WO2018235181A1

WO2018235181A1 - Therapeutic ultrasonic unit and endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2018235181A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/022799
Authority: WO
Inventors: 希依堀江
Original assignee: オリンパス株式会社
Priority date: 2017-06-21
Filing date: 2017-06-21
Publication date: 2018-12-27

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to continuously output therapeutic ultrasonic waves by preventing overheating of cables at the time of outputting therapeutic ultrasonic waves. A therapeutic ultrasonic unit (1) relating to the present invention is provided with: a therapeutic ultrasonic element (3) formed in a one-dimensional array shape by arraying, in one direction, a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators (5), each having a longitudinal axis, said one direction being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; and cables (4) respectively connected to the ultrasonic vibrators (5) of the therapeutic ultrasonic element (3). The positions where the cables (4) are connected to the adjacent ultrasonic vibrators (5) are varied in the longitudinal axis direction.

Description

Therapeutic ultrasound unit and endoscope

The present invention relates to a therapeutic ultrasound unit and an endoscope.

An ultrasonic wave in which a diagnostic ultrasonic element provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in an array is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion so as to have a field of view diagonally forward An endoscope is known (for example, refer to patent documents 1).

JP-A-11-276489

The ultrasonic endoscope of Patent Document 1 includes a diagnostic ultrasonic element for outputting a diagnostic ultrasonic wave having relatively low strength, and uses a thin and soft cable as a cable connected to each ultrasonic transducer. it can.
However, when using a therapeutic ultrasonic element that outputs relatively high strength therapeutic ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to use a thick and hard cable capable of supplying a large current as a cable connected to each ultrasonic transducer. Because there is, free wiring is difficult. In addition, if a large number of cables connected to each of a large number of ultrasonic transducers arranged in an array are densely packed, there is a disadvantage that the cables are overheated when the therapeutic ultrasonic waves are output.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a therapeutic ultrasonic unit capable of continuously outputting therapeutic ultrasonic waves by preventing overheating of a cable at the time of output of therapeutic ultrasonic waves. And to provide an endoscope.

One aspect of the present invention is a therapeutic ultrasonic element in the form of a one-dimensional array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a longitudinal axis are arranged in one direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the therapeutic ultrasonic element It is a therapeutic ultrasonic unit which comprises: a cable connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers; and a connecting position of each of the cables to the adjacent ultrasonic transducer differs in the longitudinal axis direction.

According to this aspect, a cable is connected to each ultrasonic transducer of the one-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducer elements for treatment formed by arranging the plurality of ultrasonic transducers having the longitudinal axis in one direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. By supplying electric power through the device, the ultrasonic transducer can be vibrated to emit ultrasonic waves to treat the affected area. Since the current supplied to the ultrasonic transducer for generating the therapeutic ultrasonic waves is large, the cable becomes thick. According to this aspect, since the connection position of the cable to the adjacent ultrasonic transducer is deviated in the longitudinal axis direction, the distance between the cables can be increased even if the thickness of the cable becomes large, and the cable congestion can be increased. It can prevent and prevent overheating.

In the above-mentioned mode, it is provided with a cylindrical exterior member, and the exterior member can contain the cross section shape which can be stored in the state where the emitting surface of the ultrasonic wave of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is inclined to the axis of the exterior member And the connection position of the cable to the ultrasonic transducer arranged at the tip of the ultrasonic transducer for treatment is the distance between the ultrasonic transducer at the tip and the inner surface of the exterior member It may be set at the farthest position in the longitudinal direction.

In this way, the treatment ultrasonic element is accommodated in the outer covering member in a state of being inclined with respect to the axis of the cylindrical outer covering member, whereby the therapeutic ultrasonic element is used to treat the diagonally forward of the outer covering member Ultrasonic waves can be emitted.
In this case, since the cable is wired so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the surface opposite to the ultrasonic emission surface of the therapeutic ultrasonic element, the ultrasonic transducer located at the front end and the inner surface of the exterior member The wiring space between them is the smallest. Among them, the wiring space of the cable can be maximized by connecting the cable to the ultrasonic transducer at the position in the longitudinal direction where the distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the inner surface of the exterior member is the longest.

In the above aspect, the exterior member is cylindrical, the therapeutic ultrasonic element is a rectangular flat, and the ultrasonic transducer disposed at the forefront of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is provided. The connection position of the cable may be set at the center position in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer at the leading end.
By doing this, when the exterior member is cylindrical, the distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the inner surface of the exterior member is the largest at the center position in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasound transducer arranged at the foremost end. Therefore, by connecting the cables at the central position, the wiring space can be maximized.

