JPS63270038A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the gain given to a patient by preventing the enlargement of a leading end part, by providing an NMR measuring coil to the hood part provided to the leading end part of an insert part. CONSTITUTION:The leading end part 13 of an endoscope is equipped with a leading end part main body 21 and a hood 41 for protecting an objective lens system 26 and a light distributing lens 28 is provided to the leading end part main body 21 on the leading end side thereof in a freely detachable manner. A circular groove part 45 opened on the leading end side is formed to the leading end part of the hood 41 and an NMR measuring coil 46 is received in the groove part 45 so as to be exposed to the outside. Therefore, the coil 46 can be provided to the leading end part 13 with good space efficiency and the leading end part 13 can be miniaturized and thinned and, therefore, the pain given to a patient is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to an endoscope capable of transendoscopically introducing a coil into the body and performing N M RM measurements from within the body.

[Problems to be solved by conventional techniques and inventions] Conventionally,
In detecting and diagnosing epidermal cancer that occurs on the inner surface of the digestive 2S tract of the human body, especially on the upper part of the stomach wall, the site of occurrence is detected using an endoscope or X-ray beam, and the living tissue of that site is examined. The common method was to collect samples and diagnose whether or not they were malignant. However, in such conventional methods, the sample collection site is relatively wide, so immediate diagnosis cannot be made, and the labor required to collect biological tissue is large.
There was a problem that it caused damage to the human body.

On the other hand, in recent years, a non-invasive method for diagnosing the human body that utilizes the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter referred to as NMR) has been developed. For example, NMR using the above-mentioned NMR phenomenon
In an imaging device, a human body is placed in a magnetic field, a high frequency wave (magnetic! 3) of a predetermined frequency is applied, and nuclei with spin in the human body are excited, and N of a predetermined frequency is emitted from the excited nuclei.
A tomographic image is obtained by detecting the MR signal and processing it with a computer. The fI layer image obtained by this NMR imaging device is extremely useful for diagnosis of cancer and the like. 1. In general, it is known that NMR signals obtained from cancer cells and normal cells have very different relaxation times, and by measuring these relaxation times, it is possible to diagnose cancer or not. It becomes possible.

However, the NMR imaging device must process a huge amount of NMR signals in order to obtain a tomographic image, and therefore requires a high-speed Daikichi 61 computer.
The entire device becomes larger and more expensive.

Additionally, there has been a desire to know to some extent whether or not the abnormality is, for example, malignant when an abnormality is visually discovered during endoscopic vA observation. In contrast, the NMR imaging apparatus is expensive and large in size, and furthermore, it is difficult to associate visually abnormal locations with tomographic images.

To deal with this problem, for example, JP-A-59-881/10
As shown in the publication, an NMit endoscope has been proposed in which a high 1n-wave coil is provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion to detect an NMR signal when a high-frequency magnetic field is generated. There is. With this NMR endoscopy, by pressing the high-frequency coil against the abnormal area and detecting the NMR signal of the abnormal area, physiological changes in this 5'2 normal area, such as whether or not it is cancer, can be detected and diagnosed. It becomes possible.

However, in conventional NMR endoscopes, the high frequency coil is built into the main body of the distal end of the endoscope, resulting in a large distal end, which poses a problem in that it causes great pain when breathing.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has made it possible to install a coil for NMR measurement at the tip without increasing the size of the tip. The purpose is to provide endoscopes.

Measures and effects for solving L problems] 8 according to the present invention! The mirror has a coil for NMR measurement installed in the hood part of the distal end of the insertion section, and the coil is arranged with good space efficiency to prevent the distal end from becoming large.

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

FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the insertion tube, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of how the NMR endoscope is used, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the distal end with the hood removed, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the hood. , Figure 5 shows N
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an MR measuring means.

As shown in FIG. 2, the NMR endoscope 1 has an elongated and flexible insertion section 2, and a large-diameter operation section 3 is connected to the rear end of the insertion section 2. . An eyepiece section 4 is connected to the rear end of the operation section 3, and a flexible universal cord 5 extends laterally from the rear end of the operation section 3.
A connector 6 is provided at the tip of this universal cord 5.

The NMR endoscope 1 is connected via the connector 6 to, for example, a light precipitation device 7 having a built-in NMR if measuring device.

The insertion section 2 includes a flexible section 11 provided on the operating section 3 side, a bendable curved section 12 connected to the tip of the flexible section 11, and a tip connected to the tip of the curved section 12. Part 13
It is made up of. The bending section 12 can be bent in the vertical/horizontal direction by operating a bending operation knob (not shown) installed on the operation section 3.

