JPH11128230A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic probe having a lumen for guiding a guide wire, with a simple and good property for insertion and without occurrence of breaking. SOLUTION: The front end of a sheath 3a has a hard front end chip 10 integrally fixed. An expanded part 13 of the front end chip 10 is formed with a hole part 15 constituting a guide wire guiding part 14. One end of a lumen pipe 16 is fitted into the hole part 15 to be integrally fixed. The lumen pipe 16 is coaxially fixed with the central axis of the hole part 15, the central axis of the guide wire guiding section 14 constituted at the hole part 15 intersects at an inclination angle of about 6 deg. relative to the central axis extending toward the front end in the inserting direction of the inserting part 3. As a result, the guide wire guiding section 14 is positioned within a plane including the central axis of the inserting part 3. The hardness of the lumen pipe 16 is made softer from a state harder than that of the sheath 3a from the front end side toward the rear end side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe which is inserted into a body cavity through a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope and performs an ultrasonic inspection, and in particular, is guided to an inspection site via a guide wire. An ultrasonic probe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art By inserting an elongated endoscope insertion portion into a body cavity, an organ or the like in the body cavity can be observed, or a treatment tool channel (hereinafter simply referred to as a channel) provided in the insertion portion as necessary. Endoscopes capable of performing various treatments / treatments by inserting a treatment tool into the parentheses are widely used. In an endoscope having a channel, ultrasonic diagnosis can be performed by inserting an ultrasonic probe into a channel of the endoscope. In this case, an ultrasonic probe is inserted into the channel, guided into the body cavity, and an ultrasonic image obtained by scanning the ultrasonic transducer is observed to perform ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0003] The ultrasonic probe has a structure in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface is directed in a direction orthogonal to an insertion axis direction to obtain an ultrasonic image in a lateral direction with respect to the insertion axis. There is a method in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface is turned to obtain an ultrasonic image in a forward direction of an insertion axis.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-70403 discloses a body cavity for improving the flexibility and flexibility between a rigid portion including a vibrator on the distal end and an elastic member at the distal end of a catheter and improving operability. An exterior shaft inserted into the exterior shaft, a drive shaft inserted into the exterior shaft and transmitting a mechanical driving force from a base end side to a distal end side, and an ultrasonic vibrator, and provided inside the distal end side of the exterior shaft. A housing fixed to the drive shaft so as to be positioned, wherein the drive shaft is an ultrasonic catheter rotatable by an external drive source, wherein the armored shaft has a coil-shaped first end. An ultrasonic catheter having an elastic member, wherein the housing has a second elastic member at a distal end extending toward the distal end side of the catheter, and the distal end of the second elastic member is located within the first elastic member. Le has been disclosed.

Further, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239115.
In order to shorten the length from the ultrasonic scanning surface to the tip of the probe, the amount of insertion force is small, and it is configured to be inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope, and the tip portion of the insertion portion having a hard portion at the tip In an ultrasonic probe provided with an ultrasonic probe and forming a lumen for a guide wire, the rigid portion is formed so that its central axis is inclined with respect to the central axis of the insertion portion, and a side portion of the rigid portion is formed. An ultrasonic probe has been proposed in which a bulge is formed in the bulge and the lumen for the guide wire is formed in the bulge.

[0006]

However, in the ultrasonic probe proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239115, as shown in FIG. 16, the ultrasonic probe 100 is inserted to a target portion by guiding the guide wire 200. When the guide wire 200 is in a bent state, the guide wire 200 is hooked on the guide wire lumen 102 of the distal tip 101 of the ultrasonic probe 100, and the distal tip 101 and the ultrasonic vibrator are connected. Clearance part 10 between housing 103 and housing
When the bending force is applied to 5 and it is bent, the sheath 104 may be broken.

Further, when the ultrasonic probe disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239115 is combined with the ultrasonic catheter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-70403, a coil-shaped distal end of a sheath constituting the ultrasonic probe is formed. By inserting a member and attaching an elastic member extending toward the sheath distal end to the housing distal end and disposing the distal end of the elastic member in the coil, it is possible to eliminate breakage at the clearance portion. Therefore, the number of parts increases, and the structure becomes complicated.

