JPH0984790A - Internal palpatory device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an internal palpatory device which can precisely detect the mechanical characteristic of a vital tissue, is simplified in structure and inexpensive, facilitates the replacing work of a probe body, and has good operability. SOLUTION: The resonance frequency of a contact member 7 is set to a frequency area where the signal transmissivity of a band pass filter 12 interposed in a return loop for resonantly vibrating the contact member 7 is continuously changed to the frequency, the band pass filter 12 is arranged within a probe body 1, and a controller 37 is arranged in an external unit attachably and detachably connected to the probe body 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intracorporeal palpation apparatus for measuring mechanical characteristics such as hardness of an object to be measured by bringing a palpation member of an ultrasonically vibrating probe body into contact with a living body tissue inside the object to be measured. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in the medical field, "palpation" is an important diagnostic method in which the surface of a living tissue of a patient is touched with a doctor's hand and information such as hardness of the living tissue is obtained by the feel of the doctor's hand. . However, the “palpation” has a problem that it is impossible to obtain objective data because the difference in the diagnosis result due to the experience of the doctor is large. There is also a drawback that "palpation" is only possible within the reach of human hands.

Therefore, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-27236, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-2022, etc., it is necessary to detect a change in acoustic impedance when an ultrasonically vibrating contactor is brought into contact with a living tissue. Has developed a device for obtaining objective mechanical characteristic information of the surface of living tissue.

Further, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-322731, a vibration system including a contactor is resonated to detect a change in the resonance frequency of the vibration system when the contactor comes into contact with a living tissue to detect the surface of the living body. A structure for obtaining mechanical characteristic information such as hardness information of an object is disclosed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional palpation device for determining the mechanical characteristics of the biological tissue, when the contactor provided in the vibration system of the palpation device is brought into contact with the biological tissue, the contact with the biological tissue is made. Since the change in the resonance state of the vibration system due to the change is small, it is difficult to detect the change amount of the oscillation frequency and the change amount of the voltage of the contactor due to the contact with the biological tissue, and only the noisy data can be detected. There's a problem. Therefore, the conventional palpation device has a problem that the reliability of the detection data is low, and the development of a palpation device capable of detecting the mechanical characteristics of the living tissue with high accuracy is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to detect the mechanical characteristics of living tissue with high accuracy, have a simple structure and be inexpensive, and replace the probe body. An object is to provide an intracorporeal palpation device that is easy to work and has good operability.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a probe main body having an insertion portion to be inserted into the body, and an external unit detachably connected to the probe main body. A palpation member, a vibrator that vibrates the palpation member in a resonance state by a self-excited oscillation circuit using a feedback loop, and a feedback loop that resonates and vibrates the palpation member. And a filter means having a frequency region that continuously changes, are provided in the probe main body to change the resonance state of the palpation member when the palpation member vibrating at resonance is brought into contact with a living tissue in the body. The external unit is provided with an in-body palpation means for detecting and detecting the mechanical characteristics of the living tissue brought into contact with the palpation member.

With the above configuration, when the palpation member is brought into contact with the living tissue in the body during palpation in the body, the resonance frequency and voltage of the self-excited oscillation circuit are largely changed according to the mechanical impedance, which is the hardness of the tissue to be measured. It was done like this.

In this case, a filter means having a frequency region in which the signal transmissivity continuously changes with respect to the frequency as in the body palpation device of the present invention (where the signal transmissivity decreases in response to an increase in frequency, resonance occurs in the region). By incorporating (in the vicinity of the frequency) into this resonance circuit, a characteristic obtained by adding the frequency characteristics of the original resonance circuit and the frequency characteristic of the filter means is shown.

Further, when the living tissue comes into contact with the palpation member and the resonance frequency changes in the direction of decreasing, the resonance amplitude increases due to the characteristics of the filter means. At this time, since the stable point is changed in the direction of lower frequency, the result is as follows.
The resonance frequency of the resonance system greatly changes in the direction of decreasing, and the resonance amplitude greatly changes in the direction of increasing. As a result, the resonance frequency of the resonance system and the resonance amplitude can be greatly changed according to the mechanical impedance of the living tissue that comes into contact with it,
Despite its simple structure and low cost, it is sensitive to even slight changes in the mechanical properties of living tissue, and can detect the mechanical properties of living tissue with high accuracy.

Further, the filter means adjusted to the frequency characteristic of the vibration system is arranged in the probe main body holding the vibration system including the touching member and the vibrator, and is attachable to and detachable from the probe main body. By arranging the internal body palpation means in the external unit to be connected, when the probe body of multiple types is selectively replaced with respect to the external unit, the frequency characteristic of the vibration system in the probe body is The work for adjusting the filter means is made unnecessary.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6B. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The body palpation device includes a probe body 1 for body palpation,
An external unit 2 that is detachably connected to the probe body 1 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the probe main body 1 has a long and narrow intermediate pipe 3 formed of a highly rigid pipe such as a stainless pipe so that it can be inserted into a living body (the body of a patient), and this intermediate pipe. 3 is connected to the tip side,
A palpation portion 4 having a diameter larger than that of the intermediate pipe 3 and a grip portion 5 on the proximal side of the intermediate pipe 3 which is connected to the proximal end portion and is gripped by a measurer (not shown) are provided.

