JPS627302Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs ultrasonic diagnosis by inserting an ultrasonic probe body into a body cavity using a channel used for inserting a treatment instrument of an endoscope, for example.

Most ultrasonic diagnostic devices are used in conjunction with endoscopes, and their structures vary. One of the devices that has been developed is, for example, a device that is separate from the endoscope and has a structure that accomplishes ultrasonic diagnosis by utilizing a channel used for inserting a treatment instrument into the endoscope. The basic structure of this ultrasonic diagnostic device is an ultrasonic probe body with an internal ultrasonic transducer attached to the tip of an operating rod that can be inserted into the channel of an endoscope. For observation and diagnosis, the operating rod is placed in the endoscope channel with the ultrasonic probe body positioned in front of the observation side of the tip of the endoscope, and in this state, the ultrasonic probe body and The distal end of the endoscope is inserted into a body cavity to perform observation and ultrasound diagnosis of the region to be diagnosed.

By the way, in the case of various devices of this kind, it is normal structure that an ultrasonic probe body exists in front of the observation side of the tip of the endoscope, and during observation and diagnosis, the illumination light emitted from the endoscope is There is a great possibility that the reflected light will be reflected by the rear end face of the acoustic probe body and enter the observation optical system via the observation window.
This is particularly noticeable in ultrasonic probe bodies constructed from commonly used metal members.

For this reason, during observation and diagnosis, the side of the ultrasound probe body within the field of view may become abnormally bright, or halation or clairs may occur.
Other parts of the ultrasound probe body within the field of view other than the rear end surface cannot be clearly seen, and it is difficult to see whether the ultrasound emitting part of the ultrasound probe body is actually at that position with respect to the area to be diagnosed, or whether the ultrasound If it is extremely difficult to determine whether or not the sound wave emitting portion is in close contact with each other, a problem arises in that it is not possible to accurately and quickly observe and diagnose the organ or the like to be diagnosed. Furthermore, when the ultrasound probe body approaches the tip of the endoscope, the reflected light is strongly incident on the observation optical system, strongly stimulating the observer's eyes, which may cause subsequent observation and diagnosis. This can lead to problems such as interfering with the

This idea was made with attention to the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to attach the ultrasonic probe from the endoscope side to the rear end face opposite to the endoscope observation direction side of the ultrasound probe body placed in front of the endoscope. A light absorption member that absorbs the emitted illumination light is provided to prevent light reflection at the rear end surface of the ultrasonic probe body and prevent reflected light from entering the endoscope observation system. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that makes it possible to clarify the field of view and protect the observer's eyes, and to accurately and quickly perform ultrasonic diagnosis of the part to be diagnosed.

A first embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 indicates an endoscope, for example, a rigid scope used for abdominal examinations, etc., and has the following configuration.

That is, 2 in the figure is an outer tube that is equipped with an observation window 4a, an illumination window (not shown), and a treatment instrument inlet/outlet 5b adjacent to the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the rigid endoscope 1. Two inner tubes 3a, 3a are arranged in parallel along the axial direction. An observation optical system light guide member 4 is housed in one of the inner tubes 3a, and optically connects the observation window 4a and an eyepiece 5a provided on the proximal side of the outer tube 2. The viewing optical system 5 is configured by being connected to the viewing optical system 5. The other inner tube 3a connects the treatment instrument inlet/outlet 5b and the inlet/outlet component 6, which is a gasket provided at the rear of the outer tube 2 on the proximal side, in a communicating state, and is connected to the treatment instrument inlet/outlet 5b for treatment and diagnosis, such as forceps. A channel 7 is configured through which a tool can be inserted into the insertion section 3. Further, inside the outer tube 2, a light guide member (not shown) for an illumination optical system is filled in a gap between the wall of the outer tube 2 and the wall of the inner tubes 3a, 3a. The leading end of the light guide member is connected to the illumination window, and the rear end thereof is connected to a light guide 39 that constitutes a light guide entrance section provided on the proximal side of the outer tube 2. Illumination light from a light source device (not shown) can be directed toward the front of the insertion section 3 based on light guide transmission. In other words, the structure is such that the front of the insertion section 3 can be observed.

The operating rod 9 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 is inserted into the channel 7 of the rigid endoscope 1 configured as described above. Next, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 8 will be explained as follows.

