JPH08117230A - In-body cavity probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a safe in-body cavity probe, by which replacement of an investment can be facilitated at the time of repairing and replacing an elastic investment for forming a curved part, and the tip outer shell part formed by making plural members adhere to each other is kept from falling out in vivo. CONSTITUTION: A curved part 22 is so constructed that the tip nodal ring 24a and plural nodal rings 24b, 24b... are connected to each other to form a curved nodal ring 24, and the curved nodal ring 24 is covered with an elastic investment 25 formed by a rubber member having flexibility. An ultrasonic wave emitting part 5 having an acoustic lens 51 and an electronic scan system linear array ultrasonic probe 52 at the forward end part 21 is built in a resin and hard tip outer shell part 6. The substantially cylindrical tip outer shell part 6 incorporating the ultrasonic wave emitting part 5 is so constructed that a small diameter part 6a is inserted in an inner hole of a tubular metal member 7, the tip nodal ring 24a is connected to the outer peripheral surface 74 of the tubular metal member 7, and the investment 25 is put on the outer peripheral surface 74 to be integrally connected to the curved part 22.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body cavity probe which is inserted into a body cavity to diagnose an organ in the body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An intracorporeal ultrasonic probe for performing an ultrasonic image diagnosis and an intracorporeal probe such as an endoscope that obtains an observation image of an internal organ in the body cavity are used to perform the diagnosis of the internal organ in the body cavity by inserting an insertion portion into the body cavity. Be seen. A hard tip shell that constitutes the tip is provided on the tip side of the insertion part of these intracavity probes. An ultrasonic probe, an optical system device, etc. are stored in this tip shell. It was supposed to be done. In addition, the tip outer shell is curved at the rear of the tip so that the tip outer shell can be oriented in any direction so as to bring it into contact with an organ to be diagnosed and obtain an optimal observation field of view for diagnosis. Some have a series of parts.

The tip outer shell portion is constructed by combining a plurality of members so that a precise and expensive built-in object such as an ultrasonic probe extending a signal cable can be easily accommodated. I was doing. Also, this tip outer shell is
Since water-tightness is required, when a plurality of members are combined, the members are bonded and fixed so as to be water-tight to each other. Further, in order to connect the proximal end portion of the tip outer shell portion to, for example, the most distal node ring of the bending node ring forming the bending portion of the insertion portion, it is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. As described above, since the plurality of members forming the outer shell of the tip are not only complicated in shape but also required to be watertightly bonded, a plastic molded product having relatively high accuracy and low cost was used. .

On the other hand, in the bending portion, a plurality of bending node rings are assembled in the axial direction of the insertion portion, the outer circumference of the bending node ring is covered with a stainless steel blade-like mesh tube, and the mesh tube is further covered with an elastic skin. Was formed.

As a method for attaching the elastic outer skin to the outer shell of the distal end, for example, the distal end body (corresponding to the outer shell of the distal end in the present specification) is disclosed in the distal end structure of the endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-60378. A method is shown in which the outer peripheral surface of the elastic outer cover, which is directly covered on the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end portion, is fastened with a thread. In this method, an adhesive is applied to the surface of the yarn, and the adhesive is cured to make the connecting portion between the tip outer shell portion and the elastic outer skin watertight.
Further, in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 4-99910, a connecting ring and a flexible portion (corresponding to an elastic outer cover of the present specification) in which a connecting protrusion of a hard end portion (corresponding to a front outer shell portion of the present specification) is inserted. The connection portion with is wound with a thread, an adhesive is applied to fix the thread in a water-tight manner, and the thread-wound section that is fixed in a water-tight manner is covered with a thin cover member.

