WO2018230416A1 - Ultrasonic endoscope and method for manufacturing ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are: an ultrasonic endoscope in which an inner space can be secured in a tip hard portion; and a method for manufacturing an ultrasonic endoscope. This ultrasonic endoscope is a radial-type ultrasonic endoscope having a direct vision-type optical system on a distal end thereof, the ultrasonic endoscope being characterized by being provided with: an imaging unit extending in the longitudinal direction inside an insertion unit; an ultrasonic oscillator in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements which can transceive ultrasonic waves are disposed side by side in an annular shape in the peripheral direction of a distal end hard portion; a plurality of coaxial wires for transmitting ultrasonic signals; a flexible board which electrically connects the piezoelectric elements and the coaxial wires, and in which a distal end side portion connected to the piezoelectric elements forms an approximately cylindrical shape around the imaging unit; and a shape memory member which, on a rear surface on the reverse side of a wiring surface of the flexible board, is provided on at least a proximal end side portion to which the coaxial wires are wired, forms an initial shape in which a proximal end side portion is folded over, and is capable of deformation by heating and shape recovery.

Description

Ultrasound endoscope and method for manufacturing ultrasound endoscope

The present invention emits ultrasonic waves to an observation target, receives a ultrasonic echo reflected from the observation target, converts it into an echo signal, and outputs it, and observes the inside of the subject. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope including an optical system and a method for manufacturing the ultrasonic endoscope.

As a configuration of the ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic transducer is provided at the tip of the portion inserted into the subject, and the piezoelectric element and the coaxial cable of the ultrasonic cable are electrically connected to the inside of the tip. A configuration in which a flexible substrate to be connected is accommodated is known.

Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible substrate on which a conductive wire connected to an ultrasonic transducer is printed in a radial ultrasonic endoscope having a direct-view optical system having an optical system on a tip surface. It is described that it is arranged inside the main body on the base end side. This flexible substrate is provided with four sets obtained by folding two substrates, and an insulating reinforcing material is in close contact with both front and back surfaces.

Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a flexible substrate and an insulating flexible sheet are overlapped and covered with a heat shrinkable tube having flexibility from the outside.

Japanese Patent No. 4520165 JP 2003-111758 A

By the way, in a radial type ultrasonic endoscope having a direct-view optical system at the tip, a plurality of piezoelectric elements constituting the ultrasonic transducer are arranged in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the tip. Therefore, it is necessary to secure an internal space inside the tip so that the wiring of the ultrasonic transducer does not hinder the storage of the built-in object.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic endoscope manufacturing method capable of securing the internal space of the distal end portion.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention includes a distal end rigid portion and a flexible tube connected to the proximal end side of the distal end rigid portion. An insertion portion having an insertion portion, an imaging portion that extends in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion portion, and that captures an image of a front visual field in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion from the distal end of the distal end hard portion, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves A plurality of possible piezoelectric elements are arranged in a ring shape along the circumferential direction of the distal end hard portion, an ultrasonic transducer that irradiates the ultrasonic wave in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and the insertion portion A plurality of coaxial lines that extend in the longitudinal direction inside and transmit ultrasonic signals, electrically connect the piezoelectric element and the coaxial line, and a tip side portion connected to the piezoelectric element is the imaging Flexible substrate having a substantially cylindrical shape around the portion, and the flexible Of the back surface of the plate opposite to the wiring surface on which the plurality of coaxial lines are wired, at least the back surface of the base end side portion on which the coaxial lines are wired and the initial stage where the base end side portion is folded And a shape memory member that has a shape and can be deformed and recovered by heating.

Further, in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the wiring surface is preferably covered with an insulating material at the base end side portion connected to the coaxial line.

Further, the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the ultrasound endoscope is provided at the distal end hard portion and emits illumination light to the front visual field in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and the inside of the insertion portion. A treatment instrument channel that has one end opened at the distal end in the longitudinal direction of the distal end hard portion and allows a treatment instrument to be inserted from the outside, and the distal end portion of the flexible substrate is formed of the distal end hard portion. Is preferably arranged so as to surround the emission optical system, the treatment instrument channel, and the imaging unit.

