JPS63264048A - Ultrasonic endoscopic 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 [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus provided with an endoscope observation means for the diagnostic direction of ultrasound and an observation means for the insertion direction of the endoscope.

[Prior Art] In recent years, endoscopes have become widely used, allowing the insertion of an elongated insertion section to optically observe and inspect the inside of a body cavity or lumen into which the insertion section can be inserted. became.

Furthermore, in addition to the optical observation function described above, an ultrasound endoscope apparatus that is equipped with an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves and is capable of obtaining ultrasound diagnostic images is being put into practical use.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in conventional ultrasound endoscope devices, when the ultrasound probe faces to the side, the observation direction of the endoscope also faces to the side. When inserted into a body cavity, it is not possible to confirm the front field of view in the direction of insertion, and if there is a narrowed area, there is a risk of injury, and safety cannot be ensured.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound endoscope device that can ensure safety during insertion, etc., and can also observe the ultrasound diagnosis direction. purpose.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the present invention. Video ultrasound endoscope 1
is located on the distal end side of the elongated insertion section 2 that can be inserted into a body cavity, etc.
The ultrasonic probe 3 is housed with its transmitting/receiving surface 3A facing the side, and the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving box [1] of the ultrasonic probe 3 is
(Ultrasonic field of view range) A solid-state image sensor 5 is arranged so that its imaging surface faces substantially parallel to the transmitting/receiving surface 3A of the ultrasound probe 3 so that the ultrasonic field of view 4 can be observed optically. An optical lens 6 for imaging is disposed in front of the image carrying surface of the solid-state image pickup device 5 to form an optical viewing range 7 that covers the ultrasound viewing range 4 of the ultrasound probe 3.

Further, an optical lens 8 and a solid-state imaging probe 9 are arranged at the image formation position of the optical lens 8 on the distal end surface of the insertion section 2.
An optical observation visual field range 10 is formed in the direct viewing direction of insertion.

The ultrasonic probe 3 is connected to a signal line 11 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and by connecting a connector 12, it is possible to transmit and receive signals to and from a diagnostic device 13.
Ultrasonic diagnostic images can be displayed on 4 or other monitors.

Also, a signal line 15 connected to both the solid-state image sensors 5 and 9
．． 16 is connected to a switching circuit 18 in the operating unit 17, and can be selectively connected to a camera control unit (CCU) 20 in the diagnostic device 13 by one switch in the operating unit 17. . This CCU2
0 so that the signal can be processed and displayed on the monitor 14 by switching with the ultrasonic diagnostic image, or it can be divided and displayed.

With this configuration, when inserting into a body cavity, the solid-state imaging cord 9 is selected so that the direction of insertion can be observed,
By displaying the image captured by the solid-state image sensor 9 on the monitor 14, the insertion operation can be safely performed by observing the monitor 14. Also, after insertion,
When obtaining ultrasonic diagnostic images, selector switch 1
9 to select the solid-state image sensor 5 disposed adjacent to the ultrasound probe 3,
The diagnostic site can be observed optically.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

Figures 2 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention;
The figure shows the external shape of the ultrasound endoscope device in the first embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the video ultrasound endoscope, FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the distal end side of FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 5 shows the distal end surface of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic endoscope device 21 of the first embodiment
A video ultrasound endoscope 22 equipped with a function of transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves and a video endoscopic observation function, an endoscope connector 23 and an electrical connector 24 of this video ultrasound endoscope 22.
It consists of a video ultrasound diagnostic device 27 provided with an endoscope connector receiver 25 and an electrical connector receiver 26 that can be detachably attached.

The video ultrasound endoscope 22 has an elongated insertion section 28 that can be inserted into a body cavity, etc., and an operation section 29 with an enlarged diameter is provided at the rear end of this insertion section 28. 2
A universal cord 31 is extended from 9. Further, this operating section 29 is provided with a changeover switch 32.

