JPH11276489A - Ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use a space formed to insert wiring in the inserting part, and to diametrically thin the inserting part by forming an inserting space to pass the wiring from an ultrasonic transducer in the tip constituting part, putting the wiring in an unrestricted state in this inserting space, and passing the wiring so that one or several other members break into the inserting space. SOLUTION: A large number of wiring 24 pulled out of an ultrasonic transducer 18 constituting the ultrasonic wave inspection mechanism part disposed in the forefront position of the tip constituting part, are extended to the angle part side through an inserting space formed in the axial direction in the inserting part, but the wiring 24 is put in an unrestricted state in this inserting space to be inserted into and fitted to a treating tool passage formed in the tip constituting part, and a curve-shaped treating tool inserting pipe 29 is inserted so as to break into this inserting space, and the wiring 24 of the unrestricted state is entered all the way into a space on the left and right of the treating tool inserting pipe 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic wave which is inserted into a patient's body or the like to perform examinations and diagnoses inside the body and, if necessary, to ultrasonically inspect the state of internal tissues. It relates to an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are an endoscope and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus as apparatuses for inspecting and diagnosing the inside of a patient's body. The endoscope is for examining the condition of the inner wall surface of the body cavity, and the ultrasonic examination device is for examining the condition of the body tissue. An ultrasonic endoscope in which an ultrasonic inspection mechanism is added to an endoscope is also widely used. The ultrasonic endoscope has a configuration in which an endoscope observation mechanism including an illumination unit and an observation unit and an ultrasonic inspection mechanism including an ultrasonic transducer are provided at a distal end portion of an insertion unit inserted into a body cavity. is there. The endoscope observation mechanism and the ultrasonic inspection mechanism are disposed before and after in the axial direction of the insertion portion, but the ultrasonic inspection mechanism is generally disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope observation mechanism.

[0003] Since an ultrasonic endoscope performs examinations and diagnoses inside the body, it is more convenient to perform necessary treatment when an affected part or the like is found. In order to perform an appropriate treatment in the body in this way, a treatment tool passage for guiding a treatment tool such as a forceps or a high-frequency treatment tool is provided in the insertion portion, and a treatment tool for leading the treatment tool to the distal end component portion. An outlet is formed. In order to perform necessary treatment safely and accurately, an operator or the like must be able to always check the treatment tool drawn out of the treatment tool lead-out section. With an ultrasonic endoscope, the position of the treatment tool can also be confirmed by an ultrasonic inspection mechanism, so unlike an endoscope without an ultrasonic inspection mechanism, it is possible to insert a puncture treatment tool and perform required treatment. it can. The puncture treatment tool has a puncture needle with a sharpened tip,
The puncture needle is formed by connecting a tube to the puncture needle. The puncture needle is led out of the treatment tool lead-out section, pierces the body from the inner wall of the body cavity, injects a drug solution into the affected part, and performs suction from the bleeding part, etc. Perform the following procedure.

[0004] Therefore, the treatment tool derived from the treatment tool deriving section can be captured in the endoscope observation field of view by the endoscope observation mechanism, and the ultrasonic observation range by the ultrasonic inspection mechanism, that is, the ultrasonic scanning. It must be within range. For this reason, the opening position of the treatment instrument lead-out portion is located between the position where the endoscope observation mechanism is disposed and the position where the ultrasonic inspection mechanism is disposed. Moreover, in order to ensure that the puncture treatment tool enters the two observation ranges, at least the center axis of the observation field of view in the endoscope observation mechanism is a perspective type inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the insertion section. It is convenient to set the direction in which the treatment tool is led out of the treatment tool lead-out section to be parallel or nearly parallel to the central axis of the observation field of view by the endoscope observation mechanism. For this purpose, the direction must be changed by the above-mentioned angle in the treatment instrument passage extending in the axial direction of the insertion portion.