[0006]

However, as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-60378 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-99910, the tip outer shell portion and the elastic outer shell are fastened with an adhesive agent. In the adhesive method of applying, the adhesive sometimes flows into the gap between the tip outer shell portion and the elastic outer skin, and the plastic tip outer shell portion and the elastic outer skin are adhered and fixed by the adhesive. Therefore, when it is necessary to repair or replace the elastic outer skin and the elastic outer skin is to be removed from the tip outer shell part, the elastic outer skin is adhesively fixed to the tip outer shell part, so that External force may be applied to the adhesive-attached portion, and the tip outer shell may be damaged. By any chance
If the tip shell is damaged, not only the elastic shell but also the tip shell must be replaced, and the efficiency of repair / replacement is poor.

Further, in the tip outer shell portion formed by adhering a plurality of members, the adhesive portion between the members is peeled off due to an external force acting on the tip outer shell portion or a change over time, and the tip outer shell portion and the curved portion are separated. If the connection part with the node ring is released, the member forming the outer shell of the tip may fall off from the node ring. Should a member fall off in a living body, not only extra time and labor are required to collect the dropped member, but also an organ in a living body may be damaged, which is dangerous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. When repairing or replacing the elastic outer skin forming the curved portion,
The outer shell of the tip can be reused without damage, making it easy to replace the elastic outer shell, and even if the outer shell of the tip formed by adhering multiple members is peeled off due to aging or external force. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe intracavity probe in which a member forming a tip outer shell does not drop in a living body.

[0009]

In the body cavity probe of the present invention, a hard tip outer shell portion in which a storage portion for storing a built-in object is formed by a plurality of members and a plurality of curved node rings are connected to each other to bend the body. An intracorporeal probe for performing intracorporeal diagnosis by inserting an insertion portion, which is formed by connecting a curved portion formed by covering the outer peripheral surface of a node ring with a flexible outer skin, into a body cavity, wherein the tip outer shell portion and While connecting to the curved portion via a tubular metal member having a flange portion formed on the tip end side, dropout preventing means for preventing the tip outer shell portion from falling off from the tubular metal member is provided.

[0010]

According to this structure, since the hard tip outer shell portion and the flexible curved portion are connected via the tubular metal member having the flange portion, the outer skin forming the curved portion is tightened after thread tightening. ,
When the adhesive is applied and watertightly adhered, the adhesive does not flow into the outer shell of the tip and the outer shell and the outer shell of the tip are not fixed to each other. Further, since the falling-out preventing means is provided at the connecting portion between the tip outer shell portion and the tubular metal member, the tip outer shell portion does not fall off from the tubular metal member fixed to the curved portion.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view showing an appearance of an ultrasonic probe in a body cavity, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a distal end portion and a curved portion of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tip outer shell portion, and FIG.
Is a perspective view showing a tubular metal member having a flange portion formed on the tip side, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connecting portion between the tip outer shell portion and the tubular metal member. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe is used as the body cavity probe.

As shown in FIG. 1, an intracorporeal ultrasonic probe (hereinafter abbreviated as ultrasonic probe) 1 includes an insertion portion 2 in which a distal end portion 21, a bending portion 22 and a hard tube 23 are continuously provided, and a bending operation knob 33. The bending operation section 3 is arranged, and the bending operation section 3 has a first grip section 31 and a second grip section 32. Reference numeral 4 is a signal cable bundle described later, and reference numeral 51 is an acoustic lens described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bending portion 22 includes a plurality of node rings 24b, 24 on a tip node ring 24a located at the most distal end.
b. ． ． A curved node ring 24 is formed by connecting to each other, and the elastic outer skin 2 is formed by a rubber member having flexibility on the curved node ring 24.
5 is covered. By operating the bending operation knob 33 of the bending operation portion 3 of FIG. 1, the bending portion 22 is configured so that the wire 26 connected to the distal node ring 24a moves to perform a bending operation.

An ultrasonic wave emitting portion 5 having an acoustic lens 51 made of a soft material such as silicon rubber and an electronic scanning type linear array ultrasonic probe 52 is provided at the tip portion 21 and is made of a resin and hard. It is built in the shell 6. A signal cable bundle 4 composed of a large number of coaxial cables is electrically connected to the ultrasonic probe 52. The cable bundle 4 has a tip outer shell portion 6, a curved portion 22, and a hard tube 2.
3, It goes out from the back of the 2nd grasping part 32 via the 1st grasping part 31 and bending operation part 3 outside.