The video ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 27 is provided with an ultrasound operation panel 33 and a video endoscope operation section 34 adjacent to each other, and a monitor stand 3 is provided on the upper side of both operation sections 33 and 34.
5 is erected and displays an ultrasound image 36;
A monitor 39 for displaying an endoscopic image 38 can also be arranged.

A keyboard 41 can be placed below the operating sections 33 and 34. Further, in this diagnostic device 27, external storage devices 42 and 43 are arranged, for example, below the connector receiver 25, 26 and in the lateral direction of the keyboard 41.

By the way, the insertion section 28 of the video ultrasound endoscope 22
A light guide 44 is inserted into the universal cord 31, and a light guide connector 44A protrudes from the endoscope connector 23 portion as shown in FIG. Illumination light is supplied to the end face of this connector 44A from a light source section that does not have a power source. The illumination light transmitted by this light guide 44 is emitted from the other end side.

By the way, on the distal end side of the insertion section 28, as shown in FIG. 3, an ultrasonic probe 45 is arranged such that its transmitting/receiving surface 45A (see FIG. 4) faces the side surface near the distal end. . This ultrasonic probe 45 is capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves in the forward direction (toward the side of the insertion section 28) facing the transmitting/receiving surface 45A by applying an ultrasonic driving pulse via the signal line bundle 46. At the same time, the received reflected ultrasound is converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to the diagnostic device 27, and the signal is processed by an ultrasound processing circuit (not shown) in the diagnostic device 27 so that it can be displayed as an ultrasound image 36 on a monitor 37. It's Nishide.

The ultrasonic probe 45 is composed of a large number of piezoelectric element arrays, and can perform linear electronic scanning to obtain an ultrasonic image in an ultrasonic transmission/reception range (ultrasonic viewing range) 47 shown in FIG.

The side surface adjacent to the side surface on which the ultrasonic probe 45 is arranged is cut out to form a flat surface facing slightly forward on the side surface of the insertion portion 28, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. An optical lens 48 for imaging is disposed at the optical lens 4.
A CCD 49 as a solid-state image sensor is arranged at the focal plane of 8 to form an imaging means.

The imaging range (field of view range) 50 that can be imaged on the imaging surface of C0D4B by this optical lens 47 is the center line of the field of view V
1, and is designed to cover the ultrasonic viewing range 47 as shown in FIG. 3 (excluding the distance close to the transmitting/receiving surface 45A). Adjacent to this optical lens 48, as shown in FIG. 4, a light distribution lens 51 is arranged, and the front end surface of a light guide 52 faces inside thereof, and the illumination light is expanded and emitted in the direction of the center of the visual field. This allows illumination of a subject within the viewing range 50 (for example, a wall surface of a body cavity).

Further, a forceps channel 53 and an air/water supply nozzle 54 are formed on the flat surface to which the optical lens 48 and the light distribution lens 51 are attached, as shown in FIG.

In addition, in order to confirm the ultrasound visual field range 47, converging lenses 55.55 are arranged on both sides of the insertion length of the ultrasound probe 45 in the longitudinal direction.
55. Guide light fiber east with its end face facing inside 56.
The guide light (for example, He-Ne laser light) transmitted by 56 can be emitted in parallel with both ends of the ultrasonic viewing range 47. The guide light emitted in parallel is denoted by 5.
7.57.

By the way, in this first embodiment, the ultrasonic field of view range 47 where ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received can be displayed on the monitor 39 by means of illumination and observation means arranged adjacent to the ultrasonic probe 45. A feature is that an illumination/observation means is also formed on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, an optical lens 58 for imaging is arranged so as to face the distal end surface, and a CCD 59 is arranged at the focal plane of this optical lens 58.