In the above aspect, the exterior member may be cylindrical, and the therapeutic ultrasonic element may include the concave emission surface having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the exterior member.
In this way, by providing the concave emitting surface, the therapeutic ultrasonic waves can be geometrically focused, and higher-intensity therapeutic ultrasonic waves can be emitted. Also in this case, the distance between the ultrasonic transducer forming the concave emission surface and the inner surface of the exterior member is the largest at the center position in the longitudinal axis direction, so by connecting the cable at this position Wiring space can be maximized.

In the above-mentioned mode, while the exterior member is cylindrical, it is a shape which formed a crevice in the outside by making a part of wall surface which counters the above-mentioned ultrasonic transducer of a tip part radially inward. The connection position of the cable to the ultrasonic transducer arranged at the tip of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is set to at least one of the two sides in the circumferential direction of the recess. May be
In this way, using the recess formed in a part of the exterior circumferential direction of the exterior member, an endoscope or other instrument is disposed, and can be accommodated within a range that does not greatly protrude from the exterior of the exterior member it can.

In this case, the inner surface of the exterior member approaches at the center position in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer disposed at the foremost end, so at least one of the both sides in the circumferential direction of the recess By connecting the cable to the ultrasonic transducer, the wiring space of the cable can be maximized.

In the above-mentioned mode, while the exterior member is cylindrical, it is a shape which formed a crevice in the outside by making a part of wall surface which counters the above-mentioned ultrasonic transducer of a tip part radially inward. And the therapeutic ultrasonic element comprises the concave emission surface having a curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of the inner surface of the exterior member, and the ultrasonic wave disposed at the forefront of the therapeutic ultrasonic element The connection position of the cable to the vibrator may be set to at least one of the two sides in the circumferential direction of the recess.
In this way, by providing the concave emitting surface, the therapeutic ultrasonic waves can be geometrically focused, and higher-intensity therapeutic ultrasonic waves can be emitted. Also in this case, the distance between the ultrasonic transducer forming the concave emission surface and the inner surface of the exterior member is the largest at both sides of the recess, so connecting the cable at this position results in a wiring space Can be secured to the maximum.

In the above-mentioned mode, it may be removably attached to the endoscope in the state where the approximately cylindrical endoscope was stored in the crevice.
In this way, the endoscope can be disposed using the concave portion formed in a part of the outer circumferential direction of the exterior member, and the endoscope can be accommodated within a range not greatly projecting from the outer shape of the exterior member.

Another aspect of the present invention is an endoscope provided with any one of the above-mentioned therapeutic ultrasonic wave units, and an observation ultrasonic wave element for emitting an ultrasonic wave for observation and at least one observation unit of an optical system. is there.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the overheating | superheat of the cable at the time of the output of a therapeutic ultrasound is prevented, and it is effective in the ability to output a therapeutic ultrasound continuously.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tip part which shows the therapeutic ultrasound unit concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the connection position of the cable to the therapeutic ultrasonic element of the therapeutic ultrasonic unit of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the connection position of the cable of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the connection position of the cable of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the connection position of the cable of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the connection position of the cable of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the 1st modification of the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the front-end | tip part of the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the 2nd modification of the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the 3rd modification of the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of the endoscope of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other modification of the endoscope of FIG. It is a 4th modification of the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows the therapeutic ultrasound unit of the adapter type | mold used in combination with the ultrasound endoscope for observation. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the 5th modification of the therapeutic ultrasound unit of FIG.

A therapeutic ultrasonic unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the therapeutic ultrasonic unit 1 according to this embodiment includes an insertion portion (exterior member) 2 inserted into a body cavity, and a therapeutic ultrasonic wave disposed at the tip of the insertion portion 2. An element 3 and a plurality of cables 4 for supplying electric power to the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 are provided.

The insertion part 2 is comprised by the cylinder shape of a cross-sectional round shape, as FIG. 2 shows.
The therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 is formed by arranging a large number of band-shaped ultrasonic transducers 5 having a longitudinal axis in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer 5 and arranging them in a one-dimensional array. , Is configured in the form of a rectangular flat plate.

As shown in FIG. 1, the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2, and emits therapeutic ultrasonic waves obliquely forward of the insertion portion 2. It can be done. Here, the therapeutic ultrasonic elements 3 in the form of a one-dimensional array are disposed in such a direction that the ultrasonic transducers 5 are at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2. In other words, in the longitudinal section of the insertion portion 2, the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducers 5 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2.
An emission surface 3a for emitting a therapeutic ultrasonic wave is provided on one surface side in the thickness direction of the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3, and a cable 4 is connected to the other surface side.

One cable 4 is connected to each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 5 constituting the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2, whereby the distal end (the lowest position in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 4 is connected to the center position of the ultrasonic transducer 5 in the longitudinal axis direction, as shown in FIG. The black circle in FIG. 3 indicates the connection position of the cable 4.