[0008] In addition, there is a possibility that poor rotation may occur due to a change in the relative position between the sheath and a rotating member provided in the sheath due to a change in temperature or the shape of a portion to be inserted. Further, in order to eliminate the poor rotation, a certain clearance portion is required between the sheath and the elastic member (not described in the specification but apparently has the above-described configuration in each drawing). Therefore, the distance from the vibrator to the lumen member for guiding the guide wire becomes long, and if there is a stenosis or the like, it becomes difficult to insert it into the target site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an ultrasonic probe having a guide wire guiding lumen which has a simple structure, has good insertability, and does not break. ing.

[0010]

According to the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, a clearance portion having a predetermined gap from a rear end of the sealing portion is provided in a sheath sealed by a sealing portion provided at a distal end of a flexible sheath. The ultrasonic transducer is provided and the ultrasonic transmitting medium is filled. The ultrasonic transducer is inserted into a body cavity through a channel of an endoscope, and an ultrasonic image is obtained by scanning the ultrasonic transducer. A sound probe, provided with a guide wire guide for inserting a guide wire into the distal end of the flexible sheath, the hardness of the distal end side of the guide wire guide is formed to be harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath, The hardness of the rear end side of the guide wire guide is configured to be softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath.

According to this structure, when the ultrasonic probe is inserted into the meandering lumen with the guide wire inserted through the guide wire guide as a guide, the guide wire guide that changes in flexibility is Bend along the guidewire. At this time, since the hardness of the distal end side of the guide wire guide portion is configured to be harder than the hardness of the possible sheath, the guide wire and the guide wire guide portion are held substantially coaxially. Is less likely to be caught by the guide wire guide. On the other hand, in the event that the guide wire is caught by the guide wire guide and the insertion force increases, the rear end side of the guide wire guide configured to be softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath is positioned near the clearance. Deforms before it begins to deform.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment has a connector portion 2 which is mechanically and electrically detachable from a driving portion (not shown), and one end portion of which is integrated with the connector portion 2. A flexible flexible sheath (hereinafter also simply referred to as a sheath) 3a formed of a blend material in which high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene are mixed at a mixing ratio of 1: 1 connected to the connector portion 2 It is mainly composed of an elongated and flexible insertion portion 3 covering the existing flexible shaft 4 and a distal end portion 5 having a built-in ultrasonic vibrator 7 provided at the other end of the insertion portion 3. I have. The ultrasonic vibrator 7 is fixed to a housing 6 provided at the tip of the flexible shaft 4. The ultrasonic vibrator 7 is rotated by the driving force transmitted through the connector 2 and the flexible shaft 4, and the electric signal transmitted and received by the ultrasonic vibrator 7 is transmitted through the connector 2. It is supposed to be.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the housing 6 is integrally fixed to the tip of the flexible shaft 4 by soldering, welding, bonding or the like. The ultrasonic vibrator 7 fixed to the housing 6 has a backing material, a piezoelectric body, and an acoustic lens. The transmission and reception of signals to and from the ultrasonic vibrator 7 are performed via a coaxial cable (not shown) inserted into the flexible shaft 4 and the housing 6. And these ultrasonic vibrators 7,
The housing 6, the flexible shaft 4, and the coaxial cable are covered with the sheath 3a.

A hard tip 10 made of stainless steel or the like is provided at the tip of the sheath 3a, and the tip 10 is integrally fixed to the sheath 3a by thread winding. This tip 10
A clearance portion 12 is provided between the rear end surface 11 of the housing 6 and the front end surface 8 of the housing 6. The sheath 3a is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 9 such as water.

A bulging portion 1 is provided at the distal end of the distal tip 10.
3 is provided, and the bulging portion 13 is formed with a hole 15 constituting a guide wire guiding portion 14. One end of a lumen pipe 16 constituting the guide wire guide 14 is fitted into the hole 15 and integrally fixed by a method such as bonding. At this time, the lumen pipe 16
And the center axis of the hole 15 is fixed so as to be coaxial.

The center axis of the guide wire guide section 14 formed by fitting the lumen pipe 16 into the hole section 15 is about 6 ° with respect to the center axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion section 3. They cross at an angle of inclination. As a result, the guide wire guide 14 is located in a plane including the central axis of the insertion section 3.

The hardness of the lumen pipe 16 fixed to the hole 15 increases from the front end to the rear end.
The distal end of the lumen pipe 16 is formed of high-density polyethylene and the rear end of the lumen pipe 16 is formed of low-density polyethylene so that the sheath 3a changes from a harder state to a softer state. The mixing ratio between the high-density polyethylene and the low-density polyethylene is changed continuously or stepwise from the front end to the rear end so that the intermediate portion is changed from a hard state to a soft state.