In the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, it is preferable that the flexible substrate has a rigidity smaller than that of the shape memory member.

An ultrasonic endoscope manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a shape memory member lined on a flexible substrate for electrically connecting a plurality of coaxial lines transmitting ultrasonic signals and a plurality of piezoelectric elements at a predetermined temperature. Pre-wiring deformation step to deform the shape memory member after heating to make the flexible substrate flat, and wiring step to wire the plurality of coaxial lines on the wiring surface of the flat flexible substrate And heating the shape memory member whose temperature has dropped from the pre-wiring deformation step to the predetermined temperature again, and deforming the portion on one end side connecting the flexible substrate and the plurality of coaxial lines into a folded shape, And a post-wiring deformation step of deforming a portion on the other end side of the flexible substrate to which a plurality of coaxial lines are not connected into a substantially cylindrical shape.

Moreover, the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the one end where the coaxial line of the wiring surface is wired to the flat flexible substrate after the wiring step. It is preferable to further include an insulating film forming step of forming an insulating film by covering the side portion with an insulating material.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, about the radial type ultrasonic endoscope which has a direct-view optical system in the front-end | tip, it can suppress that the wiring of an ultrasonic transducer | vibrator obstructs accommodation of a built-in thing, and can reduce the internal space of a front-end | tip hard part. Can be secured.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the distal end configuration of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the shape of the flexible substrate included in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing a flexible substrate with a shape memory member in an initial shape before wiring. FIG. 5B is a diagram schematically illustrating the flexible substrate after the shape memory member is deformed from the initial shape before wiring. FIG. 5C is a diagram schematically illustrating the flexible substrate in a state after the coaxial line is wired. FIG. 5D is a diagram schematically showing the flexible substrate with an insulating material attached after wiring. FIG. 5E is a diagram schematically showing the flexible substrate in a state after the shape memory member is restored to the initial shape after the insulating material is attached. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a flexible substrate included in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a flexible substrate included in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a flexible substrate included in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the third modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a flexible substrate included in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the modification 4 of the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part in description of drawing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an ultrasonic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic endoscope system 1 is a system that performs ultrasonic diagnosis in a subject such as a person using the ultrasonic endoscope 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope system 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic observation device 3, an endoscope observation device 4, a display device 5, and a light source device 6. .

The ultrasonic endoscope 2 is a combination of an imaging optical system composed of a lens or the like and an endoscope observation unit having an imaging element with an ultrasonic probe, and has an endoscope observation function and an ultrasonic observation function. . The ultrasonic endoscope 2 converts an electrical pulse signal transmitted from the ultrasonic observation device 3 into an ultrasonic pulse (acoustic pulse) at the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 and irradiates the subject, and is reflected by the subject. And an ultrasonic transducer 10 that converts the ultrasonic echo into an electrical echo signal expressed by a voltage change and outputs the electrical echo signal.

The ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an imaging optical system and an imaging element, and is inserted into a subject's digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine) or respiratory organ (trachea, bronchus). Respiratory imaging can be performed. In addition, surrounding organs (pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreatic duct, lymph node, organ in the mediastinum, blood vessels, etc.) can be imaged using ultrasound. In addition, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes a light guide 215 (shown in FIG. 2) that guides illumination light to be irradiated onto the subject when imaging the front visual field. The light guide 215 has a distal end reaching the distal end of the insertion portion 21 to the subject of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 and a proximal end portion connected to the light source device 6 that generates illumination light.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion 21, an operation portion 22, a universal cord 23, and a connector 24. The insertion part 21 is a part inserted into the subject. As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion portion 21 includes a distal end hard portion 211 having an ultrasonic transducer 10 provided on the distal end side, and a bending portion 212 that is connected to the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion 211 and can be bent. And a flexible tube portion 213 connected to the proximal end side of the bending portion 212 and having flexibility. Here, inside the insertion portion 21, a light guide 215 that transmits illumination light supplied from the light source device 6 and a plurality of signal cables that transmit various signals extend in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a treatment instrument channel 214 (shown in FIG. 2) that forms a treatment instrument insertion passage for inserting a treatment instrument extends in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion portion 21. The tip configuration of the insertion portion 21 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The operation unit 22 is a part that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion unit 21 and receives various operations from a doctor or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 22 includes a bending knob 221 for performing a bending operation on the bending unit 212 and a plurality of operation members 222 for performing various operations. The operation section 22 is formed with a treatment instrument insertion port 223 that communicates with the treatment instrument channel 214 and allows the treatment instrument to be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path.