That is, the operating rod 9 is composed of a shaft pipe 10 formed to be able to be inserted into the channel 7 of the rigid scope 1, and a shaft body 11 is rotatably disposed inside. Further, the axial length of the operating rod 9 is set to be longer than the length of the insertion section 3 of the rigid endoscope 1. An ultrasonic probe body 12 is provided at the tip of the operating rod 9. This ultrasonic probe body 12 has a bendable flexible tube 13 in the center thereof, and a probe portion 15 constituting a tip component at the tip side of the flexible tube 13.
The probe section 15 has a slender structure with a receiving section 16 connected to the rear end side. A fixing member 19 is installed inside, and an ultrasonic transducer 17 and a rotary reflecting mirror 18 are installed inside the inner cavity of the cover 16a. The ultrasonic transducer 17 is fixedly supported by a fixed member 19 on the tip side of the cover 16 with the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving surface 17a facing inward, and the rotating reflective mirror 18 is attached to the side wall of the cover 16. The shaft portion 18a is located inside the window portion 14 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves provided in the fixing member 19.
is rotatably supported via a bearing 20 on the rear side of the ultrasonic transducer 17, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonic transducer 17 to the reflecting surface 18b of the rotating reflecting mirror 18.
This can be done through the window 14. That is, by rotating the rotating reflecting mirror 18 with the window 14 in close contact with the body cavity wall of the organ to be diagnosed, scanning in the rotational radial direction is achieved, and the ultrasonic tomographic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 17. The structure is such that it can be obtained. Note that the reflective surface 18b of the rotating reflective mirror 18 is set to connect the transmitting/receiving surface 17a of the ultrasonic transducer 17 and the window portion 14. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 17 and the fixing member 19 inside the cover 16a
A transmission liquid 22 for transmitting ultrasonic waves is sealed in the space surrounded by the transducer 19 and the window 14.
The ultrasonic wave is designed so that it does not attenuate during the transmission path. Note that 23 is an oil seal for forming a seal between the fixing member 19 and the shaft portion 18a of the mirror 18. and,
Fixing member 19 of the probe section 15 configured in this way
The protruding portion is adhesively fixed to the open end side of the flexible tube 13 by fitting.

Further, the structure of the receiving part 16 is composed of a shaft receiving member 25 having a bearing 24 therein, and this shaft receiving member 25 is adhesively fixed by being inserted into the rear end opening side of the flexible tube 13. . The tip of the shaft pipe 10 is fixed to the rear portion of the shaft receiving member 25. Furthermore, the shaft body 11 is rotatably supported by the bearing 24. The end of this shaft 11 and the shaft 18a of the rotary reflecting mirror 18 on the probe section 15 side are connected via a flexible shaft 27 inserted into the flexible tube 13. ,
A mirror transmission system that follows the bending performance of the flexible tube 13 is configured.

On the other hand, a drive operation section 28 is provided at the rear end of the operating rod 9.
will be provided. The drive operation section 28 is constructed by disposing a motor 30 on the rear side of the main body 29, and the base end of the shaft pipe 10 can be freely attached to and detached from the distal end side of the main body 29 via attachment/detachment means such as screws. connected to. Further, the motor 30 has its output shaft 3
0a is connected to the base end of the shaft body 11 via a joint 31 and a similar attachment/detachment means, and the rotating reflecting mirror 18 described below is rotated via a transmission system by the excitation drive of the motor 30. It is becoming possible to do this. Furthermore, a power supply/signal cord 32 for connection is connected to the main body 29.
The proximal end of the cord 32 is connected to the ultrasonic wave through a circuit section (not shown) including a signal amplification circuit provided in the main body 29, the drive operation section 28, the shaft pipe 10, and the ultrasonic probe body 12. Sound wave vibrator 1
It is electrically connected to 7. And code 32
A display device (not shown) for displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image is connected to the connection side of the ultrasonic tomographic image, and the ultrasonic tomographic signal based on the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic transducer 17 can be displayed as a tomographic image. It's becoming like that. Note that 33 is a switch for starting/stopping the motor 30 and performing ultrasonic oscillation operations.

To attach the ultrasonic diagnostic device 8 configured as described above to the rigid endoscope 1, it is inserted sequentially from the opening on the object side of the channel 7 to the operating rod 9 on the probe side. The base is pulled out from inside the channel 7 and the drive operation unit 28 is pulled out together with the shaft body 11.
When the ultrasonic probe body 12 is fixed to the front side in the observation direction, the ultrasonic probe body 12 is set in a state in which endoscopic observation and ultrasonic diagnosis are performed.
(As shown in FIG. 1) On the other hand, a light absorbing member, for example A black member 34 is provided through a fixing means such as adhesive, and absorbs the illumination light emitted from the tip of the rigid scope 1, prevents light reflection occurring at the rear end surface of the probe body 12, and secures the rigid scope 1. The rigid scope 1 has a structure that can effectively prevent reflected light from entering the observation optical system 5, and a clear field of view of the rigid scope 1 can be obtained under any observation or diagnosis situation.

When diagnosing, for example, an organ within a body cavity using the ultrasonic diagnostic device 8 configured as described above, the diagnostic device 8 is first attached to the rigid scope 1. This completes the preparation for diagnosis. Then, a guide tube (not shown) such as a trocar is pierced through the abdominal wall or the like. Then, using this guide tube as a guide, the ultrasound probe body 12 is inserted into the abdominal cavity together with the insertion section 3 of the rigid scope 1. Next, while performing visual observation of the front through the observation optical system 5 of the rigid scope 1, the ultrasound transducer 17 is applied to the wall surface of the body cavity, which is the target region to be diagnosed.
is guided based on the course operation, and the window portion 14 is brought into close contact with the wall surface of the body cavity. Then, by exciting and driving the motor 30 in this close state and causing the ultrasonic vibrator 17 to oscillate ultrasonic waves,
Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the window 14 via the rotating reflective mirror 18, and scanning is performed. On the other hand, the tomographic signal, which is an echo wave of the ultrasonic wave, is input to the circuit section via the transmitting/receiving surface 17a of the transducer 17 and the probe side of the cord 32, and the ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on the display surface of the display device by the motor. will be displayed,
Observations and diagnosis are made.