The other end of the lumen pipe 16 is cut obliquely so as to satisfy the following equation (1) and formed into an oblique hole 17 having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hole 15 on the distal end side.
Is provided.

D + L ≒ d1 + d2 (1) where D is the outer diameter of the connecting portion between the distal end tip 10 and the sheath 3a, and L is the amount of protrusion of the lumen pipe to the side, d1 is the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3, and d2 is the outer diameter of the guide wire.

In this embodiment, the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer 7 is a mechanical radial method.
The scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is not limited to the mechanical radial method, and may be, for example, an electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical linear, or the like.

The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 configured as described above will be described. The ultrasonic probe 1 is guided to a target site in advance by guiding the guide wire 200 inserted into the body cavity. At this time, when the guide wire guide 14 passes through a curved portion of the guide wire 200 as shown in FIG. 3, the lumen pipe 16 is formed so that the hardness becomes softer from the front end to the rear end.
Has a curved shape along the guide wire 200, while the guide wire 200 and the hole 15 are inserted through the hard hole 15 at the distal end of the guide wire guide 14.
Are in a state of maintaining the coaxial.

As a result, the guide wire guide 1
In the case where the guide wire 200 is less likely to be caught on the distal end portion of the guide wire 4 and the guide wire 200 is caught on the distal end portion of the guide wire guide portion 14 and the amount of force for inserting the ultrasonic probe is increased. The rear end side of the lumen pipe 16 which is softer than the hardness of the sheath 3a is deformed before the sheath 3a near the clearance portion 12 where the strength is weakest at the distal end side sheath 3a, and the sheath 3a near the clearance portion 12 is deformed. It absorbs the amount of force to deform the sheath 3a. For this reason, the guide wire 200 is guided and the ultrasonic probe 1
Is smoothly inserted to the target site.

As described above, the guide wire guide is constituted by the hole formed in the bulging portion of the distal end tip and the lumen pipe fixed to this hole, while the hardness of the lumen pipe is controlled by the flexible sheath at the distal end side. By forming it harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath on the rear end side and softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath, and gradually changing from the harder state to the softer state from the front end side to the rear end side at the middle part, When the ultrasonic probe is guided to a target portion by guiding the guide wire, the lumen pipe is deformed according to the bending state of the guide wire, so that the center axis of the guide wire guide and the guide that passes through the guide wire guide are inserted. The center axis of the wire is held coaxially, and the guide wire can be smoothly inserted into the body cavity without getting caught on the tip of the guide wire guide. Kill.

When the guide wire is caught on the distal end of the guide wire guide and the amount of insertion force increases, the rear end of the lumen pipe formed softer than the hardness of the sheath is placed near the sheath near the clearance. It is possible to prevent the sheath near the clearance portion from being broken by absorbing the force that deforms earlier and deforms the vicinity of the clearance portion. This eliminates damage near the clearance.

Further, the center axis of the guide wire guide is set at about 6 ° with respect to the center axis extending toward the distal end in the insertion direction of the insertion section.
The ultrasonic probe can be easily inserted into the body cavity by arranging the ultrasonic probe in a plane including the central axis of the insertion section.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing another configuration of the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment,
In the first embodiment, a distal tip 10 is attached to the distal end of the sheath 3a.
A hole 15 provided in the bulging portion 13 of the tip 10 and a state in which the hardness fixed in the hole 15 is higher than the hardness of the sheath 3a as it goes from the front end to the rear end. A lumen member 21 instead of the guide wire guide portion 14 formed by the
Are used to constitute the guide wire guide 14A.
Then, the lumen member 21 and the sheath 20 are formed by integral molding. The clearance portion 1 located in front of the distal end face 8 of the housing 6 is provided in the sheath 20.
2 are provided.

The lumen member 21 serving as the guide wire guide portion 14A includes a straight tip portion 22 formed of high density polyethylene, a guide wire introduction portion 23 formed of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene. And a sheath connecting portion 24 formed of a blend material with the above. The sheath 20 is formed of a blend of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene. Thus, the lumen member 21 is configured to change from a harder state to a softer state than the hardness of the sheath 20 as going from the distal end side to the rear end side.