The universal cord 23 is a cable that extends from the operation unit 22 and includes a plurality of signal cables that transmit various signals and an optical fiber that transmits illumination light supplied from the light source device 6.

The connector 24 is provided at the tip of the universal cord 23. The connector 24 includes first to third connector portions 241 to 243 to which the ultrasonic cable 31, the video cable 41, and the light source device 6 are connected.

The ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31, and outputs a pulse signal to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31, and also within the ultrasonic wave An echo signal is input from the endoscope 2. Then, the ultrasonic observation device 3 performs a predetermined process on the echo signal to generate an ultrasonic image.

The endoscope observation apparatus 4 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the video cable 41, and an image signal from the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is input via the video cable 41. Then, the endoscope observation apparatus 4 performs a predetermined process on the image signal to generate an endoscope image.

The display device 5 is configured using liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3 or an endoscope image generated by the endoscope observation device 4. Etc. are displayed.

The light source device 6 supplies illumination light to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 through the optical fiber cable 61.

Here, the tip configuration of the insertion portion 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the distal end configuration of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the shape of the flexible substrate included in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this description, the distal end side (front) in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 is simply referred to as “distal end side”, and the proximal end side (rearward) in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 is simply referred to as “proximal end side”. It describes.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flexible substrate 12 that electrically connects the piezoelectric element 10 a of the ultrasonic transducer 10 and the coaxial line 11 is disposed inside the distal end hard portion 211. The ultrasonic transducer 10 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 10 a arranged in a ring along the circumferential direction of the distal end hard portion 211, and ultrasonic waves in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21. Irradiate. The piezoelectric element 10a can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. A distal end portion 12 a of the flexible substrate 12 is disposed on the radially inner side of the ultrasonic transducer 10.