Therefore, the visibility situation during such observation and diagnosis is such that the probe body 1 out of the illumination light emitted forward from the tip of the rigid scope 1 is
Since the light that causes light reflection by the probe body 12 may be absorbed by the light absorption effect of the black member 34, there is no light reflection by the probe body 12.
At the same time, reflected light is no longer incident on the observation optical system 5 of the rigid scope 1, and a clear field of view is always obtained without abnormal brightness, halation, or clairs within the field of view.

Therefore, during observation and diagnosis, the ultrasonic oscillating part of the probe body 12 can be accurately, easily, and quickly applied to the part to be diagnosed, and the state of close contact can be clearly confirmed. The effect can greatly contribute to diagnosis.

Furthermore, when guiding the probe body 12, especially when the probe body 12 approaches the distal end of the rigid endoscope 1, an abnormally bright area occurs in the field of view in the conventional method. According to this, the light absorption effect of the black member 34 can eliminate abnormally bright areas within the field of view.
Strong light does not enter the observer's eyes, which is excellent in terms of protecting the observer's eyes, and the effect is great in terms of safety as well.

Note that this invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above; for example, the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 may also be used.

That is, in the second embodiment, the ultrasonic probe body 1
A black member 3 which is a light absorbing member is subjected to a surface treatment to become black on the end face facing the endoscope observation direction of No. 2.
4, and even such a black member 34 has the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment.

The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment described above, in which a part of the black member 34 is buried in the rear end surface of the ultrasound probe body 12, and the black member 34 is fixed by, for example, adhesive. The amount of protrusion is reduced. With such an installation structure, the installation area of the black member 34 is small;
More effective adhesion (increase in adhesion) can be expected, and the black member 34 can be avoided inadvertently.
It is possible to prevent contact with
The black member 34 is resistant to contact with other diagnostic treatment instruments and frictional peeling due to a brush or the like during cleaning, and the reliability and durability of the black member 34 can be improved.

In addition, although a black member was used as the light absorbing member in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the black member is not limited in any way.
This idea can be achieved with any member (including colored material) that can absorb light.

Further, in all of the above-mentioned embodiments, a combination type in which the ultrasound diagnostic device and the endoscope are separate units is used; however, the ultrasound probe body is not limited to this, and the ultrasound probe body is placed in front of the end side of the endoscope. If so, this idea will be achieved.

As explained above, according to this invention, an ultrasonic probe body, which is used in combination with an endoscope and is located in front of the observation side of the tip of the endoscope, has an endoscope on the rear end surface facing the observation direction side of the endoscope. Since a light-absorbing member is provided to absorb the light emitted from the mirror, the visibility during observation and diagnosis is such that the light that causes light reflection in the illumination light is absorbed by the light-absorbing effect of the light-absorbing member. Therefore, there is no light reflection from the probe body, and at the same time, there is no reflected light entering the viewing side of the endoscope, so the field of view is always clear without abnormal brightness, halation, or clairs. will be obtained.

Therefore, during observation and diagnosis, it is possible to accurately, easily and quickly apply the ultrasonic oscillator to the part to be diagnosed, and to clearly confirm the closeness of the part. ,
Its effects greatly contribute to diagnosis.

Moreover, since no light is incident on the observation side of the endoscope, an abnormally bright part in the field of view when the probe body and endoscope approach each other can be eliminated, and strong light does not enter the observer's eyes. It is also excellent in terms of protecting the observer's eyes, and has a great effect in terms of safety.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention together with an endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a light absorption member according to a second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in section, showing the light absorbing member of the third embodiment. 1... Rigid scope (internal view), 8... Ultrasonic diagnostic device, 12... Ultrasonic probe body, 17... Ultrasonic transducer, 34... Black member (light absorption member).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) An ultrasonic probe body equipped with an ultrasonic transducer is placed in front of the observation side of the tip of an endoscope, and the part to be diagnosed is observed with the endoscope. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to perform ultrasonic diagnosis, a light absorbing member for absorbing illumination light emitted from the endoscope is provided on a rear end surface of the ultrasonic probe body facing the observation direction side of the endoscope. An ultrasonic diagnostic device characterized by: (2) The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light absorbing member is formed by subjecting the rear end surface of the ultrasonic probe body to a surface treatment to make it black. (3) The light absorbing member is made of a black member, and the black member is partially buried in the rear end face of the ultrasonic probe body, and the overall projecting portion is small. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 of the patent registration claim.