JP2014140460A - Ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an ultrasonic endoscope that can be smoothly inserted into a body cavity and can obtain a long ultrasonic observation range according to the movement of a puncture treatment instrument.
An observation window 22, a solid-state imaging device 24, and an ultrasonic transducer array 27 are provided at the distal end hard portion 13 of the ultrasonic endoscope. The distal end hard portion 13 is formed in a truncated cone shape whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end side adjacent to the curved portion 14 toward the distal end surface 13a. An observation window 22 is disposed on the distal end surface 13a. In the distal end hard portion 13, a part of the outer peripheral surface and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion 14 are linearly connected in parallel to the axis of the bending portion 14, and the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is connected to the axis of the bending portion 14. It is arranged to be inclined. A treatment instrument outlet 30 is disposed on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 27.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope for performing treatment with a puncture treatment tool together with ultrasonic observation.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a medical field, an ultrasonic examination is performed in which a state of the body is observed by irradiating a subject's body with ultrasonic waves, receiving the reflected waves, and imaging them. One of such ultrasonic examinations is an in-body examination in which ultrasonic waves are irradiated from inside a body cavity. For an in-vivo examination, an ultrasonic probe that is inserted through a forceps opening of an endoscope or an ultrasonic endoscope provided with a solid-state imaging device such as an ultrasonic transducer array and a CCD is used. In this ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic transducer array and an imaging unit are arranged at a hard distal end portion located at the distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity.

  In an examination using an ultrasonic endoscope, when an observation using a solid-state imaging device and an ultrasonic observation using an ultrasonic transducer array are performed, an affected area or a suspicious area is detected. As a region, treatments such as collecting biological cells of the region of interest and injecting a drug solution as necessary are performed. For this purpose, a puncture treatment instrument is used. The puncture treatment instrument is provided with a needle tube having a sharp tip at the tip of a hard pipe having a predetermined length at the tip of the catheter. Here, the puncture treatment instrument is led out from the treatment instrument lead-out port provided at the distal end portion, but since the treatment is performed under ultrasonic observation by the ultrasonic transducer array, the puncture treatment instrument is led out obliquely forward.

  The ultrasonic endoscope includes a direct-view type ultrasonic endoscope that enables observation of the front in the insertion direction by a solid-state imaging device, and a perspective type ultrasonic endoscope that enables observation of the front obliquely with respect to the insertion direction. Is known. In the direct-view type ultrasonic endoscope described in Patent Document 1, an observation window for performing observation with a solid-state imaging device is disposed at the distal end of the distal end hard portion, and an ultrasonic transducer array is located on the proximal end side of the observation window, A treatment instrument outlet is disposed on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array and on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end hard portion. The treatment instrument outlet is disposed inside the insertion portion and communicates with a treatment instrument insertion channel through which the puncture treatment instrument is inserted. As described above, since the puncture treatment instrument is provided with a hard and sharply formed needle tube, it is difficult to pass this part if the angle of direction change by the treatment instrument insertion channel is large. Therefore, in this ultrasonic endoscope, a part of the distal end hard portion is bent so that the angle of direction change by the treatment instrument insertion channel is reduced and the puncture treatment instrument is easily passed.

  In the perspective-type ultrasonic endoscope described in Patent Document 2, a treatment instrument outlet and an observation window are provided on an inclined surface formed at the distal end hard portion, and the treatment instrument outlet and the observation window are positioned in front of the treatment instrument outlet and the observation window. An acoustic transducer array is arranged. In this ultrasonic endoscope, the puncture treatment device derived from the treatment device outlet port protrudes obliquely forward and enters the observation range by the ultrasonic transducer array, and can also enter the observation field of view by the solid-state imaging device. .

JP-A-7-143985 JP 2002-345740 A

  However, in the direct-view type ultrasonic endoscope described in Patent Document 1, since the distal end hard portion is bent, when the insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity, the bending of the distal end hard portion is caused at the narrowed portion in the body cavity. Part may get caught and insertion resistance into the body cavity may increase. Further, in the perspective type ultrasonic endoscope described in Patent Document 2, since the ultrasonic transducer array is disposed in front of the imaging unit, a part of the ultrasonic transducer array enters the observation range of the imaging unit. Hinder observation in the body cavity.