A plurality of lead wires 13 that electrically connect the plurality of piezoelectric elements 10 a and the flexible substrate 12 are wired to the distal end portion 12 a of the flexible substrate 12. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the lead wire 13 is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 10a via the relay substrate 13a. For example, the relay substrate 13a is a cylindrical substrate disposed on the distal end side of the piezoelectric element 10a, and the piezoelectric element 10a is connected to an electrode (not shown) provided on the proximal end side and provided on the distal end side. One end of the lead wire 13 is connected to the formed electrode (not shown). The other end of the lead wire 13 is connected to an electrode (electrode 12d shown in FIG. 4) provided on the flexible substrate 12. Note that the lead wire 13 may be directly connected to the piezoelectric element 10a without providing the relay substrate 13a. A plurality of coaxial wires 11 are wired on the proximal end portion 12 b of the flexible substrate 12. The plurality of coaxial lines 11 are extended in the longitudinal direction as cables from the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion 211 to the inside of the bending portion 212 and the flexible tube portion 213.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a treatment instrument channel 214 and a light guide 215 are provided in the distal end hard portion 211. The treatment instrument channel 214 is formed inside the insertion portion 21, and one end opens at the distal end 211 a in the longitudinal direction of the distal end hard portion 211. The light guide 215 constitutes an emission optical system that emits illumination light from the distal end 211 a of the distal end hard portion 211 to the front visual field in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion 12 a of the flexible substrate 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape and surrounds the treatment instrument channel 214, the light guide 215, the air / water supply channel 216, and the video cable 217, Arranged inside. The air / water supply channel 216 extends in the insertion portion 21 along the longitudinal direction, and opens at the distal end 211 a of the distal end hard portion 211. The video cable 217 extends in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion portion 21, and constitutes an imaging unit that captures an image of a front visual field in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 from the distal end 211 a of the distal end hard portion 211. In addition to the video cable 217, the imaging unit includes an observation window (observation optical system) and an imaging element (none of which are shown) provided at the tip 211a. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the base end portion 12 b of the flexible substrate 12 has a folded shape and is arranged in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible substrate 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 as a whole. In the ultrasonic endoscope 2, the flexible substrate 12 having the shape shown in FIG. 4 is accommodated in the distal end hard portion 211. On the wiring surface 12 c of the flexible substrate 12, a distal end side electrode 12 d and a proximal end side electrode 12 e are provided. A lead wire 13 connected to the piezoelectric element 10a is wired to the distal electrode 12d. On the other hand, the coaxial line 11 is wired to the proximal end electrode 12e. That is, in the flexible substrate 12 arranged in the distal end hard portion 211, the distal end side of the wiring surface 12 c is connected to the lead wire 13, and the proximal end side of the wiring surface 12 c is connected to the coaxial line 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the base end side portion 12 b, the connecting portion between the base end side wiring surface 12 c and the coaxial line 11 is covered with an insulating material 14. The insulating material 14 of the present embodiment is an insulating film made of a polyimide film or the like (for example, a thin film having a thickness of about several μm). In FIG. 4, the wiring provided on the wiring surface 12c, the lead wire 13 connected to the electrode 12d on the distal end side, and the coaxial line 11 connected to the electrode 12e on the proximal end side are omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the flexible substrate 12 has a shape memory member 15 lined on the back surface 12f opposite to the wiring surface 12c on which the coaxial line 11 is wired. That is, the wiring board includes a board layer made of the flexible board 12 including the wiring surface 12 c and a backing layer made of the shape memory member 15. In the present embodiment, the rigidity of the substrate layer made of the flexible substrate 12 is smaller than the rigidity of the backing layer made of the shape memory member 15.

The shape memory member 15 is a member that deforms when heated. As an example, the shape memory member 15 of the present embodiment is made of shape memory plastic. This shape memory plastic is a plastic that can be deformed by applying heat and external force, and can be restored to its original shape when heated again after cooling and solidification. That is, the shape memory member 15 stores the initial shape.

In this embodiment, the shape memory member 15 is lined over the entire surface of the flexible substrate 12 on the back surface 12f side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the initial shape of the shape memory member 15 is such that the distal end portion 12a of the flexible substrate 12 is substantially cylindrical and the proximal end portion 12b of the flexible substrate 12 is folded. The shape is possible.

Further, when the shape memory member 15 backed is deformed, the flexible substrate 12 is deformed together with the shape memory member 15. In the state where the shape memory member 15 is solidified, the shape of the flexible substrate 12 is maintained by the shape memory member 15. That is, the flexible substrate 12 lined with the shape memory member 15 is maintained in a shape in which the proximal end portion 12b is folded by the shape memory member 15 having an initial shape inside the distal end hard portion 211.

Next, a method for manufacturing the ultrasonic endoscope 2 will be described. Here, with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5E, a procedure for wiring the coaxial line 11 to the flexible substrate 12 in the manufacturing method will be described. FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing a flexible substrate with a shape memory member in an initial shape before wiring. FIG. 5B is a diagram schematically illustrating the flexible substrate after the shape memory member is deformed from the initial shape before wiring. FIG. 5C is a diagram schematically illustrating the flexible substrate in a state after the coaxial line is wired. FIG. 5D is a diagram schematically showing the flexible substrate with an insulating material attached after wiring. FIG. 5E is a diagram schematically showing the flexible substrate in a state after the shape memory member is restored to the initial shape after the insulating material is attached.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the flexible substrate 12 before wiring has a shape folded by the shape memory member 15 of the initial shape that is lined. And the external force for heating the shape memory member 15 to predetermined temperature and making the flexible substrate 12 flat form is applied. As a result, the base end portion 12b of the folded flexible substrate 12 shown in FIG. 5A can be deformed into a flat plate as a whole (see FIG. 5B).