Therefore, the visual field center line v pointing forward in the axial direction of the insertion section 28
A field of view range 62 is formed in which a conical range can be observed (imaged) with 2 as the center of the field of view. In addition, in order to illuminate at least the subject within this viewing range 2, a light distribution lens 63 is arranged as shown in FIG.
The light guide 64 is disposed so that its output end face faces the inner side facing the light guide 3 . An air/water supply nozzle 65 is arranged adjacent to the optical lens 58.

By the way, the signal lines 66.67 connected to the two C0Ds 49.59 mentioned above are connected to two contacts of a changeover switch 32 provided on the operating section 29, as shown in FIG. 68 and only one can be selectively electrically connected. This signal line 68 is connected to (the connection bin of) the electrical connector 24 and
4 is attached to the electrical connector receiver 26 of the diagnostic device 27, the signal is processed by a video signal processing circuit (not shown) in the diagnostic device 27, and the CC signal is turned on by the monitor 39.
The signal captured by D48 or D59 is displayed as an endoscopic image 38. The electrical connector 24 is provided with a guide rod 69 for guiding during installation, and can be easily installed by inserting this guide rod 69 into the insertion lower 0 of the connector receiver 26.

The light guide 52.64 is arranged such that its end face is in contact with both C0D49.59, for example, the insertion portion 2.
The light guide connector 8 is further inserted into the universal cord 31 (indicated by reference numeral 44), and protrudes from the end surface of the endoscope connector 23 as a light guide connector 44A. In addition, the above-mentioned guide light fiber bundle 56.56
The rear end side is also integrated and protrudes from the end face of the endoscope connector 23 as a guide optical connector 56A, and when this endoscope connector 31 is attached to the endoscope connector receiver 25, it is connected to the guide optical connector 56A. Guide light is supplied from a guide light generator (not shown).

Air supply pipe 72 is adjacent to the light guide connector 44A.
stands out. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an air supply lower 3 and a suction lower 4 are provided on the side of the endoscope connector 23.

The operation of the first embodiment configured in this way will be described below.

When inserting the video ultrasound scope 22 into the body cavity wall 75 as shown in FIG.
is selected.

(Incidentally, both connectors 23 and 24 are attached to their corresponding connector receivers 25 and 26.) Then, this CC
The deep side of the body cavity wall into which the distal end of the insertion section 28 is inserted is illuminated from the output end face of the light guide 64 adjacent to D59 via the light distribution lens 63, and the illuminated portion is focused by the optical lens 58 on the imaging surface of the CCD 59. imaged and diagnostic device 27
The video is processed by a video signal processing circuit inside the camera and displayed on the display screen of the monitor 39. Therefore, the insertion portion can be safely inserted while viewing the front and surrounding areas of the insertion portion on the monitor 39. In other words, since the insertion can be performed while checking the insertion, safety can be ensured even if there is a stenosis or the like.

On the other hand, once the insertion has been completed to the desired site, the changeover switch 32 is operated to select the CCD 49 disposed on the side surface of the distal end of the insertion section 28. By this switching, it is possible to display on the screen of the monitor 39 and confirm the surface of the area from which ultrasonic diagnostic images are obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. In other words, it can also be used as a regular video ultrasound scope.

In this first embodiment, C0D49.
By disposing two 59 and selectively switching between them using a switch, it is possible to select and set the observation field of view in the required direction more easily than with a fiberscope.

FIG. 6 shows the main parts of a second embodiment of the present invention.

The video ultrasound scope 81 in this second embodiment is of a mechanical radial scan type. Insertion part 8
A single ultrasonic transducer 84 is attached to the tip of a shaft 86 attached to the tip of a flexible shaft 85. , this shaft 86 is the bearing 8
This flexible shaft 85 is rotationally driven by a motor 89 inside the operating section 88 .

The transducer 84 is surrounded by an ultrasonic transmission medium 9.
1 is filled. This transducer 84 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from its transmitting and receiving surface 84A. This transducer 84 is rotated together with the shaft 86, so that
As shown in FIG. 8, ultrasonic waves are radially transmitted in a direction perpendicular to this axis 86 over an angular range of, for example, 180 degrees.

