonance device capable of receiving a resonance signal.

[0007]

Among the endoscopic probes of the electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention, the probe according to claim 1 oscillates a microwave causing electron spin resonance and oscillates the microwave. A bendable antenna for receiving an electron spin resonance signal obtained later is provided with an electric insulator which has a hollow portion inside and is bendable and deformable by supplying a fluid into the hollow portion and discharging a fluid from the hollow portion. It is characterized in that it is attached to the antenna support.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna comprising a shape memory alloy, which oscillates a microwave causing electron spin resonance and receives an electron spin resonance signal obtained after the oscillation of the microwave. It is characterized in that it is attached to an antenna support body made of an electrical insulator which can be deformed following the deformation of the antenna.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the endoscopic probe of the electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention, the endoscopic probe at the time of insertion into the hollow portion has, for example, an antenna support plate. If it is shaped like a fold, it can be inserted into a small-diameter portion such as folding or bending into a cylinder. After inserting the endoscopic probe in this state into a predetermined position in a test substance, for example, a body cavity or a hollow organ in a human body, a fluid such as physiological saline or air is externally supplied into the hollow portion of the antenna support. To do. When a fluid is supplied, the insertable probe for an endoscope is deformed into a plate shape by the pressure of the fluid.

Thereafter, microwaves are radiated from the antenna and a magnetic field is applied to the human body to cause a resonance phenomenon of the microwaves, and an electron spin resonance signal obtained by this is received by the antennas, and the substance to be tested is detected. Conduct an inspection. Then, after the inspection is completed, when the fluid in the hollow portion of the antenna support is sucked and discharged, the action of the pressure due to this fluid disappears, and the endoscopic probe bends and deforms into the insertable form. . As described above, when the sample is inserted into or removed from the test substance, it can be inserted by folding or bending into a tubular shape, so that it can be satisfactorily inserted into a small-diameter site. After that, it is possible to receive the electron spin resonance signal with high sensitivity because it has a plate-like shape by supplying the fluid.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the antenna made of the shape memory alloy has a rod-like shape at room temperature, is folded, and is a looped shape, and is bent.
It has a form that can be inserted into a small-diameter portion, and it is assumed that the antenna is deformed by extending or expanding when heated. Therefore, insert the endoscopic probe in a form that can be inserted,
When inserted at a predetermined position in a body cavity or hollow organ, the antenna is deformed such as extending or expanding due to a temperature change between the room temperature and the human body temperature outside, and the antenna is attached along with the deformation of the antenna. The antenna support also deforms following the deformation of the antenna.

Thereafter, the microwave is radiated from the antenna and a magnetic field is applied to the human body to cause a resonance phenomenon of the microwave, and an electron spin resonance signal obtained by this is received by the antenna to be tested. Inspect substances. After the inspection is completed, for example, cooled saline or air is supplied to the antenna to restore and deform the antenna into the insertable form, and the endoscopic probe is pulled out. In this way, since it can be inserted by folding or bending at the time of insertion into and extraction from the test substance, it can be inserted well into a small-diameter portion, and after insertion, the antenna Since the shape is extended or spread due to the shape memory effect, the sensitivity at the time of receiving the electron spin resonance signal can be improved.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an endoscopic probe of an electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, reference numeral 1 is an endoscopic probe.

The endoscopic probe 1 has, for example, a soft rubber or other electrical insulator formed into a disk shape, and a hollow portion 2a formed inside the disk (the portion indicated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 3 and 4). The antenna support 2 has a loop-shaped coil portion 3a.
And a straight portion 3b parallel to each other connected to both ends of the coil portion 3a, and fixed to the antenna 3 made of a Ni-Ti-based or Cu-based shape memory alloy. 2 and the antenna 3 are covered with an insulating sheet or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endoscopic probe 1 in a normal state has the antenna support 2 and the coil portion 3a of the antenna 3 bent to form a cylindrical shape. In such a case, the state at the time of insertion, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The case where the antenna support 2 and the coil portion 3a of the antenna 3 are open to form a plate shape is referred to as a state during inspection.