The distal straight portion 22 is provided with a lumen coaxial with the sheath 20, and the guide wire introducing portion 23 has the same shape as the lumen provided in the distal straight portion 22. A lumen communicating with 22 lumens is provided. At the rear end side of the lumen provided in the guide wire introduction portion 23, a large oblique cutting is performed to cut the tip straight portion 2
Diagonal hole 1 formed larger than the inner diameter of the second opening 22a
7 is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the sheath 20 so as to open.
In this modification, the guide wire introduction portion 23
The central axis of the lumen intersects the central axis of the lumen provided in the tip straight portion 22 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

Ultrasonic probe 1A configured as described above
The operation of will be described. When the ultrasonic probe 1A is guided to a target site by guiding the guide wire 200 inserted into the body cavity, as shown in FIG.
Is a curved state, the lumen member 21 is configured to change from a harder state to a softer state than the hardness of the sheath 20 as going from the distal end side to the rear end side.
Is shaped along the guide wire 200,
Since the tip straight portion 22 having a high hardness and the guide wire 200 inserted through the inside of the tip straight portion 22 bend and bend, the guide wire 2 is formed at this portion.
00 is less likely to be caught. Further, if the guide wire 200 is caught in this portion and the amount of insertion force of the ultrasonic probe 1A increases, the guide wire introduction portion 23 is connected to the sheath 20 near the clearance portion 12.
It deforms earlier and absorbs the force that deforms the sheath 20 in the vicinity of the clearance 12, eliminating the bending force applied to the clearance 12. Further, since the sheath 20 and the lumen member 21 are formed integrally and the lumen is provided in the guide wire introduction portion 23 at an inclination angle of about 6 °, the guide projecting from the oblique hole 17 of the guide wire introduction portion 23 is provided. The wire 200 is arranged so as to be parallel to the sheath 20.

As described above, since the sheath and the lumen member are formed by integral molding, the assembling work can be greatly improved. In addition, since the guide wire is arranged in parallel with the ultrasonic vibrator portion, it is possible to easily provide the orientation of the ultrasonic image. As a result, the sniper to the lesion is improved,
Inspection time can be reduced. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 6 to 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the distal end ring, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a ring, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a sealing portion 26 formed in a substantially spherical shape by heat welding or the like is provided at the distal end of the sheath 25 constituting the ultrasonic probe 1B of the present embodiment. A tip ring 27 constituting a first guide wire guide shown in FIG. 2B is integrally fixed to the sealing portion 26. In addition, the sheath thick portion 2 near the housing 6 of the flexible shaft 4 inserted into the sheath 25
A rear ring 28 constituting a second guide wire guide shown in FIG. 3C is integrally fixed to 5a. Reference numeral 19 denotes a coaxial cable that passes through the inside of the flexible shaft 4 that transmits and receives signals to and from the ultrasonic transducer 7.

As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the distal end ring 27 is formed by forming a circular portion 29 on a single elongated metal plate and folding it 180 °. Is set to a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the guide wire to be inserted. Further, the parallel portion 30 formed when the metal plate is folded is provided with the sealing portion 2.
When heat is applied to form 6, molten resin flows in, thereby forming opposed through holes 31 for integrally fixing tip ring 27 to sealing portion 26. When the tip ring 27 is integrally formed with the sealing portion 26 as shown in FIG. 6B, the buried portion 32 shown in FIG. It is protruding.

As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the rear ring 28 is provided with a small circular portion 34 and a large circular portion 35 on a single elongated metal plate similarly to the end ring 27, and is folded back and forth symmetrically. It was formed. The inside diameter of the small circular portion 34 is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the guide wire to be inserted. The large circular portion 3
The inner diameter of 5 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the sheath 25 to be disposed, and the outer diameter of the large circular portion 35 is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath 25 to be disposed. Further, the rear ring 28 is provided on the large circular portion 35 with the sheath 25.
Opposite through holes 36 for integrally fixing the rear ring 28 to the sheath 25 are formed by flowing the resin when integrally molded into the sheath 25. When the rear ring 28 is integrally formed with the sheath 25 as shown in FIG. 6C, the buried portion 37 shown in FIG.
The protruding portion 38 protrudes from the sheath 25.