In addition, in the NMR internal celebration vL1, at the time of NMR measurement,
As shown in FIG. 2, the subject 1 placed on the bed 15
It is designed to be used in combination with an NMR device 17 arranged so as to surround 6.

This NMR apparatus 17 is equipped with a means for generating a static magnetic field, such as a permanent magnet, a normal conducting magnet, or a super-depressed S-magnet.

The tip portion 13 is constructed as shown in FIG.

That is, the distal end portion 13 includes a distal end main body 21 made of hard material such as metal. This tip main body 21 is
As shown in FIG. 3, it is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and the tip side is formed with a small diameter. The small-diameter portion 22 is formed with an engaging portion 23 that is a circumferential recess. The tip main body 21 is formed with an observation hole 24 extending parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion 2 and an illumination hole 25 . The observation hole 24 has, on the tip side,
Is objective lens system 26 equipped? '1, and this objective lens system 2
The tip Qlli surface of the image guide fiber 27 inserted into the insertion section 2 is placed at the imaging position 6.

The object image formed by the objective lens system 26 is guided to the eyepiece 4 by the image guide fiber 27, and can be observed from the eyepiece 4. It looks like this. In addition, the illumination through hole 25 includes, on the tip side,
A light distribution lens 28 is attached, and a light guide fiber 29 is disposed on the rear end side of the light distribution lens 28. This light guide fiber 29 is connected to the insertion portion 2 and the
It is inserted into the universal cord 5 and connected to the connector 6. By connecting this connector 6 to the light source device 7, the light guide fiber 2
Illumination light can be supplied to the incident end of 9.

Further, a capacitor box 33 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the large diameter portion 30 on the rear end side of the tip body 21 .

A signal cable 34 such as a coaxial cable is connected to the rear end of this capacitor box 33.
4 is inserted into the insertion portion 2 and the universal cord 5 and connected to the connector 6. Furthermore, two connector bins 35, for example, are provided protruding from the tip side of the box 6 of the connector 1, and these connector bins 35 are
As shown in FIG. 3, the large diameter portion 30 of the tip main body 21
It protrudes outward from the stepped portion between the small diameter portion 22 and the small diameter portion 22 toward the distal end side.

A flexible tube 37 forming a stop tube of the insertion section 2 is connected to the rear end of the distal end main body 21, and the image guide fiber 27, the light guide fiber 29, and the signal cable 34 are inserted into the duplex 37. etc. are stored.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, a hood 41 for protecting the objective lens system 26 and the light distribution lens 28, for example, is removably provided on the distal end side of the distal end main body 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, this hood 41 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape with an outer diameter that is approximately the same as or slightly thicker than that of the tip body 21, and a rear end side of the inner periphery is provided with the tip. An engaging portion 42 consisting of a circumferential convex portion that engages with the engaging portion 23 provided on the main body 21 is formed. Then, the hood 41 is fitted onto the distal end side of the distal end main body 21, and the engaging portion 23.4
2, the hood 41 is fixed to the tip main body 21. Further, the hood 41 was fixed to the tip main body 21. In this state, the distal end protrudes forward beyond the distal end surface of the distal end main body 21. In this embodiment, the hood 4
A circumferential groove portion 45 that opens toward the tip side is formed at the tip end of the NMR measurement coil (antenna) 46, and is housed in the groove portion 45 so as to be exposed to the outside. This coil 46 is formed into a one-turn loop shape, and both ends thereof are bent toward the rear end side, and two connector receivers ( 47.

The NMR measurement f stage including the coil 46 is, for example, the fifth
It is configured as shown in the figure.

That is, the coil 46 has the connector receiver 47
and] A capacitor box 33 inside the tip body 21 is connected via the connector pin 3. For example, a high frequency generated from a high frequency generator 51 provided in the light source device 7 and tuned to a resonance frequency corresponding to the nuclide to be measured by a tuning circuit 52 is transmitted to the coil 46 via the capacitor box 33. The coil 46 sends out a high frequency magnetic field to the living body. In this embodiment, the direction of the high frequency magnetic field, that is, the detection direction is parallel to the axial direction of the insertion section 2. Inside the capacitor box 33 is the coil 46.
A capacitor 01 in parallel with the coil 46 and a variable pull capacitor C2 in series with the coil 46 are built in, and these capacitors C1 and C2 form a matching circuit for impedance matching between the coil 46 side and the high frequency generator 51 side. ing.

In this embodiment, the coil 46 serves both as a transmitter and a receiver, and the NMR signal from the living body is transmitted to the coil 46.
This NMR signal is input to the NMR signal detection circuit 53 via the capacitor box 33.

Then, this NMR signal C,l detection circuit 53 obtains information (NMR parameters) such as relaxation time question (T1.T2).
19 is now available.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as above will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the subject 1G is placed on the bed 15,
A static magnetic field is applied to the test section 16 by the NMR device 17 .

