JPH1099335A - Ultrasonic probe guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly and surely guide a connector part, which is provided at the base end part of a cord for an ultrasonic probe, to the side of a treatment instrument lead-in part by inserting a guide member at the branch position of a treatment instrument inserting channel and a sucking passage. SOLUTION: The guide member is inserted from the side of a treatment instrument lead-in part 6, its top end is arranged at the position of a treatment instrument inserting channel 5 passed through a sucking passage 7 and when a cord 22 is fed in by inserting a connector part 23 of an ultrasonic probe 20 from the opening part of the treatment instrument inserting channel 5, the connector part 23 is moved forward inside the treatment instrument inserting channel 5. At the position facing the guide member, the top end of the connector part 23 is pushed into a receiving part 51, the connector part 23 is displaced to the direction for pushing the guide member out of the treatment instrument lead-in part 6 by feeding in the cord 22, and the connector part 23 is smoothly and surely moved through the branch part of the sucking passage 7 to the side of the treatment instrument lead-in part 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having an ultrasonic probe which is guided into a body cavity through a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope. Since the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel is larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel, the connector section connected to the base end of the flexible cord connected to the head section is introduced from the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel. And an ultrasonic probe guide device which can reliably guide the treatment instrument insertion channel side from the branch position of the treatment instrument insertion channel with the suction passage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic inspection apparatus of an insertion type inserted into a body cavity to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave from an inner wall of the body cavity, as well as being directly inserted into the body cavity, is operated by an endoscope. There is a so-called transendoscopically inserted ultrasonic inspection apparatus configured to be inserted into a body cavity via a tool insertion channel. As this type of ultrasonic inspection apparatus, the one having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 has been conventionally used.

[0003] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope. The endoscope 1 is provided with an insertion section 3 for insertion into a body cavity of a main body operation section 2 and a universal cord connected to a light source device or the like. In the illustrated direct-view endoscope, an illumination window and an observation window are formed at the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3 (in a side-view type endoscope). The illumination window and the observation window are formed on the side of the distal end of the insertion portion. The endoscope 1 is used for observing the inside of a body cavity. If necessary, sampling of tissue cells for examination, extraction of an affected part,
In order to perform a treatment such as injection of an injection solution, a treatment tool such as forceps or a high-frequency treatment tool is used. For this purpose, a treatment instrument insertion channel 5 having an opening for leading out a treatment instrument is provided at the distal end side of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 is connected from the insertion section 3 to the main body operation section 2. And is connected to a treatment instrument introduction section 6 provided in the main body operation section 2.

[0004] Reference numeral 10 denotes an ultrasonic probe, and 11 denotes a scanning operation unit. The ultrasonic probe 10 has a head section 12 provided with a continuous long cord 13 having a flexible structure. Is a connector unit 14 detachably connected to the scanning operation unit 11. An ultrasonic vibrator for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is provided in the head section 12, but in order to extend the transmission distance of the ultrasonic waves into the body, low-frequency ultrasonic waves must be transmitted. For this purpose, it is necessary to increase the aperture diameter of the ultrasonic vibrator, so that the diameter of the ultrasonic vibrator increases, and the outer diameter of the head unit 12 with the large ultrasonic vibrator mounted is as shown in the figure. It becomes larger than the inner diameter of the treatment tool insertion channel 5. However, even when the diameter of the head portion 12 is increased, the cord 13 and the connector portion 14 can be made thinner than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5.

Accordingly, in the ultrasonic probe 10 having the above-described configuration, the connector portion 14 is inserted from the opening on the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 and is led out from the treatment instrument introduction section 6. Be attached. Therefore, the head section 12 is made to protrude from the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1,
The insertion section 3 is inserted into a body cavity.