In addition, a cylindrical vibrator 6 that vibrates ultrasonically is provided in the touching section 4 of the probe body 1. The vibrator 6 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. A contact member (touching member) 7 that contacts the measured portion, which is a living tissue in the body, and detects the hardness is mechanically connected to the tip of the vibrator 6. The tip of the contact member 7 is projected to the outside from the tip opening of the touching section 4 of the probe body 1. In addition, the tip opening of the touching section 4 is formed with a tapered portion 43 whose outer diameter size decreases toward the tip side.

Further, a conductive material is plated on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder of the vibrator 6 to form a common ground terminal 8. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator 6, a power supply electrode 9 is formed on the rear end side for vibrating the vibrator 6, and a vibration detection electrode 10 for extracting the vibration of the vibrator 6 as an electric signal on the front end side. The conductive material is plated.

An amplifier 11 for amplification connected to the vibration detection electrode 10 is arranged in the grip portion 5 of the probe body 1. The vibration detection electrode 10 is provided by the amplifier 11.
It is designed to receive and amplify the signal.

Further, the amplifier 11 is connected to the input side of a bandpass filter (filter means) 12 having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency. The power supply electrode 9 of the piezoelectric vibrator 6 is connected to the output side of the bandpass filter 12. This allows
Vibration detection electrode 10 of piezoelectric vibrator 6, amplifier 11, bandpass filter 12, and power supply electrode 9 of piezoelectric vibrator 6.
The self-excited oscillation circuit 13 is formed by the feedback loop consisting of. The self-excited oscillation circuit 13 oscillates the vibration system of the probe body 1 including the connected body of the vibrator 6 and the contact member 7 in a resonance state, and the contact member 7 vibrates in a resonance state. .

3 (A) and 3 (B) show the internal structure of the grip portion 5 on the near side of the probe body 1 of this embodiment. Here, in the grip portion 5, a cylindrical substrate fixing member 15 made of an insulating material (fluorine resin, fluorine resin, or the like) is mounted inside a cylindrical metal casing member 14. The board fixing member 15 is provided with a board fixing slit 16 as shown in FIG. 3 (B).

Further, the slit 16 of the substrate fixing member 15
The printed wiring board 17 is inserted into and fixed to. A connection circuit for the amplifier 11 and the bandpass filter 12 is formed on the printed wiring board 17.

A first connector 18 is provided at the front end of the printed wiring board 17, and a second connector 19 is provided at the rear end thereof. Then, the first connector 18
A connection wiring 20 to the vibrator 6 is connected to the.

Further, a female screw portion (screw hole portion) 21 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the casing member 14 of the grip portion 5. A substantially ring-shaped substrate pressing member 22 is screwed onto the female screw portion 21. A male screw portion 23 that is screwed into the female screw portion 21 of the casing member 14 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate pressing member 22. Then, the board pressing member 22 is screwed to the female screw portion 21 of the casing member 14 to press and fix the printed wiring board 17 in the axial direction. The printed wiring board 17 may be fixed by any method.

Further, the female screw portion 21 of the casing member 14
A lid member 24 that closes the rear end opening of the casing member 14 is screwed onto the substrate pressing member 22 from the outside. The lid member 24 is provided with an insertion portion 25 that is inserted into the inside of the casing member 14. A male screw portion 26 that is screwed into the female screw portion 21 of the casing member 14 is formed on the distal end side of the insertion portion 25.

Further, a ring-shaped mounting groove 27 is formed in the insertion portion 25 of the lid member 24 on the rear end side of the male screw portion 26. An O-ring 28 for sealing is fitted into the mounting groove 27 for keeping watertightness between the casing member 14 and the lid member 24. With this structure, the amplifier 11
And printed wiring board 17 of bandpass filter 12
Can be compactly fixed while keeping the watertightness between the casing member 14 and the lid member 24.

A ring-shaped projection is provided on the outer end surface of the lid member 24. A cable break prevention member 29 is fixed to the protrusion of the lid member 24. Further, one end of the connection cable 30 is inserted into the cable break preventing member 29. Inside the connection cable 30, a connection wiring 31 whose one end is connected to the second connector 19 of the printed wiring board 17 is provided. In addition,
A connector 32 for connecting to the external unit 2 is attached to the other end of the connection cable 30.

The external unit 2 has a unit body 3
A connection portion 34 of the probe body 1 is provided on the outer surface of the probe body 3. The connector 32 of the connection cable 30 of the probe body 1 is detachably connected to the connecting portion 34.

Further, a frequency counter 35 is arranged inside the unit main body 33. The frequency counter 35 is connected to the connecting portion 34 via a connecting wire 36. The output side of the bandpass filter 12 is connected to the frequency counter 35 when the connector 32 of the probe body 1 is connected to the connecting portion 34 of the external unit 2.
The frequency of the vibration system of the probe body 1 is measured by the frequency counter 35.

Further, the frequency counter 35 is connected to a controller (internal palpation means) 37 having an image generating function. In this controller 37, when the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the part to be measured in the body during palpation in the body, the measured part of the part to be measured is measured based on the measurement data of the self-excited oscillation frequency of the vibrator 6 from the frequency counter 35. It is designed to obtain hardness information. That is, a change in the resonance state of the contact member 7 when the contact member 7 that is resonantly oscillating based on the measurement data of the self-excited oscillation frequency of the vibrator 6 from the frequency counter 35 is brought into contact with the measured portion inside the body. Hardness information, which is a mechanical characteristic of the measured portion, is detected by the controller 37 and is obtained.