In the substantially cylindrical tip outer shell portion 6 having the ultrasonic wave emitting portion 5 built-in, the small diameter portion 6a is formed into a tubular metal member 7.
While being fitted into the inner hole of the outer peripheral surface 7 of the tubular metal member 7,
4 is connected to the tip node ring 24a, and the outer skin 25 is covered on the outer peripheral surface 74 to be integrally connected to the bending portion 22.

Here, the structure of the tip outer shell portion 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip outer shell portion 6
Is composed of a first member 61 and a second member 62.
The member 61 is provided with an opening 63 for positioning and fixing the acoustic lens 51, and the second member 62 is provided with a space 64 for accommodating the ultrasonic probe 52.

A first cylindrical end portion 65 forming a small-diameter portion 6a is provided at an end portion on the proximal side of the first member 61, and a positional deviation in the axial direction is prevented on the dividing surface. A recessed portion 65a is formed as a fitted portion of the position shift prevention means.
On the other hand, the small-diameter portion 6a is provided at the proximal end of the second member 62.
Is provided with a second cylindrical end portion 66, and a convex portion 66a serving as a fitting portion of a positional deviation preventing means for preventing positional deviation in the axial direction is formed on the divided surface. That is, when the first member 61 and the second member 62 are assembled, the recess 65 a of the first member 61 and the second member 62 are assembled.
The convex portion 66a is fitted so as not to be displaced in the axial direction. In addition, the first cylindrical end portion 65 of the first member 61 is provided with a through hole 65b that constitutes a drop-out preventing means described later.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tubular metal member 7 having the inner hole 71 has a flange portion 72 on the tip outer shell portion side, and the outer diameter of the flange portion 72 is the same as that of the tip outer shell portion 6. It is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the large diameter portion 6b (see FIG. 2) located on the proximal side.

Further, the outer peripheral surface 73 adjacent to the proximal side of the flange portion 72 and covered with the outer skin 25 forming the curved portion 22 has a countersink hole 73a constituting a fall-preventing means described later.
Is provided at a position corresponding to the through hole 65b provided in the first cylindrical end portion 65 forming the tip outer shell portion small-diameter portion 6a fitted into the inner hole 71.

Further, at the proximal side of the tubular metal member 7 adjacent to the proximal side of the outer peripheral surface 73, there is provided a cylindrical end portion 74 into which the distal node ring 24a of the curved node ring 24 is fitted. The cylindrical end portion 74 is provided with a screw hole 74a for screwing and fixing the tip node ring 24a with a screw 27.

Even if the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 72 has the same diameter in the axial direction as shown in the figure, it smoothly connects from the diameter of the large diameter portion 6b to the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 73 toward the proximal side in the axial direction. It may be tapered.

Here, the assembly of the ultrasonic probe constructed as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, a first member 61 and a second member 62 that form the tip outer shell portion 6 are formed.
The acoustic lens 51 and the linear array ultrasonic probe 52 are housed in a predetermined position between the first and second cylindrical end portions 65a constituting the small diameter portion 6a and the second portion is formed in the concave portion 65a. The convex portion 66a formed on the cylindrical end portion 66 is fitted and the first member 61 and the second member 62 are watertightly bonded to each other to form the tip portion 21 as shown in FIG.

Next, the tip outer shell portion 6 constituting the tip portion 21.
The small-diameter portion 6a is fitted into the inner hole 71 of the tubular metal member 7.
At this time, the countersink 7 provided on the outer peripheral surface 73 of the tubular metal member 7
3a and the through hole 65b provided in the first cylindrical end portion 65 of the tip outer shell portion 6 forming the tip portion 21 are aligned with each other, and the pin 75 is fitted into the countersunk hole 73a and the through hole 65b to be watertight. To glue. That is, the pin 75, the countersunk hole 73a of the tubular metal member 7, and the through hole 65b of the tip outer shell portion small-diameter portion 6a constitute a fall-off preventing means for the tip portion 21.