  Furthermore, in the puncture treatment using the ultrasonic endoscope, the puncture treatment instrument derived from the treatment instrument outlet is within the range of ultrasonic observation, and the stroke for moving the puncture treatment instrument back and forth is not secured. Therefore, it is preferable to lengthen the ultrasonic transducer array. However, in the perspective type ultrasonic endoscope described in Patent Document 2, the ultrasonic transducer array further enters the observation range of the imaging unit. Can not be lengthened.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to reduce insertion resistance and enable smooth insertion into a body cavity, and to extend the length according to the movement of the puncture treatment instrument. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic endoscope that can obtain an ultrasonic observation range.

  In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention includes a tapered cylindrical distal end hard portion obtained by cutting off a part of a truncated cone shape or an outer peripheral surface, and a proximal end of the distal end hard portion. A bending portion that connects a plurality of bending pieces, a flexible tube portion that is connected to the proximal end of the bending portion and has flexibility, an operation portion that is connected to the proximal end of the flexible tube, and an operation A bending operation member for bending the bending portion, an observation window disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion, an imaging means for imaging an observation range transmitted through the observation window, and a truncated cone-shaped distal end An ultrasonic transducer array arranged on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hard part or an obliquely cut-out surface, and an opening on the base end side of the distal hard part, toward the ultrasonic observation range of the ultrasonic transducer array A puncture treatment device insertion path through which the puncture treatment device protrudes, and the outer peripheral surface of the distal end hard portion Parts and the part of the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion is connected to the linearly parallel to the axis of the bending portion, the ultrasonic transducer array is characterized in that it is disposed inclined to the axis of the bending portion.

  The angle formed between the axial direction of the curved portion and the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array is preferably 10 ° or more and 40 ° or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the length of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array in the axial direction of the curved portion is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

  It is preferable that the distal end hard portion is a smooth surface that does not protrude outward with respect to the extended line of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array. Further, the ultrasonic transducer array is arranged so that the surface thereof protrudes one step from the outer peripheral surface of the distal end hard portion, and the space between the distal end side and the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array and the distal end hard portion is smooth. It is preferable that a continuous inclined surface is formed. Or it is preferable that the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array is arranged continuously with the outer peripheral surface of the distal end hard portion.

  It is preferable that the inclination angle in the derivation direction of the treatment instrument derived from the treatment instrument insertion passage with respect to the axial direction of the bending portion is 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less.

  Wirings connected to the ultrasonic transducer array are preferably grouped on the base end side of the ultrasonic transducer array and extended to the operation unit side.

  According to the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer array is arranged on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the frustoconical tip hard part or a notch surface cut obliquely, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hard tip part and the curved part Since the ultrasonic transducer array is arranged to be inclined with respect to the axis of the bending portion in a straight line parallel to the axis of the bending portion, the insertion resistance is reduced and the body cavity is reduced. The insertion into the inside can be performed smoothly, and a long ultrasonic observation range corresponding to the movement of the puncture treatment instrument can be obtained.

It is an external view which shows an example of the ultrasonic endoscope of this invention. It is a perspective view of the tip hard part of an insertion part. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip hard part periphery along an ultrasonic transducer array. It is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example which distribute | arranged the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array continuously with the outer peripheral surface of a front-end | tip hard part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the ultrasonic observation in a body cavity. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG.

  In FIG. 1, as is well known, an ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion section 10 inserted into a body cavity of a patient, an operation section 11 connected to the insertion section 10, a processor device, and a light source device (both shown in FIG. It has a universal cord 12 that connects between a connector (not shown) connected to the operation unit 11 and a connector (not shown).

  The insertion portion 10 is provided at the distal end portion thereof, and includes a hard distal end portion 13 including a solid-state imaging device 24 (imaging means), an ultrasonic transducer array 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the like. A flexible tube portion provided with a bending portion connected to a base end and connecting a plurality of cylindrical bending pieces, and a flexible flexible tube portion connected to the base end of the bending portion; An operation unit 11 is connected to the base end of 15.

  The operation unit 11 is provided with an angle knob 16 and the like for bending the bending portion 14 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, a treatment instrument inlet 17 through which a treatment instrument such as a forceps, a puncture needle, and a high-frequency knife is inserted is provided on the insertion section 10 side of the operation section 11. A pulley (not shown) is connected to the angle knob 16, and the wire connected to the bending piece of the bending portion 14 is pulled by the rotation operation of the angle knob 16 to bend the bending portion 14. be able to.

