JP2001087262A - Endoscope attachable ultrasonic inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute an ultrasonic inspection device as an ultrasonic endoscope by incorporating an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning into this endoscope, and to stably operate the ultrasonic inspection device in an incorporated state by mounting an endoscope connecting mechanism of a body unit for constituting the ultrasonic inspection device by being replaced with a tip cap mounted on a tip constituting part of an inserting part of the endoscope without impairing the function when used as the endoscope by mounting the tip cap. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic inspection device 30 is composed of a body unit 31 composed of an ultrasonic scanning mechanism part 34 mounted with an ultrasonic transducer 43 for performing electronic scanning and an endoscope connecting mechanism part 33 detachably mounted on a tip part body 10 of a tip constituting part 2a of an inserting part 2 of an endoscope 1 and a signal cable 32, and is constituted as an ultrasonic endoscope by mounting the endoscope connecting mechanism part 33 by being replaced with a tip cap 11 mounted on the tip part body 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus which is attached to and detached from an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical example of a device which is inserted into the body of a subject to perform a required test or diagnosis is an endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity and a device relating to a body tissue. There is an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for acquiring information.
An ultrasonic endoscope in which the endoscope and the ultrasonic inspection apparatus are integrated is also known. Here, an ultrasonic endoscope is generally equipped with an ultrasonic observation means at a position on the distal end side of an insertion portion into a body cavity or the like, and is provided with an endoscope at a position on the base end side of the ultrasonic observation mechanism. It is configured by attaching observation means. This ultrasonic endoscope has an integral configuration of the ultrasonic observation means and the endoscope observation means, and is suitable for use when performing a combination of an endoscopic examination and an ultrasonic examination. It has become something. However, in this ultrasonic endoscope, the observation field of view by the endoscope observation means is extremely limited because the ultrasonic observation means is located in front of the endoscope observation means. In addition, the treatment instrument lead-out section is also arranged on the attachment section of the endoscope observation means, and therefore, the operation of the treatment instrument is also restricted. From the above, the ultrasonic endoscope,
At present, it is not used when only endoscopic examination is performed and ultrasonic examination is not used at the same time.

[0003] There is also known an endoscope that is configured to be able to use an ultrasonic inspection together with an endoscopic inspection when necessary, without impairing the function of the endoscope at all. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-42231, an ultrasonic probe inserted into a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope and guided into a body cavity or the like, that is, inserted into a so-called transendoscopically. An ultrasonic probe is an example. This type of ultrasonic probe is provided with an ultrasonic scanning section provided with an ultrasonic transducer at the tip, a flexible cord connected to the ultrasonic scanning section, and a proximal end of the flexible cord. The flexible cord is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope, and the connector provided at the proximal end of the flexible cord is directly or connected to the connector. It is configured to be detachably connected to the ultrasonic operation unit via an adapter.

[0004] In this ultrasonic probe inserted endoscopically, the ultrasonic transducer mounted on the ultrasonic scanning unit is a single-plate vibrator, and this ultrasonic transducer is moved in the radial direction or in the radial direction. It is configured to perform mechanical scanning for mechanically scanning in a linear direction. In order to enable transmission of low-frequency ultrasonic waves, the size of the ultrasonic scanning unit is made larger than the hole diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel due to the use of a large ultrasonic transducer, so that the ultrasonic probe can be viewed endoscopically. When mounted on the mirror, it is inserted from the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel.

[0005]