Therefore, this radial transmission and reception range becomes the ultrasonic tomographic range 92. As can be seen from the plan view shown in FIG. 7 viewed from the center angle direction of this range 92, two illumination lenses 94, 94, an optical lens 95, and an air supply are provided on the side surface adjacent to this transducer 84. A water supply nozzle 96 and a suction channel 97 are provided.

A CCD 98 is disposed on the focal plane of the optical lens 95, and forms a side-viewing imaging means (observation means) that can observe the transmission and reception direction at the center position of the range 92 where ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received.

An optical lens 101 is also disposed on the distal end surface of the insertion section 82, and the focal plane of this optical lens 101 is provided with a CCD 102.
is provided, and a direct viewing type imaging means is formed so that the axial direction in which the insertion portion 82 is inserted can be observed.

CCD 98 forming the above-mentioned side view type and direct view type imaging means
and 102 are connected to signal lines 103 and 104, respectively, and these signal lines 103 and 104 connect the electrical connector 105 to the connector receiver 1 of the video ultrasound endoscope processor 106.
07, it can be connected to the switching circuit 108.

The switching circuit 108 can be operated by operating a changeover switch 109 provided on the operation section 88.
The signal is input to the switching circuit 108 via the signal line 111, and controls the switching of the switching circuit 108. That is, by operating the changeover switch 109, the changeover circuit 108
Connect one of the signal lines 103 or 104 of D98 or 102 to C
Connected to the OD drive circuit 112 and the signal processing circuit 113.

An ultrasound circuit 114 is provided within the video ultrasound endoscope processor 106 and is connected to a contact section 116 within the operating section 88 via a signal line 115, and is connected to the transducer 84 through this contact section 116. This allows for the transmission and reception of signals.

Further, an encoder 117 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 89 that rotationally drives the flexible shaft 85, and detects the rotation of the motor 89, and the detected signal is transmitted to the signal line 1.
15 to the ultrasonic circuit 114, and transmission and reception are performed in synchronization with this rotation.

The output signals of the signal processing circuit 113 and the ultrasound circuit 114 are input to a monitor (not shown) so that a mirror image and an ultrasound image can be displayed.

In addition, in order to confirm the central angular position direction of the range 92 where ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received, LEDs 118 and 118 are placed on both sides of the transducer 84 at this position.
If C0D98 is selected, these two guide lights 119, 119 can be observed.

The LEDs 118, 118 are connected to a power source (not shown) via an LEI drive cable 120 so that power for light emission can be supplied. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, two light guides 122 are installed adjacent to the optical lens 101.
．． 122 is provided and emits illumination light in the direct viewing direction.

This second embodiment is characterized by a mechanical sector scan, whereas the first embodiment uses a linear electronic scan, but has the same effects as the first embodiment. In other words, when inserting the insertion section 82 into a device that functions as a normal ultrasound endoscope that can optically observe the direction of transmission and reception of ultrasound waves, the insertion operation must be performed safely while keeping the direction of insertion in view. Can be done.

FIG. 9 shows the distal end side of a video ultrasound endoscope 131 in a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment uses an electronic sector scan method, and on the other hand, observation by 000132 and 133 is performed in the rear perspective range 1.
34 and a forward perspective range 135.

An electronic sector cross-layer type probe 137 is disposed on the distal end side of the insertion portion 136 with a transmitting/receiving surface 137A facing the side, and a signal line 138. . . , 138 to transmit and receive signals.

An optical lens 139 is arranged adjacent to the probe 137 so as to face the side, and a CCD 132 is arranged at its focal plane. The optical axis direction of this optical lens 139, that is, the viewing direction 139A is a rear oblique direction that is slightly backward from the sides, so that the center side of the ultrasonic transmission/reception range can be observed.