In this state, the NMR endoscope 1
At the same time, the insertion section 2 of the NMR lens system 26. Image guide fiber 27. The observation optical system consisting of the eyepiece section 4 is used to observe the stomach vl [reservoir, etc.].

For example, if an abnormal site is found in the upper layer of the stomach wall, the operator operates the bending operation knob (not shown) of the operation unit 30, etc.
The coil 4 provided in the hood 41 on the distal end side of the distal end portion 13
Press 6 on the abnormal area. In this state, the high frequency generator 51. Tuning circuit 52. A high frequency wave is sent to the coil 46 via the capacitor box 33, and a high frequency magnetic field is sent from the coil 46 to the abnormal area. Furthermore, this high frequency T
It is desirable that the direction of ij1MA be perpendicular to the direction of the static magnetic field. Then, the NMR credit from the abnormal area is received by the coil 46, and the NMR credit detection circuit 53
Physiological changes in the abnormal area, such as
It becomes possible to detect whether it is cancer or not.

In this embodiment, the coil 46 for NMR measurement is
; Provided on the hood 41 of the section 13. Therefore, the coil 46 can be provided in the distal end 13 with good space efficiency, and compared to the case where the coil 46 is built into the distal end 13,
The tip portion 13 can be made smaller and smaller in diameter.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a hood according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a capacitor box 33 connected to a connector socket t) 47, 47 is provided inside a hood 61 having a substantially cylindrical wall thickness.
A coil 62 for measuring Rfff is connected. This coil 62 is embedded in the hood 61 and is wound several times, for example twice, in the circumferential direction.

The configuration of the square is similar to that of the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the capacitor box 33 is connected to the hood 6.
1, the tip main body 21 can be made smaller and smaller in diameter.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, not showing the hood, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a saddle-shaped tile 67 is embedded in one side of a substantially cylindrical hood 66 in the radial direction, and the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the direction of the high-frequency magnetic field sent out from the coil 67, that is, the detection direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion section 2, and the side of the hood 66 is brought into contact with the subject. This enables NMR δ1 measurement. Furthermore, by replacing the hood 66 of this embodiment with the hood 46 of the first embodiment, the detection direction can be changed depending on the part to be examined.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a hood according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a coil 72 is wound in a saddle shape on both sides of a substantially cylindrical hood 71 in the radial direction, and the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the detection direction is
It is possible to move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion section 2 and to increase the magnetic field.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a hood according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the tip of the approximately cylindrical hood 76 is connected to the insertion portion 2.
is formed obliquely with respect to the axial direction of, and as in the first embodiment,
A circumferential groove is formed at the tip of the hood 76, and a coil 77 is housed within this groove. Further, the hood 76
Two semicircular notches 78 degrees 78 are provided at symmetrical positions in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, allowing the tip side of the hood 76 to rotate slightly.

According to this embodiment, the coil 77 installed on the rotatable tip side of the hood 76 can be reliably brought into close contact with the test subject.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a hood according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of, for example two, saddle-shaped coils 82 and 83 are embedded in the substantially cylindrical hood 81 along the direction of rotation. The coils 82 and 83 are connected to connector receivers 47, 47 and 47, 47, respectively.

According to this embodiment, for example, it is possible to change the detection direction without moving the tip portion 13 by mutually assigning the detection direction by the 21-il 82° 83. Furthermore, N
A plurality of circuits for MR measurement may be provided in accordance with the number of the coils 82 and 83, or the coils connected to one circuit may be switched.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example, N
The hood in which the coil for MR measurement is provided is not removable, but is fixed to the tip body 21, or
It may be formed integrally with the tip body.

In addition, as optical observation means, there are those equipped with an image carrier made of a solid m@ element at the tip, and those equipped with a television camera in the eyepiece of an endoscope capable of visual observation such as a fiberscope. b, etc. may be used.

[Effect of the invention 1] As explained above, according to the present invention, the coil for NMR measurement is provided in the hood part of the distal end of the insertion section, so the coil for NMR measurement can be installed without increasing the size of the distal end. It has the advantage that it can be provided at the tip.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a sectional view of the distal end of the insertion tube, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the N111/IR endoscope in use, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the distal end with the hood removed, and Fig. 4 shows the hood. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the N M r< measurement means; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a hood according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the hood according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a hood, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a hood according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a perspective view of a hood according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view without showing the hood according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 1... NMR congratulations 112... Insertion section 13... Tip 17... NMR device 21... Tip body 41... Hood 46... Coil Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 I3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] An endoscope in which a coil for NMR measurement is provided at the distal end of the insertion section, wherein the coil is provided in a hood portion of the distal end of the insertion section.