Further, the connection position of the cable 4 to another ultrasonic transducer 5 is set at a position different from the adjacent ultrasonic transducer 5 in the longitudinal axis direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the connection positions of the cables 4 are arranged in three rows, and are repeated for every three ultrasonic transducers 5 in the arrangement direction of the ultrasonic transducers 5.

According to the ultrasonic treatment unit 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the connection position of the cable 4 for supplying power to the ultrasonic transducer 5 disposed at the forefront of the smallest wiring space is Since it arrange | positions in the center position of the longitudinal-axis direction of the sound wave vibrator 5, the clearance gap between the ultrasonic wave vibrator 5 and the inner surface of the insertion part 2 can be ensured maximally, and can be wired unreasonably.

Further, in the present embodiment, the connection positions of the cables 4 to the adjacent ultrasonic transducers 5 are shifted to different positions so as not to be disposed at the same position in the longitudinal axis direction of each of the ultrasonic transducers 5 Therefore, the distance between the cables 4 is secured to prevent the cable 4 from being dense and prevent the cable 4 from overheating even if the temperature of the cable 4 rises due to the current flowing at the time of emitting the therapeutic ultrasonic wave. It has the advantage of being able to
As a result, a large current can be continuously supplied to each ultrasonic transducer 5, and there is an advantage that stable ultrasonic treatment can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2, the case where the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 is disposed orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (axial line) of the insertion portion 2 In comparison, the emission surface 3a of the therapeutic ultrasonic waves can be secured large. In addition, the dimension in the longitudinal axis direction can be shortened as compared with the case where the insertion portion 2 is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the hard length of the insertion portion 2 (the length of the portion ahead of the bending portion when having the bending portion) ) Has the advantage of being able to improve operability.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the connection positions of the cables 4 are arranged in three rows near the center position in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer 5, the ultrasonic transducer 5 is surrounded by an ellipse in FIG. The cable 4 is not wired in the area in the vicinity of the both ends in the longitudinal axis direction, and a space is secured. This space can be used as a space for arranging other instruments such as an optical system 11 to be described later for observing the front of the insertion portion 2 and piping for air / water supply nozzle.

In the present embodiment, the connection positions of the cables 4 are arranged in three rows in the vicinity of the center position in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer 5, but instead, as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. , Any arrangement may be adopted.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the connection position is gradually shifted using the entire length in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer 5, and the cable 4 is further dispersed as compared with the arrangement of FIG. Thus, the cable 4 can be prevented from being overheated.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the connection position is fixed on one side in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer 5, and the space where the cable 4 is not arranged is surrounded on the other side so as to be surrounded by an ellipse. can do.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the cables 4 can be evenly distributed, and heat radiation from the cables 4 can be promoted.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, by arranging the connection position of the cable 4 in the vicinity of the end in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer 5, the vibration in the vicinity of the center in the longitudinal axis direction is not obstructed. There is an advantage that ultrasonic waves can be emitted efficiently. Moreover, heat dissipation can also be improved by arrange | positioning the cable 4 around.

In the present embodiment, the insertion section 2 is illustrated as having a circular cross section, but as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the outer periphery is obtained by projecting a part in the circumferential direction radially inward. A groove-shaped recess 6 along the longitudinal direction may be formed on part of the surface.
The recess 6 can be used to place other instruments such as an endoscope.

In this case, the central position in the longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic transducer 5 located at the foremost end is closest to the inner surface of the insertion portion 2 by the recess 6, so the ultrasonic transducer 5 is the inner surface of the insertion portion 2 As shown in FIG. 8, by setting the connection position of the cable 4 on either side of the recess 6, the wiring space of the cable 4 is maximized. can do. In the present embodiment, although a configuration in which one cable 4 is connected to each ultrasonic transducer 5 is adopted, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case where it is desired to supply a larger amount of current and to further increase the intensity of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave, a configuration may be employed in which two cables 4 are connected to one ultrasonic transducer 5. In such a case, a configuration may be adopted in which the cable 4 is connected to each end of the recess 6 in the ultrasonic transducer 5 positioned at the front end.

Further, in the present embodiment, the flat plate-like therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 has been described, but instead, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a concave emitting surface 3a curved in one direction is The therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 may be employed. In this case, by setting the radius of curvature of the exit surface 3a sufficiently larger than the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the insertion portion 2, the distance between the most distal ultrasonic transducer 5 and the inner surface of the insertion portion 2 is Therefore, a wiring space for the cable 4 can be provided. The same applies to the case where the groove-like recess 6 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2 as shown in FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, the therapeutic ultrasonic unit 1 has been described, but in addition to this, as shown in FIG. 12, the inner surface of the insertion portion 2 of the therapeutic ultrasonic unit 1 and the therapeutic ultrasonic wave The endoscope 10 may be configured by disposing an optical system (observation unit) 11 having a field of view in front of the insertion unit 2 through a gap with the element 3. Since the configuration of the optical system 11 (imaging optical system, imaging device, lens drive actuator, etc.) is also a heat source, the connection position of the cable 4 to the ultrasonic transducer 5 may be separated from the optical system 11 The sources can be separated, which is preferable in terms of heat protection.