By inserting the tip node ring 24a into the cylindrical end portion 74 of the tubular metal member 7 and screwing the screw 27 into the screw hole 74a through the hole provided in the tip node ring 24a,
The tip node ring 24a is fixed to the tubular metal member 7. The pin 75 is adhesively fixed to the tubular metal member 7, and the head of the pin 75 is dish-shaped so as not to project from the outer peripheral surface 73 of the tubular metal member 7.

Next, the mesh tube (not shown) covering the outer peripheral surface of the curved node ring 24 is further covered with the outer skin 25 having flexibility. That is, the outer skin 25 extends to the proximal end surface of the flange portion 72 of the tubular metal member 7, and covers the outer peripheral surface of the reticulated tube so that the front end surface of the outer skin 25 contacts the flange end surface. The outer cover 25 covers the outer peripheral surface 73 of the tubular metal member 7 as shown in FIG.
The thread fastening portion 9 is formed by thread fastening and is fixed to the tubular metal member 7. An adhesive is applied to the thread tightening portion 9 to keep it watertight. At this time, the adhesive does not flow into the tip outer shell portion side beyond the flange portion 72.

The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 configured as described above will be described. In the body cavity ultrasonic probe 1, the outer skin 25 may be damaged by some external factor, and the outer skin 25 may have to be replaced or repaired.
At this time, first, the thread tightening portion 9 that fixes the outer skin to the tubular metal member 7 is cut with a knife or the like, the outer skin 25 is removed from the tubular metal member 7, and the outer skin 25 is damaged from the bending portion 22.
Is removed. Even if the adhesive applied to the thread tightening portion 9 flows between the outer skin 25 and the tubular metal member 7 to adhere the both members, the outer skin 25 is bent by a knife or the like so that the outer skin 25 is curved. It will be removed from 22.

Next, if any residual fragments of the outer skin 25 or a part of the adhesive remain on the tubular metal member 7, they are scraped off and removed.

Next, a new outer skin 25 is placed on the mesh tube of the curved portion 22, and the outer skin tip is attached to the flange portion 7 of the tubular metal member 7.
The outer skin 25 on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular metal member 7 is thread-fastened and an adhesive is applied to the thread tightening portion 9 to complete the replacement and repair of the outer skin 25.

On the other hand, while the ultrasonic probe 1 is being inserted into the body cavity for ultrasonic diagnosis, the first member 61 and the second member 61 of the distal shell portion 6 constituting the distal end portion 21 should be prepared. Member 62
Even if there is a case where an adhesive portion between the first member 61 and the small-diameter portion 6a forming the tip portion 21 and the inner hole 71 of the tubular metal member 7 is peeled off by an external force or the like, the insertion portion 1 is inserted into the first member 61.
When an external force is applied in the direction of the axial leading end of the first cylindrical end portion 65, the pin 75 fitted into the through hole 65b of the first cylindrical end portion 65 prevents the first member 61 from moving in the axial direction, and Member 61 and second member 62 of the first cylindrical end portion 6
Since the concave portion 65a formed in No. 5 and the convex portion 66a formed in the second cylindrical end portion 66 are fitted and combined with each other, the axial movement of the second member 62 is prevented.

Thus, when replacing or repairing the outer skin,
Since the curved portion is connected and fixed to the distal end portion through the tubular metal member having the flange portion, when the outer skin forming the curved portion is formed by attaching the thread tightening portion to the tubular metal member and adhesively fixing it, Since the shell and the outer skin are not in direct contact, the adhesive applied to the thread tightening part does not adhere to the outer shell of the tip, so the outer shell can be easily replaced without damaging the outer shell of the tip. be able to. As a result, the tip outer shell is not damaged, and the repair efficiency is significantly improved.