  2 and 3, the distal end hard portion 13 is provided with an observation image acquisition portion 20 and an ultrasonic observation portion 21. The observation image acquisition unit 20 includes an observation window 22, an objective lens 23, a solid-state imaging device 24, an illumination window 25, wirings 26, and the like.

  The distal end hard portion 13 is formed of, for example, a hard resin and has rigidity. The distal end hard portion 13 is formed in a truncated cone shape whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the proximal end side adjacent to the bending portion 14 toward the distal end surface 13a where the observation image acquisition unit 20 is disposed. In addition, the truncated cone shape here includes a case of a substantially truncated cone shape. In addition, it is preferable that the distal end hard portion 13 has a maximum outer diameter R1 on the proximal end side of 17 mm or less and a minimum outer diameter R2 on the distal end side of 14 mm or less.

  The observation window 22 is attached to the distal end surface 13a of the distal end hard portion 13 toward the front in the insertion direction. The image light of the observation site incident from the observation window 22 is imaged on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 24 by the objective lens 23. The solid-state imaging device 24 photoelectrically converts the image light of the observation site that has passed through the observation window 22 and the objective lens 23 and is imaged on the imaging surface, and outputs an imaging signal. The imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 24 is transmitted to the processor device by the universal code 12 via the wiring 26 extending from the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 11. The processor device performs various types of signal processing and image processing on the transmitted imaging signal, and displays it as an endoscope optical image on a monitor (not shown).

  The illumination window 25 is provided on both sides of the observation window 22. The illumination window 25 is connected to an emission end of a light guide (not shown). The light guide extends from the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 11, and the incident end thereof is connected to the light source of the light source device connected via the universal cord 12. The illumination light emitted from the light source is irradiated to the observation site from the illumination window 25 through the light guide. The wiring 26 and the light guide extend from the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 11 and are connected to the processor device via the universal cord 12.

  The ultrasonic observation unit 21 includes an ultrasonic transducer array 27. The ultrasonic transducer array 27 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a convex curved surface along the outer peripheral surface 13 b of the distal end hard portion 13. The ultrasonic transducer array 27 is scanned electronically such as convex scanning or linear scanning.

  The distal end hard portion 13 has an outer peripheral surface 13b formed in an eccentric taper shape in which the center on the proximal end side and the center on the distal end side are eccentric, and as shown in FIG. A cross section of the outer peripheral surface 13b cut by the orthogonal surface is formed to be circular. In addition, the circular shape here includes a case of a substantially circular shape, and includes an elliptical shape having a small difference between the major axis and the minor axis, a polygonal shape inscribed in the circle, and the like. In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4, illustration of the wiring 26, the wiring 32, the light guide, and the like is omitted in order to prevent complication.

  In the distal end hard portion 13, a part of the outer peripheral surface and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion 14 are linearly connected in parallel to the axis of the bending portion 14, and the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is connected to the axis of the bending portion 14. It is arranged to be inclined. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 13 c opposite to the mounting surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion 14 are linearly connected in parallel to the axis of the bending portion 14. Here, the opposite side includes the substantially opposite side with respect to the central axis of the bending portion 14. By attaching the ultrasonic transducer array 27 to a position that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the bending portion 14, ultrasonic observation by the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is performed with ultrasonic waves obliquely forward with respect to the axial direction of the bending portion 14. This is performed for the observation range A (the shaded range in FIG. 6). The inclination angle D1 formed by the axial direction of the bending portion 14 and the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is preferably 10 ° or more and 40 ° or less.

  Further, the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is arranged so that the surface thereof protrudes one step from the outer peripheral surface 13b of the distal end hard portion 13, and the protrusion amount T is 0 mm to 3 mm. Furthermore, a filler 28 such as an adhesive is filled to fill the step between the ultrasonic transducer array 27 and the outer peripheral surface 13b. The filler 28 forms inclined surfaces 29 a and 29 b that are smoothly continuous between the distal end side and the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 and the distal end hard portion 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such inclined surfaces 29 a and 29 b may be formed integrally with the distal end hard portion 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic transducer array 27 may be formed in a surface that is continuous with the outer peripheral surface 13b so as to be smoothly continuous.

  A treatment instrument outlet 30 is provided on the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion 13 from the position where the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is disposed. The inclined surface 29b formed between the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 and the outer peripheral surface 13b is formed up to a position adjacent to the distal end side of the treatment instrument outlet. The treatment instrument outlet 30 is formed by opening the outer peripheral surface 13b. Moreover, the protrusion etc. which protrude outside are not formed in the outer peripheral surface 13b. Therefore, the hard tip portion 13 is formed on a smooth surface that does not protrude outward with respect to the extension line of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 27.