Further, instead of the optical system 11, as shown in FIG. 13, an endoscope in which an observation ultrasonic element (observation unit) 12 for emitting an observation ultrasonic wave is disposed in front of the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 Ten may be adopted. The cable 14 connected to the observation ultrasonic wave element 12 has a low current, so a thin and soft one can be used. Therefore, the cable 14 connected to the observation ultrasonic element 12 can be wired using the gap of the cable 4 connected to the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3.

Moreover, in addition to the endoscope 10 having the ultrasonic transducer 12 for observation of FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, an endoscope having an optical system (observation unit) 11 for observing the front of the insertion unit 2 Ten may be adopted.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the therapeutic ultrasonic unit 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured by an adapter that is detachably attached to the observation ultrasonic endoscope (endoscope) 20. Also in this case, since the concave portion 6 for accommodating the ultrasonic transducer 12 for observation is in proximity to the ultrasonic transducer 5 at the forefront of the ultrasonic transducer 3 for treatment, as in FIGS. The wiring space of the cable 4 may be provided on either side of the recess 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the observation ultrasonic transducer 12 may be disposed in a part of the region of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 3, for example, in the region near the center.
In this case, there is an advantage that the observation range by the observation ultrasonic element 12 and the treatment range by the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 can be easily matched, and the cable 4 of the therapeutic ultrasonic element 3 can be used. Since it arranges outside, there is an advantage that heat dissipation is improved and overheating of cable 4 can be controlled.

1 treatment ultrasound unit 2 insertion part (exterior member)
3 therapeutic ultrasonic element 3a emission surface 4 cable 5 ultrasonic transducer 6 recess 10 endoscope 11 optical system (observation section)
12 Ultrasonic element for observation (observation part)
20 Ultrasonic endoscope for observation (endoscope)

Claims

A one-dimensional array of therapeutic ultrasonic elements in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a longitudinal axis are arranged in one direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis;
A cable connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers of the therapeutic ultrasonic element;
A therapeutic ultrasonic unit in which connection positions of the cables to the adjacent ultrasonic transducers are different in the longitudinal direction.
Equipped with a tubular exterior member,
The exterior member has a cross-sectional shape that can be accommodated in a state in which the emission surface of the ultrasonic wave of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is inclined with respect to the axis of the exterior member,
The connection position of the cable to the ultrasonic transducer arranged at the tip of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is the distance between the tip of the ultrasonic transducer and the inner surface of the exterior member is the longest. The therapeutic ultrasound unit according to claim 1, wherein the therapeutic ultrasound unit is set at a position in the longitudinal direction.
The exterior member is cylindrical,
The therapeutic ultrasonic element is in the form of a rectangular plate,
The connection position of the cable to the ultrasonic transducer arranged at the tip of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is set at the center position of the ultrasonic transducer in the longitudinal direction of the tip. The therapeutic ultrasound unit according to Item 2.
The exterior member is cylindrical,
The therapeutic ultrasonic unit according to claim 2, wherein the therapeutic ultrasonic element comprises the concave emitting surface having a curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of the inner surface of the exterior member.
The exterior member is cylindrical, and has a shape in which a recess is formed on the outside by radially inward projecting a part of a wall surface opposed to the ultrasonic transducer at the most distal end.
The connection position of the cable to the ultrasonic transducer arranged at the tip of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is set to at least one of the both sides in the circumferential direction of the recess. The therapeutic ultrasound unit according to 2.
The exterior member is cylindrical, and has a shape in which a recess is formed on the outside by radially inward projecting a part of a wall surface opposed to the ultrasonic transducer at the most distal end.
The therapeutic ultrasonic element includes the concave emitting surface having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the exterior member.
The connection position of the cable to the ultrasonic transducer arranged at the tip of the therapeutic ultrasonic element is set to at least one of the both sides in the circumferential direction of the recess. The therapeutic ultrasound unit according to 2.
The therapeutic ultrasonic unit according to claim 5 or 6, which is detachably attached to the endoscope in a state in which the substantially cylindrical endoscope is accommodated in the recess.
A therapeutic ultrasound unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
An endoscope comprising: an observation ultrasonic element for emitting an ultrasonic wave for observation; and an observation portion of at least one of an optical system.