The ultrasonic scanning system includes an electronic scanning system in addition to the mechanical scanning system described above. In the electronic scanning method, an ultrasonic transducer is formed by providing a number of strip-shaped ultrasonic transducers in parallel, and the ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer are sequentially driven to form an ultrasonic transducer. It is configured to scan in the arrangement direction. The use of the electronic scanning ultrasonic transducer has an advantage that various wavefronts can be created by controlling the transmission timing of each ultrasonic transducer. However, in the case of an ultrasonic probe that is inserted endoscopically, the outer diameter of the ultrasonic probe is restricted due to the fact that the flexible cord is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel. Unable to pass the connected wiring,
In addition, since the size and weight of an electronic scanning ultrasonic transducer are significantly larger than that of a single-plate transducer, it is extremely difficult to stably hold the ultrasonic transducer incorporated in an endoscope. For some reasons, it is impossible to mount an ultrasonic transducer for electronic scanning on the ultrasonic scanning unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable an ultrasonic transducer for performing electronic scanning to be removably incorporated in an endoscope, and to provide an endoscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus which can be operated extremely stably in a state where the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is incorporated in a computer.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a distal end component constituting an insertion portion of an endoscope so as to cover the distal end surface of the distal end component,
An endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus which is exchangeably mounted with a tip cap provided with a nozzle for ejecting a cleaning fluid toward an observation window, and performs electronic ultrasonic scanning,
An endoscope coupling mechanism comprising: an end face cover that covers the distal end surface of the insertion portion and has a nozzle mounted on the outer surface side thereof; and a peripheral body portion that is connected to the end surface cover portion and covers an outer peripheral portion of the distal end component. And an ultrasonic scanning mechanism equipped with an ultrasonic transducer that projects from the end face cover portion toward the distal end, arranges ultrasonic transducers in an array, and performs ultrasonic electronic scanning. It is assumed that.

Here, the ultrasonic scanning mechanism is provided with a linear or convex curved inclined surface which falls toward the front end side ahead of the end face cover portion, and the ultrasonic vibrator constituting the ultrasonic transducer is provided with this inclined surface. It can be configured to be arranged in the inclination direction of the inclined surface. Further, it is desirable to provide fixing means for detachably fixing the outer peripheral surface of the distal end component of the insertion portion on the outer surface of the peripheral trunk portion of the endoscope connecting mechanism.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIGS. 1 to 4 show a specific example of an endoscope in which an ultrasonic inspection apparatus is incorporated. Note that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the present invention is not necessarily incorporated only in this type of endoscope, and is configured such that the tip cap and the hood are detachably connected to the tip of the insertion portion. Any endoscope can be used.

First, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope. The endoscope 1 is provided with a main body operating section 3 at a base end of an insertion section 2.
, And a universal cord 4 is drawn out of the main body operation unit 3. The insertion portion 2 includes a distal end component 2a, an angle portion 2b, and a flexible portion 2c from the distal end side. As shown in FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 2, an illumination window 5 (two locations are provided in the drawing, but not necessarily two locations) and an observation window 6 are provided, and the illumination window 5 is provided with a light guide. A solid-state image sensor is mounted at the image formation position of the objective lens mounted on the observation window 6 with the emission end facing. Further, a treatment tool lead-out port 7 for leading out a treatment tool such as forceps is opened. Further, a washing nozzle 8 for ejecting a washing liquid and pressurized air as a washing fluid toward the observation window 6 is also mounted.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. As is apparent from these drawings, the distal end component 2a includes a distal end main body 10 and a distal end cap 11 that is detachably connected to the distal end surface of the distal end main body 10. The distal end body 10 is made of metal in terms of workability, strength, and the like, and has a through hole for mounting each of the above-described members. FIG. 3 shows the observation means 12 connected to the observation window 6 and the treatment tool guide means 13 connected to the treatment tool outlet 7, and FIG. And the fluid supply means 14 connected to the observation means 12 and the washing nozzle 8. In addition, although the illumination means is connected to the illumination window 5, illustration of this illumination means is omitted.

The observation means 12 includes an objective optical system 15 and a solid-state image pickup device 16 arranged at an image forming position of the objective optical system 15.
And The lens constituting the objective optical system 15 is mounted in a lens barrel 17, and a prism 18 for bending the optical path by 90 ° is attached to the base end of the lens barrel 17. The treatment tool guide means 13 includes a treatment tool insertion pipe 19 attached to the distal end body 10, and a flexible treatment tool insertion channel 20 fitted to the treatment tool insertion pipe 19. Further, the fluid supply means 14 includes a passage 21 formed in the distal end body 10 and a pipe 22 connected to the passage 21.
And a tube 23 fitted to the pipe 22.