Further, the distal end surface of the insertion portion 136 is formed into an inclined surface, and an optical lens 141 is disposed on this inclined surface.
CCD 133 is placed on the focal plane of 1 and the viewing direction is 135A.
This allows you to observe the front strabismus with the center at the center.

Note that the CCDs 132 and 133 each have a signal line 14.
CCDs 133 and 143 are connected to each other, and one of the CCDs 133 and 133 can be selected using a changeover switch provided in an operation section (not shown).

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 10, which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG.
, 144 are provided, and these guide light emitting parts 144 .
High-intensity guide light 145, 145 can be emitted from 144.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the range not indicated by reference numeral 146 is
It becomes a sector fault plane according to 37.

The effects of this third embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows the distal end side of a video ultrasound endoscope 151 in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment uses a linear electronic scanning method, and the CCD
152 and 153 are lateral forward strabismus and forward strabismus.

A probe 155 is disposed on the distal end side of the insertion portion 154 so that the transmitting/receiving surface 155A faces the side surface.

A side-view front perspective type optical system 156 is arranged adjacent to the probe 155, and the focal plane of this optical system 156 includes a CCD.
152 is installed. A viewing range 157 provided by this optical system 156 is expanded to cover an ultrasonic transmission/reception range 158.

Further, a front perspective optical system 159 is disposed on the inclined distal end surface of the insertion section 154, and the focal plane of this optical system 159 is
A CD 153 is disposed, and the field of view 160 provided by this optical system 159 is diagonally forward, but also covers the axial direction of the insertion section 154 so that it can be visually recognized during insertion.

These CCDs 152 and 153 have signal lines 161° and 162
is connected so that an image captured by either CCD 152 or 153 can be displayed using a changeover switch provided on an operation section (not shown).

The structure is similar to that of the third embodiment.

The effects of this fourth embodiment are also substantially similar to those of the third embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the optical observation means was formed using a solid-state image pickup device such as a COD in the endoscope insertion section, but the present invention is not limited to this.
48. An image guide is used in place of 59, and a television camera section is formed in which two CODs are opposed to each other in the operation section or the eyepiece section, facing the rear end surface of these image guides.
Observation in a desired direction may be performed by switching between two CODs. Furthermore, if one is observed using an image guide and the other is observed using a CCD, a switching means is not necessarily essential.

Further, the switching means is not limited to the one provided in the operating section, but may be a foot switch attached to a cord extending from a diagnostic neck or the like, which has the same function.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, an imaging means is formed that allows observation of the insertion direction of the insertion section as well as the direction of the transmission/reception range for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and the observation direction is switched by a changeover switch. Therefore, in addition to being able to be used as a normal ultrasound endoscope, it can also be safely inserted while observing the insertion direction of the insertion section.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a video recording diagram. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the distal end side of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the distal end side of FIG. 3, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams of the present invention. Regarding the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a video electronic endoscope;
7 is a plan view showing the distal end side of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end side when cut along line A-A in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of the distal end side of FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the main parts of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram. 1.22... Video ultrasound endoscope 2.28... Insertion section 3.45... Ultrasonic probe 4.8.48.58... Optical lens 5.9... Solid Imaging device 13.27... (video ultrasound) diagnostic device 19.32
...Choice switch 49.59...COD

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an intrabody cavity ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasound probe with a transmitting and receiving surface facing to the side of the insertion section, an observation means that enables optical observation of the insertion direction of the insertion section. and an observation means for optically observing the surface of an ultrasound diagnostic site using the ultrasound probe. 2. The scope of the claim characterized in that each of the observation means uses a solid-state image sensor and is provided with a changeover switch that switches between a signal for driving the solid-state image sensor and an output signal to put only one in operation. The ultrasonic endoscope device according to item 1. 3. A guide light emitting member for emitting guide light in the direction of ultrasonic wave emission by the ultrasonic probe is provided in the vicinity of the ultrasonic probe, as set forth in claim 1. Ultrasonic endoscope device. 4. The ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the guide light is a laser beam.