As described above, a puncture treatment tool is also used in an ultrasonic endoscope, and the puncture treatment tool is directly inserted into the body after being led out from the treatment tool lead-out part. Since resistance occurs when the puncture device is inserted into the body, the length of the distal end side must be at least as long as the depth at which the puncture device is inserted into the body. Can not. Therefore, if the passage is sharply bent at the direction changing portion from the treatment instrument passage extending axially to the insertion portion to the treatment instrument lead-out portion extending obliquely forward with respect to this axis, the puncture treatment It becomes difficult to insert the tool. For this purpose, the treatment tool passage is formed of a hard pipe for a predetermined length from the connection position to the treatment tool lead-out portion, and the rigid pipe is gently curved to improve the penetrability of the puncture treatment tool and the like. Good. In addition, in the case of using a flexible mirror in which an angle portion which is bent by remote control and a flexible portion which bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path are sequentially provided in the insertion portion, a hard pipe is formed of a soft pipe. A treatment tool insertion channel formed of a tube is connected.

The ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism is constituted by an ultrasonic transducer made of a piezoelectric element, and an ultrasonic wave is transmitted by applying a predetermined voltage to the ultrasonic transducer. However, the scanning methods of the ultrasonic transducer are roughly classified into a mechanical scanning method and an electronic scanning method. In the mechanical scanning method, transmission of an ultrasonic pulse is repeatedly performed while moving an ultrasonic transducer in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, in the electronic scanning method, an ultrasonic transducer in which a number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a predetermined direction is used, and ultrasonic pulses are sequentially transmitted from each of the ultrasonic transducers arranged in this manner. , The scanning of the set range can be performed. In the mechanical scanning method, since the ultrasonic transducer can be constituted by a single-plate ultrasonic transducer, the size and size of the ultrasonic transducer can be reduced, and only two wires are required to be connected to the ultrasonic transducer. However, since the ultrasonic transducer must be moved mechanically, the configuration of the drive mechanism is complicated.

[0007] On the contrary, the electronic scanning type ultrasonic transducer is fixedly provided in the insertion portion, and it is not necessary to provide a driving mechanism. However, since a large number of ultrasonic transducers are arranged, the ultrasonic transducer itself becomes larger. And the number of wires increases. In particular, in order to increase the range of the observation field of view by the ultrasonic inspection mechanism and increase the resolution, it is necessary to further increase the number of ultrasonic transducers, and therefore, the number of wires inserted into the insertion portion is extremely large. Become.

[0008]

In the ultrasonic endoscope having the above structure, when an ultrasonic inspection mechanism using an electronic scanning ultrasonic transducer is mounted on the distal end of the distal end of the insertion section, A large number of wirings connected to the ultrasonic transducer pass through a portion where the endoscope observation unit is mounted, and are drawn out. Since a large number of ultrasonic vibrators constituting the ultrasonic transducer are provided, the number of wirings from each ultrasonic vibrator becomes extremely large, and an extremely large space is required to extract the same.

On the other hand, a light guide composed of a bundle of optical fibers for transmitting illumination light is connected to the illumination unit constituting the endoscope observation mechanism. The observation unit is provided with an objective lens, and the image formation position of the objective lens is set at the incident end of a solid-state imaging device (for an electronic endoscope) or an image guide (for an optical endoscope). Deploy. Further, as described above, a treatment instrument insertion channel as a treatment instrument passage for inserting a treatment instrument including a puncture treatment instrument, and a flow passage for supplying a cleaning fluid, a fluid for ultrasonic transmission, and the like are also provided. There must be. Since the wiring from the ultrasonic transducer also passes through this portion, the position where all of these members pass through the insertion portion is the bulkiest, and the filling rate is extremely high. In addition, since each member provided in the endoscope observation unit is drawn out in an oblique direction, the filling rate is particularly high in a portion where these members are arranged obliquely.