Further, when the tip portion and the curved portion are connected and fixed via the tubular metal member, a concave portion and a convex portion are provided as a position deviation preventing means in the small diameter portion of the tip outer shell portion which constitutes the tip portion. On the other hand, since the small diameter part of the outer shell of the tip is connected through the fall prevention means, the safety of the connecting part between the tip and the curved part is greatly improved, and inspection / treatment can be performed with peace of mind. It can be carried out.

Although the ultrasonic probe has been described in this embodiment, the connection between the distal end portion and the bending portion of the endoscope having the observation optical system or the like at the distal end portion can be similarly configured. is there. Further, it goes without saying that a flexible tube portion or the like may be connected to the tip portion instead of the curved portion.

6 to 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a tip outer shell portion, and FIG. 7 shows a tubular metal member having a flange portion formed on the tip side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connecting portion between a tip outer shell portion and a tubular metal member, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a tip portion and a curved portion of an ultrasonic probe. This embodiment provides an ultrasonic probe in which the assembling property of the tip outer shell part is particularly improved and the waterproof property of the tip part is also improved.

In this embodiment, instead of dividing the dividing line of the outer shell 6A into two parts in the vertical direction on a plane near the central axis substantially parallel to the acoustic lens 51 as shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. In addition, as shown in FIG.
1 and the ultrasonic probe 52, an ultrasonic housing 162 provided with a housing 163 and a lid 161 for positioning and fixing the acoustic lens 51 at a predetermined position.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic housing 16
A notch 161a is formed in the lid 161 and a projection 162a is provided in the ultrasonic housing 162 as a positional deviation preventing means for preventing positional deviation between the lid 2 and the lid 161 in the axial direction. By disposing the lid portion 161 between the housing rising portion 162b and the protrusion portion 162a of the ultrasonic housing 162, displacement in the axial direction is prevented.

Further, the small diameter portion 6a of the first cylindrical end portion 65 of the tip outer shell portion 6A has a through hole 65 which constitutes a fall-off preventing means.
Although the b is provided, the position of the countersink 72a of the tubular metal member 7 corresponding to this through hole 65b is the first as shown in FIG.
Instead of being provided on the outer peripheral surface 73 in the embodiment, it is provided on the flange portion 72. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same members are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the assembly of the ultrasonic probe constructed as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the acoustic lens 51 and the linear array ultrasonic probe 52 are arranged in the ultrasonic housing 162 forming the tip outer shell portion 6A,
The lid 161 is disposed between the housing rising portion 162b and the protrusion 162a of the ultrasonic housing 162 and is watertightly bonded to form the tip 21 as shown in FIG.

Next, the tip outer shell portion 6 which constitutes the tip portion 21.
The small diameter portion 6 a of A is fitted into the inner hole 71 of the tubular metal member 7. At this time, the countersink hole 72a provided in the flange portion 72 of the tubular metal member 7 and the through hole 65b provided in the first cylindrical end portion 65 of the tip outer shell portion 6A constituting the tip portion 21 are aligned with each other, and A pin 75a is fitted and fitted in the countersink hole 71a and the through hole 65b in a watertight manner.

Then, as shown in FIG.
And the curved portion 22 are connected. At this time, the outer skin 25 is attached to the tubular metal member 7 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the pin 75a is adhered and fixed to the flange portion 72 of the tubular metal member 7 and thus not covered by the outer skin 25, but the head of the pin 75a does not protrude from the surface of the flange portion. It is like this.

The operation of the ultrasonic probe configured as described above will be described. The tip outer shell portion 6A forming the tip portion 21 of the ultrasonic probe is attached to the ultrasonic housing 162 and the lid portion 161.
With this configuration, it becomes easy to store the acoustic lens 51 and the ultrasonic probe 52, and further, the lid 161 is attached to the housing rising portion 162 of the ultrasonic housing 162.
Assembling can be carried out by preventing the positional displacement in the axial direction only by disposing it between b and the protrusion 162a.