The controller 37 has a monitor 38.
And the endoscope device 39 are respectively connected. The output signal from the endoscope device 39 and the output signal from the counter 35 are input to the controller 37, and the image data of the endoscopic image sent from the endoscope device 39 by the controller 37 and the measurement sent from the counter 35. The hardness information of the measured portion, which is obtained based on the data, is combined and superimposed on the screen of the monitor 38 as shown in FIG. 7, for example. For example, in the present embodiment, an endoscopic image observed by the endoscopic device 39 on one screen of the monitor 38, that is, an endoscopic view of a portion in which the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 is brought into contact with the measured portion inside the body. An endoscopic image display screen 38a for displaying a mirror image and a graph screen 38b showing hardness information of the measured portion at the time of palpation in the body are combined and displayed in a divided state.

As shown in FIG. 8, an endoscopic image display screen 38a observed by the endoscopic device 39 is displayed on the entire screen of the monitor 38a, and the portion to be measured is displayed in the endoscopic image display screen 38a. Screen 38b showing hardness information of
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which are superimposed and displayed.

An external switch 40 is detachably attached to the grip portion 5 of the probe main body 1 for the operator to control the operation of the body palpation device, the display of the monitor 38, and the control by the operator. ing. Two substantially U-shaped leaf spring members 41 are attached to the external switch 40. The switch 40 is attached to the grip portion 5 of the probe body 1 by being locked by the leaf spring members 41 in a state of sandwiching the grip portion 5 of the probe body 1.

Further, one end of a connecting cord 42 is connected to the external switch 40. This connection cord 42
The other end of is connected to the controller 37 of the external unit 2. The operation of the external switch 40 controls the operation of the internal palpation device, switching of the display on the monitor 38, and control.

Further, in the external unit 2 of the palpation device according to the present embodiment, the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 is replaced by a second probe body 1B shown in FIG. 4 and a third probe shown in FIG. 5A. The main body 1C and the fourth probe main body 1D shown in FIG. 6 (A) are selectively and detachably connected to each other.

Here, the second probe body 1B is formed by an oblique contact type probe having a tip shape different from that of the probe body 1 of FIG. That is, the second probe body 1B has a slender intermediate pipe 3B as in the probe body 1 of FIG. 2, a palpation portion 4B that is connected to the tip end side of the intermediate pipe 3B and has a diameter larger than that of the intermediate pipe 3B. A grip portion 5B on the proximal side, which is connected to the proximal end side of the intermediate pipe 3B and is gripped by a measurer (not shown), is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a notch 4 is formed in the distal end opening of the touching portion 4B of the second probe body 1B in a direction oblique to the axial direction of the probe body 1B.
4 are formed. The contact member 7B is attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis of the probe main body 1B, and is projected to the outside from the opening of the cutout portion 44 of the palpation portion 4B of the second probe main body 1B.

One end of a connection cable 30B is connected to the grip portion 5B on the hand side of the second probe body 1B. A connector 32B for connecting to the external unit 2 is attached to the other end of the connection cable 30B. Further, inside the second probe body 1B, a bandpass filter 12 adjusted to the frequency characteristic of the vibration system of the amplifier 11 and the probe body 1B is provided as in the probe body 1 of FIG. .

The third probe body 1C shown in FIG. 5A is formed by a needle-shaped probe having a needle-shaped tip. Here, an elongated intermediate pipe 3C is provided in the third probe body 1C as in the probe body 1 of FIG.
This intermediate pipe 3C is connected to the tip end side, and has a larger diameter than the intermediate pipe 3C, the touching part 4C, and the intermediate pipe 3C is connected to the base end part side, and a gripping part 5C on the near side that is gripped by a measurer (not shown). And are provided respectively.

In the third probe body 1C, the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 is formed by a needle-shaped contact needle 7C as shown in FIG. 5B. Further, the palpation portion 4C of the third probe body 1C is provided with a substantially thin tubular outer needle 46 that covers the periphery of the contact needle 7C at the tip of a large-diameter cylindrical casing portion 45. The outer needle 46 has a sharp puncture tooth 4 that is notched at an angle with respect to the axial direction and is sharply cut at the tip of the outer needle 46 so that it can puncture living tissue.
8 are configured. Then, only the tip portion of the contact needle 7C is provided on the outside of the puncture tooth 48 so as to project. Here, the portion other than the tip portion of the contact needle 7C is housed inside the outer needle 46, and the portion other than the tip portion of the contact needle 7C is held so as not to contact the living tissue.

A holding member 49 for positioning and holding the contact needle 7C inside the outer needle 46 at the axial center position of the outer needle 46.
Are arranged. The holding member 49 holds the contact needle 7C so as not to come into direct contact with the outer needle 46 and prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the outer needle 46. In FIG. 5 (B), reference numeral 6C is a cylindrical vibrator disposed inside the casing 45 of the palpation unit 4C, and 10C is vibration detection provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator 6C. Electrodes and 50 are holding members for holding the vibrator 6C, respectively.

Further, one end of the connection cable 30C is connected to the grip portion 5C on the hand side of the third probe body 1C. A connector 32C for connecting to the external unit 2 is attached to the other end of the connection cable 30C. Further, inside the third probe body 1C, a bandpass filter 12 adjusted to the frequency characteristic of the vibration system of the amplifier 11 and the probe body 1C is provided, as in the probe body 1 of FIG. .

The fourth probe body 1D shown in FIG. 6A has a tube made of a flexible material (fluorine resin, vinyl chloride, polyurethane) or the like in which the insertion portion 3D for insertion into the body can be bent. It is formed by the elongate catheter of the palpation device. The insertion portion 3D of the fourth probe body 1D is configured so that it can be inserted into a channel of a digestive tract endoscope or a urethroscope, or a body cavity such as a ureter.