Such an endoscopic probe 1 is attached to the distal end of an endoscopic device 11 whose configuration is shown in FIG. 5, for example. In the endoscopic device 11, the insertion portion 13 made of a flexible tube is continuously provided to the operation portion 12, and the angle portion 14 for bending the endoscopic probe 1 in a desired direction is continuously provided to the insertion portion 13. In addition, the operating portion 12 is further provided with an operating knob 15 for operating the angle portion 14. In addition, an operation wire (not shown) connected to the angle portion 14 and the operation knob 15 is arranged in the insertion portion 13, and not shown connected to the hollow portion 2a of the antenna support 2 and the pressure source 16. A fluid pipe is provided. In such an endoscopic device 11, the insertion portion 13 is inserted into, for example, a body cavity or a hollow organ in the human body, and the angle portion 14 is curved by the operation knob 15, so that the endoscopic probe 1 can be moved vertically or horizontally. It can be turned in the direction of.

Further, the endoscope apparatus 11 includes an electron spin resonance apparatus main body 2 including an oscillator 21 and a receiver 22.
3 are connected, and a monitor device 24 is connected to the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 23. The oscillator 21 is internally provided with a power source, an oscillation circuit, etc., which are not shown, and converts energy from the power source into electric energy in the oscillation circuit and sends the electrical energy to the antenna 3. On the other hand, receiver 2
Reference numeral 2 includes an amplifier, a converter and the like (not shown) inside, which processes the electron spin resonance signal sent from the antenna 3, amplifies the signal, and sends the amplified signal to the monitor device 24. In this example, the monitor device 24 merely displays the signal sent from the receiver 22 as an absorption waveform, but it may be replaced with an image display or the like, or may be added as necessary. .

The antenna 3 of the endoscopic probe 1
The electron spin resonance apparatus main body 23 and the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 23 may be physically connected to each other by a cable or the like.
1 and the receiver 22 are provided with an antenna separate from the antenna 3, and this antenna applies radio wave energy from the oscillator 21 to the antenna 3 of the endoscopic probe 1, and the radio wave from the antenna 3 to the receiver 22. An electron spin resonance signal may be sent. Further, although not shown in any of the above figures, a magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field to the test substance at the time of inspection is provided.

Next, a usage example of the endoscopic probe 1 of the electron spin resonance apparatus having the above-described structure will be described. In this example of use, a case will be described in which the endoscopic probe 1 is inserted into a body cavity or hollow organ of a human body to detect paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals existing in the human body. First, an operator or the like grasps the operation unit 12 of the endoscopic device 11 or the like to insert the insertion unit 13
The angle portion 14 and the endoscopic probe 1 attached to the angle portion 14 are inserted into a body cavity such as the stomach or the intestine. At this time, the endoscopic probe 1 has the same structure as that shown in FIGS.
Since the antenna support 2 and the coil portion 3a of the antenna 3 are bent so as to form a cylindrical shape in the state of insertion as shown in, the insertion into the body cavity can be smoothly performed.

When the insertion is completed, the fluid is fed from the pressure source 16 into the hollow portion 2a of the antenna support 2 through the fluid tube in the insertion portion 13. When this fluid is sent, the antenna support 2 gradually expands into a plate shape due to the pressure of the fluid in the hollow portion 2a, and the coil portion 3a of the antenna 3 gives heat from the human body when passing through the fluid pipe body. The fluid is heated by the temperature of the fluid, and tends to be deformed to its original shape (loop shape shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) from the property peculiar to the shape memory alloy, and spreads due to elasticity during this deformation. Therefore, by feeding the fluid, the endoscopic probe 1 is deformed from the insertion state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the inspection state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

After that, the paramagnetic ion, active oxygen or various free radicals are detected by the endoscopic probe 1 in the state at the time of inspection as described above. That is, while applying a magnetic field to the human body by the magnetic field generator,
A power source provided in the oscillator 21 of the electron spin resonance apparatus main body 23 is activated to send electric energy from the oscillation circuit to the antenna 3. The antenna 3 that receives the electric energy has a coil portion 3
Electromagnetic waves having a frequency corresponding to the energy are emitted from a toward the inside of the body cavity. The irradiation of the electromagnetic wave and the application of the magnetic field cause a resonance phenomenon of the electromagnetic wave in the body cavity. More specifically, when an electromagnetic wave from the antenna 3 is applied to a measurement site in a body cavity to which a magnetic field is applied, the electromagnetic wave resonates when irradiated with paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals, An electron spin resonance signal can be measured from the absorption spectrum obtained by this. Then, the electron spin resonance signal is received by the coil unit 3 a of the antenna 3. At this time, the operator
The angle knob 14 is curved by the operation knob 15, and the operation is performed while the endoscopic probe 1 is directed in a desired direction.