When replacing or repairing the outer skin 25,
Similar to the first embodiment, but in the unlikely event that the tip outer shell portion 6A must be replaced and repaired, the pin 75a adhesively fixed to the flange portion 72 of the tubular metal member 7 is removed and , The small diameter portion 6a of the tip outer shell portion 6A
By removing the adhesion between the tubular metal member 7 and the tubular metal member 7, the tip outer shell 6A can be removed from the tubular metal member 7 without damaging the outer skin. Then, the adhesive portion between the ultrasonic housing 161 and the lid portion 162 that constitute the distal end outer shell portion 6A removed from the tubular metal member 7 is released and the ultrasonic probe 52 is removed. Here, the ultrasonic probe 52 is housed in the new ultrasonic housing 161 and lid 162, and the tip outer shell 6A is formed.
Is watertightly bonded to the tubular metal member 7. Then, the pin 75a is inserted into the countersink 72a of the tubular metal member 7 and water-tightly adhered thereto, thereby completing the replacement and repair of the tip outer shell 6A. Other functions are similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

As described above, by constructing the tip outer shell portion constituting the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe by the ultrasonic housing and the lid portion, the adhesive portion is reduced, the watertightness is further improved, and the assembling property is improved. Is improved. Further, when only the tip outer shell portion needs to be replaced / repaired, the tip outer shell portion can be removed from the tubular metal member without covering the outer skin. Other effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining another method of connecting the tip end portion and the tubular metal member of the above-mentioned embodiment. The tip outer shell portion 6B shown in FIG. 10 is divided into two pieces in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the small diameter portion 6a is provided with a male screw portion 77. Then, the tubular metal member 7a having the flange portion 72
In the inner hole 71, a female screw 71b that is screwed into the male screw 77 of the small diameter portion 6a is formed. That is, the small-diameter portion 6
The male screw 77 of "a" and the female screw 71b formed in the inner hole of the tubular metal member 7a constitute an axial position shift prevention means and a fall prevention means. Therefore, the concave portion 65a and the through hole 65 of the first cylindrical end portion 65 provided in the first embodiment are provided.
b is unnecessary, and the convex portion 6 of the second cylindrical end portion 66 is
6a and the countersunk hole 73a of the tubular metal member 7 are unnecessary. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and the same members are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection between the tip 21 of the ultrasonic probe constructed as described above and the tubular metal member 7a is made by connecting the tip 2
1. The male screw portion 7 of the small diameter portion 6a of the tip outer shell portion 6B constituting
7 is formed in the inner hole 71 of the tubular metal member 7a.
It is watertightly bonded in a state of being screwed onto 1b.

By screwing the tip outer shell portion and the tubular metal member in this manner, the connection between the tip outer shell portion and the tubular metal member becomes easy and the workability is greatly improved. On the other hand, regarding the fall-off of the tip portion during use, since the tip outer shell portion in which the two members are integrated is fixed to the tubular metal member by screwing, the connection strength is increased and the axial displacement and The male screw portion and the female screw portion prevent the tip outer shell portion from falling off the tubular metal member. In addition, the number of members and the number of processing steps are reduced in connecting the tip outer shell end portion and the tubular metal member, so that an inexpensive ultrasonic probe can be provided. Other actions and effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the connection between the tubular metal member 7a shown in FIG. 10 and the distal node ring 24a of the curved node ring 24.

As shown in the figure, the tip node ring 24a is fitted into the cylindrical end portion 74 of the tubular metal member 7a to which the tip portion 21 is connected. Here, the screw hole 24 formed in the tip node ring 24a
The set screw 78 is screwed into c. Then, this set screw 7
The tip of 8 hits the cylindrical end 74. This set screw 7
The pressing force of 8 causes the tubular metal member 7a to move to the tip node ring 24a.
Is fixed and the outer skin is covered. A plurality of setscrews 78 may be used to increase the fixing strength.

