JPS59131340A - Endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enables ultrasonic diagnosis of deep parts and internal organs of the human body.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

BACKGROUND ART Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are mainly intended for diagnosis of external organs, and diagnosis using a sonde method is carried out in the field of obstetrics.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that transmit and receive the above-mentioned ultrasonic waves using various scanning methods have been disclosed.

For example, as described in JP-A-49-15280 and elsewhere, when an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the A-mode scanning method emits ultrasonic waves, the reflected waves travel the distance from the emission point to the reflection point over a period of time. Since it returns to the launch point after a delay of 30 minutes, this is displayed on an oscilloscope with the horizontal axis as the time axis and the intensity of the reflected wave as the vertical axis.

In addition, when using the B-mode scanning method, the (ultrasonic) transducer is moved while detecting the reflected waves as in the A-mode, and the brightness of the bright spot on the time axis is modulated on the oscilloscope to generate vibrations. The time axis is moved in accordance with the movement of the transducer, and a tomographic image with brightness modulation is drawn on the surface where the transducer moves.

Various scanning methods are known for moving these vibrators, including linear scanning for translational scanning, sector scanning for rotational scanning, arc scanning for circular arc scanning, radial scanning for full rotation, etc.
It is used differently depending on the area to be diagnosed.

In addition to manual methods for driving these vibrators, there are
There are two main types of scanning methods: mechanical scanning methods and electronic scanning methods. For example, there is a mechanical scanning method for B mode in which a vibrator is oscillated; As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 85170, the scanning direction is sectorized by sequentially applying pulses to the transducers with different delay times using a variable delay circuit that includes a plurality of linearly arranged transducers. It is intended to be made into a shape.

Also, the mechanical drive method for linear scanning involves translating the vibrator, but the electronic drive method is
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 47-36572, linear scanning can be performed by sequentially connecting a plurality of transducers arranged in a linear manner via an electronic changeover switch.

However, because these conventional ultrasound diagnostic devices transmit and receive ultrasound waves from outside the body, there are limitations due to the characteristics of ultrasound when it comes to ultrasound diagnosis of internal organs such as deep inside the body and the digestive system such as the stomach and duodenum. .

In other words, the signal-to-noise ratio (SN ratio) is extremely deteriorated due to the influence of large reflected images from tubular tissue, etc. between the target area and the attenuation of ultrasonic waves due to fat layers, etc. The problem was that it was almost impossible to obtain the necessary level of quality information.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can obtain clear ultrasonic diagnostic images with a high signal-to-noise ratio even for deep parts of the body such as internal organs. shall be.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer rotatably supported on the distal end side of an insertion section in an endoscope that allows the insertion section to be inserted into a body cavity to optically observe the inside of a body cavity; By providing an FB@ device that drives the ultrasonic vibrator in reciprocating rotation, and a deceleration a mechanism that slows down the rotational speed of the drive device,
This makes it possible to obtain ultrasonic diagnostic images with a high signal-to-noise ratio for target areas deep within the body, and also enables diagnosis using ultrasound while optically confirming or observing the target area. .

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, a B-mode endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described in detail as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the configuration of an endoscope-ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 2 shows the challenges of an ultrasound transducer.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a synchronous oscillation circuit that outputs a pulse signal, and supplies the pulse signal to an excitation circuit 2 to generate an ultrasonic excitation pulse. Reference numeral 3 denotes an endoscope, which has an insertion portion that can be inserted into a body cavity, and is capable of optically observing the interior of the body cavity into which it is inserted. Further, reference numeral 4 is a scanning mechanism that scans ultrasonic waves in sectors. A function generating circuit 5 generates a sweep signal in accordance with a scanning azimuth position on a cathode ray tube 6 serving as an image display device. Further, the amplifier circuit 7 amplifies the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the body by the (ultrasonic) transducer 15, converts the signals into electrical signals, outputs the amplified signals to the brightness modulation circuit 8, modulates the brightness, and transmits the signals to the cathode ray tube. 6.

The pulse output of the synchronous oscillation circuit 1 is converted into a high-frequency pulse with a steep rise by an excitation circuit 2 for generating ultrasonic excitation pulses, and is then converted into a high-frequency pulse with a steep rise. The signal passes through the hole and is applied to the vibrator 15 installed in the scanning mechanism 4. On the other hand, the output of the synchronous oscillation circuit 1 passes through the inner hole of the insertion section of the endoscope 3 and is applied to the pulse motor 11 shown in FIG. Ultrasonic waves emitted from 15 can scan the inside of the body.

The electric signal line transmitted to the scanning mechanism 4 and the vibrator 15 passes through the inner hole of the insertion portion of the endoscope 3, thereby allowing the endoscope 3 to be inserted into the body more smoothly. Vibrator 15 built into scanning mechanism 4
The direction of the ultrasound waves emitted into the body from and along each direction 7
In order to display the reflected intensity of the ultrasonic wave at each position as an image according to each direction and each position, the pulse output of the first period oscillation circuit 1 is supplied to the function generation circuit 5 and converted into a waveform. The X and Y electrodes of the cathode ray tube 6 are polished and swept along the propagation direction of the ultrasonic wave and each direction.