As described above, the step of deforming the flexible substrate 12 folded in the shape of the valleys before wiring shown in FIG. 5A into the flat flexible substrate 12 shown in FIG. 5B is a pre-wiring deformation step. When the shape memory member 15 deformed from the initial shape to a flat shape after heating is cooled and solidified from a high temperature state, the shape memory member 15 is kept in the solidified shape (flat plate shape shown in FIG. 5B) unless it is heated again to a predetermined temperature. It is. A plurality of coaxial wires 11 are wired to the base-side electrode 12e with respect to the flat flexible substrate 12 shown in FIG. 5B (see FIG. 5C).

As shown in FIG. 5C, a plurality of coaxial lines 11 are wired on the wiring surface 12c in a state where the wiring surface 12c of the base end side portion 12b of the flexible substrate 12 is entirely flat. For example, the plurality of coaxial wires 11 are connected to the wiring surface 12c by soldering. Thus, the process of wiring the coaxial line 11 to the wiring surface 12c like the flexible board 12 shown to FIG. 5C with respect to the flat flexible board 12 shown to FIG. 5B is a wiring process. And the insulating material 14 is coat | covered by the wiring surface 12c so that the connection part with the coaxial wire 11 may be covered with respect to the flexible substrate 12 after wiring the coaxial wire 11 shown to FIG. 5C (refer FIG. 5D).

As shown in FIG. 5D, the insulating material is provided so as to cover all the coaxial wires 11 wired on the wiring surface 12c while the base end side portion 12b of the flexible substrate 12 is in a flat plate shape as a whole. 14 is coated. As described above, the process of attaching the insulating material 14 to the flat flexible substrate 12 after the wiring shown in FIG. 5C so as to cover the wiring surface 12c as shown in FIG. 5D is the insulating film forming process. Then, the shape memory member 15 whose temperature has been lowered from the pre-wiring deformation step is heated again to a predetermined temperature and returned to the initial shape with respect to the flexible substrate 12 after the wiring surface 12c is coated with the insulating material 14 shown in FIG. 5D ( See FIG. 5E).

As shown in FIG. 5E, the flexible substrate 12 after the wiring surface 12c is coated with the insulating material 14 is folded over the entire proximal end portion 12b by the restoring force of the shape memory member 15 heated to a predetermined temperature again. It has a different shape. The predetermined temperature is the same temperature as the predetermined temperature heated in the pre-wiring deformation process described above, and is set to a temperature higher than the sterilization temperature of the ultrasonic endoscope 2, for example. In this way, the step of deforming the flat flexible substrate 12 coated with the insulating material 14 shown in FIG. 5D to the flexible substrate 12 folded in the shape of a mountain and valley shown in FIG. 5E is a post-wiring deformation step. In the pre-wiring deformation process, the shape of the shape memory member 15 is defined by an external force, whereas in the post-wiring deformation process, the shape memory member 15 is recovered by the restoring force (returns to the initial shape). And the flexible substrate 12 of the state shown to FIG. 5E is accommodated in the front-end | tip hard part 211 inside.