  A treatment instrument insertion channel 31 (puncture treatment instrument insertion passage) whose one end communicates with the treatment instrument outlet 30 is provided in the insertion section 10 and the operation section 11. The other end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 is connected to the treatment instrument inlet 17. The treatment instrument insertion channel 31 leads out the puncture treatment instrument inserted from the treatment instrument inlet 17 and protrudes from the treatment instrument outlet 30.

  The portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 disposed in the bending portion 14 is disposed in parallel with the axial direction of the bending portion 14, but in the vicinity of the treatment instrument outlet 30, the portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 extends in the axial direction of the bending portion 14. It is bent in a direction inclined with respect to it. The direction in which the puncture treatment tool is led out by the treatment tool lead-out port 30 is set so as to intersect the ultrasonic observation direction by the ultrasonic transducer array 27. Therefore, the puncture treatment instrument inserted through the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 can be led out from the treatment instrument outlet 30 and can enter the ultrasonic observation range of the ultrasonic transducer array 27. Since the puncture treatment instrument is difficult to pass through when the bending of the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 is large, the puncture treatment instrument is derived from the treatment instrument outlet 30 with respect to the axial direction of the bending portion 14. The inclination angle D2 in the derivation direction is preferably 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less.

  Since the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is located on the base end side with respect to the observation window 22, it does not enter the observation range of the observation image acquisition unit 20. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer array 27 can increase the dimension in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 10, that is, the axial direction of the bending portion 14, and the length L of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 in the bending portion axial direction. Is preferably 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

  The wiring 32 connected to the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is extended from the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 11 in a state of being gathered on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 27, and is connected to the processor device via the universal cord 12. It is connected. Thereby, since there is a margin in the vicinity of the tip in the tip hard portion 13 with a small component placement space, the degree of freedom in the placement of the observation image acquisition unit 20 is improved.

  A drive control signal for driving the ultrasonic transducer array 27 to emit ultrasonic waves is transmitted from the processor device to the wiring 32, and a detection signal output from the ultrasonic transducer array 27 upon reception of the echo signal is transmitted to the processor. Transmitted to the device. The processor device performs various signal processing and image processing on the transmitted detection signal, and displays it on the monitor as an ultrasonic tomographic image.

  When observing the inside of a body cavity with the ultrasonic endoscope 2, first, the insertion unit 10 is inserted into the body cavity, and the observation is performed while observing the endoscope optical image acquired by the observation image acquisition unit 20 with a monitor. Search for a site. As described above, the distal end hard portion 13 has a truncated cone shape, and the end hard portion 13 does not protrude outward with respect to the extension line of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 27. The insertion into the body cavity can be performed smoothly. Further, since the observation window 22 is provided on the distal end surface 13a, the ultrasonic transducer array 27 does not enter the observation range, and the insertion portion 10 is guided in an appropriate insertion direction while observing the observation range in front of the insertion direction. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is brought into close contact with the observation site 33 searched by the observation image acquisition unit 20 and an instruction to perform ultrasonic observation is given, driving from the processor device via the wiring 32 is performed. A control signal is input to the ultrasonic transducer array 27. When the drive control signal is input, a specified voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducer array 27. Then, the piezoelectric body of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is excited, and ultrasonic waves are emitted within a predetermined observation range.

  After the ultrasonic irradiation, an echo signal from within the observation range is received by the ultrasonic transducer array 27. The irradiation of the ultrasonic wave and the reception of the echo signal are repeatedly performed while shifting the driving ultrasonic transducer. Thereby, ultrasonic waves are scanned within the ultrasonic observation range A. In the processor device, an ultrasonic image in the ultrasonic observation range A is generated based on the detection signal received from the ultrasonic transducer array 27 upon receiving the echo signal. The generated ultrasonic image is displayed on a monitor.

  The surgeon performs the puncture treatment by inserting the puncture treatment instrument 34 through the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 while viewing the ultrasonic image of the monitor. When the puncture treatment tool 34 is led out from the treatment tool lead-out port 30, the puncture treatment tool 34 can be projected into the ultrasonic observation range A. As described above, since the ultrasonic transducer array 27 is set to have a long length L in the axial direction of the bending portion 14, the puncture treatment instrument 34 derived from the treatment instrument outlet 30 is within the ultrasonic observation range A. Even if the puncture treatment instrument 34 is moved with a sufficient stroke, it does not deviate from the ultrasonic observation range A.