Since the insertion portion is inserted into the body of a patient, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion. Since the insertion path in the patient's body includes a stenotic part or a sharply bent part, the insertion part is smoothly inserted into the insertion path,
In order to reduce the pain of the patient, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion. For this reason, as an observation unit, the solid-state imaging device is mounted on a circuit board, and this circuit board is a considerably large member, and it is more advantageous to configure an optical endoscope using an image guide to reduce the diameter. It is. However, even if it is configured as an optical endoscope using an image guide, in addition to this image guide, there are a light guide and a treatment tool insertion channel and a flow passage as members inserted into the distal end component, Further, wiring from an ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism is also included. Therefore, unless these members are rationally inserted, the diameter of the insertion portion cannot be reduced.
In particular, in order to make the observation field of view of the endoscope obliquely forward and to make the treatment instrument insertion channel suitable for inserting a puncture treatment instrument, each member connected to the endoscope observation mechanism must be However, at least in the distal end component, it is necessary to arrange the components obliquely, and since the members connected to the ultrasonic inspection mechanism extend almost in the axial direction of the insertion portion, they are mixed with each other in a mixed state. In order to dispose them so that they do not interfere with each other, a considerably large space is required, and a dead space may occur between the dispositions of the respective members. Therefore, the diameter of the insertion portion is limited.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make the wiring connected to the ultrasonic inspection mechanism and the members constituting the endoscope observation mechanism reasonable. By minimizing the occurrence of dead space at the insertion portion, particularly at the distal end portion thereof, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic inspection mechanism having an ultrasonic transducer on the distal end side is provided at a distal end constituting portion of an insertion portion. An ultrasonic endoscope provided with at least an endoscope observation mechanism and a treatment tool passage on a base end side of an inspection mechanism, wherein a predetermined number of wires connected to the ultrasonic transducer are passed through the distal end component. And a structure in which these wirings are unconstrained in the insertion space, and one or more other members are inserted into the non-constrained portions of the wirings so as to pass through them. The feature is.

Here, the direction of the observation visual field by the endoscope observation mechanism is a perspective type in which the central axis of the observation visual field is directed obliquely forward. It is desirable to set the angle to be as small as possible, that is, nearly parallel, even if it is substantially parallel to the central axis of the field of view or has an angle therebetween. When configured so that a puncture treatment tool, which must be confirmed by an ultrasonic inspection mechanism, is inserted through the treatment tool derivation unit, the treatment tool derivation unit is positioned between the endoscope observation mechanism and the ultrasonic inspection mechanism. In the observation range of the endoscope observation mechanism and the ultrasonic inspection mechanism. Therefore, the treatment instrument lead-out section has an angle with respect to the axis of the insertion section, and it is necessary to provide a curved passage in order to provide a direction changing section on the path leading to the treatment instrument lead-out section. In order to stably form the curved passage and bend it at a gentle angle, a part of the treatment instrument passage is formed by a hard pipe. In order to allow the treatment instrument to pass smoothly, the hard pipe is gently curved, but in order to reduce the angle, the hard pipe is inserted into a space through which the wiring is inserted. Therefore, the hard pipe constituting the treatment instrument passage can be inserted into the insertion space of the wiring so that the wiring in the unconstrained state can be divided into right and left by the hard pipe. Also, in order to check the treatment tool that has been drawn out of the treatment tool lead-out section and inserted into the body by the ultrasonic inspection mechanism, a large number of ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism are arranged in the axial direction of the insertion section. It is preferable that the ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a convex arc shape. Here, the unconstrained state refers to a state in which the wiring as an aggregate can take an arbitrary shape in the insertion space, and not only when each wiring is completely separated, but also when a measure is taken. If another member such as a hard pipe that constitutes the tool passage is interrupted, if it can be freely displaced in a direction to avoid it in the insertion space, it may be loosely covered with a net or the like.

When the insertion portion is formed by connecting the angle portion to the distal end portion, the wires are prevented from being entangled with each other in the angle portion to prevent disconnection or the like. For example, it is housed in a flexible member, such as being covered with a flexible cylinder or a tape, to be in a restrained state. The angle portion is constituted by connecting a predetermined number of angle rings in a row, and the distal end hard portion of the angle ring up to the base end of the distal end ring connected to the distal end component is formed.
Therefore, an insertion space that extends over substantially the entire length of the distal end hard portion is formed, and the treatment tool passage connected to the treatment tool lead-out portion is arranged in this insertion space together with the unrestricted wiring, and a curved portion in the treatment tool passage is formed. Can be inserted through the insertion space, and can pass through the left and right spaces of the hard pipe to be drawn into the angle portion.