The central axis of the circular portion 29 of the distal ring 27 provided on the sheath 25 and the central axis of the small circular portion 34 of the rear ring 28 are coaxial so that the ultrasonic probe can be inserted smoothly. Further, the sheath 25 is located in a plane including the central axis in the longitudinal direction. Further, in the present embodiment, a mechanical radial method is shown as a scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer, but the scanning method is not limited to the mechanical radial method, and for example, an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic linear, a mechanical linear method. And so on. Further, a configuration may be employed in which a single rear ring 28 is attached in the proximal direction of the sheath 25. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The ultrasonic probe 1B constructed as described above
The operation of will be described. When inserting the ultrasonic probe 1B to the target site using the guide wire 200 as a guide, if the guide wire 200 has a bent shape as shown in FIG. The guide wire 200 disposed between the distal ring 27 and the rear ring 28 by receiving the flexible shaft 4 with the rear ring 28 serving as a reinforcing member.
Is in a straight state along the sheath 25. Thus, the clearance 12 provided between the distal end surface 8 of the housing 6 and the sealing portion 26 of the sheath 25 is formed.
No bending force acts on the nearby sheath 25.

When inserting the ultrasonic probe 1B,
Even when the guide wire 200 is hooked on the distal ring 27, the rear ring 28 receives this bending force before the bending force acting on the flexible sheath 25 of the ultrasonic probe 1B increases. The flexible sheath between the ring 28 does not break.

As described above, the guide wire guiding portion is provided at the sealing portion of the sheath, the tip ring serving as the first guide wire guiding portion, and the second ring provided near the housing of the sheath.
When the ultrasonic probe is guided to the bent portion of the guide wire through these guide wire guides, the bending force is applied to the sheath in the vicinity of the clearance. Can be prevented from working. Further, since the elongated metal plate is formed in a ring shape and provided integrally with the sheath, the manufacturability of the guide wire guide is good. Further, by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of rear rings are attached to the sheath, the insertability of the ultrasonic probe can be further improved.
Other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first modification of the second embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 1C according to this modification includes a distal ring 27 and a rear ring 2 as described in the second embodiment.
Instead of providing the sheath 8 integrally with the sheath 25, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), a rigid distal tip 40 having a first through hole 46 serving as a first guide wire guide in the bulging portion 45 is provided. Is fixed to the tip of the sheath 42 by pincushion bonding,
A rear lumen member 41 provided with a second through-hole 48 serving as a second guide wire guide is bonded to the vicinity of the position where the housing 6 fixed to the flexible shaft 4 inserted through the flexible sheath 42 is arranged. And so on. The central axis of the first through hole 46 intersects the central axis extending toward the distal end side of the insertion portion 3 in the insertion direction at an inclination angle of about 6 °.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the rear lumen member 41 has a disk-shaped member with a sheath fixing hole 47 and a second through hole 48 opened.
The sheath 42 is fitted and fixed by bonding.

The clearance 12 is provided between the rear end 43 of the tip 40 and the front end face 8 of the housing 6. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the sheath provided with the first guide wire guide and the lumen provided with the second guide wire guide are formed as separate parts, and these parts are generally used. This configuration can be realized relatively easily, since they are integrally assembled by bonding or thread winding bonding. In addition, since the first through hole is provided at the distal end of the sheath, and the central axis of the first through hole is inclined and intersects with the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction, the ultrasonic probe has Good insertability. Other effects are the same as those of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. An ultrasonic probe 1D according to this modification is different from the ultrasonic probe 1D in that the distal end ring 27 and the rear ring 28 are provided integrally with the sheath 25 as shown in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. A first lumen portion 50 provided with a through hole 50a serving as a first guide wire guide portion and a rear lumen portion 51 provided with a second lumen 56 serving as a second guide wire guide portion are formed of the same material as the sheath 49. is there.

That is, as shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the sheath 49 forming the insertion portion 3 of the ultrasonic probe 1D and the distal lumen portion 50 configuring the distal portion 5 are integrally formed of the same material. Note that a clearance portion 12 is provided on the distal end surface 8 of the housing 6.

The distal lumen portion 50 is composed of a guide wire introduction portion 53 and a sheath connection portion 54, and is integrally connected to the sheath 49 at the sheath connection portion 54. The central axis of the through-hole 50a formed in the guide wire introducing portion 53 and through which the guide wire is inserted intersects with the central axis extending toward the distal end in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 3 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. doing.