[0006]

The treatment instrument insertion channel 5 is used not only for inserting a treatment instrument and the like, but also as a suction passage for sucking a body fluid and the like in a body cavity. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 8, the treatment tool insertion channel 5 is provided in the treatment tool insertion channel 5.
Is connected to the suction passage 7 connected to the negative pressure source, and a branch portion exists between the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 and the suction passage 7. As described above, in the ultrasonic probe 10 in which the head portion 12 has a large diameter, the connector portion 14 is inserted from the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. When the vehicle travels to the branch portion, there is a problem that it may enter the suction passage 7 side.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to insert a connector portion on a proximal end side of an ultrasonic probe from an opening on a distal end side of a treatment instrument insertion channel. And to smoothly and reliably guide the treatment instrument to the treatment instrument introduction portion.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a head provided with an ultrasonic vibrator,
A flexible cord whose base end is a connector part is connected continuously,
The cord and connector are thinner than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope, and the head is an ultrasonic probe having an outer diameter larger than that. It is inserted from the side, is inserted through the treatment instrument introduction section, is inserted removably from the treatment instrument introduction section side, the connector portion at the branch position of the treatment instrument insertion channel and the suction passage, The present invention is characterized in that a guide member for guiding to the treatment instrument introduction portion side is provided.

[0009] As the guide member, when the connector portion abuts, it is necessary to hold the two in a connected state or in an abutted state so as not to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis. To this end, a projection is formed on one of the guide member and the connector portion, and a concave portion is formed on the other, so that the protrusion and recess are engaged, or an electrode member is provided on the connector portion so as to protrude. Etc.
When the distal end has a reduced diameter, the guide member may be configured to fit into the reduced diameter portion.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of the ultrasonic probe. Here, FIG. 1 shows a cross section on the distal end side of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 2 shows a cross section on the proximal end side.

The ultrasonic probe 20 has a head portion 21 at the foremost end thereof, and a flexible cord 22 is connected to the head portion 21. Code 22
Is provided with a connector portion 23 at the base end portion. The head section 21 is formed by mounting a base 26 provided with an ultrasonic transducer 25 in a cap 24. Cap 24
The cap body 24a, which has excellent ultrasonic transmission, is
b, and a reinforcing ring 24c is provided on the outer periphery of the screwed portion. A bearing 27 is provided between the base 26 and the base 24b, so that the base 26 provided with the ultrasonic vibrator 25 is rotatable.

The cord 22 has a flexible shaft 29 inserted through a flexible tube 28.
The flexible shaft 29 is formed, for example, by winding a metal wire in the form of a close-contact coil, and a coaxial cable 35 described later is inserted through a hollow portion inside. The tip of the flexible tube 28 is connected to the base 24 b of the cap 24, and the tip of the flexible shaft 29 is connected to the base 26. Accordingly, when the flexible shaft 29 is rotated around the axis in the flexible tube 28, the base 26 connected to the flexible shaft 29 and mounted with the ultrasonic vibrator 25 is rotated. As a result, radial ultrasonic scanning is performed. be able to.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the structure of the connector section 23. FIG. As is apparent from these figures, a holding ring 30 is inserted into the base end of the flexible tube 28 of the cord 22. This retaining ring 30 is a flexible tube 2
8, a connecting ring 31 having a spline formed on an outer surface is connected to the protruding portion. On the other hand, a cylindrical body 32 that is rotatable relative to the holding ring 30 is connected to the base end of the flexible shaft 29. 33 is attached to seal between the cylindrical body 32 and the holding ring 30.

An electrode member 34 is fitted from the cylindrical body 32, and its tip end projects from the cylindrical body 32 by a predetermined length. A coaxial cable 35 is inserted through the flexible shaft 26, and a distal end of the coaxial cable 35 is guided into the cylindrical body 32, and a core wire 35 a and a shield wire 35 b are led out. The core wire 35a is the electrode member 3
After being fixedly held by the electric insulating member 36 provided in the electrode member 4, the front end faces the space formed at the front end of the electrode member 34. The electrode member 34 has a conductive portion 34a at an intermediate portion thereof, and an insulating portion 34b before and after the conductive portion 34a.
a.