In this case, the ultrasonic waves radiated into the body in a sector shape are reflected by abnormal tissue etc. where the sound speed and density change, and the minute signals of the reflected ultrasonic waves are greatly increased by the width circuit 7.
The intensity modulation circuit 8 modulates the brightness of the sweep signal, and the reflected intensity of the J3 sound wave is brightened and It will be displayed on the CRT 6 as an image, and will be cut off.
An image is formed.

A feature of the present invention is that an ultrasonic transducer that excites ultrasonic waves by applying an electric pulse and converts the ultrasonic waves into electric signals using an ultrasonic transducer is installed at the tip of the insertion section of the endoscope 3. The installation is done by integrating with the endoscope 3 and forming a signal path for ultrasonic waves, 14 and scanning through the inner hole of the insertion part of the endoscope 3. An example of the method will be described in detail.

In Fig. 2, 3 is an endoscope, 9 is an autopsy window for observation, and 1
0 is an inner hole, 11 is a pulse motor, 12 is a micro gear head, 13 is a rotating shaft, 14 is a damper, 15 is a vibrator, 1
6 is the drive line of the pulse motor, 17 is the excitation line of the vibrator, 1
Reference numeral 8 indicates a rotating shaft support plate, and a chain double-dashed line 19 indicates a case.

The outputs of the synchronous oscillation circuit 1 and the excitation circuit 2 in FIG. The pulse motor 11 is fixed to the endoscope 3, and the first
It rotates at an angle corresponding to the number of output pulses of the synchronous oscillation circuit 1 shown in the figure, and is decelerated to a minute rotation by the micro gear head 12.

If the rotation angle per pulse is 1 degree or less, the micro gear head 12 is not required, but if the rotation angle is greater than that, the micro gear head 12 is required to improve the resolution of the image on the cathode ray tube 6. . The rotational force of the micro gear head 12 is transmitted to the damper 14 by the rotating shaft 13, and as the damper 14 rotates, the damper 1
Ultrasonic waves are emitted into the body from the vibrator 15 whose back surface is bonded to the body. The rotating shaft 13 is a micro gear head 12
The rotating shaft is supported by the rotating shaft support plate 18, and the rotating shaft is moved in the direction of the arrow shown on the central axis (twice). This is to prevent damage to the internal walls of the body.

The drive line 16 and the excitation line 17 (which also serves as an electric signal line by receiving reflected waves) have a play that allows them to rotate back and forth in a sector shape, as shown in FIG.

When the above embodiment is used for ultrasound diagnosis inside the body, the endoscope 3 is inserted into the body, the diagnosis site is determined by visual inspection through the autopsy window 9, and the ultrasound transducer is closely disposed. This can be easily done by

The medical significance of the present invention is explained as follows: In ultrasonic diagnosis of pancreas, etc., it is common to scan ultrasound from the back and abdomen. Obtaining results has been difficult and frustrating, which has been a major barrier to ultrasound diagnosis. However, according to the ultrasound diagnostic device of the present invention, the transducer attached to the tip of the endoscope 3 can be used to detect the stomach and duodenum. Ultrasonic diagnosis of the pancreas is possible simply by placing it in close contact with the mucosal surface of the pancreas, and furthermore, it has the advantage of being able to perform diagnosis while confirming the scanned area endoscopically.

The embodiments described above are merely basic configurations of the present invention, and it is obvious that, for example, known means such as a pulley can be used instead of gears as the reduction mechanism.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is rotatably supported at the tip of the insertion section of an endoscope, and the ultrasonic transducer is rotated back and forth. By providing a deceleration mechanism that slows down the drive fl by the drive load, it is possible to obtain an ultrasonic image close to the target area with a high S/N ratio and that can clearly display even the smallest details.
This can be done by optically confirming the target area. In addition, since optical information can also be obtained, detailed examination from various aspects can be performed when making a diagnosis, etc., and more accurate diagnosis and treatment can be performed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscopic ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of an ultrasound transducer. 1... Synchronous oscillation circuit 2... Excitation circuit 3... Endoscope 4... Scanning mechanism 5...
・Function generation circuit 6... Braun tube 7... Amplification circuit 8... Brightness modulation circuit 9... Autopsy window
10... Inner hole 11... Pulse motor
12... Micro gear head 13... Rotating shaft
14... Damper 15... Vibrator
16... Drive line of pulse motor 17... Excitation line of vibrator 18... Rotating shaft support plate 19... Case Fig. 1 Fig. 2 9 17 1")

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A rotatably large ultrasonic transducer and a drive device for rotating the ultrasonic transducer are provided at the tip of the insertion section of the endoscope, and the rotation speed of the drive device is set to a low speed. An endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic device characterized by being provided with a deceleration mechanism. (2) The endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speed reduction mechanism uses a gear. (3) The endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speed reduction mechanism uses a pulley. (4) The endoscopic ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive device uses a motor.