Here, each of the above-mentioned members is mounted in a through hole formed in the axial direction in the distal end body 10, but the cleaning nozzle 8 is directed to direct the cleaning fluid to the observation window 6, It has a spout that covers the upper part of the passage 21 and opens toward the observation window 6. Therefore, when the insertion section 2 is inserted into the body cavity, the inside of the passage 21 may be contaminated by the body fluid or the like from the inner surface of the washing nozzle 8. Therefore, the cleaning nozzle 8 and the passage 21, as well as the pipe 22 and the tube 23 must be cleaned and disinfected each time they are used. In order to easily perform this cleaning and disinfection, the cleaning nozzle 8 can be attached to and detached from the distal end body 10. The tip cap 11 is provided to insulate the tip body 10 made of metal and to allow the cleaning nozzle 8 to be removed from the tip body 10. Therefore, the cleaning nozzle 8 is connected to the tip cap 11
Is fixedly provided. Therefore, a fluid passage 24 is formed in the distal end cap 11, and a through hole including the illumination window 5, the observation window 6, and the treatment tool outlet 7 is formed in the distal end cap 11. The distal end surface of the lens barrel 17 connected to the observation window 6 extends to the surface of the distal end cap 11, and an illumination lens barrel is connected to the illumination window 5. The distal end surface of the lens barrel also extends to the surface of the distal end cap 11.

The tip cap 11 includes an end cover 11a for covering the tip surface of the tip body 10, and a peripheral body 11b for covering the outer peripheral surface of the tip body 10. The inner peripheral surface of the peripheral body 11b is An annular locking ridge 25 is provided, and a locking groove 26 with which the locking ridge 25 is engaged is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end main body 10 in an annular shape. Then, the tip cap 11 is attached to the tip body 10.
When mounted on the peripheral cap 1 of the tip cap 11,
The end surface of 1b is in contact with the end surface of the coating layer 27 of the angle portion 2b, thereby preventing the conductor such as metal from being exposed on the outer surface of the insertion portion 2.

The distal end cap 11 is fixedly connected to the distal end body 10 by engaging the locking ridge 25 with the locking groove 26 by a snap action, and engaging with the locking ridge 25. When the engagement with the stop groove 26 is released, the distal end cap 11 can be detached from the distal end body 10. Therefore, by detaching the distal end cap 11 from the distal end main body 10, the cleaning nozzle 8, the passage 21, the pipe 22, and the tube 23 can be easily and completely cleaned and disinfected.

The endoscope 1 is configured as described above.
As shown in FIG. 6, a main unit 31 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 is detachably attached to the distal end component 2a of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 has a main unit 31 including an ultrasonic transducer, and a signal cable 32. An end of the signal cable 32 is provided with a connector detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus. . And the main unit 3
1 is attached to the distal end component 2 a of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1, and the signal cable 32 extends along the insertion section 2. The main body unit 31 is mounted in the distal end portion 2a by replacing the distal end cap 11 mounted on the distal end main body 10. Therefore, as is clear from FIGS. 5 to 7,
An endoscope connecting mechanism 33 and an ultrasonic scanning mechanism 34 are detachably connected to the distal end component 2a.

The endoscope connecting mechanism 33 includes an end face cover 35.
And the circumferential body 36. The end face cover 35 has substantially the same configuration as the tip cap 11, and has an illumination window 37, an observation window 38, a treatment tool outlet 39, and a washing nozzle 40. On the other hand, unlike the distal end cap 11, the peripheral trunk portion 36 extends not only to cover the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion main body 10, but also to a position that also covers the distal end portion of the coating layer 27 in the angle portion 2b. On the inner surface of the peripheral body portion 36, a tip end main body 10 is provided near a portion connected to the end face cover portion 35.
Locking ridge 41 engaging with locking groove 26 formed on the outer peripheral surface of
Are provided, a plurality of crevices 36a each having a predetermined length are formed on the distal end side, and screws are provided on the outer peripheral surface. The portion provided with this screw is made slightly thicker than the other portions, and has an outer diameter larger. A screw ring 42 provided with a screw on the inner peripheral surface is fitted on the outer periphery of the peripheral body portion 36. When the screw ring 42 is screwed into a screw portion of the peripheral body portion 36, the peripheral body portion 36 Is pressed inward in the radial direction and pressed against the coating layer 27.
Here, the coating layer 27 in the angle portion 2b is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and therefore, when the peripheral body portion 36 is pressed, the coating layer 27 bends by a predetermined amount. As described above, the endoscope connecting mechanism 33 is for connecting and fixing the main body unit 31 to the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1, and snaps the locking ridge 41 into the locking groove 26. The engagement by the action action and the screwing of the screw ring 42 fix the extremely stable state.