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic endoscope, and the ultrasonic endoscope 1 has an insertion section 3 inserted into a body cavity connected to a main body operation section 2 for an operator or the like to grasp and operate by hand. The insertion portion 3 is a flexible portion 3a whose most part bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path from the side connected to the main body operation portion 2, and is inserted into the flexible portion 3a. Is provided with an angle portion 3b, and a tip portion 3c is connected to the tip of the angle portion 3b. Further, an eyepiece 4 is provided in a direction opposite to a direction in which the insertion section 3 of the main body operation section 2 extends. A universal cord 5 is pulled out from the main body operation unit 2, and the universal cord 5 is detachably connected to a light source device and an ultrasonic observation device, though not shown.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the insertion portion 3, and FIG. 3 shows a cross section thereof. In these figures, 10 is an endoscope observation mechanism, and 11 is an ultrasonic inspection mechanism. The endoscope observation mechanism section 10 includes an observation section 13 provided on a first inclined surface 12a formed above the distal end configuration section 3a, and the observation section 1
And illumination units 14 provided on both the left and right sides of the lighting unit 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the center line A ₁ of the observation field of view from the observation unit 13 is a perspective type inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the center axis A ₂ of the insertion unit 3. Then, the observation field of view by the observation unit 13 is formed by those of the wide-angle of W _1.

The observation section 13 is provided with an objective lens 15. At the image forming position of the objective lens 15, an incident end of an image guide 16 composed of an optical fiber bundle is arranged.
The image guide 16 extends from the insertion section 3 to the eyepiece section 4 via the main body operation section 2. If there is room in the vicinity of the position where the objective lens 15 is provided in the insertion portion, an electronic endoscope using a solid-state imaging device can be used instead of the image guide.

The illuminating section 14 is provided with an illuminating lens, and the illuminating lens faces the exit end of a light guide 17 (see FIG. 4) composed of an optical fiber bundle. Is inserted into the universal cord 5 via the main body operation unit 2. When the universal cord 5 is connected to the light source device, the illumination light from the light source device is transmitted by the light guide 17 so that the illumination unit 14 can illuminate the body.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic inspection mechanism 11 is disposed on the second inclined surface 12b formed in the distal end component 3c on the distal side from the position of the endoscope observation mechanism 10, and this ultrasonic inspection mechanism 11 is provided. The mechanism unit 11 includes an ultrasonic transducer 18
It has. The ultrasonic transducer 18
The ultrasonic transducer unit 19 has an ultrasonic transducer unit 19 in which a large number of ultrasonic transducers 19a are arranged in a line in the axial direction of the insertion portion 3, and as a whole, It has a convex arc shape toward.
An acoustic lens 20 is provided on the front side of the ultrasonic transducer unit 19, and a backing material 21 is provided on the back side. Further, a substrate 22 is provided on the back side of the backing material 21.
However, a flexible wiring connection member 23 is provided on the substrate 22.
Are connected, and a predetermined number of wires 24 are connected to the wire connecting member 23. The ultrasonic vibrator 19a constituting the ultrasonic vibrator unit 19 is provided with electrodes on both front and back sides and transmits ultrasonic waves by applying a voltage between the electrodes. A common electrode is provided for the entire vibrator unit 19, and the other electrodes are provided with independent electrodes. Therefore, the number of the wirings 24 connected to the ultrasonic transducer unit 19 is equal to the number of the ultrasonic transducers 19a constituting the ultrasonic transducer unit 19 and the wiring for one common electrode. Consists of

In the ultrasonic transducer unit 19 of the ultrasonic inspection mechanism 11, a number of ultrasonic transducers 19a are arranged in a convex arc shape.
Are sequentially scanned to obtain an approximately fan-shaped body tissue section. Then, the visual field range of the ultrasound system 11, i.e. ultrasound scanning range becomes a range indicated by W ₂ in FIG. 3, the observation field of view by observation portion 13 are overlapped with W ₁ and most.