Further, a palpation section 4D is formed on the distal end side of the insertion section 3D in the fourth probe main body 1D, and is shown on the proximal end side of the insertion section 3D in the same manner as the probe main body 1 of FIG. The grip portion 5D on the hand side, which is gripped by the measurer, is connected.

One end of the connection cable 30D is connected to the grip portion 5D on the near side of the fourth probe body 1D. A connector 32D for connecting to the external unit 2 is attached to the other end of the connection cable 30D.

Further, the palpation section 4 of the fourth probe body 1D
As shown in FIG. 6B, a vibrator 6D that vibrates ultrasonically is disposed at the axial center of the soft tube of the insertion portion 3D. A contact member 7D that comes into contact with a portion to be measured, which is a living tissue in the body, and detects hardness is mechanically connected to the tip of the vibrator 6D. The tip of the contact member 7D is provided outside the flexible tube of the insertion section 3D.

Further, a common ground terminal 8D, a power supply electrode 9D for vibrating the vibrator 6D, and a vibration detection electrode 10D for extracting the vibration of the vibrator 6D as an electric signal are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator 6D. A conductive material is plated on each. Also, the palpation section 4D of the insertion section 3D
A holding member 51 that holds a vibration system including a vibrator 6D and a contact member 7D is mounted therein. Further, inside the fourth probe body 1D, the bandpass filter 1 adjusted for the frequency characteristic of the vibration system of the amplifier 11 and the probe body 1D is provided as in the probe body 1 of FIG.
2 are provided.

Next, the principle of the hardness measuring device having the above structure will be described. FIG. 9 shows a tactile sensor 125 in which a piezoelectric element (vibrator) 121, which is a piezoelectric ceramic, is provided with three electrodes 122, 123, and 124. Where 12
Reference numeral 2 is a first electrode connected to an input terminal for inputting a signal for displacing the piezoelectric element, 123 is a second electrode connected to an output terminal for outputting an electric signal based on the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric element, 1
Reference numeral 24 is a third electrode connected to the common ground terminal of the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 123.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electric signal passing through the piezoelectric element 121 of FIG. 9 does not change in frequency between its input wave and output wave, but its amplitude changes, and a wave sent in time is output. To be done. The relationship between the input wave and the output wave at this time is as shown in FIG. Here, the gain G is as shown in the following expression (1) of the equation 1.

[0047]

[Equation 1] Further, the phase (phase difference) θ is as shown in the following expression (2) of the mathematical expression 2.

[0048]

[Equation 2]

FIG. 12 shows measured input / output frequency characteristics of the piezoelectric element 121 shown in FIG. In addition,
In FIG. 12, G ₁ is a gain characteristic curve, and θ ₁ is a phase characteristic curve. Here, when the piezoelectric element 121 is resonantly oscillated, it is resonantly oscillated at the frequency f ₀ at the position where the gain characteristic curve G ₁ shows a maximum.

FIG. 13 shows frequency characteristics when a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 121. FIG.
In FIG. 3, G ₂ is a gain characteristic curve, and θ ₂ is a phase characteristic curve.

By comparing FIG. 12 with FIG. 13, when the soft material is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 121, the frequency showing the maximum of the characteristic curve G ₂ of the gain decreases, and the value of the gain also decreases. I understand that This means
When the piezoelectric element 121 is in resonance, it means that when a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 121, the resonance frequency decreases and the resonance amplitude also decreases.

Further, FIG. 11 shows a state in which a low-pass filter 126 is connected to the output terminal of the piezoelectric element 121.
Here, the frequency characteristic G (f) of the low-pass filter 126
Is expressed as shown in the following Expression 3.

[0053]

(Equation 3) Further, the frequency characteristic I (f) near the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element 121 is expressed as shown in the following Expression 4.

[0054]

[Equation 4] Further, the frequency characteristic F (f) when a soft substance is brought into contact with the present piezoelectric element 121 is expressed as shown in the following Expression 5.

[0055]

(Equation 5)

Note that r '> r. Also, the above equation 4,
The frequency dependence of equations (4) and (5) of equation 5 is as shown in FIG. Here, the change amount of the resonance frequency is represented by the maximum value of the expression (5) -the maximum value of the expression (4). Here, this is Δf ₁ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the present piezoelectric element 12
The input / output frequency characteristic of the electric circuit in which the low-pass filter 126 is connected to the output terminal of No. 1 is as shown in the following equation (6) when the soft material is not brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 121.
When a soft substance is brought into contact with 1, it is represented by the following equation (7).

S _i (f) = G (f) + I (f) (6) S _f (f) = G (f) + F (f) (7) Further, the frequencies of the above equations (6) and (7) The dependency is as shown in FIG. Here, the change amount of the resonance frequency is represented by the maximum value of the expression (7) -the maximum value of the expression (6). Here, this is Δf ₂ .

Comparing FIG. 14 with FIG. 15,
It is clear that Δf ₂ has a larger change ratio than Δf ₁ . From this, it can be seen that the hardness measuring device having the above-described structure has high sensitivity.

The relationship between the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element 121 and the mechanical characteristics of the substance in contact with the piezoelectric element 121 is "Measurement of hardness of soft tissue by piezoelectric vibrometer and its analysis" (medical electronics and living body). Engineering Volume 28, Issue 1 (19
March 1990) Sadao Ogata (Reference 3), pages 1 to 4 and is represented by the equation (11) in Reference 3.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. First, when the palpation device is used, the probe body 1 shown in FIG. 2 and the second probe body 1B shown in FIG.
Depending on the type of biological tissue in the body, which is the object to be palpated in the patient's body, selected from the third probe body 1C in FIG. 5 (A) and the fourth probe body 1D in FIG. 6 (A) The probe body used is appropriately selected.