The ultrasonic scanning mechanism section 34 is provided so as to protrude forward from an end face cover section 35 constituting the endoscope connecting mechanism section 33, the lower surface thereof has a substantially planar shape, and the upper surface side has a mountain shape. It has a curved shape. An ultrasonic transducer 43 configured by arranging a large number of strip-shaped ultrasonic transducers along the inclination direction is provided on an inclined surface on the front side of the top on the upper surface side. Also, this ultrasonic transducer 4
The wiring connected to 3 is inserted separately into signal cables 32 connected to both left and right sides of the ultrasonic scanning mechanism 34. Therefore, the connecting portion 34a to the endoscope connecting mechanism 33 is narrower in width than the main body portion provided with the ultrasonic transducer 43 in the ultrasonic scanning mechanism 34, the end faces are formed on both sides, and the signal cable is formed. 32 is connected to this end face.

With the above configuration, the tip cap 11 is attached to the tip body 10 of the tip component 2a.
In the endoscope 1 equipped with the, the main body unit 31 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 is incorporated in place of the distal end cap 11, and the signal cable 32 is extended along the insertion section 2, so that the ultrasonic It will function as an endoscope. Thus, when incorporating the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 into the endoscope 1, first, the locking projection 25
The tip cap 11 is detached by detaching the tip cap from the locking groove 26 of the tip body 10. Then, the endoscope connecting mechanism 33 of the main unit 31 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 is fitted to the distal end main body 10, and the peripheral body 36
Is engaged with the locking groove 26. Thereafter, by screwing the screw ring 42 into the screw portion of the peripheral body portion 36, the main body unit 31 is firmly incorporated into the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1, and the endoscope connection mechanism 3
Although the ultrasonic scanning mechanism 34 protrudes largely forward from 3, the stability is not impaired.

Here, the position of the ultrasonic scanning mechanism 34 is
It depends on the bending direction of the angle part 2 b in the insertion part 2 and the treatment tool guiding means 13. In other words, when performing ultrasonic scanning by the ultrasonic transducer 43, the ultrasonic transducer 43 is brought into contact with the inner wall of the body cavity. This operation is performed by bending the angle portion 2b. As shown in (1), the transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer 43 needs to be directed in the bending direction of the angle portion 2b, for example, in the up direction.
In addition, when a site of interest is found during the ultrasound examination, the tissue of the site is sampled, and a necessary treatment is performed if necessary. For this,
A puncture treatment tool T is used, and the puncture treatment tool T is led out of the treatment tool outlet 39 of the treatment tool guide means 13 and inserted into the body. The position and the direction of the puncture treatment tool T in the body must be within the ultrasonic observation field F of the ultrasonic transducer 43. In addition,
After the puncture treatment tool T is led out from the treatment tool outlet 39, the puncture treatment tool T is guided obliquely forward by being guided by the rising surface on the base end side of the ultrasonic scanning mechanism 34.

Here, when incorporating the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 into the endoscope 1, the insertion section 2 of the ultrasonic scanning mechanism section 34 is used.
In the endoscope guide mechanism 35 of the endoscope connecting mechanism 33, an observation window 38 and an illumination window 37 are formed. Since the cylinder 17, the lens barrel constituting the illuminating means, and the pipe 22 of the fluid supply means 14 enter therein, they will exhibit a positioning function. It is assembled with the position in the rotation direction adjusted accurately.