  Then, the puncture treatment instrument 34 is moved back and forth to collect biological cells in the region of interest 35 in the ultrasonic observation range A or after injecting a chemical solution, and then the puncture treatment instrument 34 is pulled out from the treatment instrument insertion channel 31 and puncture treatment is performed. Ends. Furthermore, when the insertion portion 10 is removed from the body cavity after the puncture treatment is finished, the inclined surface 29a is formed on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 as described above. Can be done smoothly.

  In the said 1st Embodiment, although the front-end | tip hard part is formed in the truncated cone shape, this invention is not limited to this, As shown in FIGS. 7-9 in 2nd Embodiment demonstrated below, The hard tip portion is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape with a part of the outer peripheral surface cut off obliquely. In addition, below, when using the same components as the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The distal end hard portion 50 of the second embodiment includes an observation image acquisition unit 20 and an ultrasonic observation unit 51. The distal end hard portion 50 is formed in a tapered columnar shape in which a part of the outer peripheral surface on the distal end side is cut obliquely and the distal end side where the observation image acquisition unit 20 is arranged is narrower than the proximal end side adjacent to the bending portion 14. Has been. In addition, the column shape here includes a case of a substantially columnar shape.

  The observation window 22 is attached to the distal end surface 50a of the distal end hard portion 50 toward the front in the insertion direction. The image light of the observation site incident from the observation window 22 is imaged on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 24 by the objective lens 23. The illumination window 25 is provided on both sides of the observation window 22. The distal end hard portion 50 includes a distal end surface 50a, an outer peripheral surface 50b, and a notched surface 50c formed by notching a part of a columnar shape. The notch surface 50c is formed in a planar shape. As shown in FIG. 9, the distal end hard portion 50 is formed such that a cross section of the outer peripheral surface 50 b cut by a surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the bending portion 14 becomes an arc shape. Here, the arc shape includes a case where the arc shape is substantially arc shape, and includes an elliptic arc shape in which the difference between the major axis and the minor axis is small, a part of a polygon inscribed in a circle, and the like. The distal end hard portion 50 preferably has a maximum outer diameter R1 of 17 mm or less on the proximal end side and a minimum outer diameter R3 of 14 mm or less on the distal end side. The minimum outer diameter R3 indicates an outer diameter along a surface orthogonal to the notch surface 50c in the distal end surface 50a of the distal end hard portion 50.

  The ultrasonic observation unit 51 includes an ultrasonic transducer array 52. The ultrasonic transducer array 52 is configured by arranging a large number of ultrasonic transducers in a planar shape along the notch surface 50 c of the distal end hard portion 50. Similar to the ultrasonic transducer array 27, the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is scanned electronically such as convex scanning or linear scanning.

  In the distal end hard portion 50, a part of the outer peripheral surface and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion 14 are linearly connected in parallel to the axis of the bending portion 14, and the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is connected to the axis of the bending portion 14. It is arranged to be inclined. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 50b opposite to the notch surface 50c, which is the mounting surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 52, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion 14 are linearly parallel to the axis of the bending portion 14. It is connected. Here, the opposite side includes the substantially opposite side with respect to the central axis of the bending portion 14. Similar to the first embodiment, the ultrasonic observation by the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is performed on the ultrasonic observation range obliquely forward with respect to the axial direction of the bending portion 14. In addition, it is preferable that the inclination angle D1 formed by the axial direction of the bending portion 14 and the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is 10 ° or more and 40 ° or less.

  Further, the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is arranged so as to protrude one step from the notch surface 50c, and the protruding amount T is 0 mm to 3 mm. Furthermore, a filler 53 such as an adhesive filling the step between the ultrasonic transducer array 52 and the notch surface 50c is filled. The filler 53 forms inclined surfaces 54 a and 54 b that smoothly and smoothly continue between the distal end side and the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 27 and the distal end hard portion 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such inclined surfaces 54 a and 54 b may be formed integrally with the distal end hard portion 50. Further, the ultrasonic transducer array 52 may be formed in a surface that is continuous with the cut-out surface 50c so as to be smoothly continuous.

