JP3438559B2 - Balloon mounting device for ultrasonic inspection equipment for endoscope insertion - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic examination which is provided in an endoscope and which is inserted into a channel or the like for inserting a forceps or other treatment tool to be used for performing an ultrasonic examination in a body cavity or the like. The present invention relates to a balloon mounting device of an ultrasonic inspection device for endoscope insertion, in which a balloon surrounding an ultrasonic scanning unit provided with an ultrasonic transducer is mounted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic inspection device is generally composed of an ultrasonic probe equipped with an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic observation device. The ultrasonic inspection device is operated at a site to be inspected. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged so as to face each other, and the ultrasonic transducers are driven to transmit ultrasonic pulses toward the inside of the body or the like and receive reflected echoes to perform ultrasonic scanning. Then, the reflected echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic transducer is taken into the ultrasonic observation device and subjected to predetermined signal processing to display an ultrasonic image on the monitor screen.

As the ultrasonic probe, in addition to a type that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from the skin of the body, a type that inserts the ultrasonic probe into the body and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from the inner wall of the body cavity is also put into practical use. Has been done. For this purpose, an ultrasonic scanning unit containing an ultrasonic transducer is connected to the tip of the flexible cord inserted into the body cavity. Also, the proximal end of the flexible cord is connected to the ultrasonic observation device,
The ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic observation device are usually configured to be connected to each other so that they can be contacted and separated. Therefore, a connector for connecting to the ultrasonic observation device is provided at the proximal end of the flexible cord.

If the ultrasonic wave is directly transmitted / received from the inner wall of the body cavity, the ultrasonic wave can be transmitted / received at a position close to a site to be subjected to ultrasonic examination such as a diseased part, and the body fat that attenuates the ultrasonic wave. There is an advantage that the influence of layers and the like can be eliminated. In inserting the ultrasonic probe into the body, in addition to the ultrasonic probe itself configured to be directly inserted into the body cavity, the guide means is inserted into the body cavity, and the ultrasonic probe is There is also one configured to be guided by a means and guided into the body cavity. Here, when an endoscope is used as a guide means, an endoscopic examination of a body cavity is performed, and when a diseased part or the like is found, a scanning operation with an ultrasonic probe can be performed under observation with the endoscope. Therefore, it is advantageous in that a comprehensive examination and diagnosis of the body cavity can be performed. When inserting the ultrasonic probe into the body cavity using this endoscope as a guide means, a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps is usually used.

In the ultrasonic probe inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel, at least the portion of the flexible cord located in the treatment instrument insertion channel must be thinner than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel. However, an ultrasonic scanning unit is provided on the distal end side of the flexible cord, and a connecting connector is continuously provided on the proximal end side. Either the ultrasonic scanning unit or the connecting connector is a treatment instrument insertion channel. It is possible to make the diameter larger than the inner diameter of. When the ultrasonic scanning unit has a diameter larger than that of the treatment instrument insertion channel, the endoscope is inserted into the body cavity with the ultrasonic probe previously inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope. . On the other hand, if the ultrasonic scanning unit has a smaller diameter than the treatment instrument insertion channel, the ultrasonic probe can be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel even after the endoscope is guided into the body cavity.

When performing ultrasonic scanning, if air is present in the ultrasonic transmission / reception path from the ultrasonic transducer to the inner wall of the body cavity, the transmitted / received ultrasonic waves are significantly attenuated.
A balloon holding an ultrasonic transmission medium is used. The balloon consists of a flexible film body with high elasticity such as latex which is connected to an elastic ring for fastening, and the flexible film body is formed into a bag shape and an elastic ring is provided at the opening end. ,
There is one in which a flexible film body is formed in a tubular shape and elastic rings are provided at the open ends on both sides thereof. An annular groove is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the ultrasonic scanning unit so that the elastic ring can be fixed to the ultrasonic scanning unit. The flexible film body is attached to the ultrasonic scanning unit and the elastic ring is recessed. Try to engage the groove. An ultrasonic probe is inserted through the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope, the ultrasonic scanning portion is guided into the body cavity, and then the ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied into the balloon to inflate the balloon. Here, as the ultrasonic transmission medium, for example, deaerated water or the like is used.