The rear lumen portion 51 provided with the second lumen 56 is formed of the same material as the sheath 49, and the housing 6 fixed to the flexible shaft 4 passing through the sheath 49 is disposed. Projecting from the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 3B, the rear lumen portion 52 has a double lumen structure, and includes a first lumen 55 into which the flexible shaft 4 is inserted, and a second lumen 56 through which a guide wire is inserted. . Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the distal end lumen portion 50 provided with the through hole serving as the first guide wire guide portion provided before and after the ultrasonic vibrator and the second guide wire portion serving as the second guide wire guide portion are provided.
Since the rear lumen portion 51 provided with the lumen is made of the same material as the sheath, the sheath can be easily formed. This improves the assemblability of the ultrasonic probe. Other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

FIGS. 12 and 13 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 13 is for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the ultrasonic probe 1E of the present embodiment, a hard distal tip 58 provided with a bulge 59 on the distal end side at the distal end of a flexible sheath 57 is fixed by thread winding. doing. The bulging portion 59 is provided with a guide wire guiding hole 60 having a central axis that intersects at a tilt angle of about 6 ° with respect to a central axis extending toward the distal end side of the insertion portion 3 in the insertion direction. At the rear end of the tip 58, a cylindrical concave portion 61 having a substantially spherical bottom surface 62 is provided coaxially with the flexible shaft 4.

On the other hand, a flexible shaft 4 is provided at the tip end of a housing 63 in which the ultrasonic vibrator 7 is fixed.
A cylindrical convex portion 64 having a substantially spherical tip portion 65 and a coaxial shape is provided. The tip 65 of the projection 64 is in contact with the recess 6.
1 and is provided with an overlap portion 67 of a predetermined distance. At this time, a clearance portion 66 with a predetermined gap is provided between the front end portion 65 and the bottom surface 62. .

In the present embodiment, the length of the overlapping portion 67 between the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61 is L, the inner diameter of the concave portion 61 is φA, and the outer diameter of the convex portion 64 is φ.
B, when the maximum bending angle at which the tip portion is bent and the convex portion 64 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 61 is θ, the following formula is established.

Θ = tan −1 ((A−B) / 2L) Equation (2) In the present embodiment, when θ = 30 ° as shown in FIG. The value of θ is set so that it will not bend further by touching the surrounding surface,
The value of θ may be set smaller than the angle at which the sheath 57 may be broken by bending. Further, in the present embodiment, the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is a mechanical radial method, but the scanning method is not limited to the mechanical radial method, for example, an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic linear, a mechanical linear method, and the like. Good. Further, the distal tip 58 may be an elastic member harder than the sheath 57.

The ultrasonic probe 1E configured as described above
The operation of will be described. When inserting the ultrasonic probe 1E to the target site using the guide wire 200 as a guide, FIG.
When the guide wire 200 has a bent shape as shown in FIG. 7A, the distal tip 58 constituting the distal end portion 5 of the ultrasonic probe 1E guided by the guide wire 200 is bent with respect to the sheath 57. At this time, in the present embodiment, when the distal end portion 5 is bent 30 ° in advance, the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 6 are bent.
1 so that the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61 come into contact with each other before the sheath 57 bends to an angle where the sheath 57 is bent.
7 is prevented from breaking.

When the ultrasonic transducer 7 is rotated and scanned while the tip 5 is bent at 30 °, the projection 64 of the housing 63 and the recess 61 of the tip 58 come into contact with each other at two points. I do. At this time, the possibility that the rotation of the ultrasonic vibrator 7 is obstructed by the contact between the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61 is low.

The tip 5 of the ultrasonic probe 1E
When the ultrasonic scanning is performed in a straight state, the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61 rotate in a non-contact state. Further, even when the relative position between the sheath 57 and the ultrasonic vibrator 7 changes due to a temperature change or the bending of the flexible sheath 57, the concave portion 61 of the distal end tip 58 and the housing
Since the clearance portion 66 is provided between the convex portion 64 and the convex portion 64, the concave portion 61 and the convex portion 64 do not abut.

As described above, when the distal end is bent at a predetermined angle, the concave portion provided on the distal end tip constituting the distal end comes into contact with the convex portion provided on the housing, and the sheath is bent further and bent. An angle can be prevented. As a result, even when the ultrasonic probe is inserted by guiding the guide wire to the bent portion of the guide wire, the sheath does not break due to the force acting on the weak portion of the sheath. Further, by forming the distal end tip with an elastic member that is harder than the sheath, the distal end hard length can be reduced.