As described above, the flat plate-like flexible substrate 12 shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D is in a state where the shape memory member 15 after being deformed by being heated from the initial shape and subjected to external force is cooled and solidified. In order to facilitate wiring to the flexible substrate 12, it is temporarily maintained in a flat plate shape. Therefore, after the coaxial line 11 is wired and the wiring surface 12c is covered with the insulating material 14, the shape memory member 15 is returned to the initial shape again, and the proximal end portion 12b of the flexible substrate 12 is folded.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the shape memory member 15 backed by the flexible substrate 12 has a shape in which the base end side portion 12b (connecting portion with the coaxial line 11) of the flexible substrate 12 is folded. Therefore, the plurality of coaxial wires 11 can be aggregated and arranged inside the distal end hard portion 211. As a result, the storability of the cable unit connected to the ultrasonic transducer 10 is improved, and the flexibility of the layout of the distal end hard portion 211 is improved.

Moreover, the front end side portion 12a (connecting portion with the piezoelectric element 10a) of the flexible substrate 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Therefore, the treatment instrument channel 214, the light guide 215, the air / water supply channel 216, the video cable 217, and the like can be arranged inside the distal end portion 12a having a substantially cylindrical shape.

Furthermore, since the shape memory member 15 is lined, the flexible substrate 12 can be deformed into a flat plate shape during wiring. As a result, when the coaxial line 11 is wired to the flexible substrate 12, it is only necessary to connect the coaxial line 11 to the flat flexible substrate 12, and the wiring work is facilitated. Further, by providing the insulating material 14, even when the proximal end portion 12b of the flexible substrate 12 is bent, it is possible to prevent the coaxial wires 11 wired in the valley-shaped portion of the wiring surface 12c from contacting (short-circuiting). .

(Modification)
Here, an ultrasonic endoscope according to a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. In the description of the modification, the description of the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment is omitted, and the reference numerals thereof are cited.

For example, the insulating material 14 is not limited to the one provided with a film-like insulating film, and is an insulating coating formed by applying an insulating coating agent to the connection portion between the coaxial line 11 and the wiring surface 12c. Also good. This insulating coating is applied in the insulating film forming step. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the insulating material may be configured to cover a part of the connection portion with the coaxial line 11 in the wiring surface 12 c. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an initial shape of the shape memory member provided in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in the flexible substrate 12A of the first modification, the insulating material 14A is provided so as to cover a part of the wiring surface 12c in which the plurality of coaxial lines 11 are wired on the base end side portion 12b. ing. The proximal end portion 12b includes a ridge 16 serving as a fold and a valley 17 serving as a fold, and the wiring surface 12c is opposed to form a single valley shape. In the first modification, only one surface of the pair of facing wiring surfaces 12c is covered with the insulating material 14A. Thereby, even if the base end side part 12b overlaps, it can prevent that the coaxial lines 11 wired by the trough-shaped part of the wiring surface 12c contact (short-circuit).

Further, the shape memory member 15 is not limited to the shape memory plastic, and may be made of a shape memory alloy. Further, the shape memory member 15 only needs to be lined with a part of the back surface 12 f of the flexible substrate 12. In this case, it is only necessary that the shape memory member 15 is lined on at least the back surface 12f on the opposite side of the connecting portion with the coaxial line 11 in the back surface 12f. That is, the shape memory member 15 does not necessarily have to be lined on the back surface 12f of the distal end side portion 12a of the flexible substrate 12. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, it is possible to constitute flexible substrates 12B to 12D partially backed by a shape memory member. 7 to 9, the coaxial line 11 and the insulating material 14 are not shown.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an initial shape of the shape memory member provided in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the shape memory member 15 </ b> B is partially lined on the flexible substrate 12 </ b> B of Modification 2 so as to define the shape of one adjacent peak 16 and valley 17. When the shape memory member 15B is viewed from the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21, the shape memory member 15B has a substantially Z-shaped initial shape.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an initial shape of the shape memory member provided in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the third modification of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, in the flexible substrate 12 </ b> C of the third modification, the shape memory member 15 </ b> C is partially lined so as to define the shape of one valley portion 17. The shape memory member 15C has a substantially V shape or a substantially U shape, and constitutes a backing layer such that its concave surface is in close contact with the back surface 12f. When the shape memory member 15C is viewed from the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21, the shape memory member 15C has an initial shape of a substantially V shape or a substantially U shape.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the initial shape of the shape memory member provided in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the fourth modification of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the shape memory member 15C of the third modification, a shape memory member 15D that defines the shape of one peak 16 is lined on the flexible substrate 12D of the fourth modification. The shape memory member 15D has an initial shape in which the above-described shape memory member 15C is turned upside down, and constitutes a backing layer such that the convex surface thereof is in close contact with the back surface 12f.