  A treatment instrument outlet 55 is provided on the base end side of the notch surface 50c from the position where the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is disposed. The treatment instrument outlet 55 is connected to one end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 31. The inclined surface 54 b formed between the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 52 and the notch surface 50 c is formed to a position adjacent to the distal end side of the treatment instrument outlet port 55. The treatment instrument outlet 55 is formed by opening the notch surface 50c. Moreover, the protrusion which protrudes outside is not formed in the notch surface 50c. Therefore, the hard end portion 13 is formed on a smooth surface that does not protrude outward with respect to the extension line of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 52. In addition, it is preferable that the inclination angle D2 in the derivation direction of the puncture treatment instrument led out from the treatment instrument lead-out port 55 is not less than 0 ° and not more than 30 °.

  Since the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is located on the proximal end side with respect to the observation window 22, the ultrasonic transducer array 52 may increase the dimension in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 10, that is, the axial direction of the bending portion 14. The length L of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 52 in the axial direction of the curved portion is preferably 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

  Similar to the wiring 32 of the ultrasonic transducer array 27, the wiring 56 connected to the ultrasonic transducer array 52 extends from the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 11 in a state of being integrated on the base end side, and the universal cord 12 To the processor device.

  As described above, the distal end hard portion 50 is formed into a tapered columnar shape with a part of the outer peripheral surface cut obliquely, and the notch surface 50 c protrudes outward with respect to the extension line of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array 52. Since it has a smooth surface, it can be smoothly inserted into the body cavity. Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer array 52 is led out from the treatment instrument outlet 55 because the length L in the axial direction of the bending portion 14 is set to be long like the ultrasonic transducer array 27 of the first embodiment. Even if the puncture treatment instrument enters the ultrasonic observation range with certainty and the puncture treatment instrument is moved with a sufficient stroke, it does not deviate from the ultrasonic observation range.

  The above correspondence between the drawings and the claimed invention is shown for reference, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

2 Ultrasound endoscope 13, 50 Hard tip portion 13a, 50a Tip surface 13b, 50b Outer peripheral surface 50c Notch surface 20 Observation image acquisition unit 21, 51 Ultrasound observation unit 22 Observation window 24 Solid-state imaging device 27, 52 Ultrasound Transducer array 29a, 29b, 54a, 54b Inclined surface 30, 55 Treatment instrument outlet 31 Treatment instrument insertion channel 32, 56 Wiring 34 Puncture treatment instrument

Claims (8)

A tapered cylindrical tip hard part obtained by obliquely cutting a part of the truncated cone shape or the outer peripheral surface;
A curved portion connected to a base end of the distal end hard portion and connecting a plurality of bending pieces;
A flexible tube portion that is connected to the proximal end of the curved portion and has flexibility;
An operation unit connected to the proximal end of the flexible tube;
A bending operation member provided on the operation unit for bending the bending unit;
An observation window disposed on the distal end surface of the distal rigid portion,
Imaging means for imaging the observation range transmitted through the observation window;
An ultrasonic transducer array disposed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the frustoconical tip-shaped hard portion, or on a notched surface cut obliquely;
A puncture treatment instrument insertion path that opens to the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion and from which the puncture treatment instrument projects toward the ultrasonic observation range of the ultrasonic transducer array,
A part of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end hard part and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the bending part are linearly connected in parallel to the axis of the bending part, and the ultrasonic transducer array is connected to the axis of the bending part. An ultrasonic endoscope characterized by being inclined at an angle.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed between an axial direction of the curved portion and a surface of the ultrasonic transducer array is 10 ° or more and 40 ° or less.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length of the surface of the ultrasonic transducer array in the axial direction of the curved portion is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.   4. The smooth surface according to claim 1, wherein the hard end portion of the ultrasonic transducer array has a smooth surface that does not protrude outward. 5. Ultrasound endoscope. The ultrasonic transducer array is arranged such that its surface protrudes one step from the outer peripheral surface of the hard tip portion,
The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 4, wherein an inclined surface that is smoothly continuous between the distal end side and the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array and the distal end hard portion is formed.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a surface of the ultrasonic transducer array is continuously arranged with an outer peripheral surface of the hard tip portion.   The inclination angle of the derivation direction of the treatment instrument derived from the treatment instrument insertion passage with respect to the axial direction of the bending portion is 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less. The described ultrasonic endoscope.   The wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer array is gathered on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer array and extends to the operation unit side. Ultrasound endoscope.

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