As is apparent from FIG. 3, the connecting ring 31 provided with splines on the outer surface has a circular shape. The electrode member 34 protruding from the connecting ring 31 has a quadrangular prism shape at the base end and a tip end portion. Has a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape.
The reason why such a shape is adopted is that when the connector section 23 is connected to the scanning operation unit 40 shown in FIG. 4, the electrode member 34 is driven to rotate by the scanning operation unit 40, and the connection ring 31 is not rotated. In order to keep it.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical socket portion 42 is protruded from a main body housing 41 of the scanning operation unit 40, and the socket portion 42 is formed in an annular shape. A spline is formed on the inner peripheral surface.
The splines of the socket portion 42 engage with the splines of the connection ring 31. A rotary shaft 43 is rotatably mounted inside the socket portion 42 via a bearing 44. The rotary shaft 43 has a circular outer peripheral surface, and has an outer diameter of the electrode member 34 inside. Are formed, and the electrode member 34 is formed in the mounting hole 43a.
Will be inserted. A coaxial cable 45 is inserted through the rotating shaft 43. The core wire 45a of the coaxial cable 45 has a split at the tip, and a groove 46 is formed in the mounting hole 43a in the axial direction, and a spring-shaped electrode 47 projects into the mounting hole 43a by a predetermined amount in the groove 46. The shield wire 45 b of the coaxial cable 45 is connected to the spring-like electrode 47.

When the electrode member 34 is fitted into the mounting hole 43a, the core wire 45a is electrically connected to the core wire 35a of the coaxial cable 35 on the ultrasonic probe 20 side, and the spring-like electrode 47 is connected to the outer surface of the electrode member 34 by the outer surface. It is bent and pressed against the conductive portion 34a connected to the shield wire 35b. Further, a concave groove 48 is formed at a predetermined position on the outer surface of the electrode member 34 in order to hold the electrode member 34 fitted in the rotary shaft 43, and the concave groove 48 is formed on the rotary shaft 43 side.
Is provided with a click member 49 which engages with the click member. The electrode member 34 has a square pillar shape on the base end side and a truncated square pyramid at the tip end. Therefore, even if the spring-like electrode 47 protrudes into the mounting hole 43a of the rotating shaft 43, the electrode member 34 is cut. According to the transition from the head quadrangular pyramid to the quadrangular prism,
Since the spring-like electrode 47 is bent and smoothly pushed back in the direction of the groove 46, the electrode member 34 is smoothly inserted into the mounting hole 4.
3a.

Although not shown, the scanning operation unit 40
A motor for rotating the rotation shaft 43 and an encoder for detecting the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 43 are provided therein. When the connector unit 23 of the ultrasonic probe 20 is connected to the scanning operation unit 40, The connection ring 31 connected to the flexible tube 28 in the socket portion 4
2 and the flexible shaft 29
The electrode member 34 connected to is fitted into the rotating shaft 43 in a state where it can rotate integrally. Moreover, the coaxial cable 35 on the cord 22 side is electrically connected to the coaxial cable 45 on the rotating shaft 43 side. Therefore, when the motor is operated to rotate the rotating shaft 43, the rotating force is transmitted from the electrode member 34 to the flexible shaft 29 via the cylindrical body 32.
The flexible shaft 29 rotates around the axis, and as a result, the ultrasonic transducer 25 mounted on the base 26 rotates. Moreover, since the rotation angle of the ultrasonic vibrator 25 is detected by the encoder, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received every time the ultrasonic vibrator 25 rotates a predetermined angle based on the signal from the encoder. A radial ultrasonic scan is performed.

Here, the ultrasonic transducer 25 is a single-plate vibrator, and although it is quite small, in order to make the transmitted ultrasonic pulse reach deep inside the body,
It is necessary to make the aperture diameter as large as possible, so that the size of the ultrasonic vibrator 25 is increased to some extent. As a result, the outer diameter of the head portion 21 becomes larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. On the other hand, the cord 22 has a configuration in which the flexible shaft 29 is inserted through the flexible tube 28 and the coaxial cable 35 is inserted through the flexible shaft 29. The diameter of the connector portion 23 provided in the portion can be relatively reduced.