As described above, the distal end component 2a of the insertion portion 2
If the tip cap 11 is attached to the
Nothing obstructs the observation field of view by the observation means 12 further ahead, and a wide observation field of view as the endoscope 1 is obtained,
In addition, by inserting forceps or a high-frequency treatment instrument through the treatment instrument guide means 13, treatment or other treatment can be performed. Moreover, by mounting the main unit 31 constituting the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 30 instead of the tip cap 11, the function as an ultrasonic endoscope can be exhibited. Moreover, since the ultrasonic transducer 43 performs electronic scanning, various wavefronts can be created by controlling the transmission timing of each of the ultrasonic transducers constituting the ultrasonic transducer 43. As compared with the inserted ultrasonic probe, it is possible to perform ultrasonic inspection by various inspection modes,
Inspection accuracy is improved. Further, a treatment instrument outlet 39 is opened in the end face cover 35 of the endoscope coupling mechanism 33 in the main unit 31.
Since there is no obstacle in the treatment tool guide means 13 connected thereto, a necessary treatment can be performed by inserting the puncture treatment tool T and other treatment tools.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the endoscope connecting mechanism of the main unit constituting the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is replaced with the distal end cap attached to the distal end forming portion of the insertion section of the endoscope. Because it has a configuration that can be mounted, the ultrasonic transducer that performs electronic scanning can be detachably incorporated into the endoscope, it can be configured as an ultrasonic endoscope, and it can be operated very stably with it incorporated in the endoscope, Further, there is an effect that the ultrasonic inspection apparatus can be used for a plurality of endoscopes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, together with an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a distal end surface of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

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

FIG. 5 is a front view of a main unit constituting the ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram in a state in which an ultrasonic inspection apparatus is incorporated in an endoscope to constitute an ultrasonic endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Insertion part 2a Tip part 2b Angle part 2c Flexible part 10 Tip part main body 11 Tip cap 12 Observation means 13 Treatment tool guide means 14 Fluid supply means 15 Objective optical system 16 Solid-state image sensor 17 Lens barrel 19 Treatment Tool insertion pipe 20 Treatment tool insertion channel 21 Passage 22 Pipe 23 Tube 24 Fluid passage 25, 41 Locking projection 26 Locking groove 27 Coating layer 30 Ultrasonic inspection apparatus 31 Main unit 32 Signal cable 33 Endoscope connecting mechanism 34 Super Acoustic inspection mechanism 35 End face cover 36 Circumference trunk 37 Illumination window 38 Observation window 39 Treatment tool outlet 40 Cleaning nozzle 42 Screw ring 43 Ultrasonic transducer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hirotomo Itoi 1-3324 Uetakecho, Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture Fuji Photonic Machine Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshio Sakamoto 1-3324 Uetakecho, Omiya City, Saitama Fuji (72) Inventor Masatoshi Yoshihara 1-3324 Uetake-cho, Omiya-shi, Saitama Fuji F-term (reference) 4C301 AA02 EE13 EE15 FF05 FF17 GA01 GA03 GB02 GB04 GB06 JA17 JA19

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A distal end cap which is mounted on a distal end portion constituting an insertion portion of an endoscope so as to cover a distal end surface of the distal end portion and which is provided with a nozzle for jetting a cleaning fluid toward an observation window. An endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus which is mounted in an exchangeable manner to perform electronic ultrasonic scanning, wherein the end cover covers a distal end surface of the insertion portion, and has a nozzle mounted on an outer surface thereof. And an endoscope connecting mechanism comprising a peripheral body portion continuously provided to the end face cover portion and covering an outer peripheral portion of the distal end component portion, and a distal end protruding from the end surface cover portion to form an ultrasonic transducer in an array. An endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus, comprising: an ultrasonic scanning mechanism having an arrayed ultrasonic transducer for performing ultrasonic electronic scanning. 2. The ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic scanning mechanism is provided with a linearly or convexly curved inclined surface falling forward toward the front end side from the end face cover portion. The endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscopes are arranged in the direction of inclination of the inclined surface. 3. An outer surface of a peripheral trunk portion of the endoscope coupling mechanism,
The endoscope detachable ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fixing means for detachably fixing the outer peripheral surface of the distal end component of the insertion portion is provided.