[0007]

As described above, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received from the ultrasonic transducer in a state where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied into the balloon and inflated to be in close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity. Ultrasonic examination locations using the sonic probe include, for example, a thin body cavity tube such as the esophagus, the stomach, and other organs. When performing an ultrasound examination in a thin body cavity tube,
The balloon can be closely attached to the inner wall of the body cavity by the wall of the body cavity tube without supplying a large amount of ultrasonic transmission medium to the balloon. However, since an organ such as the stomach has a relatively large space, a large amount of ultrasonic transmission medium must be supplied and greatly expanded in order to bring the balloon into close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity on a wide surface.

However, since the ultrasonic transducer is provided inside the ultrasonic scanning portion to which the balloon is attached, the ultrasonic scanning portion is composed of a hard member. Since the ultrasonic probe is guided into the body cavity through the treatment tool insertion channel of the endoscope, the ultrasonic scanning portion has to have a small diameter as well as its axial length as short as possible. Therefore, the size of the flexible film body and the elastic ring of the balloon attached to the ultrasonic scanning unit is limited, and the elasticity of the balloon formed in the ultrasonic scanning unit is limited because the ultrasonic transducer is housed inside. The width and depth of the groove for fastening the ring are also restricted. As a result, the amount of ultrasonic transmission medium that can be supplied into the balloon is limited,
In some cases, it may not be possible to supply a sufficient amount of ultrasonic transmission medium so that it can be intimately adhered to the inner wall of the organ. However, there is a problem in that the elastic ring may fall off from the concave groove of the ultrasonic scanning unit due to the weight of the supplied ultrasonic transmission medium. In particular, when the ultrasonic scanning unit is configured to be insertable into the treatment instrument insertion channel, the sizes of the flexible film body and the elastic ring of the balloon are extremely small, which further causes the above-mentioned difficulties and problems. It will be noticeable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to be attached to a small-diameter ultrasonic probe which is inserted and guided in a treatment tool insertion channel or the like in an endoscope. In a balloon, a large amount of ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied into the flexible membrane to be able to be greatly expanded, and further, its fastening strength can be improved.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises an ultrasonic scanning section in which an ultrasonic transducer is incorporated at the tip of a flexible cord, and at least the above-mentioned ultrasonic scanning section is provided. A device for mounting a balloon on an ultrasonic probe capable of inserting a flexible cord into a treatment instrument insertion channel of an endoscope, wherein the device has a smaller diameter than the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the flexible cord is A balloon fastening member having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel is connected to the distal end of the insertable flexible tube, and the balloon fastening member is provided with an insertion passage for the flexible cord. A ring-shaped groove for fixing the balloon is formed on the outer peripheral surface while being installed,
Further , a liquid feeding section for supplying an ultrasonic transmission medium into the flexible tube is provided at the proximal end of the flexible tube, and the flexible tube and the ultrasonic probe are further provided.
Supply ultrasonic transmission medium through the gap between the flexible cord
It is an its features that the configuration and the that.

When the ultrasonic probe is inserted through the flexible tube, the gap between the inner surface of the flexible tube and the outer surface of the flexible cord of the ultrasonic probe serves as a passage for the ultrasonic transmission medium. . In order to more smoothly supply the ultrasonic transmission medium supplied through this passage toward the inner surface of the balloon, the balloon fixing member is provided at a position closer to the distal end than the portion where the annular groove is provided, in the thickness direction. One or a plurality of communication holes may be formed so as to penetrate therethrough. Further, the liquid feeding section can be formed by a thin diameter liquid feeding tube connected to a flexible tube, but the liquid feeding section is provided in a liquid feeding mechanism section having a predetermined casing, and the liquid feeding section is provided. The liquid feeding means may be detachably connected to the. In this case, since the liquid feeding section cannot be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel, the flexible tube is detachably connected to the liquid feeding mechanism section.