Since the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body of the patient, it is necessary to capture the outer diameter of the insertion section 3 as much as possible, and the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 cannot be made larger than necessary. Head part 2 of ultrasonic probe 20
When 1 has a large diameter, it cannot be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. However, the cord 22 and the connector 2
3 can be made smaller than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 due to its structure.

Here, the above-described ultrasonic probe 20 performs radial ultrasonic scanning, and the base 26 on which the ultrasonic vibrator 25 is mounted is mounted on the cap 2 of the head 22.
4, the head portion 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the ultrasonic scanning may be performed not only in the radial direction but also in a linear ultrasonic scanning, for example. In an ultrasonic probe dedicated to linear ultrasonic scanning, there is no need to rotate the ultrasonic vibrator, and thus the cap does not need to be cylindrical, and may have a flat shape. However, even when the head portion is flat, when a large ultrasonic transducer is used, its width dimension is larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel.

From the above, the ultrasonic probe 20
If the connector part 23 is inserted into the distal end of the insertion part 3 of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 from the opening side and pulled out from the treatment instrument introduction part 6, the head part 25 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. Since it is not necessary, even if the head portion 25 is thicker than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5,
It is possible to mount the ultrasonic probe 20 on the endoscope 1.

However, since the suction passage 7 is branched from the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 in the main body operation section 2, when the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 is pushed into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 from the connector section 23, it is sent to the suction passage 7 side. May be
In order to prevent such a situation and to reliably guide the connector portion 23 at the base end of the ultrasonic probe 20 to the treatment instrument introduction portion 6 side, as shown in FIG.
Is used. Here, an electrode member 34 protrudes from the connector portion 23, and the tip of the electrode member 34 has a truncated pyramid shape, and a step is formed between a prism-shaped portion connected to the truncated pyramid and the connection ring 31. Since the guide member 50 is formed, the guide member 50 is formed of a member having flexibility and a predetermined waist. Is formed. Moreover, a predetermined tapered portion 51a is formed at the opening end of the receiving portion 51.

The guide member 50 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 from the treatment instrument introduction section 6 side, and is inserted to a position where the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 passes through a branch portion to the suction passage 7. The passage portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 leading to the treatment instrument introduction portion 6 is connected to a smooth curved shape, and when viewed from the treatment instrument introduction portion 6 side, the suction passage 7
Is formed at an acute angle, and when the member is sent from the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 toward the treatment instrument introduction portion 6, the member may move to the suction passage 7 side, but the member is moved from the treatment instrument introduction portion 6 side. When inserted, there is no possibility that the tip of this member enters the suction passage 7 side. Therefore, the guide member 50
Can reliably pass through the branch portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 to the suction passage 7. Here, the outer diameter of the guide member 50 is set as close to the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 as possible.

With the above configuration, first, the guide member 50 is inserted from the treatment instrument introduction section 6 side, and the distal end thereof is arranged at a position in the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 that has passed through the suction passage 7. Here, in order to reliably insert the guide member 50 to a predetermined position, the guide member 5
A mark 52 is provided on the outer surface of the treatment instrument insertion portion 6, and the position where the mark 52 enters the treatment instrument introduction portion 6 is set to be the position immediately after the tip end portion has passed through the suction passage 7 of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. You should do it.

When the guide member 50 is mounted, the connector 2 provided at the base end of the cord 22 of the ultrasonic probe 20 is provided.
3 is inserted from the opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 in the insertion section 3 and the cord 22 is fed.
The connector portion 23 advances in the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 and reaches a position facing the guide member 50. Since the connector portion 23 has a pointed tip, the guide member 5
At 0, it is pushed into the receiving part 51 along the tapered part 51a of the receiving part 51, and both are connected. When the guide member 50 is in a free state, the connector portion 23 is displaced in a direction in which the guide member 50 is pushed out from the treatment instrument introduction portion 6 by feeding the cord 22, and during this time, the connector portion 23 branches off the suction passage 7. After passing through the treatment instrument introduction section 6, the treatment instrument can be smoothly and reliably moved to the treatment instrument introduction section 6 side, and can be led out of the treatment instrument introduction section 6. Therefore, by pulling out the connector section 23 for a predetermined length and connecting it to the scanning operation unit 40, the ultrasonic probe 20 can be attached to the endoscope 1 in a state where ultrasonic scanning can be performed.