Here, the ultrasonic transducer 18 which constitutes the ultrasonic inspection mechanism 11 located at the forefront of the distal end component 3c is provided at the position of the second inclined surface 12b. 12b is the first inclined surface 12a
The angle of inclination is smaller. And the tip component 3
An ultrasonic mounting portion 25 is formed on the second inclined surface 12b of FIG. 3C, and the ultrasonic transducer 18 is fixedly mounted on the ultrasonic mounting portion 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the wiring 24 connected to the wiring connecting part 23 is connected to the ultrasonic mounting part 25, and the angle part is formed through the insertion space 26 formed of the space part formed in the axial direction of the insertion part 3. 3b
Extended to the side.

The distal end component 3c is provided with a treatment instrument lead-out section 27 for leading the treatment instrument to a position between the endoscope observation mechanism section 10 and the ultrasonic inspection mechanism section 11 described above. The treatment tool lead-out portion 27 opens in a flat portion 12c between the first inclined surface 12a and the second inclined surface 12b in the distal end component 3c, and passes through a through hole formed in the distal end component 3c. Of the treatment tool passage 28. A treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 made of a hard pipe is inserted into the treatment instrument passage 28, and a treatment instrument insertion channel 30 formed of a flexible tube is connected to the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29. I have. Here, the treatment tool passage 28 is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the center line of the observation field of the observation unit 13 constituting the endoscope observation mechanism unit 10 or at a shallow angle with respect thereto, that is, in an angle direction almost parallel to the center line. The tool is derived. On the other hand, the treatment instrument insertion channel 30 extends in the axial direction of the insertion section 3. The treatment tool insertion pipe 29 functions as a connection mechanism for connecting the treatment tool insertion channel 30 to the treatment tool passage 28, and moves the treatment tool that advances in the axial direction of the insertion section 3 toward the treatment tool passage 28 in a predetermined direction. It also has the function of changing the angle direction, so that a portion of the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 that extends from the treatment instrument passage 28 to the proximal end side is curved, and finally extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the insertion portion 3. Then, it reaches the treatment instrument introduction section 6 provided in the main body operation section 2. In addition, in the figure, 31 is a fluid passage for performing water supply or the like toward the body.

In the ultrasonic endoscope 1 configured as described above, in addition to the endoscope observation mechanism section 10 and the ultrasonic inspection mechanism section 11, the treatment instrument insertion channel 30, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 In addition, since the insertion path of the treatment tool from the treatment tool passage 28 to the treatment tool lead-out section 27 is provided, the treatment tool can be inserted along the insertion path of the treatment tool to perform treatment on the affected part or the like. it can. As a treatment tool inserted into this insertion path, not only a device that is almost entirely flexible, such as forceps or a high-frequency treatment tool,
Puncture treatment tool T as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is also used. The puncture treatment tool T is formed by inserting a puncture needle N formed of a thin hard pipe into a flexible guide tube F, and a tube (not shown) is connected to the puncture needle N. The distal end of the puncture needle N is sharp, and a hard tubular lead-out portion I is continuously provided at the distal end of the guide tube F. The lead-out portion I is used to direct the puncture needle N in a predetermined direction. Things.

Here, since at least the part of the puncture needle N cannot pass through a sharply bent part, FIG.
As shown in (1), the puncture treatment tool T is previously inserted into the insertion path of the treatment instrument at a stage before the insertion section 3 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is inserted into the patient's body. The guide tube F is housed in the lead-out part I and is held in a state of being pulled out from the treatment tool lead-out part 27, and the base end of the puncture needle N is located in the treatment tool insertion pipe 29 made of a hard pipe. For this reason, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 must have a length that accommodates substantially the entire length of the puncture needle N. The angle portion 3b of the insertion portion 3 is formed by sequentially connecting an angle ring, and a tip ring 32 located at the tip of the angle ring 32b.
Since is connected directly to the distal end forming portion 3c, a portion up to the proximal end of the distal end ring 32 constitutes a distal end hard portion, that is, a distal end hard portion. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 is extended to the base end portion of the distal end ring 32 constituting the distal end hard portion or its vicinity. As a result, almost the entire length of the hard portion made of the puncture needle N can be located in the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29.