Here, for example, when the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 is selected, the connector 32 of the probe body 1 is connected to the connecting portion 34 of the external unit 2. At this time,
By connecting the connector 32 of the probe body 1 to the connecting portion 34 of the external unit 2, the bandpass filter 1
The output side of 2 is connected to the frequency counter 35. Further, the external switch 40 is attached to the grip portion 5 of the probe body 1 selected here.

In addition, in the state where the above-mentioned work of setting the intracorporeal palpation device is completed, the intracorporeal palpation device of the present embodiment is used in combination with the endoscope device 39, and the next palpation work is performed. First, the endoscopic device 3 is passed through a trocar (not shown) through an insertion hole provided on the body surface of the patient, for example, the chest wall.
9 is inserted into the chest cavity. Then, this endoscope device 39
The image data of the endoscopic observation image sent from is input to the controller 37, and from this controller 37, the monitor 3
The endoscopic image is displayed on the endoscopic image display screen 8. Therefore, by visually observing the endoscopic image display screen of the monitor 38, the endoscopic image in the visual field of the endoscopic device 39 is observed.

After that, the probe main body 1 of the palpation device of the present embodiment is inserted into the chest cavity through the trocar inserted into the insertion hole provided at another place on the body surface such as the chest wall of the patient. The contact member 7 at the tip of the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the target measured part in the body during palpation of the measured part, which is a living tissue in the body.

Here, by bringing the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 of the internal examination apparatus into contact with the living tissue under observation of the endoscope device 39, the resonance frequency of the vibration system of the probe body 1 changes. At this time, the controller 37 obtains the mechanical characteristics (hardness) of the living tissue based on the frequency data measured by the frequency counter 35. Therefore, on the endoscopic image display screen of the monitor 38, the endoscopic image of the portion where the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the measured portion inside the body is displayed, and at the same time when the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the surface of the living body. When the member 7 is brought into contact, a graph screen showing the palpation information of the living body surface of the measured portion is displayed. Thereby, the operator can confirm the measurement data of the hardness of the living tissue.

When the tissue to be diagnosed by the in-body palpation device covers a wide range, the position of the contact member 7 at the tip of the probe body 1 is separated from the position of the trocar into which the probe body 1 is inserted, and Since the contact members 7 come into contact with each other obliquely, the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 may have a positional relationship in which the contact members 7 cannot be brought into good contact with the living tissue.

In such a case, the probe main body 1 of FIG. 2 is removed from the external unit 2 and the external unit 2 is replaced with another probe main body, for example, the second probe main body 1 shown in FIG.
By connecting B, an appropriate contact state between the contact member 7B and the living tissue can be ensured and the diagnosis can be continued. At this time, inside the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 and the inside of the second probe body 1B of FIG. 4, the bandpass filter 12 and the amplifier 11 adjusted for the frequency characteristics of the respective vibration systems are respectively incorporated. Therefore, the resonance circuit is configured in each probe body 1, 1B. Therefore, when removing the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 from the external unit 2 and replacing the probe body 1 of FIG. 2 with the second probe body 1B of FIG. Adjustment work becomes unnecessary and diagnosis can be continued.

Further, in order to measure the hardness inside the living tissue, the third probe body 1C of FIG. 5A is used to puncture the living tissue with the contact needle 7C of the third probe body 1C. Also, in the case of measuring and diagnosing the hardness of the living tissue at the tip position of the contact needle 7C, similarly, the third probe main body 1C in FIG. Furthermore, the same is true when the fourth probe body 1D of FIG. 6 (A) is used.

Therefore, the internal palpation apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration has the following effects. That is, the bandpass filter 12 having a frequency range in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to the frequency is provided in the self-excited oscillation circuit 13.
Since the resonance frequency of the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is set in the frequency region in which the signal transmittance of the bandpass filter 12 continuously changes with respect to the frequency, the slight hardness of the DUT P, that is, the acoustic impedance The frequency change of the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 can be increased even with respect to the change. Therefore, although the configuration is simple and inexpensive, it is possible to sensitively react to a slight change in the hardness of the measured portion Y and to measure the hardness with high accuracy.

Further, in the palpation device of the present embodiment, contact with the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 of the palpation device inserted into the body causes a tumor existing on the surface of the living tissue in the body or a deep portion of the living tissue. It is possible to highly accurately diagnose mechanical characteristics of a living body such as diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, it is possible to easily palpate a site that cannot be directly palpated by using the in-body palpation device according to the present embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the probe main body 1 of FIG. 2, the second probe main body 1B of FIG. 4, the third probe main body 1C of FIG. 5 (A), and the fourth probe of FIG. 6 (A). Each probe body 1, 1B, 1C, 1D is attached to the body 1D.
The bandpass filter 12 adjusted to the frequency characteristic of the vibration system of FIG.
The controller 37 is provided in the external unit 2 to which B, 1C, and 1D are selectively and detachably connected as appropriate, and any one of them connected to the external unit 2 during palpation in the body, for example, the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 ( Alternatively, when the contact members 7B, 7C, 7D of the other probe main bodies 1B, 1C, 1D are brought into contact with the part to be measured in the body, based on the measurement data of the self-excited oscillation frequency of the vibrator 6 from the frequency counter 35. Since the hardness information of the measured portion is obtained by the controller 37, a plurality of types of probe main bodies 1, 1B, 1
When selectively replacing C and 1D with respect to the external unit 2, it is not necessary to adjust the bandpass filter 12 with respect to the frequency characteristics of the vibration system in the probe bodies 1, 1B, 1C and 1D. can do.

Therefore, a plurality of probe bodies 1, 1B,
By simply replacing 1C and 1D with respect to the external unit 2, a plurality of types of intracorporeal palpation probes can be used, and the efficiency of diagnosis is improved.

Further, each probe body 1, 1B, 1C,
Since the bandpass filter 12 is provided in the 1D, the electric signal transmission path of the feedback circuit can be shortened, so that the sensor is resistant to noise and has high stability. Here, by shortening the electric transmission path in each probe main body 1, 1B, 1C, 1D, it is possible to prevent fluctuations in the resonance frequency due to changes in the capacitance of the electric transmission path.

Further, the external switch 40 is connected to the grip portions 5, 5B, 5C, 5D of the probe bodies 1, 1B, 1C, 1D.
Since the probe main bodies 1, 1B, 1C, and 1D are exchanged, the same external switch 40 can be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the external switch 40 when replacing each probe body 1, 1B, 1C, 1D.

The amplifier 11 and the bandpass filter 1
Even if the connection state with 2 is reversed, the same effect can be obtained. Further, when the output from the vibration detection electrode 10 is large, the amplifier 11 may be omitted.

Further, the vibrator 6 has three electrodes 8, 9, 10
, The function of oscillating mechanical vibration and the function of detecting mechanical vibration are configured on the same vibrator 6, but the vibrator 6 can be configured separately, or laminated piezoelectric ceramic, PVDF, magnetostrictive element, bimorph vibration. A child, a crystal oscillator or the like may be used. Further, as the filter means, instead of the band pass filter 12, a low pass filter, a high pass filter, a notch filter, a differentiating circuit, an integrating circuit or the like may be appropriately used depending on the purpose.

16A and 16B show the second embodiment of the present invention. This is one in which the amplifier 11 and the bandpass filter 12 are built in the connector 32 for connecting to the external unit 2 in the probe main body 1 of the body examination apparatus according to the first embodiment. The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment,
Here, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in addition to this, the same configuration can be applied to the other probe bodies 1B, 1C, and 1D shown in the first embodiment.

Therefore, even with the above-described structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in the present embodiment, the amplifier 11 and the bandpass filter 12 are not particularly provided inside the probe main body 1. The probe body 1 can be miniaturized and the operability can be improved.

When the configuration of the present embodiment is applied to the probe body 1D formed by the catheter shown in FIG. 6A, the insertion portion 3 of this probe body 1D is used.
Since there is no portion for accommodating the amplifier 11 and the bandpass filter 12 between the flexible part D and the flexible part connection cable 30D, the catheter of the probe body 1D can be easily operated. Furthermore, in this case, since the portion of the connection cable 30D of the probe body 1D can be omitted,
An inexpensive catheter can be made.

FIG. 17 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This is because the amplifier 11 is attached to the grip portion 5 of the probe body 1 of the body examination apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In this configuration, only the band pass filter 12 is built in the connector 32 for connecting to the external unit 2. The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in addition to this, the other probe bodies 1B, 1C shown in the first embodiment,
The same configuration can be applied to 1D.

Therefore, even with the above-mentioned structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in this embodiment, especially, the transmission path between the amplifier 11 and the vibration detection electrode 10 is short. Even when the output from the vibration detection electrode 10 is weak, the weak output signal can be amplified by the amplifier 11 at a position where the signal transmission path from the vibration detection electrode 10 is short. Therefore, a signal with less noise can be transmitted to the bandpass filter 12, and the probe body 1
The probe body 1 of the intracorporeal palpation device which can be downsized and has good operability can be configured.

FIG. 18 shows a probe main body 61 of the internal palpation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the probe body 61, the shaft 6 is attached to the tip portion of the shaft 62 of the insertion portion to be inserted into the living body (the body of the patient).
A palpation portion 63 having a diameter larger than 2 is provided.

The touching section 63 is provided with a substantially cylindrical vibrator accommodating member 65 on the front side and a substantially cylindrical substrate accommodating member 66 on the rear side. Here, the rear end portion of the substrate accommodating member 66 is screwed and fixed to the connecting portion 64 formed at the front end portion of the shaft 62. Further, the rear end portion of the vibrator storage member 65 is screwed and fixed to the front end portion of the substrate storage member 66.

A vibrator 67 that vibrates ultrasonically is disposed inside the vibrator housing member 65. This oscillator 6
A contact member 68 that contacts the measured portion, which is a living tissue in the body, and detects the hardness is mechanically connected to the distal end portion of 7. The tip of this contact member 68 is projected to the outside from the tip opening of the touching section 63 of the probe body 61.

Further, a common ground terminal 69, a power supply electrode 70 for vibrating the vibrator 67, and a vibration detection electrode 71 for extracting the vibration of the vibrator 67 as an electric signal are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator 67. A conductive material is plated on each. The vibrator 67 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the vibrator housing member 65 by an elastic member 72 such as silicon rubber or fluororubber.

A printed wiring board 79 is housed inside the board housing member 66. The printed wiring board 79 is fixed by screwing the pressing member 76 into the board housing member 66.