By constructing the ultrasonic probe as described above, replacement and repair of the outer skin 25 can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Other operations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Additional Notes] 1. The storage part for storing the built-in object is formed by connecting a hard tip outer shell part formed of a plurality of members and a plurality of curved node rings and covering the outer peripheral surface of the curved node ring with a flexible outer skin. In an intracavity probe for performing an intracorporeal diagnosis by inserting an insertion section connected to a bending section into a body cavity, the tip outer shell section and the bending section via a tubular metal member having a flange section formed on the tip section side. An intracorporeal probe provided with drop-out prevention means for preventing the tip outer shell part from falling off from the tubular metal member while being connected.

2. Cutting edge curved node ring in which a tip outer shell portion is inserted into the inner peripheral surface of a tubular metal member having a flange portion formed on the front end side to form a curved portion on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular metal member on the proximal side of the flange portion. The intracavity probe according to appendix 1, wherein the probe is connected to each other, and the outer skin forming the curved portion is covered and water-tightly adhered.

3. 2. The body cavity probe according to appendix 1, wherein the means for preventing the tip portion from falling off the tubular metal member is composed of a pin and a hole provided in the tip portion and the tubular metal member.

4. 2. The body cavity probe according to appendix 1, wherein the drop-out preventing means is composed of a male screw portion formed on a tip portion and a female screw portion formed on a tubular outer shell portion.

5. 2. The body cavity probe according to appendix 1, wherein a plurality of members forming the tip outer shell portion are provided with position deviation prevention means for mutually preventing position deviation in the insertion axis direction.

6. 6. The body cavity probe according to appendix 5, wherein the position shift prevention means is a concave portion and a convex portion formed on a divided surface of members forming the tip outer shell portion.

7. 2. The body cavity probe according to Appendix 1, wherein the flexible outer skin is made of rubber.

8. 2. The body cavity probe according to appendix 1, wherein the built-in component housed in the tip outer shell portion is an ultrasonic probe.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, when repairing or replacing the elastic skin forming the curved portion, the tip outer shell can be reused without damage, and the elastic skin can be easily replaced. In addition, even if the tip outer shell part formed by adhering a plurality of members changes with time or external force, the member forming the tip outer shell part will not fall off in the living body even if the adhesive part peels off. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of an ultrasonic probe in a body cavity.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a tip portion and a curved portion of the ultrasonic probe of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tip outer shell portion.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a tubular metal member having a flange portion formed on the tip side.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connecting portion between a tip outer shell portion and a tubular metal member.

6 to 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tip outer shell portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a tubular metal member in which a flange portion is formed on the tip side.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connecting portion between a tip outer shell portion and a connecting member.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a tip portion and a curved portion of the ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining another method of connecting the tip end portion and the tubular metal member of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a connection between the tubular metal member of FIG. 10 and a tip node ring of a curved node ring.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 ... Tip outer shell part 7 ... Tubular metal member 22 ... Bending part 24 ... Bending node ring

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 28, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0038

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, the tip outer shell portion 6 which constitutes the tip portion 21.
The small diameter portion 6 a of A is fitted into the inner hole 71 of the tubular metal member 7. At this time, the countersink hole 72a provided in the flange portion 72 of the tubular metal member 7 and the through hole 65b provided in the first cylindrical end portion 65 of the tip outer shell portion 6A constituting the tip portion 21 are aligned with each other, and A pin 75a is fitted and fitted in the countersink hole 72a and the through hole 65b in a watertight manner.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0052

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

4. 2. The intracavity probe according to appendix 1, wherein the drop-out preventing means is composed of a male screw portion formed on a tip portion and a female screw portion formed on a tubular metal member .

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 9

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 9]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A hard tip outer shell portion in which a storage portion for storing an internal component is formed of a plurality of members and a plurality of curved node rings are connected to each other, and a flexible outer skin is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the curved node ring. An intracorporeal probe for performing an intracorporeal diagnosis by inserting an insertion portion, which is connected to a curved portion formed by coating, into a body cavity, wherein the distal outer shell portion and the curved portion are tubular with a flange portion formed on the distal end side. An intracorporeal probe, characterized in that, while being connected via a metal member, a fall prevention means is provided for preventing the tip outer shell portion from falling off from the tubular metal member.