The treatment tool insertion pipe 29 is further connected to a treatment tool insertion channel 30 extending in the axial direction of the insertion portion 3.
It constitutes a direction changing section for shifting to the treatment instrument passage 28 having a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the insertion section 3. The puncture needle N must be accommodated in the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 in a straight state. Therefore, in order to securely store the puncture needle N, the degree of bending of the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 is reduced, and as shown in the drawing, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 is moved from a portion projecting from the treatment instrument passage 27. It is connected to the treatment instrument insertion channel 30 in a state where it starts to bend and is pulled out to a state where it comes into almost contact with the inner surface of the distal end ring 32. As a result, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 has an extremely gentle curved shape,
Even when the puncture needle N is stored in the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29, it can be smoothly protruded.

When an affected part or the like is found in the body by ultrasonic scanning by the ultrasonic transducer 18 constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism 11, the guide tube F is pushed into the treatment instrument insertion channel 30 by operating the guide tube F. Then, the puncture needle N is operated so as to protrude from the treatment instrument outlet 27. As described above, when the puncture needle N protrudes, first, the tip of the puncture needle N is moved to the observation section 1 in the endoscope observation mechanism section 10.
Since it is captured in the field of view of 3, the user can aim at the affected part. When the puncture needle N pierces the inner wall of the body cavity, a large resistance is generated. However, since the puncture needle N is made of a hard member and is drawn out from the hard lead-out portion I, this derivation is performed. Guided by the part I, it is inserted straight at a desired position. Then, by pushing the tube connected to the puncture needle N into the guide tube F, the thrust is reliably transmitted to the puncture needle N, so that the puncture can be smoothly inserted.

When the puncture needle N is inserted into the body, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the puncture needle N can no longer be captured in the field of view of the observation unit 13 of the endoscope observation mechanism unit 10. ,
If an ultrasonic tomographic image is acquired by operating the ultrasonic transducer 18 constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism 11, the position of the puncture needle N is displayed on the ultrasonic tomographic image,
Using the image of the puncture needle N in the observation range based on this ultrasonic tomographic image as a key, the puncture needle N can be guided smoothly and securely to the affected part without destroying healthy cells and the like. . Then, when reaching the affected part, appropriate treatment such as injecting a drug solution or aspirating any bleeding part becomes possible.

As described above, when the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 is turned around so as to be almost in contact with the distal end ring 32,
The treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 enters the insertion space 26. The ultrasonic transducer 18 is inserted into the insertion space 26.
Are drawn out of the wiring 24. Although the number of the wirings 24 is large, if they are in an unconstrained state, if the area of the space through which they are inserted is larger than the total cross-sectional area of all the wirings 24, passage through any space is possible. It is possible. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
4 is in a non-restricted state in the insertion space 26, that is, a state in which it can be separated. As a result, even if the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 is inserted into the insertion space 26 through which the wires 24 pass, the large number of wires 24 are divided into left and right sides of the treatment instrument insertion pipe 29 so as to wrap around in an extra space. And then pass. In addition, since this portion is in the hard portion at the tip end and hardly exerts an unreasonable external force on the wiring 24, there is no danger that the insulating coating will be worn out due to mutual rubbing without covering with any member. However, when the treatment tool insertion pipe 29 is inserted into the insertion space 26, if the treatment tool insertion pipe 29 can smoothly go around the surplus space around the treatment tool insertion pipe 29, the treatment tool insertion pipe 29 can be housed in a net, for example.
In addition, from the angle part 3b to the flexible part 3a, the wiring 2
If the wires 4 are separated from each other, there is a possibility of sliding contact between the wirings 24 and other members, and thus there is a possibility that the insulating coating may be worn. In order to prevent such a situation, the angle portion 3b and the flexible portion 3a may be configured to be loosely restrained by a bundle member 33 such as a flexible tube or a flexible tape.