Further, the printed wiring board 79 is provided with an amplifier 73 for amplification and a bandpass filter 74, respectively. Then, each electrode 6 of the vibrator 67
9, 70 and 71 are connected to a printed wiring board 79, respectively. Here, the vibration detection electrode 71 is connected to the amplifier 73. The amplifier 73 receives the signal from the vibration detection electrode 71 and amplifies it.

Further, the amplifier 73 is connected to the input side of a bandpass filter 74 having a frequency range in which the signal transmittance changes continuously with respect to the frequency. The power supply electrode 70 of the piezoelectric vibrator 67 is connected to the output side of the bandpass filter 74. As a result, the piezoelectric vibrator 6
7, a self-excited oscillation circuit 75 is formed by a feedback loop including a vibration detection electrode 71 of No. 7, an amplifier 73, a bandpass filter 74, and a power supply electrode 70 of the piezoelectric vibrator 67. The self-excited oscillation circuit 75 causes the oscillator 67 to
The vibration system of the probe main body 61, which is a connected body of the contact member 68 and the contact member 68, oscillates in a resonance state, and the contact member 68 vibrates in a resonance state.

The output of the bandpass filter 74 is
The signal is transmitted to the frequency counter 35 in the external unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 through the cable 77 and the connector 78. The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in addition to this, another probe body 1B shown in the first embodiment,
The same configuration can be adopted for 1C and 1D.

Therefore, in addition to the effects similar to those of the first embodiment, the self-excited oscillation can be obtained especially in the tip portion of the shaft 62 of the insertion portion of the probe main body 61 in the present embodiment. Since all the components of the circuit 75 are arranged, it is possible to construct a body palpation device that is resistant to noise, can be downsized, and has good operability.

19A and 19B show the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This is provided with a probe main body 81 composed of a catheter. The probe body 81 is provided with a catheter insertion portion 82 made of a flexible transparent tube. A palpation section 83 is provided at the tip of the insertion section 82. A connector 84 is connected to the base end of the insertion portion 82.

Further, the palpation section 83 is provided with a vibrator 85 which vibrates ultrasonically on the front end side. A contact member 89 that contacts the measured portion, which is a living tissue in the body, and detects the hardness is mechanically connected to the tip of the vibrator 85.
The tip of the contact member 89 is projected to the outside from the tip opening of the touching section 83 of the probe body 81.

Further, a common ground terminal 86, a power supply electrode 87 for vibrating the vibrator 85, and a vibration detection electrode 88 for extracting the vibration of the vibrator 85 as an electric signal are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator 85. A conductive material is plated on each. The vibrator 85 is held on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 82 by a holding member 90 made of a soft resin such as silicon rubber or fluororubber. The holding member 90 has a function of holding the vibrator 85 and at the same time maintaining watertightness between the tip of the insertion portion 82 and the contact member 89.

A flexible printed circuit board 91 is housed inside the insertion portion 82. On the flexible printed board 91, a transistor 92, a resistor 93,
A plurality of capacitors 94 are mounted, and an amplifier for amplification and a bandpass filter are configured. Here, as the resistor 93, an adjustable resistor such as a trimable chip resistor (trade name) manufactured by KOA Co., Ltd. is used. In addition,
FIG. 19B shows an example of a circuit on the flexible printed board 91 of this embodiment. Further, the other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, even with the above-mentioned structure, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can be obtained, and in the present embodiment, the insertion portion 8 of the probe main body 81 which is particularly a catheter is obtained.
Since 2 is composed of a transparent tube, after the probe body 81 is assembled, the resistance value of the trimable chip resistor mounted on the flexible printed board 91 can be adjusted by irradiating a laser. Therefore, the characteristics of the amplifier for amplification and the bandpass filter can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the vibrator 85 after the assembly of the probe main body 81.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in each of the embodiments, the voltage may be detected instead of the frequency by using the amplitude voltage detection means instead of the frequency counter.

Further, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows.

(Additional Item 1) An oscillator having an insertion part to be inserted into the body and a contact part to be brought into contact with a living tissue is provided with a filter means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency. Resonance oscillation in the feedback loop that has, detects the change in the resonance state when the contact portion contacts the biological tissue, in the body palpation device for determining the mechanical characteristics of the contacted biological tissue,
An intracorporeal palpation apparatus characterized in that the filter means is integrated with an insertion part and is detachably connected to a resonance state detecting means via a detaching means.

(Additional Item 2) The palpation device in the internal body according to Additional Item 1, wherein the filter means is mechanically fixed to the insertion portion. (Additional Item 3) A vibrator having an insertion part to be inserted into the body and a contact part to be brought into contact with a biological tissue is used as a feedback loop having a filter means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency. Resonance oscillates, and changes in the resonance frequency when the contact portion comes into contact with the biological tissue is detected by the frequency measuring means, and in the internal palpation device for determining the mechanical characteristics of the contacted biological tissue, the filter means is used as the insertion portion. An intracorporeal palpation device, which is integrated and is detachably connected to a frequency measuring unit through a detaching unit.

(Additional Item 4) The body palpation device according to Additional Item 3, wherein the filter means is mechanically fixed to the insertion portion. (Additional Item 5) The internal examination apparatus according to Additional Item 3, wherein the filter means is mechanically fixed to the attaching / detaching means on the insertion portion side.

(Additional Item 6) An insertion portion to be inserted into the body,
A vibrator having a contact portion that comes into contact with a biological tissue is caused to resonate and oscillate by a feedback loop having a filter means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency, and the contact portion comes into contact with the biological tissue. At the time, the change of the resonance amplitude is detected by the amplitude voltage measuring means, and in the in-body palpation device for obtaining the mechanical characteristics of the contacted living tissue, the filter means is integrated with the insertion part, and the amplitude voltage measuring means is connected through the attaching / detaching means. An intracorporeal palpation device, which is detachably connected.