It should be noted that the above-described modification example 1 can also be applied to the above-described modification examples 2 to 4.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope system 2 Ultrasound endoscope 3 Ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 Endoscope observation apparatus 5 Display apparatus 6 Light source apparatus 10 Ultrasonic vibrator 10a Piezoelectric element 11 Coaxial line 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D Flexible substrate 12a Tip side portion 12b Base end side portion 12c Wiring surface 12d, 12e Electrode 12f Back surface 13 Lead wire 13a Relay substrate 14, 14A Insulation material 15, 15B, 15C, 15D Shape memory member 16 Mountain portion 17 Valley portion 21 Insert portion 22 operation part 211 distal end hard part 212 bending part 213 flexible tube part 214 treatment instrument channel 215 light guide 216 air / water supply channel 217 video cable

Claims (6)

An insertion portion having a distal end hard portion and a flexible tube portion having flexibility connected to a proximal end side of the distal end hard portion;
An imaging unit that extends in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion unit, and that captures an image of a front field of view in the longitudinal direction of the insertion unit from the distal end of the distal end hard unit;
A plurality of piezoelectric elements capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves are arranged in a ring shape along the circumferential direction of the distal end hard portion, and an ultrasonic transducer that irradiates the ultrasonic waves in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion;
A plurality of coaxial lines extending in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion portion and transmitting ultrasonic signals;
A flexible substrate that electrically connects the piezoelectric element and the coaxial line, and a tip side portion connected to the piezoelectric element forms a substantially cylindrical shape around the imaging unit;
Of the back surface of the flexible substrate opposite to the wiring surface on which the plurality of coaxial lines are wired, at least the back surface of the proximal side portion on which the coaxial lines are wired is provided, and the proximal side portion is folded. A shape memory member having an initial shape and capable of deformation and shape recovery by heating,
An ultrasonic endoscope characterized by comprising: The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the wiring surface is covered with an insulating material at the base end side portion connected to the coaxial line. An emission optical system that is provided at the distal end hard portion and emits illumination light to a front visual field in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion;
A treatment instrument channel that is formed inside the insertion portion and has one end opened at the distal end in the longitudinal direction of the distal end hard portion and allows a treatment instrument to be inserted from the outside; and
The distal end portion of the flexible substrate is disposed inside the distal rigid portion so as to surround the emission optical system, the treatment instrument channel, and the imaging unit. An ultrasonic endoscope according to 1. The ultrasonic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible substrate is less rigid than the shape memory member. A shape memory member backed by a flexible substrate for electrically connecting a plurality of coaxial lines for transmitting ultrasonic signals and a plurality of piezoelectric elements is heated to a predetermined temperature, and the heated shape memory member is deformed. Pre-wiring deformation step to make the flexible substrate into a flat plate shape,
A wiring step of wiring the plurality of coaxial lines on the wiring surface of the flat flexible substrate;
The shape memory member whose temperature has decreased from the pre-wiring deformation step is heated again to the predetermined temperature, and a portion on one end side connecting the flexible substrate and the plurality of coaxial lines is deformed into a folded shape, A post-wiring deformation step of deforming a portion on the other end side of the flexible substrate to which the coaxial line is not connected into a substantially cylindrical shape;
A method for manufacturing an ultrasonic endoscope, comprising: After the wiring step, an insulating film forming step of forming an insulating film on the flat flexible substrate by covering the wiring surface with the insulating material on the one end side where the coaxial line is wired. The method for manufacturing an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5, further comprising:

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