As described above, in the insertion space 26 provided for the passage of the wiring 24, the wiring 24 is arranged separately, so that another insertion member, in particular, the treatment tool insertion pipe 29 made of a hard pipe is arranged. Even insertion space 2
A plurality of members can be arranged smoothly and reliably without particularly widening 6. The other members, that is, the image guide 16 and the light guide 17, and the fluid passage 31
Are all flexible members, so that they can easily be turned around towards the space formed in the insert 3. As a result, the space in the insertion portion 3 can be utilized very effectively, and the diameter can be reduced.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, an insertion space for passing the wiring from the ultrasonic transducer is formed in the distal end portion, and the wiring is set in an unconstrained state in the insertion space. And one or more other members are inserted into the non-constrained portion so as to pass through, so that the space provided for inserting the wiring in the insertion portion can be effectively utilized, and the insertion portion has a small diameter. In such a case, there is an effect that it becomes extremely advantageous in forming

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a distal end portion of an insertion section.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of the insertion section in a state where the puncture treatment tool is drawn into the treatment tool insertion passage.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of the insertion section in a state where the puncture treatment tool is projected.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an arrangement relationship between wiring of an ultrasonic transducer and a treatment tool insertion pipe.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope 3 Insertion part 3b Angle part 3c Tip construction part 10 Endoscope observation mechanism part 11 Ultrasonic inspection mechanism part 13 Observation part 18 Ultrasonic transducer 19 Ultrasonic transducer unit 24 Wiring 25 Ultrasonic mounting part 26 Insertion space 27 Treatment tool lead-out section 28 Treatment tool passage 29 Treatment tool insertion pipe 30 Treatment tool insertion channel 32 Tip ring 33 Bundle member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic inspection mechanism having an ultrasonic transducer on the distal end side is disposed at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, and at least an endoscope observation mechanism and a treatment tool passage are located on a proximal end side of the ultrasonic inspection mechanism. In the ultrasonic endoscope provided with, an insertion space for passing a predetermined number of wires connected to the ultrasonic transducer is formed in the distal end portion,
In this insertion space, these wirings are set in an unconstrained state, and one or a plurality of other members are inserted into the non-constrained portions of these wirings so as to pass through them. Endoscope. 2. The endoscope observation mechanism is configured as a perspective endoscope in which a central axis of an observation field of view is directed obliquely forward, and the treatment tool passage is provided with the endoscope observation mechanism and the endoscope observation mechanism. 2. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is guided out of the observation range of the endoscope observation mechanism and the ultrasonic inspection mechanism at a position between the ultrasonic inspection mechanism. 3. The treatment instrument passage is formed by a rigid pipe curved a predetermined length from the treatment instrument lead-out side, and a treatment instrument insertion channel made of a flexible tube is connected to the hard pipe. 3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said hard pipe is inserted into said insertion space so that a plurality of wirings drawn out from said ultrasonic transducer are divided and passed therethrough. mirror. 4. An ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic inspection mechanism, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is arranged such that the center of the ultrasonic scanning range is between the axial direction of the insertion portion and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. 2. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic endoscope is arranged so as to be damaged. 5. The insertion portion is formed by connecting an angle portion to the distal end portion, and the angle portion is formed by continuously connecting a predetermined number of angle rings. A distal end hard portion extends from the angle ring to the proximal end of the distal end ring, and an insertion space extending over the entire length of the distal end hard portion is formed. In this insertion space, wiring from the ultrasonic transducer is not provided. Along with being inserted in a restrained state, the treatment instrument passage is inserted,
A curved hard pipe is disposed in the insertion space of the treatment instrument passage, and the wires pass through the spaces on both the left and right sides of the hard pipe so that the wires are bundled using a flexible member in the angle portion. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic endoscope is configured.