(Additional Item 7) The body palpation apparatus according to Additional Item 6, wherein the filter means is mechanically fixed to the insertion portion. (Additional Item 8) The body palpation device according to Additional Item 6, wherein the filter means is mechanically fixed to the attachment / detachment means on the insertion portion side.

(Additional Item 9) An insertion portion to be inserted into the body,
A vibrating system including a contact portion to be brought into contact with a living tissue, an exciting means and a vibration detecting means, an output of the vibration detecting means is amplified by an amplifying means, and an output of the amplifying means is continuously transmitted with respect to a frequency with respect to a frequency. Resonance oscillation is performed by a feedback loop that feeds back to the excitation means through a filter means having a changing frequency region, and a change in the resonance state when the contact portion comes into contact with the biological tissue is detected, and the mechanical force of the contacted biological tissue is detected. An intracorporeal palpation device which is characterized in that the filter means is integrated with an insertion part and is removably connected to a resonance state detecting means through an attaching / detaching means.

(Additional Item 10) The filter means comprises:
The intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to item 9, which is mechanically fixed to the insertion portion. (Additional Item 11) The internal examination apparatus according to Additional Item 9, wherein the filter means and the amplification means are integrated.

(Additional Item 12) An insertion portion to be inserted into the body, a contact portion for contacting with a living tissue, a vibration system including an excitation means and a vibration detection means, and an output of the vibration detection means is amplified by an amplification means, When the output of the amplifying means is oscillated by resonance in a feedback loop that feeds back to the exciting means through a filter means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency, and the contact portion comes into contact with a biological tissue. In the internal palpation device for detecting the change in the resonance frequency of the body by the frequency detecting means to obtain the mechanical characteristics of the contacted living tissue, the filter means is integrated with the insertion portion, and the frequency measuring means is detachably attached via the attaching / detaching means. An intracorporeal palpation device characterized by being connected.

(Additional Item 13) The filter means comprises:
The internal examination apparatus according to appendix 12, which is mechanically fixed to the insertion portion. (Additional Item 14) The internal examination apparatus according to Additional Item 12, wherein the filter means is mechanically fixed to the attachment / detachment means on the insertion portion side.

[0107]

According to the present invention, the resonance frequency of the palpation member of the palpation means in the body for contacting the living tissue in the body to obtain the mechanical characteristics of the living tissue is provided in the feedback loop for resonantly vibrating the palpation member. Since the signal transmissivity of the filter means is set in the frequency region in which the signal transmissivity continuously changes with respect to the frequency, the mechanical characteristics of the tissue inside the living body can be detected with high accuracy.

Further, the filter means adjusted to the frequency characteristic of the vibration system is arranged in the probe main body holding the vibration system including the touching member and the vibrator, and is attachable to and detachable from the probe main body. Since the internal body palpation means is provided in the external unit to be connected, a filter for the frequency characteristic of the vibration system in the probe main body is used when the plural types of probe main body are selectively replaced with the external unit. It is possible to provide an intracorporeal palpation device that does not require the work of adjusting the means, can easily replace the probe body, and has good operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire body palpation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first probe main body according to the first embodiment.

3A is a side view showing a part of a cross section of a grip portion of the probe body according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a part of a cross sectional view of an end face shape of the grip portion of the probe body of FIG. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second probe main body according to the first embodiment.

5A is a perspective view of a third probe body according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a tip portion of an insertion portion of the third probe body.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a fourth probe body according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view of a tip portion of an insertion portion of the fourth probe body.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a screen display of a monitor.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of the screen display of the monitor.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a piezoelectric element used for explaining the principle of hardness measurement.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between an input wave and an output wave of an electric signal passing through a piezoelectric element.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where a low-pass filter is connected to the output terminal of the piezoelectric element.

FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing measurement results obtained by measuring frequency characteristics of input and output of the piezoelectric element of FIG.

13 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency characteristics when a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency dependence of equations (4) and (5).

FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency dependence of equations (6) and (7).

FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of the present invention,
(A) is a schematic block diagram of a probe main body, (B) is a perspective view of the probe main body.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of a probe main body showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing a partial cross-section of a probe main body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 (A) is a side view showing a partial cross-section of a probe main body of the body examination device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6B is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a circuit on a flexible printed board in the probe main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1B, 1C, 1D ... Probe body, 2 ... External unit, 7, 7B, 7C, 7D ... Contact member (palpation member), 1
3 ... Self-oscillation circuit, 6, 67, 85 ... Oscillator, 12, 7
4 ... Band pass filter (filter means), 37 ... Controller (body palpation means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A palpation member that includes a probe main body having an insertion portion that is inserted into the body, and an external unit that is detachably connected to the probe main body, and a palpation member that comes into contact with living tissue in the body. A vibrator that vibrates the palpation member in a resonance state by a self-oscillation circuit using a feedback loop, and a frequency that is provided in a feedback loop that resonates and vibrates the palpation member and whose signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to the frequency. A probe means having a region is disposed in the probe body, and the change in the resonance state of the palpation member when the palpation member that is resonantly vibrating is brought into contact with a biological tissue in the body is detected, An in-patient palpation device, wherein in-body palpation means for determining a mechanical characteristic of the contacted biological tissue is provided in the external unit.