In this embodiment, a concave portion is provided on the rear end side of the distal end chip, and a convex portion is provided on the distal end side of the housing. A concave portion may be provided on the distal end side.

FIGS. 14 and 15 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view for explaining the structure of the tip of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 15 is for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, the ultrasonic probe 1F according to the present embodiment is such that the lumen member 68 and the sheath 69 are formed of the same material. That is, as shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the sheath 69 forming the insertion portion 3 of the ultrasonic probe 1F and the lumen portion 68 forming the distal end portion 5 are formed of the same material. Note that a clearance portion 12 is provided on the distal end surface 8 of the housing 6.

The lumen member 68 includes a tip straight portion 72, a guide wire introduction portion 73, and a sheath connection portion 7.
4 and three parts. The distal straight portion 72 is provided with a lumen coaxial with the sheath 69, and the guide wire introducing portion 73 communicates with the lumen of the distal straight portion 72 in substantially the same shape as the lumen provided in the distal straight portion 72. Lumens are provided. At the rear end side of the guide wire introduction portion 73, a hand side opening 76 of a cutout cut at a predetermined angle is formed. The proximal opening 76 is formed so as to be located between the distal end surface 8 of the housing 6 disposed in the sheath 69 and the vibrator 7 fixed to the housing 6. The distance L from the end face to the vibrator 7 is set to be larger than the gap of the clearance 12.

The central axis of the lumen of the guide wire introduction portion 73 intersects the central axis of the lumen provided in the distal straight portion 72 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. Further, the lumen member 68 is formed of a material having more flexibility than the hardness of the sheath 69. Further, in the present embodiment, a mechanical radial method is shown as a scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer. However, the scanning method is not limited to the mechanical radial method, and for example, an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic linear, a mechanical linear method. A method may be used.

The ultrasonic probe 1F configured as described above
The operation of will be described. As shown in FIG.
When the ultrasonic probe 1F is inserted to the target site with the guide 00, the lumen member 68 bends along the guide wire 200 even if the guide wire 200 has a bent shape. Since the coaxial state with the wire 200 is maintained, the possibility of catching at this portion is small.

Even if this portion is caught and the amount of force for inserting the ultrasonic probe 1F is increased, the sheath 69 is located on the proximal opening 76 side of the guide wire introduction portion 73.
Since the housing 70 disposed therein serves as a reinforcing member, the sheath 69 is prevented from being broken at this portion.

Furthermore, since the guide wire introduction portion 73 of the lumen member 68 serves as a reinforcing portion for the sheath 69 near the clearance portion 71 which is weakest against bending of the sheath 69, the sheath 69 is prevented from being broken at this portion. Is done.

As described above, the sheath and the lumen member are formed by integral molding, and the guide wire introduction portion constituting the housing and the lumen member disposed in the sheath is a reinforcing portion for receiving a force acting on a weak portion of the sheath. Thus, it is possible to prevent the sheath from being damaged when the ultrasonic probe is inserted with the bent guide wire as a guide. In addition, since the distance from the proximal opening end of the guide wire introduction portion to the vibrator is larger than the clearance of the clearance portion, temperature change and bending of the flexible sheath 69 cause the ultrasonic vibrator 7 to be bent. Even if the relative distance between the ultrasonic transducer 7 and the sheath 69 changes, the ultrasonic vibrator 7 can
There is no interference.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, a clearance portion with a predetermined gap is provided from the rear end of the sealing portion, and the ultrasonic transducer is provided. An ultrasonic probe filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity through a channel of an endoscope, and obtains an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic transducer. A guide wire guide portion for inserting a guide wire into the portion is provided, the hardness of the distal end side of the guide wire guide portion is formed to be harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath, and the hardness of the rear end side of the guide wire guide portion is set to the hardness. An ultrasonic probe configured softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath.

(2) The scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is an electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical radial, or mechanical linear scanning method.
An ultrasonic probe as described.

(3) The hardness of the guide wire guide gradually becomes softer from the front end to the rear end.
An ultrasonic probe as described.

(4) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 1, wherein a center axis of the guide wire guide section is inclined and intersects with a center axis extending toward the distal end in the insertion direction of the flexible sheath.
Thus, the central axis of the guide wire guide is located in a plane including the central axis of the flexible sheath.