By using the balloon mounting apparatus of the present invention, a balloon can be mounted when two types of ultrasonic probes are used. If the entire length from the flexible cord to the ultrasonic scanning unit as the ultrasonic probe has a substantially uniform outer diameter, the ultrasonic scanning unit has a small diameter, and thus the ultrasonic scanning unit has a balloon. When the fastening portion is provided, sufficient fastening strength cannot be obtained. Therefore, the ultrasonic scanning unit is not provided with a balloon fastening portion, and the balloon is formed of a bag-shaped flexible film body in which an elastic ring is continuously provided at one end, and the elastic ring is fastened to the balloon. The member is fixed to the annular groove provided in the member. On the other hand, as the ultrasonic probe, when the ultrasonic scanning portion has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel, the balloon fastening portion can be formed on the tip side of the ultrasonic scanning portion. Therefore, the balloon fixed to the annular groove is not limited to the one described above, and is composed of a cylindrical flexible film body in which elastic rings are connected to both ends, and one elastic ring has an annular groove. It is also possible to form a ring-shaped groove on the tip of the ultrasonic scanning unit and to fix the other elastic ring to the ring-shaped groove of the ultrasonic scanning unit. is there.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of an ultrasonic examination apparatus, which is inserted into a body cavity of a patient by using the endoscope as a guide together with the endoscope. In the figure, 1 is an endoscope and 10 is an ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

The endoscope 1 has a main body operating portion 2 which an operator holds and operates by hand, and an inserting portion 3 for inserting into a body cavity. The universal cord 4 is pulled out from the main body operating portion 2. There is. The insertion portion 3 is a flexible portion 3 that bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path for most of the length from the connection portion to the main body operation portion 2.
The angled portion 3b and the distal end hard portion 3c are successively connected to the flexible portion 3a. The universal cord 4 is detachably connected to a light source device, a processor, etc., and at least a light guide for transmitting the illumination light from the light source device is inserted. Tip hard part 3c
Although not shown, an endoscope observing means including an illuminating section and an observing section is attached to the distal end surface (or the distal end side surface) of the instrument, and a treatment instrument insertion channel 5 for inserting forceps or other treatment instrument. The tip of is open. The treatment instrument insertion channel 5 extends from the insertion section 3 to the main body operation unit 2 and is connected to the treatment instrument introduction unit 6 provided in the main body operation unit 2.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 1.
1 and an ultrasonic observation device 12 that performs ultrasonic signal processing to generate an ultrasonic image signal. The ultrasonic observation device 12 is provided with a monitor 13 that displays an ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic probe 11 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation device 12 via a relay unit 14. The relay means 14 is composed of a scanning drive unit 14a, a cord 14b and a connection connector 14c, and the connection connector 14c is detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 12. The scanning drive unit 14a is detachably connected to the base end of the ultrasonic probe 11, and has a built-in motor and encoder for performing radial ultrasonic scanning by the ultrasonic probe 11. Also, the scan driver 14a
Is supported by an arm 16 connected to a rack 15 on which an ultrasonic observation device 12 and a monitor 13 are mounted,
The arm 16 is adapted to move in an arbitrary direction by applying an external force.

The ultrasonic probe 11 is inserted into the body cavity through the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 of the endoscope 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, two types of ultrasonic probes are inserted. You can do it. These are all designed to perform radial scanning, and are designated by reference numeral 20.
The ultrasonic probe shown by means the ultrasonic scanning unit 2 from the tip side.
1, the flexible cord 22 and the connector portion 23, and the ultrasonic scanning portion 21 and the flexible cord 22 have the same outer diameter. On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe indicated by reference numeral 30 is similarly composed of an ultrasonic scanning unit 31, a flexible cord 32 and a connector unit 33 from the tip side, but the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 has a flexible cord 32. It has a larger diameter.