The electron spin resonance signal after reception is received by the receiver 2.
Signal processing and amplification in the monitor device 2
4 and the monitor device 24 displays, for example, an absorption waveform on the screen based on this signal. Therefore, the inspector can detect paramagnetic ions, active oxygen or various free radicals in the human body by visually observing the absorption waveform displayed on the monitor device 24.

After the inspection, the antenna support 2
The fluid sent into the hollow portion 2a of the above is discharged by suction or other means. Thereby, the antenna support 2
By releasing the pressure acting on the antenna 3 and cooling the antenna 3, the endoscopic probe 1 is transformed from the state at the time of inspection to the state at the time of insertion. At the time of this deformation, the operator may pull out the endoscopic probe 1 from the inside of the body cavity.

As described above, at the time of insertion into the body cavity, since it is in a state of being bent into a cylindrical shape, it can be inserted into a small-diameter portion, and after insertion, depending on the pressure and temperature of the fluid. The state at the time of insertion can be changed to the state at the time of plate-like inspection, and the sensitivity at the time of receiving an electron spin resonance signal can be improved. Therefore, the endoscopic probe can be used corresponding to various inner diameters in the test substance.

In the present embodiment, the endoscopic probe 1 has an antenna support 2 having a hollow portion 2a formed therein.
In addition, although the antenna 3 made of a shape memory alloy is fixed, the same effect can be obtained even if the antenna 3 is made of a bendable conductor. On the other hand, separately from this, the antenna 3 made of a shape memory alloy may be fixed to the antenna support 2 having no hollow portion 2a. In this case, the temperature for the shape memory deformation is applied to the antenna 3. It is preferable to provide means for giving. Further, although the antenna support 2 has a disk shape as an outer shape, it can be inserted into a small-diameter portion, and if the antenna 3 can receive a signal with high sensitivity after the insertion, other elements can be used. It may have a shape.

[0025]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the endoscopic probe of the electron spin resonance apparatus of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since it is bent into a cylindrical shape when inserted into the test substance, it can be inserted into a small-diameter portion, and after the insertion, the fluid can be inserted. Since it has a shape that opens in a plate shape due to the pressure of the probe, it is possible to improve the sensitivity when receiving an electron spin resonance signal. Therefore, the probe for endoscopy can cope with various inner diameters in the test substance. Can be used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since it is bent into a cylindrical shape when it is inserted into the test substance, it can be inserted into a small-diameter portion, and it can be inserted. After that, since the antenna made of shape memory alloy has a shape such as opening in a plate shape due to the shape memory effect, it is possible to improve the sensitivity when receiving an electron spin resonance signal, and thus to improve the diversity in the test substance. An endoscopic probe can be used corresponding to a large inner diameter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state when an endoscopic probe of the electron spin resonance apparatus described in the present embodiment is inserted.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the form at the time of the inspection.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of an endoscopic device and an electron spin resonance device main body described in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Endoscope probe 2 Antenna support 2a Hollow part 3 Antenna

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display part 8105-2J G01N 24/04 520 B

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bendable antenna that oscillates a microwave that causes electron spin resonance and receives an electron spin resonance signal obtained after the oscillation of the microwave, has a hollow portion inside, and is provided in the hollow portion. An endoscopic probe for an electron spin resonance apparatus, characterized in that the probe is attached to an antenna support made of an electrical insulator that can be bent and deformed by supplying the fluid and discharging the fluid from the hollow portion. 2. An antenna made of a shape memory alloy, which oscillates a microwave that causes electron spin resonance and receives an electron spin resonance signal obtained after the oscillation of the microwave, can be deformed following the deformation of the antenna. A probe for endoscopy of an electron spin resonance apparatus, characterized in that the probe is attached to an antenna support made of a different electrical insulator.