(5) In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, a clearance portion with a predetermined gap is provided from the rear end of the sealing portion, and the ultrasonic transducer is provided. Filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity through a channel of an endoscope, and an ultrasonic probe that obtains an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the flexible sheath includes: An ultrasonic probe having a first guide wire guide provided at a position closer to the distal end than the ultrasonic vibrator and a second guide wire guide provided at a position near the hand of the ultrasonic vibrator .

(6) The scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is an electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical radial, or mechanical linear scanning method.
An ultrasonic probe as described.

(7) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the first or second guide wire guide is a ring-shaped member, and the ring-shaped member is integrally formed with a flexible sheath.

(8) The second guide wire guiding portion is
6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of ultrasonic probes are provided from a position near a hand side of the ultrasonic transducer to a hand side of the flexible sheath.

(9) The ultrasonic probe according to Appendix 5, wherein the central axes of the first guide wire guide and the second guide wire guide are in a plane including the central axis of the flexible sheath. 10) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 9, wherein a central axis of the first guide wire guide is inclined and intersects with a central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the flexible sheath.

(11) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the first guide wire guide is located at a distal end of a flexible sheath.

(12) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the first guide wire guide or the second guide wire guide is made of the same material as the flexible sheath.

(13) In the sheath sealed by the distal end tip provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, a clearance portion with a predetermined gap is provided from the rear end of the sealing portion, and the ultrasonic transducer is provided. An ultrasonic probe filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity through a channel of an endoscope, and acquires an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic vibrator. A wire guide hole is provided, while a concave portion or a convex portion extending in the axial direction of the flexible sheath is provided at a rear end portion of the distal tip, and the concave portion provided with the distal tip in a housing disposed in the flexible sheath. Or, a projection or a depression extending in the axial direction of the flexible sheath corresponding to the projection is provided, and the depression or the projection of the distal tip and the projection or the depression of the housing are provided with a clearance. Ultrasonic probe having a Rappu portion.

(14) The scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is as follows.
14. The ultrasonic probe according to attachment 13, wherein the ultrasonic probe is an electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical radial, or mechanical linear scanning system.

(15) The length of the overlapped portion between the convex portion and the concave portion is L, the internal diameter of the concave portion is φA, the external diameter of the convex portion is φB, and bending when the flexible sheath is broken. Assuming that the angle is θ, θ> tan −1 ((A−B) / 2L). Supplementary note 13 in which each value is set so that the above inequality holds.
An ultrasonic probe as described.

(16) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 13, wherein the hardness of the tip is harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath.

(17) In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, a clearance portion with a predetermined gap is provided from the rear end of the sealing portion, and the ultrasonic transducer is provided. An ultrasonic probe filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity by guiding a guide wire inserted through the lumen, and obtaining an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic vibrator; An ultrasonic probe having a side opening end located between a housing tip and an ultrasonic transducer tip.

(18) The scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is as follows.
18. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 17, wherein the ultrasonic probe is of an electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical radial, or mechanical linear scanning type.

(19) The ultrasonic probe according to attachment 17, wherein the distance from the tip of the ultrasonic transducer to the proximal end of the lumen is larger than the clearance of the clearance.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe having a lumen for guiding a guide wire which has a simple structure, has good insertability, and does not break.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment.

4 and 5 relate to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing another configuration of the tip portion of the ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 4;

6 to 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining a configuration of a tip portion of the ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a tip ring.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a rear ring.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

12 and 13 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view for explaining a configuration of a tip portion of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are related to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged view for explaining a configuration of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic probe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3a ... sheath 5 ... flexible shaft 6 ... housing 7 ... ultrasonic vibrator 9 ... ultrasonic transmission medium 12 ... clearance part 14 ... guide wire guide part

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic transducer is provided in a sheath sealed by a sealing portion provided at a distal end of a flexible sheath, with a clearance portion provided with a predetermined gap from a rear end of the sealing portion. An ultrasonic probe filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium, which is inserted into a body cavity through a channel of an endoscope and obtains an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic transducer, wherein a distal end portion of the flexible sheath. A guide wire guide portion through which a guide wire is inserted, the hardness of the distal end side of the guide wire guide portion is formed to be harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath, and the hardness of the rear end side of the guide wire guide portion is set to the above-mentioned range. An ultrasonic probe characterized by being softer than the hardness of a flexible sheath.