Then, both of these ultrasonic probes 20, 3
In 0, both flexible cords 22 and 32 have a smaller diameter than the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. Also, the ultrasonic probe 2
At 0, the ultrasonic scanning unit 21 moves the ultrasonic probe 30
Then, the connector portion 33 has a smaller diameter than the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. However, the connector portion 2 of the ultrasonic probe 20
3 and the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 of the ultrasonic probe 30 do not necessarily need to be thinner than the treatment instrument insertion channel 5, and therefore the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 of the ultrasonic probe 30 is not included in the endoscope 1.
It is possible to increase the diameter as much as possible within the range that does not hinder the insertion operation of the insertion part 3 into the body cavity or the like, thereby improving the transmission / reception characteristics of ultrasonic waves. Also, the ultrasonic probe 2
The connector portion 23 of 0 can have a necessary thickness from the viewpoint of strength and the like, but for simplicity of description, the connector portion 23 of the ultrasonic probe 30 has the same structure.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic scanning section 21 of the ultrasonic probe 20. As is apparent from this figure, the ultrasonic scanning unit 21 includes the tube 2 that constitutes the flexible cord 22.
Thin tip cap 2 with excellent acoustic characteristics connected to 2a
4, a rotary base 25 is provided in the tip cap 24, and an ultrasonic transducer 26 is attached to the rotary base 25. The flexible cord 2 is attached to the rotary base 25.
A flexible shaft 22b made of a close contact coil inserted into the second tube 22a is connected, and a cable 27 connected to an ultrasonic transducer 26 is inserted into the flexible shaft 22b.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 in the ultrasonic probe 30. The ultrasonic scanning unit 31 has a distal end cap 34 having excellent acoustic characteristics, which is continuously connected to the distal end of a tube 32 a forming a flexible cord 32 via a connecting tubular portion 35. A base 36 is arranged, and an ultrasonic transducer 37 is attached to the rotary base 36.
Is installed. A rotary shaft 36a is connected to the rotary base 36, and the flexible cord 32 is attached to the rotary shaft 35a.
The flexible shaft 32b is inserted through the tube 32a, and the cable 38 connected to the ultrasonic transducer 37 is inserted inside the flexible shaft 32b. And the tip cap 34
The wall thickness of the tip surface portion of the is increased, and a concave groove 34a for balloon mounting is formed in this portion.

In the ultrasonic probes 20 and 30 described above, the connector portions 23 and 33 are shown in common in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, the flexible cord 40,
The reference numeral 41 is used for the connector portion. Flexible cord 40
Is composed of a tube 40a and a flexible shaft 40b inserted into the tube 40a, and a cable 42 is inserted therein.

A hard pipe 43 is connected to the tube 40a, and a proximal end portion of the flexible shaft 40b is fixedly provided to a rotary drive cylinder 44 which constitutes a rotary member. A first insulating cylinder 45 is connected to the rotary drive cylinder 44, a conductive cylinder 46 is further connected to the first insulating cylinder 45, and a second insulating cylinder 47 is connected to the tip thereof by means such as screw connection. ing. The cable 42 is a rotary drive tube 44,
It extends through the first insulating cylinder 45 into the conductive cylinder 46, and in the conductive cylinder 46, the core wire 42 a and the shield wire 42.
It is separated into b and. An electrode pin 48 is provided on the second insulating cylinder 47, the core wire 42 a is connected to the electrode pin 48, and the shield wire 42 b is connected to the conductive cylinder 46. Therefore, the rotary drive cylinder 44, the first
The insulating cylinder 45, the conductive cylinder 46, and the second insulating cylinder 47 are non-rotatably connected to the rotary shaft in the scanning drive unit 14a of the relay means 14 by a spline or the like, and the electrode pin 48 and the conductive cylinder 46 are connected to the rotary shaft. It is connected to a pair of electrodes provided.

The connector having the above construction is detachably connected to the rotary shaft of the scanning drive unit 14a, and by rotating this rotary shaft, the ultrasonic transducer can be rotationally driven to perform radial scanning. Become. The cable connected to the ultrasonic transducer is electrically connected to the rotary shaft side, and the rotary shaft is electrically connected to the ultrasonic observation device 12 via the rotary connector. Since the above configuration is well known, its illustration and detailed description are omitted.

The ultrasonic probes 20 and 30 are not directly inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5, but the balloon attachment device 50 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5.
The balloon mounting device 50 is configured to be inserted. As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 6, the balloon mounting device 50 includes a liquid supply mechanism section 51, a flexible tube 52, and
It is composed of a balloon fastening member 53. Liquid supply mechanism section 5
Reference numeral 1 constitutes a liquid supply section for supplying an ultrasonic transmission medium, and a probe insertion passage 55 is provided in a casing 54. Then, the base end portion of the casing 54 is detachably attached to the scanning drive portion 14a of the relay means 14. In addition, a pipe-shaped liquid feed unit 56 is provided on the side surface of the liquid feed mechanism unit 51 so as to project therefrom. Liquid sending means 57 for supplying a sound wave transmission medium
Is detachably connected.

The flexible tube 52 is made of a flexible tube, and a connecting pipe 58 made of a metal pipe or the like is fixedly attached to the base end portion of the flexible tube 52 by means such as bonding. Reference numeral 58 is detachably connected to the liquid supply mechanism 51. For this purpose, a connection ring 59 is screwed onto the liquid supply mechanism 51, and the connection ring 59 is screwed onto a threaded portion provided at the tip of the casing 54. A pushing tube 60 is screwed into the inside of 59. Further, a fixing elastic ring 61 made of an elastic member is provided in the casing 54, and the connecting pipe 58 is inserted from the pushing pipe 60 into the fixing elastic ring 61 to screw the connecting ring 59 into the casing 54. As a result, the tip of the push tube 60 is fixed to the elastic ring 61 for fixing.
As a result of being pushed and deformed, the inner diameter of the fixing elastic ring 61 is reduced, and the fixing elastic ring 61 comes into close contact with the connection pipe 58.
Due to this elastic holding force, the connection pipe 58 causes the liquid supply mechanism portion 51.
It is fixed to and exhibits a sealing function between them.
In addition, the liquid delivery section 56 inside the probe insertion passage 55
When the O-ring 62 is attached to the base end side of the connection position and the ultrasonic probes 20 and 30 are inserted, the O-ring 62 is brought into contact with the outer surfaces of the flexible cords 22 and 32, so that the relevant portion is Sealed.

The outer diameter of the flexible tube 52 is smaller than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5, so that the flexible tube 52 can be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 5. The inner diameter of the flexible tube 52 is
It is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the flexible cords 22 and 32 of the ultrasonic probes 20 and 30, and a passage for supplying the ultrasonic transmission medium is formed therebetween. The balloon fastening member 53 connected to the distal end of the flexible tube 52 is composed of a circular member having a predetermined thickness, the outer diameter dimension of which is larger than that of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5, and An insertion passage 63 is bored. This insertion passage 63 is
The connecting portion side of the flexible tube 52 has a hole diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the flexible tube 52, but the tip end side thereof is a continuously enlarged tapered portion 63a. Further, an annular groove 64 for attaching a balloon is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the balloon attaching member 53. The insertion passage 63 is provided on the tip side of the portion where the annular groove 64 is formed.
One or more communication holes 65 are formed from the side toward the outer peripheral surface.

Balloon mounting device 50 having the above construction
Is inserted in the treatment tool insertion channel 5 of the endoscope 1 and the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity. For this purpose, the connection tube 58 connected to the flexible tube 52 in a state where the flexible tube 52 and the liquid supply mechanism section 51 are separated by the tightening ring 60 and the connection ring 59.
The side is inserted from the distal end side of the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 and led out from the treatment instrument introducing section 6 side to connect the liquid supply mechanism section 51. Then, with the balloon attached to the balloon fastening member 53, ultrasonic inspection using the ultrasonic inspection device 10 is performed. When the ultrasonic probe 20 is used as the ultrasonic probe connected to the ultrasonic observation device 12, it becomes as shown in FIG. 7, and when the ultrasonic probe 30 is used, it becomes as shown in FIG.

When the ultrasonic probe 20 shown in FIG. 7 is used, the ultrasonic scanning section 21 and the flexible cord 22 have the same outer diameter dimension, and the flexible tube 52 of the balloon mounting apparatus 50 has the same outer diameter. Since the inner diameter is smaller than the inner diameter, the fastening portion of the balloon is not provided in the ultrasonic scanning portion 21. Further, the ultrasonic probe 20 can be inserted after the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity. On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 30 is used, as shown in FIG.
Since the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 has a larger diameter than the treatment instrument insertion channel 5, the ultrasonic probe 30 is attached to the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 at a stage before the insertion unit 3 is inserted into the body cavity. It is incorporated in the device 50. Further, since the distal end cap 34 that constitutes the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 is formed with the concave groove 34a for fastening the balloon,
The balloon is mounted so as to be stretched between the balloon mounting device 50 and the tip of the tip cap 34.

From the above, when the ultrasonic probe 20 is used and when the ultrasonic probe 30 is used,
Use different balloons. In the case of the ultrasonic probe 20, a balloon 70 is used. The balloon 70 is formed by forming a flexible film body 71 such as latex into a bag shape and connecting an elastic ring portion 72 to the opening end thereof. The elastic ring portion 72 has an annular shape of the balloon fastening member 53. The balloon mounting device 50 is mounted by being fixed to the groove 64. The ultrasonic probe 20 may be inserted into the balloon attachment device 50 before the insertion part 3 is inserted into the body cavity. However, after inserting the insertion part 3 into the body cavity, the balloon attachment device 50 may be inserted as necessary. It can also be inserted in 50.

On the other hand, when the ultrasonic probe 30 is used, the balloon 70 described above may be used. However, since the ultrasonic transducer 37 performs radial scanning, the ultrasonic probe 37 expands to the outer peripheral surface of the tip cap 34. Balloons 80 can be used to ensure that the spacing between them is substantially uniform over the entire circumference. This balloon 80 has elastic ring portions 82, at both ends of a flexible film body 81 such as latex.
It is composed of a series of 83. The elastic ring portion 82 is fixed to the annular concave groove 64 of the balloon fixing member 53, and the elastic ring portion 83 is fixed to the concave groove 34a formed in the tip cap 34 of the ultrasonic scanning unit 31. . Therefore, when the ultrasonic probe 30 is used, the ultrasonic probe 30 is incorporated together with the balloon mounting device 50 at a stage before the insertion portion 3 is inserted into the body cavity.

The balloons 70 and 80 are the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 1.
Is kept contracted until it is inserted into the body cavity. Then, when a site such as an affected area to be subjected to ultrasonic examination is found as a result of the endoscopic examination, the liquid feeding unit 57 is connected to the liquid feeding unit 56 to use, for example, degassing as an ultrasonic transmission medium. By supplying the water into the flexible tube 52, the flexible tube 52 and the insertion path 63 of the balloon fixing member 53 and the gap between the flexible cords 22 and 32 reach the balloon fixing member 53. The flexible membrane bodies 71 and 81 are brought into close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity by causing degassed water to flow into the mounted balloons 70 and 80 and to be inflated. Here, in the case of the ultrasonic probe 30, the ultrasonic scanning unit 31 may come into contact with the balloon fastening member 53 to block the flow path of degassed water, but the balloon fastening member 53 has a communication hole. Since 65 is provided, the degassed water surely flows into the balloon 80. In this state, by operating the ultrasonic transducers 26 and 37, ultrasonic inspection of a required portion is performed. As a result, since air does not exist in the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception path, a high-quality ultrasonic image with a high S / N ratio can be obtained.

Since the balloon fastening member 53 is larger than the outer diameter of the ultrasonic scanning portion 21 of the ultrasonic probe 20, the flexible film body 71 having a large size can be used. Moreover, the depth of the annular groove 64 formed in the balloon fastening member 53 can be increased. As a result, a large amount of degassed water can be supplied inside the balloon 70,
In addition, the weight of the degassed water does not cause the elastic ring portion 72 to fall out of the annular groove 64.

Further, since the balloon mounting device 50 has both ends open when the flexible tube 52 is separated from the liquid supply mechanism 51, for example, by mounting the balloon 70 in the degassed water tank, It is possible to fill the entire flexible tube 52 from the balloon 70 with deaerated water. Therefore, when the balloon 70 is inflated and an ultrasonic examination is performed, there is no possibility that air will enter the inside of the balloon 70. On the other hand, when the balloon 80 is used, the ultrasonic probe 30 is installed in the balloon mounting device 50 in advance and then the balloon 80 is mounted, but this work is also performed in the degassed water tank.
No air is mixed in the inside of the. Therefore, when performing ultrasonic scanning, the degassed water is simply supplied from the liquid feeding means 57, and the inside of the balloon is completely filled with the degassed water without requiring a troublesome operation such as an air venting operation. It will inflate in the state of being.

[0033]

As described above, the present invention inserts the treatment instrument into the distal end of the flexible tube which is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope and into which the flexible cord of the ultrasonic probe can be inserted. Since the balloon fastening member larger than the inner diameter of the channel is provided, a large amount of ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the flexible membrane of the balloon provided so as to surround the ultrasonic scanning unit provided with the ultrasonic transducer. It is possible to greatly inflate the elastic ring and to improve the fastening strength of the elastic ring.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention and is an external view of a state in which an ultrasonic probe of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus is incorporated in an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a balloon mounting device and two types of ultrasonic probes incorporated in the balloon mounting device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a tip portion of one type of ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tip portion of another type of ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic probe.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a balloon mounting device.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 3 is incorporated into an endoscope together with a balloon attachment device and a balloon is inflated.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the balloon is inflated by incorporating the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 4 together with a balloon attachment device into an endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 5 Treatment implement insertion channel 6 Treatment implement introduction part 10 Ultrasonic inspection device 11, 20, 30 Ultrasonic probe 12 Ultrasonic observation device 14 Relay means 21, 31
Ultrasonic scanning unit 22, 32 Flexible cord 24, 34
Tip cap 34a Recessed groove 26, 37
Ultrasonic transducer 50 Balloon mounting device 51 Liquid supply mechanism part 52 Flexible tube 53 Balloon fastening member 54 Casing 55 Probe insertion passage 56 Liquid sending part 58 Connection pipe 59 Connection ring 61 Fixing elastic ring 63 Insertion passage 64 Circular ring Recessed groove 65 Through hole 70, 80
Balloon 71,81 flexible film body 72,82,
83 Elastic ring part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --Continued from the front page (56) Reference JP-A-8-84733 (JP, A) JP-A-58-65148 (JP, A) JP-A-5-285141 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 322843 (JP, A) JP-A-9-523 (JP, A) JP-A-61-143033 (JP, A) Actual development 2-126614 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 8/00-8/15

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flexible cord is provided with an ultrasonic scanning section in which an ultrasonic transducer is incorporated at the tip thereof, and at least the flexible cord can be inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel of an endoscope. In an apparatus for mounting a balloon on an ultrasonic probe, a diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel is smaller than that of the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the flexible cord has a distal end of a flexible tube that is smaller than an inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel. A large-diameter balloon fastening member is connected to the balloon fastening member, and an insertion passage for the flexible cord is formed in the balloon fastening member, and an annular groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface for fastening the balloon. In addition, a liquid feeding portion for supplying an ultrasonic transmission medium into the flexible tube is provided at the proximal end portion of the flexible tube, and the flexible tube and the ultrasonic probe can be connected to each other. Bending
A balloon mounting device of an ultrasonic inspection device for endoscope insertion, characterized in that an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied from a gap between the ultrasonic cord and the sex cord . 2. The balloon fastening member is configured such that one or a plurality of communication holes penetrating in the thickness direction are formed at a position closer to the tip end side than the portion where the annular groove is provided. The balloon mounting device of the ultrasonic inspection device for endoscope insertion according to claim 1. 3. The liquid sending part is provided in a liquid sending mechanism part having a predetermined casing, and a liquid sending means is detachably connected to the liquid sending part .
Connection that can be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel at the base end
The pipe is connected, and the connecting pipe is detachably connected to the liquid feeding mechanism portion.
A balloon mounting device of the ultrasonic inspection device for endoscope insertion according to claim 1. 4. The ultrasonic probe has an outer diameter that is substantially uniform over the entire length from the flexible cord to the ultrasonic scanning unit, and the flexible tube and the insertion hole are both provided in the ultrasonic probe. The balloon having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter, and the balloon fixed to the annular groove is made of a bag-shaped flexible film body in which an elastic ring is continuously provided at one end. 1. The balloon mounting device of the ultrasonic inspection device for endoscope insertion according to 1. 5. The ultrasonic probe is such that the ultrasonic scanning portion has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the flexible tube and the insertion hole are both of the flexible cord. The balloon having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter and smaller than the outer diameter of the ultrasonic scanning unit and further fixed to the annular groove is a tubular flexible film having elastic rings connected at both ends. The elastic ring is formed of a body, and one elastic ring is fixed to the annular groove, and an annular groove is formed at the tip of the ultrasonic scanning unit. The balloon mounting device for an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for inserting an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the balloon mounting device is configured to be fixed to the annular groove.