Here, as the shape of the connector portion in the ultrasonic probe, there are various shapes other than those described above. This corresponds to the structure of the scanning operation unit to which the connector unit is connected, and the reason why the electrodes are formed in the shape of a prism is to follow and rotate when connected to the rotating shaft. Therefore, if a key is provided or a part is chamfered, it can be formed in an arbitrary shape such as a cylindrical shape. The connector may not be directly connected to the scanning operation unit but may be connected to the scanning operation unit via an adapter. In any case, if the electrode member protrudes from the connection ring fixedly held with respect to the scanning operation unit,
The electrode member can be housed inside the guide member 50.

However, it is not essential that the electrode members protrude. The point is that the connector may be engaged with the connector provided at the tip of the cord in the ultrasonic probe so as not to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and it is not necessary to insert the connector into the guide member. For example, as shown in FIG.
When the connecting member 62 has a shape in which the connecting ring 62 protrudes toward the base end side from the rotating shaft 63 through which the electrode member 63a is inserted, the guide member 64 has a concave tapered receiving portion 6.
It is also possible to provide the connecting ring 62 and press the connecting ring 62 against the tapered surface of the receiving portion 65. As shown in FIG. 7, as the guide member 66, a convex spherical receiving portion 67 is formed on the distal end surface, and a concave portion 68 for accommodating the electrode member 63 is formed inside the receiving portion 67. Can also be configured.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, the connector portion which is removably inserted from the treatment instrument introduction portion side and is provided at the base end of the cord of the ultrasonic probe is provided with the treatment instrument insertion channel and the suction passage. And a guide member for guiding to the treatment instrument introduction portion side at the branch position, so that when the ultrasonic probe is attached to the treatment instrument insertion channel, the connector portion on the proximal end side is inserted through the treatment instrument insertion channel. There is an effect that the channel can be inserted from the opening on the distal end side of the channel and guided smoothly and reliably to the treatment instrument introduction portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end portion of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion on the base end side of the ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a connector unit.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection state between a connector unit and a scanning operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a guide member.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another example of a guide member and a connector portion.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of a guide member together with a connector portion.

FIG. 8 is a configuration explanatory view showing a state in which an ultrasonic probe is mounted on an endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Main body operation part 3 Insertion part 5 Treatment tool insertion channel 6 Treatment tool introduction part 7 Suction passage 20 Ultrasonic probe 21 Head part 22, 60 Cord 23, 61 Connector part 25 Ultrasonic transducer 31, 62 Connecting ring 34, 63 Electrode member 40 Scanning operation unit 50, 64, 66 Guide member 51, 65, 67 Receiving part 51a Tapered part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flexible cord having a connector at its base end connected to a head provided with an ultrasonic vibrator, wherein the cord is arranged with respect to the inner diameter of a treatment instrument insertion channel of an endoscope. And the connector part is thinner, and the head part inserts an ultrasonic probe having a larger outer diameter dimension from the distal end side of the treatment tool insertion channel, and inserts the connector part into the treatment tool introduction part. , Is inserted removably from the treatment instrument introduction section side, the connector portion of the ultrasonic probe at the branch position of the treatment instrument insertion channel and the suction passage,
An ultrasonic probe guide device, comprising: a guide member for guiding the treatment instrument introduction unit. 2. The guide member and the connector portion,
2. The ultrasonic probe guide device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe guide device is provided with receiving portions that engage with each other. 3. The connector portion is provided with a protruding electrode member having a step having a tapered tip side, and the guide member is a cylindrical member having a receiving portion that can be fitted to the electrode member. The ultrasonic probe guide device according to claim 1, wherein: