JP2000166928A - Ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a clear ultrasonic image, to make a durability and cleaning property excellent and to improve an operability by shortening a flexible shaft length between an ultrasonic wave vibrator and a rotary angle detecting means without making an inserting part thick. SOLUTION: A slip ring as a rotary signal transmitting means is arranged inside a sub-handle in parallel with an encoder as the rotary angle detecting means, a motor as a rotation driving means is disposed inside a scope connector part and the flexible shaft as a rotation transmitting shaft to be connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 2, the slip ring and the encoder is divided into a tip side flexible shaft 21 to be connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 and a rear end side flexible shaft to be connected to the motor. In a structure, a vibrator side transmit/receive cable 22 is put through in the tip side flexible shaft 21 and a connector side transmit/receive cable is installed together in the rear end side flexible shaft.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope for mechanically scanning ultrasonic waves emitted from an ultrasonic transducer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of ultrasonic endoscopes for mechanically scanning ultrasonic waves emitted from ultrasonic transducers have been proposed.

[0003] Examples of such a device include, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 01-135335 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4 (1999) -1995 discloses a slip ring or a rotary connector as a rotary signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal to an ultrasonic vibrator above a main operation unit provided with a bending operation means for bending a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope. An optical encoder (hereinafter, referred to as an encoder) as rotation angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the ultrasonic vibrator and a sub-operation unit incorporating a motor as rotation driving means for rotating the ultrasonic vibrator; Are disclosed. In this ultrasonic endoscope, the slip ring or the rotary connector, the encoder and the motor are connected to and controlled by ultrasonic observation means via an ultrasonic code derived from a sub-operation unit, and the reception from the ultrasonic transducer is performed. An ultrasonic image obtained by processing the signal is displayed on display means such as a monitor to observe the inside of a body cavity. In the proposed ultrasonic endoscope, since the slip ring or the rotary connector, the encoder, the motor, and the like are incorporated in the sub-operation unit formed above the main operation unit, the endoscope operation unit is heavy and has an external shape. Also increases. In addition, a light guide composed of a fiber bundle for guiding illumination light into the body cavity, an imaging cable for transmitting signals of an imaging device such as a CCD for projecting an image of the inside of the body cavity, and an air supply / water supply / suction tube are inserted. In order to connect the ultrasonic cord to the operation unit in addition to the universal cord, etc., this weight is added to the operation unit, and these cords are pulled around while operating the endoscope by grasping the endoscope operation unit. Therefore, the operability of the endoscope is poor, and the operator may be tired.

For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-28513
No. 8 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-40018 disclose an ultrasonic endoscope in which the slip ring, encoder and motor are miniaturized and arranged near an ultrasonic transducer at the end of the ultrasonic endoscope. ing.

In the proposed ultrasonic endoscope, in addition to the ultrasonic vibrator, an air / water / suction tube, a light guide for illumination, and an image pickup unit (including a CCD) are provided at the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope. If a motor or the like is installed in this, the diameter of the ultrasonic endoscope distal end portion and the insertion portion must be very large, and the hard portion of the distal end portion becomes long . For this reason, with this mechanism, there is a risk that the patient may be distressed, and also that the operability may be deteriorated for the operator.

In order to solve these problems, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-57060 and Japanese Patent Publication No.
JP-A-30019, JP-A-57-156743, JP-A-5-300906, and Jihei 1-277
No. 64, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-30808, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-30808.
No. 73976 discloses that a single cord derived from a main operation unit is branched into two in the middle, one of which is a universal cord provided with a scope connector for connecting to a light source or a video processor, and the other is an ultrasonic cord. As an ultrasonic cord provided with an ultrasonic connector to be connected to an observation device, there is disclosed an ultrasonic cord in which a slip ring, an encoder, and a motor are provided in the ultrasonic connector.

In the above proposed ultrasonic endoscope, the motor and the ultrasonic vibrator are connected by a flexible shaft having flexibility, and the driving force of the motor is transmitted in rotation, thereby being a rotating body. In order to transmit / receive to / from the ultrasonic transducer, a transmission / reception cable connected to the ultrasonic transducer is inserted into the flexible shaft, and the transmission / reception cable is rotated together with the flexible shaft. The transmission / reception cable is connected to a rotating electrode of a slip ring, and a metal brush fixed to the rotating electrode is in contact therewith, where it is electrically connected to an external signal cable of a non-rotating body.
Also, an encoder is connected to the flexible shaft via a belt or a gear to detect a rotation angle, and based on the detected rotation angle signal and a reception signal from the ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic image at a predetermined position is formed. It is configured to process with an ultrasonic observation device and project it on a monitor or the like.

However, the proposed ultrasonic endoscope may have the following problems (a) to (e).

(A) The overall length of the flexible shaft is long,
Moreover, because the distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the encoder is long,
Rotational fluctuation occurs in the ultrasonic image. The flexible shaft is formed by winding a thin element wire in a coil shape so as to have flexibility. Rotation unevenness (a difference in rotation angle between the drive side and the non-drive side) occurs, and the rotation of the ultrasonic vibrator is caused. The angle does not match the rotation angle of the motor. By the way, usually, the ultrasonic endoscope insertion portion has a length of, for example, 1 to 1.7 m, and the length from the operation portion to the ultrasonic observation device is, for example, 1.5 to 1.7 m in consideration of ease of inspection. 3m is required. If the ultrasound observation device and the cart on which the light source / video processor etc. are mounted are different,
In some cases, it is necessary to lengthen the ultrasonic code. In other words, since the distance between the ultrasonic transducer at the front end and the ultrasonic connector at the rear end is long, the flexible shaft connecting the ultrasonic transducer and the motor becomes very long,
Rotation unevenness is also large. In addition, if the universal cord is bent or twisted during the inspection, an external force such as bending is applied to the flexible shaft, or the frictional force with the tube covering the flexible shaft changes, so that the rotation is hindered. Furthermore, the transmission / reception cable inserted through the entire length of the flexible shaft and connected to the ultrasonic vibrator also becomes a factor that hinders rotation. That is, when the flexible shaft is bent, a tensile force is also applied to the transmission / reception cable, so that an uneven force is applied to the flexible shaft, and as a result, the rotation of the flexible shaft becomes poor. As a countermeasure against this, see, for example,
No. 06 discloses means for inserting and fixing a cable in a meandering manner in a flexible shaft, but this operation is difficult if the entire length of the flexible shaft is long. By the way, since the encoder that detects the rotation angle is in the ultrasonic connector, the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer and the rotation detection angle of the encoder greatly deviate due to the above-described factors, and the ultrasonic image fluctuates. There is a possibility that the inspection may be disturbed due to distortion. In order to eliminate this ultrasonic image shaking, if the rotation followability of the flexible shaft is improved,
Due to the characteristics of the flexible shaft, the rotation transmission torque is reduced. For this reason, the length of the flexible shaft is long and the frictional force with the tube protecting the flexible shaft increases, and further, the external force due to the bending of the universal cord or the like is received, so that the ultrasonic vibrator cannot be rotated. In addition, if the outer diameter of the flexible shaft is increased to improve the rotational performance, the outer diameter of the insertion portion and the ultrasonic cord must be increased, and the operability is deteriorated and the tube covering the flexible shaft is reduced. Therefore, a high-output motor must be used, and the motor becomes large, heavy, and expensive.

(B) Since a transmission / reception cable connected to the ultrasonic transducer is long, it is difficult to obtain a clear ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic reception signal is very weak. If the transmission / reception cable is too long, the signal is attenuated, the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N ratio) is reduced before entering the ultrasonic observation device, and external electromagnetic noise is also reduced. It becomes easy to mix. Further, signal reflection in the transmission / reception cable also occurs. For this reason, there is a possibility that a clear ultrasonic image cannot be obtained.

(C) Since the total length of the flexible shaft is long, it is difficult to manufacture the flexible shaft. As a countermeasure, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-27764 and Japanese Patent Application No. 9-30808 disclose a structure in which a bevel gear is provided in an operation unit and a flexible shaft is divided and connected. According to this, the problem that the flexible shaft is long and the manufacturing is difficult is solved, but problems such as image fluctuation due to the flexible shaft and image deterioration due to the length of the transmission / reception cable remain.

(D) The cleaning property and the cleaning operation are complicated. JP-A-01-135335 and JP-A-02-28
The same applies to the ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6144, but a universal code and an ultrasonic code are used.
The presence of the book code complicates the cleaning performance and makes the cleaning operation difficult.

(E) The durability of the transmission / reception cable is a problem. If the flexible shaft is thick, the insertion portion becomes thick, which may cause pain to the patient. Therefore, the outer diameter of the flexible shaft must be reduced. For this reason, the inner diameter is also reduced, and as a result, the transmission / reception cable connected to the ultrasonic transducer is also reduced. For example, the outer diameter of the flexible shaft is φ1.4 to 2.6 mm, and the inner diameter is φ0.4 to 1,
5 mm, and the outer diameter of the transmission / reception cable is φ0.2 to 0.1 mm.
It is about 8 mm. Such a thin transmission / reception cable is inserted through the entire length of the long flexible shaft, and the durability of the transmission / reception cable becomes a problem. Also,
Workability when inserting the transmission / reception cable is also complicated.

[0014]

As described above, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-57060 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-3001 are disclosed.
No. 9, JP-A-57-156743, JP-A-5-156743.
No. 300906, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-27764,
In the ultrasonic endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 9-30808 and 9-73976, (a) the flexible shaft has a long overall length, and the distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the encoder is long. As a result, rotational vibrations occur in the ultrasonic image. (B) Since a transmission / reception cable connected to the ultrasonic transducer is long, it is difficult to obtain a clear ultrasonic image. (C) Since the entire length of the flexible shaft is long, it is difficult to manufacture. (D) The cleaning property and the cleaning operation are complicated. (E) The durability of the transmission / reception cable is a problem. And other problems.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and has been made to reduce the length of the flexible shaft between the ultrasonic vibrator and the rotation angle detecting means without increasing the thickness of the insertion portion, thereby achieving a sharp ultra An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic endoscope which can obtain an ultrasonic image, has good durability and cleanability, and has improved operability.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion having an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a rear end portion of the insertion portion. An ultrasonic endoscope comprising: an operation unit provided; one hollow tube led out from the operation unit; and a scope connector unit provided at an end of the hollow tube. And a light source connector detachably connected to a light source device for supplying illumination light to a light guide disposed in the insertion portion, and detachably attached to an ultrasonic observation means for processing a signal from the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic connector to be connected, a rotation type signal transmission unit that transmits a signal to the ultrasonic transducer, and a rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer, and are provided in the scope connector unit,
Rotation driving means for driving the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator is inserted into the insertion portion, and the ultrasonic vibrator is fixed at one end,
The other end is connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation type signal transmission means at the distal end side rotation transmission shaft, and is inserted through the hollow tube, the rotation axis of the rotation angle detection means or the rotation type signal transmission means at one end. Connected, the other end of the rotation drive shaft connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation drive means, the other end is inserted into the rotation transmission shaft, the one end is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer, A vibrator-side transmission / reception cable having the other end electrically connected to the rotary electrode side of the rotary signal transmitting means; and a non-rotating electrode of the rotary signal transmitting means, which is provided in parallel with the rear-end rotary transmission shaft. And a connector-side transmission / reception cable that is electrically connected to the side and the other end is electrically connected to the ultrasonic connector via signal amplification means. With this configuration, the length of the flexible shaft between the ultrasonic vibrator and the rotation angle detecting means can be shortened without thickening the insertion portion, a clear ultrasonic image can be obtained, the durability and the cleaning property are good, and the operation is easy. Improve the performance.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining the scope connector part formed in the edge part of the universal cord derived.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 3 having an ultrasonic transducer 2 at the distal end and inserted into a body cavity, and a proximal end of the insertion portion 3. An operating section 4 connected to the section, a universal cord 5 extending from one side of the operating section 4 and having flexibility, and a scope connector section 6 provided at a rear end of the universal cord 5. ,
It is composed of

The insertion section 3 has a hard tip 8 containing the ultrasonic transducer 2 and the imaging device 7,
And a flexible portion 10 having flexibility, which is connected to the bending portion 9.

The operating section 4 includes a gripping section 4a for gripping the ultrasonic endoscope 1 in order from the insertion section 3 side, a main operating section 11 from which the universal cord 5 is extended, and a rotary type described later. It comprises a slip ring 12 as a signal transmitting means and a sub-operation unit 14 having an optical encoder (hereinafter referred to as an encoder) 13 as a rotation signal detecting means. A treatment tool insertion port 15 for inserting a treatment tool is provided near the front end of the grip portion 4a.
5 is communicated with a treatment tool insertion channel (not shown) inside thereof.

The universal cord 5 is led out to the main operation section 11 with a length of, for example, about 1 to 2 m. The main operation section 11 includes a bending operation knob 16 for bending the bending section 9, an air / water button 17 for performing an air / water operation, and a suction button 18 for performing a suction operation. Is provided. The slip ring 12 and the encoder 13 are built in the sub-operation unit 14 as described above, and the slip ring 12 and the encoder 13 are arranged in parallel (see FIG. 3). Further, the main operation unit 1
A remote switch 19 for stopping an ultrasonic image or an endoscope optical image or taking a picture is
Are provided.

In the present embodiment, the slip ring 12 and the encoder 13 are arranged in parallel in the sub-operation unit 14, and a motor 20, which will be described later, is provided in the scope connector unit 6 as a rotation driving means. ing. Further, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrator 2 and a flexible shaft 21 serving as a rotation transmission shaft connected to the slip ring 12 and the encoder 13 are connected to the distal end side flexible shaft 21 connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 2. , The rear end side flexible shaft 23 connected to the motor 20
The vibrator-side transmission / reception cable 22 is inserted through the front-end side flexible shaft 21, but the connector-side transmission / reception cable 2 is inserted through the rear-end side flexible shaft 23.
4, the ultrasonic vibrator 2
The transmission and reception cable is configured not to be inserted into the flexible shaft over a long distance from to the scope connector 6 (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

The scope connector 6 connected to the end of the universal cord 5 has a light source connector 25 detachably connected to the light source device 50 and a video cable 51a detachably connected to the video processor 51 via a scope cable 51a. An electric connector 26 to be connected and an ultrasonic connector 27 detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation device 52 via an ultrasonic cable 52a are provided.

The light source connector 25 is detachably connected to the light source device 50, and is supplied from the light source device 50 when the light source connector 25 is connected to the light source device 50. The illumination light is guided to the distal end portion 8 of the insertion section 3 via a light guide 28 (see FIG. 2) through which the universal cord 5 is inserted, and is emitted from the distal end portion 8 toward the subject. .

The ultrasonic connector 27 has a built-in motor 20 as a rotation driving means for driving the ultrasonic vibrator 2 and a rear-end flexible shaft 23 as a rear-end rotation transmission shaft through which the universal cord 5 is inserted. The ultrasonic vibrator 2 is driven via a (described later). Further, the ultrasonic connector 27 is detachably connected to an ultrasonic observation device 52 to which a monitor 53 as a display means is connected. This ultrasonic observation device 52 includes:
An electronic circuit or the like for extracting an ultrasonic image is built in, and the ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 53 by connecting the ultrasonic connector 27 to the ultrasonic observation device 52. Further, the scope connector section 6 includes:
A suction base 29 and a water supply base 30 are provided, and a suction pump 31 and a water supply tank 32 can be detachably connected to each other. A monitor 53 is connected to the video processor 51 and the ultrasonic observation device 52.

Next, the configuration of the distal end of the insertion section will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the ultrasonic system at the tip 8 will be described.

A distal end body 41 made of metal, plastic, or the like has a hollow distal flexible shaft 21 as a distal rotation transmission shaft inserted into the insertion portion 3.
Is rotatably built in.

This distal flexible shaft 21 is
A wire made of a metal or the like is wound in a coil shape so that rotation transmission can be performed while having flexibility.
A hollow vibrator holder 42 is fixed to the distal end of the distal end side flexible shaft 21 by an adhesive means such as welding or brazing, and is rotatably supported with respect to the distal end body 41 by a bearing 43. I have. The ultrasonic vibrator 2 is fixed to the tip of the vibrator holder 42 by means such as adhesion.

The ultrasonic transducer 2 is connected to a transducer transmission / reception cable 22 for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, and is inserted into the lumen between the transducer holder 42 and the distal end flexible shaft 21. ing. Incidentally, as the transducer side transmission / reception cable 22, a coaxial cable in which a shield wire is covered around a conductor to take measures against electromagnetic noise may be used.

A substantially cylindrical cap 44 is attached to the tip of the tip body 41 so as to cover the ultrasonic transducer 2. The portion of the cap 44 facing the ultrasonic transducer 2 where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received is formed of an ultrasonic-permeable material such as low-density polyethylene or polymethylpentene. The inside of the cap 44 is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 200 and fills the periphery of the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic transmission medium 200 is a liquid such as liquid paraffin, water, carboxymethylcellulose aqueous solution, and KY jelly, and has a characteristic of transmitting ultrasonic waves.

The distal end side flexible shaft 21 is
For example, it is inserted through a guide tube 45 made of Teflon or polyurethane. This tip side guide tube 4
5 is connected by covering with a guide tube pipe 46 connected to the tip end main body 41 by brazing or bonding, binding with a thread, and solidifying the thread with an adhesive.
Further, the inside of the distal end side guide tube 45 is filled with the lubricating oil 47 and the distal end side flexible shaft 2
1 and the transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22 are immersed. An O-ring 48 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator holder 42 so that the ultrasonic transmission medium 200 and the lubricating oil 47 are not mixed.

On the outer peripheral surface of the cap 44, a thin and highly contractible balloon 49 made of, for example, silicon rubber or latex rubber is provided so as to cover the cap 44.
First balloon groove 4 provided on the outer peripheral surface of tip body 41
9 a and a second balloon groove 49 b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cap 44, which is detachably provided. Between the first balloon groove 49a and the second balloon groove 49b, a balloon supply / drain hole 60 in the distal end body 41 is opened.

The balloon supply / drain hole 60 is connected to a hollow balloon tube 61 made of Teflon or the like at the end of the tip main body 41. The balloon tube 61 branches into a balloon water supply tube 62 and a balloon suction tube 63 on the way, and the main operation unit 1
1 is connected to an air / water supply button 17 and a suction button 18.

Next, the endoscope observation optical system at the distal end will be described. The distal end main body 41 includes a lighting unit 70 for optically observing the inside of a body cavity and an imaging unit 71 having the imaging device 7.

The illuminating section 70 mainly includes an illuminating lens 70a.
And a light guide 28 inserted into the insertion portion 3 and the universal cord 5.

The image pickup section 71 mainly includes an objective lens 72, a lens group 73, an image pickup device 7 such as a solid-state image pickup device (hereinafter referred to as a CCD), an image pickup cable 74 inserted through the insertion section 3 and the universal cord 5. , And a lens frame 75 that holds them. The lens frame 75 is fitted into the hole of the distal end main body 41, and the
And is fixed to the distal end body 41. Further, an O-ring 77 for the imaging unit for ensuring watertightness is provided behind the imaging unit fixing screw 76 in a groove on the outer peripheral surface of the lens frame 75. Further, toward the surface of the objective lens 72,
A hollow air / water supply nozzle 78 is provided so as to be connected to an air / water supply hole 79 in the distal end portion main body 41. The air / water supply hole 79 is connected to a hollow air / water supply tube 80 formed of Teflon or the like at an end of the distal end main body 41, and the nozzle air supply tube 81 and the nozzle water supply tube 82 And are connected to air / water buttons 17 provided on the main operation unit 11, respectively.

Further, the suction port 8 is provided in the tip end body 41.
3 is open, and is connected to a hollow suction tube 84 made of Teflon or the like at the end of the tip portion 41.
Note that the balloon tube 61, the air / water supply tube 80, and the suction tube 84 are each connected using a connection pipe 85.
The distal end body 4 is formed in the same manner as the distal side guide tube 45.
Fixed to 1.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, an endoscope system of the operation unit 4 will be described.

As described above, the air supply / water supply button 17 and the suction button 18 provided on the main operation section 11 are provided with the insertion section 3.
Are connected to the balloon water supply tube 62, the balloon suction tube 63, the nozzle air supply tube 81, and the nozzle water supply tube 82. The suction tube 84 is connected to the suction button 18 through the treatment instrument insertion port 15 on the way.
It is connected to the. On the other hand, the air supply tube 86, the water supply tube 87, and the suction tube 88 into which the universal cord 5 has been inserted from the scope connector section 6 are connected to the air supply / water supply button 17,
It is connected to the suction button 18. The imaging cable 74 and the light guide 28 that have been inserted into the insertion section 3 are inserted into the universal cord 5 via the main operation section 11.

Next, the ultrasonic system of the operation unit will be described. A connecting shaft 91 is fixed to an end of the distal end side flexible shaft 21 inserted through the insertion portion 3, and is rotatably supported by a housing 93 by a bearing 92. The housing 93 is fixed to the sub-operation unit 14 and does not rotate or move. Further, an end of the distal end side guide tube 45 is fixed to the housing 93. Further, in this housing 93,
A seal member 94 such as an O-ring or a mechanical seal is provided to prevent the lubricating oil 47 from leaking out of the distal end guide tube 45.

The coupling shaft 91 is fixed to a coupling part 95 with a shaft fixing screw 96. The coupling part 95 is integrated with a slip ring rotating shaft 97 of the slip ring 12 and has a slip ring rotating shaft 97. Reference numeral 97 is adapted to rotate integrally with a rotating electrode (not shown) inside the slip ring 12.

A first gear 98 is fixed to the slip ring rotating shaft 97, and a second gear 99 meshes with the first gear 98. This second gear 99 has
The encoder rotation shaft 100 of the encoder 13 is fixed.

On the side opposite to the encoder 13, a connecting shaft 101 is fixed to a second gear 99 by a shaft fixing screw 102. A rear end side flexible shaft 23 is fixed to an end of the connection shaft 101 by means such as welding or brazing. The rear end side flexible shaft 23 is inserted through a rear end side guide tube 103 made of Teflon or polyurethane. Since cables are not inserted through the rear end side flexible shaft 23, the rear end side flexible shaft 23 does not need to be hollow like the front end side flexible shaft 21.

In order to prevent buckling of the rear end side guide tube 103 and the rear end side flexible shaft 23 and to prevent rotation failure, the bent portion 104 of the rear end side guide tube 103 has It is covered with a flex 105 formed by spirally winding a thin metal strip.
The slip ring 12 and the encoder 13 are
It is fixed to the sub operation unit 14 via a support member 106. It is not particularly necessary to put the lubricating oil 47 in the rear end side guide tube 103 as in the front end side guide tube 45. The rotation transmission torque of the rear end side flexible shaft 23 may be the same as that of the front end side flexible shaft 21, or may be larger than that of the front end side flexible shaft 21.

Next, the electric wiring will be described. An electric cable 107 is provided between the rotating electrode of the slip ring 12 and the terminal of the cable connection board 95a fixed to the coupling part 95.

The transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22 inserted through the distal-end-side flexible shaft 21 is electrically connected to terminals of the cable connection board 95a by means such as soldering.

The rotating electrode (not shown) is in contact with a fixed conductive brush (not shown) inside the slip ring 12. In this portion, the rotating electrode, which is a rotating body, and the brush, which is a non-rotating body, are electrically connected. An amplifier / slip ring connection cable 109 is connected between the brush and an amplifier board 108 for amplifying an ultrasonic reception signal fixed inside the sub operation unit 14.

The connector substrate transmitting / receiving cable 24 electrically connected to the ultrasonic connector 27 is connected to the amplifier board 108. This connector side transmission / reception cable 24
Is inserted from the sub operation unit 14 into the universal cord 5 through the inside of the main operation unit 11. Further, an encoder driving electric cable 111 connected to the encoder 13 and a power cable 112 connected to the amplifier board 108 are also inserted through the universal cord 5. Note that, as the connector side transmission / reception cable 24, a coaxial cable in which a shield wire is covered around a conductor to take measures against electromagnetic noise may be used. The outer diameter and the hardness may be thicker and harder than the transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22.

Next, the configuration of the scope connector will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the endoscope system of the scope connector 6 will be described.

The imaging cable 74 into which the universal cord 5 has been inserted is electrically connected to the terminal of the electric connector 26 by soldering or the like, and supplies an imaging signal to the video processor 51 via the scope cable 51a. . The light source connector 25 has the light guide 28
Are fixed, and illumination light from the light source device 50 is supplied to the light guide 28. In the light source connector 25, the air supply tube 86 is connected to the air supply tube 113, the water supply tube 87 is connected to the water supply base 30, and the suction tube 88 is connected to the suction base 2.
9 respectively.

Next, the ultrasonic system of the scope connector 6 will be described. A connecting shaft 114 is fixed to an end of the rear end side flexible shaft 23 inserted through the universal cord 5, and is rotatably supported by a housing 116 by a bearing 115. The housing 116 is fixed to the scope connector 6 via a support member 117, and does not rotate or move. An end of the rear guide tube 103 is fixed to the housing 116. The bending portion 118 of the rear end side guide tube 103 is covered with a flex 119 formed by spirally winding a thin metal strip, and a Teflon tube 120 is further covered thereon. This is to prevent the rear end side guide tube 103 and the rear end side flexible shaft 23 from buckling and to prevent rotation failure.

The coupling shaft 114 and the motor rotating shaft 121 of the motor 20 are connected by a coupling 122, and the motor 20 is fixed to the scope connector 6 via the support member 117. The connector-side transmission / reception cable 24 and the power cable 112 inserted into the universal cord 5 are connected to the ultrasonic connector 27.
Are electrically connected to these terminals by means such as soldering.

The encoder driving electric cable 111
Are connected to an ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 fixed in the scope connector section 6. Electric cable 124 for driving this ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123
The power cable 125 of the motor 20 is also connected to the terminal of the ultrasonic connector 27.

The operation section 4 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 thus configured is grasped, and the insertion section 3 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is inserted into a body cavity of a patient to observe various places in the body cavity. To do
The position of the distal end portion 8 is moved by operating the ultrasonic endoscope 1 by moving the insertion section 3 forward and backward in the body cavity, and rotating the bending operation knob 16 to bend the bending section 9. .

The light source device 5 for observing the inside of the body cavity
The illumination light emitted from 0 is emitted into the body cavity through the light guide 28 and from the illumination lens 70a of the distal end main body 41. The optical image in the body cavity illuminated by the illumination light passes through the objective lens 72 and the lens group 73 of the distal end main body 41 and forms an image on the imaging device 7 such as a CCD. The imaging device 7 converts this image into an electric signal, and the electric signal
The electric signal is transmitted to the electric connector 26, the scope cable 51a, and the video processor 51. After the signal is processed by the video processor 51, the optical image in the body cavity is displayed on the monitor 53.

If mucus or the like in the body cavity adheres to the objective lens 72, a clear optical image cannot be obtained, which hinders the examination. At this time, when the air / water supply button 17 is pressed, the water in the water / water supply tank 32 is supplied from the air / water supply nozzle 78 through the water supply tube 87 → the nozzle water supply tube 82 → the air supply / water supply tube 80 → the air supply / water supply hole 79. The mucus which is jetted and adheres to the objective lens 72 is washed away. Similarly, by operating the air / water supply button 17, the air discharged from the air supply pump built in the light source device 50 is supplied to the air supply tube 113 → the air supply tube 86 → the nozzle air supply tube 81 → the air supply water supply tube 80. → It is blown out from the air / water supply nozzle 78 through the air / water supply hole 79 to blow off liquid and the like attached to the objective lens 72. Suction button 18
When the user presses the button, the excess liquid / gas in the body cavity is removed by the suction pump 31 connected to the suction mouthpiece 29 and the suction port 83 →
It is discharged out of the body cavity through the suction tube 84 → the suction tube 88.

When it is desired to obtain an ultrasonic image of the inside of the body cavity, the balloon 49 attached to the distal end portion 8 is inflated to an appropriate size as required. That is, the air supply / water supply button is pressed, and water is supplied into the balloon 49 through the path of the water supply tank 32 → the water supply tube 87 → the balloon water supply tube 62 → the balloon tube 61 → the balloon supply / drain hole 60. if,
When the balloon 49 is inflated too much, the suction button 18 is pressed down, and the suction pump 31 is driven to suck water from the balloon supply / drain hole 60 → balloon tube 61 → balloon suction tube 63 → suction tube 88 to draw the balloon 49. To shrink. After that, the ultrasonic inspection is started by operating the ultrasonic observation device 52.

The electric power supplied from the ultrasonic observation device 52 is input to the motor 20 via the ultrasonic cable 52a → the ultrasonic connector 27 → the power cable 125. The rotation of the motor 20 is transmitted to the rear end side flexible shaft 23, and rotates the second gear 99 in the sub operation unit 14.
The rotation of the second gear 99 is performed by first gear 98 → slip ring rotating shaft 97 → coupling part 95 → connection shaft 91 →
It is transmitted from the distal end side flexible shaft 21 to the vibrator holder 42. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer 2 fixed to the transducer holder 42 rotates together with the transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22.

The transmission pulse signal supplied from the ultrasonic observation device 52 is transmitted from the ultrasonic cable 52 a to the ultrasonic connector 2.
7 → transmitted to the connector side transmission / reception cable 24 and input to the amplifier board 108 in the sub operation unit 14. The transmission pulse signal that has passed through the inside of the amplifier substrate 108 is transmitted from the transmission path of the non-rotating body to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 as a rotating body via the slip ring 12. That is, the signal is transmitted from the amplifier / slip ring connection cable 109 → slip ring 12 (specifically, the brush → the rotating electrode → the electric cable 107 → the cable connection board 95a) → the transducer side transmission / reception cable 22 and transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 2. A pulse signal is input.

The ultrasonic transducer 2 converts the transmission pulse signal into ultrasonic vibration and radiates the ultrasonic wave into the body cavity through the ultrasonic transmission medium 45, the cap 44 and the balloon 49. The ultrasonic signal radiated into the body cavity is reflected by an organ or the like, and the signal is received by the ultrasonic transducer 2. The received signal is input to the amplifier board 108 through the reverse path. Amplifier board 10
8 amplifies the received signal and outputs the amplified signal to the connector-side transmission / reception cable 24. The amplified received signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device 52 via the ultrasonic connector 27 → the ultrasonic cable 52a.

Next, rotation angle detection will be described. The encoder rotation shaft 100 of the encoder 13 is
9, the encoder rotation shaft 100 also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor 20. Thus, the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is detected. The rotation angle detection signal output from the encoder 13 is transmitted to the ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 via the encoder driving electric cable 111. Further, it is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device 52 via the ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 → the ultrasonic connector 27 → the ultrasonic cable 52a.

In the ultrasonic observation device 52, an ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic reception signal, and at the same time, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is determined based on the rotation angle detection signal.
An ultrasonic image is displayed at a corresponding position on the monitor 53. Since this operation is performed continuously, a cross-sectional image (radial image) in the body cavity of the entire circumference in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ultrasonic transducer 2 can be displayed on the monitor 53.

When the examination is completed, the ultrasonic endoscope 1 needs to be washed and disinfected. That is, the scope cable 51a, the light source device 50, the ultrasonic cable 52a, the suction pump 31, and the water supply tank 32 are removed from the ultrasonic endoscope 1. Then, the ultrasonic connector 27 and the electric connector 26
Attach a waterproof cap (not shown) to the endoscope and immerse it in a disinfectant solution or the like stored in a tank, or install it in an endoscope cleaning device (not shown) to clean and disinfect the ultrasonic endoscope 1. I do.

This embodiment has the following effects.

(1) The operation section is light and the operability is good. The slip ring 12 and the encoder 13 are not so heavy, but the weight of the motor is considerable. Conventionally, the motor 20 occupying most of the weight is disposed in the sub-operation unit 14, but in the present embodiment, the scope connector 6
Placed within. As a result, the operation unit 4 held by the operator is very light, and the outer shape of the sub operation unit 14 is smaller than before. Further, conventionally, two codes, a universal code and an ultrasonic code, are derived from the operation unit 4, but in the present embodiment, only the universal code 5 is provided. For this reason, this weight did not add to the operation unit 4, and the code pulled by the operator during the examination was only the universal code 5. As described above, the operation section 4 is light, the operability is improved, and the operator's fatigue can be reduced.

(2) No rotational fluctuation occurs in the ultrasonic image. In the present embodiment, the motor 20 is installed in the scope connector 6 and the encoder 13 serving as a rotation angle detecting unit is provided.
Are arranged in the sub-operation unit 14. For this reason, the entire length of the rear end side flexible shaft 23 inserted into the universal cord 5 is long, and rotation unevenness occurs, or the external force is applied to the rear end side flexible shaft 23 due to the bending or torsion of the universal cord 5 to rotate. Even if it is disturbed, the encoder 13 can accurately measure the position of the ultrasonic transducer 2. On the other hand, although the ultrasonic image is slightly shaken due to the uneven rotation of the distal end side flexible shaft 21 inserted into the insertion portion 3, it is described by the prior art that the ultrasonic image does not particularly hinder the inspection. Not be. In addition, it is not necessary to increase the diameter of the front-end side flexible shaft 21 or the rear-end side flexible shaft 23 more than necessary, and it is only necessary to provide appropriate rotation followability and rotation transmission torque. For this reason, the insertion portion 3 and the universal cord 5 do not become thick, and the motor 20 does not need to be high-performance. Further, the rear end side flexible shaft 23
Is larger than that of the front flexible shaft 21, for example, even if the universal cord 5 is bent and an external force is applied to the rear flexible shaft 23, the torque of the motor 20 is stably transmitted to the encoder 13. be able to. As described above, the operator can see a good ultrasonic image without shaking the ultrasonic image. Furthermore, the rear end side flexible shaft 23 does not need to be immersed in the lubricating oil 47 because it is not necessary to improve the rotation followability as in the front end side flexible shaft 21.
Therefore, there is an effect that the assembling property is good.

(3) A clear ultrasonic image can be obtained. In the present embodiment, a slip ring 12 serving as a rotary signal transmission means and an amplifier board 10
8 are provided. Since the ultrasonic reception signal received by the ultrasonic transducer 2 is amplified by the amplifier substrate 108 and output to the connector side transmission / reception cable 24, the attenuation of the word can be reduced until the ultrasonic wave enters the ultrasonic observation device 52, and the signal to noise is reduced. Ratio (SN
Ratio) can be minimized. further,
It is not necessary to rotate the connector-side transmission / reception cable 24, so that the connector-side transmission / reception cable 24 does not have to be inserted into the rear end-side flexible shaft 23. can do. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the signal attenuation by reducing the conductor resistance value and the capacitance value, and to shield external electromagnetic noise by performing shielding. As described above, since the ultrasonic signal is less attenuated and is not affected by the electromagnetic noise, a clear ultrasonic image can be obtained, and the usefulness of the inspection can be enhanced.

(4) The flexible shaft is easy to manufacture and inexpensive. Since the front-end-side flexible shaft 21 and the rear-end-side flexible shaft 23 can be manufactured separately, the manufacturing is easy and inexpensive in manufacturing. Further, since the cable is not inserted into the rear end side flexible shaft 23, there is no need to secure an inner cavity, and there is flexibility in manufacturing.

(5) The cleaning property is good, and the cleaning operation is easy. In the conventional ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, the universal cord and the ultrasonic cord are attached to the operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, but in the present embodiment, only the universal cord 5 is provided. For this reason, the number of codes to be cleaned is smaller than before, and the cleaning operation is easy to perform. As a result, the washing property is excellent.

(6) There is durability. In the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment, the slip ring 1
2, the transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22 is inserted through the distal-side flexible shaft 21.
The connector side transmission / reception cable 24 is not inserted into the rear end side flexible shaft 23. That is, unlike the conventional one, the thin transmission / reception cable is not inserted into the flexible shaft over a long distance from the ultrasonic transducer 2 to the scope connector 6, so that the durability of the transmission / reception cable is not a problem. And the ultrasonic endoscope is unlikely to break down.

(7) The distance between the cart on which the ultrasonic observation device 52 is mounted and the cart on which the light source device 50 / video processor 51 is mounted can be greatly increased, and the layout of the hospital room can be made free. When the cart on which the ultrasonic observation device 52 is mounted is different from the cart on which the light source device 50 / video processor 51 is mounted, in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to extend the ultrasonic cable 52a. Since the ultrasonic cable 52a does not have a built-in rotation transmitting means such as a flexible shaft, extending the ultrasonic cable 52a has no effect on the ultrasonic image swing. In the conventional ultrasonic endoscope, the ultrasonic cord through which the flexible shaft has been inserted must be extended,
If the length is too long, a problem of ultrasonic image fluctuation occurs, and thus the layout of the hospital room is limited.

(8) The above configuration can be realized without making the insertion portion thick, and the possibility of causing pain to the patient can be reduced. Unlike a conventional ultrasonic endoscope, a mechanism such as an encoder is not added inside the distal end portion 8, so that the distal end portion 8
It is not necessary to make the insertion section 3 thicker, and it is possible to provide an ultrasonic endoscope that does not cause pain to the patient. Further, since the O-ring 77 for the imaging unit does not climb over the screw portion in the imaging unit 71, the O-ring 77 for the imaging unit is not broken or damaged, so that watertightness cannot be maintained, and there is also an effect that failure is unlikely to occur.

In the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment, a video type ultrasonic endoscope having a built-in imaging device 7 such as a CCD at the distal end portion 8 of the insertion section 3 is exemplified. It may be a fiberscope type ultrasonic endoscope having an eye.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 11
Fig. 5 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing an overall configuration of the ultrasonic endoscope, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope of Fig. 1, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a scope connector portion formed at an end of a universal cord derived from the operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 shows a protective cover for covering the coupling unit in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a tube connection method in which each tube such as a distal guide tube or a balloon tube is directly fitted into a hole in the distal end body at the distal end of the insertion portion and fixed by bonding. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the arrangement of the rear end side flexible shaft and the rear end side guide tube in FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 (a) is different from the suction tube in FIG. 6 in the rear end side flexible shaft and the rear end side guide tube. The configuration arranged along FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which the rear end side flexible shaft and the rear end side guide tube are tied and fixed to the suction tube with a band made of rubber or the like, and FIG. 11 is a universal diagram. It is sectional drawing explaining the rotating part which fixed the ultrasonic connector which becomes rotatable centering on a longitudinal axis with respect to a cord and a light source connector.

In the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment, a slip ring as a rotary signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the ultrasonic vibrator and a rotation angle detection for detecting the rotational angle of the ultrasonic vibrator An encoder as a means is disposed in the operation unit, and the respective rotation shafts are connected by first and second gears to transmit a signal to the ultrasonic vibrator and to detect a rotation angle of the ultrasonic vibrator. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a rotary mechanism in which a slip ring and an encoder are coaxially integrated is provided in an operation unit, and a signal is transmitted to an ultrasonic vibrator, The rotation angle of the vibrator is detected. Other configurations are substantially the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 4, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and a description will be given focusing on a different rotation mechanism in which a slip ring and an encoder are coaxially integrated. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and described.

In FIG. 5, in the ultrasonic endoscope 1A, an operation section 130 composed of a grip section 4a and a main operation section 11 is formed at the rear end of the insertion section 3 in this order from the insertion section 3 side. . The gripping portion 4a forms a rotation mechanism 133 by coaxially integrating a slip ring 131 serving as a rotation type signal transmission means and an encoder 132 serving as a rotation angle detection means. In this rotation mechanism 133, the slip ring 131 is on the insertion section 3 side, and the encoder 132 is on the main operation section 1
It is arranged on one side (see FIG. 6). The vibrator-side transmission / reception cable 22 connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 is connected to one end of the slip ring 131. The main operation unit 11 is provided with a plurality of remote switches 19.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit will be described with reference to FIG. First, the ultrasonic system of the operation unit 130 will be described.

The connecting shaft 91 is inserted into the end of the distal end side flexible shaft 21 inserted through the insertion portion 3.
And is rotatably supported by the housing 134 by the bearing 92. The housing 134 includes the gripper 4
It is fixed at the position a and does not rotate or move. The end of the distal guide tube 45 is fixed to the housing 134. The connection shaft 91 is fixed to the coupling part 95 with a shaft fixing screw 96.

The coupling part 95 is integrated with a slip ring rotating shaft 135 of the slip ring 131 and is rotatable integrally with a rotating electrode (not shown) inside the slip ring 131. The slip ring rotation shaft 135 extends from both ends of the slip ring 131, and a joint 136 is fixed to the opposite side of the coupling part 95. An encoder rotation shaft 137 of the encoder 132 is fixed to the joint 136. This encoder rotation shaft 137
The connecting shaft 138 is fixed to the opposite side of the joint 136 by a shaft fixing screw 139.

The rear end side flexible shaft 23 is fixed to the end of the connecting shaft 138 by means such as welding or brazing. This rear end side flexible shaft 2
Cables 3 are not inserted into 3.

Next, the electric wiring will be described. A rotating electrode (not shown) of the slip ring 131 and a terminal of a cable connection board 95 a fixed to the coupling part 95 are wired by an electric cable 107. The transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22 inserted into the distal-end-side flexible shaft 21 is electrically connected to terminals of the cable connection board 95a by means such as soldering.

The rotating electrode (not shown) comes into contact with a fixed conductive brush (not shown) inside the slip ring 131, and the rotating electrode as a rotating body and the brush as a non-rotating body conduct. . This brush and the main operation unit 11
An amplifier / slip ring connection cable 109 is connected to the first amplifier board 140 that amplifies the ultrasonic reception signal fixed inside.

The first amplifier board 140 is connected to a first connector side transmission / reception cable 141 which is electrically connected to the ultrasonic connector 27. The first connector side transmission / reception cable 141 passes through the main operation unit 11 and is inserted into the universal cord 5. The encoder driving electric cable 111 connected to the encoder 132 and the power cable 112 connected to the first amplifier board 140 are also inserted through the universal cord 5.

Next, the configuration of the scope connector will be described with reference to FIG. First, the ultrasonic system of the scope connector 6 will be described.

The first connector side transmission / reception cable 141 inserted into the universal cord 5 is fixed in the scope connector section 6 and connected to the second amplifier 142 for amplifying the ultrasonic reception signal. The second connector board transmission / reception cable 143 is connected to the second amplifier board 142 and is electrically connected to the terminal of the ultrasonic connector 27 by means such as soldering.

The power cable 112 inserted into the universal cord 5 is electrically connected to the terminal of the ultrasonic connector 27 by means such as soldering. The encoder driving electric cable 111 is connected to an ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 fixed in the scope connector section 6. An electric cable 124 for driving the ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 and a power cable 125 for the motor 20 are also connected to terminals of the ultrasonic connector 27.

The holding section 4a of the ultrasonic endoscope 1A thus configured is gripped, the insertion section 3 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1A is inserted into the body cavity of the patient, and the operation of the ultrasonic endoscope 1A is performed. I do.
Then, when it is desired to obtain an ultrasonic image of the body cavity, the balloon 49 attached to the distal end portion 8 is inflated to an appropriate size as necessary, as described in the first embodiment. After that, the ultrasonic inspection is started by operating the ultrasonic observation device 52.

The electric power supplied from the ultrasonic observation device 52 is input to the motor 20 via the ultrasonic cable 52a → the ultrasonic connector 27 → the power cable 125. The rotation of the motor 20 is transmitted to the rear end side flexible shaft 23.

The rotation of the rear end side flexible shaft 23 is performed by connecting shaft 138 → encoder rotating shaft 137 →
It is transmitted to the joint 136 → the slip ring rotation shaft 135 → the coupling part 95 → the connecting shaft 91 → the distal end side flexible shaft 21 → the vibrator holder. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer 2 fixed to the transducer holder 42 rotates together with the transducer-side transmission / reception cable 22.

Next, transmission of an ultrasonic signal will be described. The transmission pulse signal supplied from the ultrasonic observation device 52 is transmitted from the ultrasonic cable 52a → the ultrasonic connector 27 → the second connector side transmission / reception cable 143 and input to the second amplifier board 142 in the scope connector unit 6. You. The transmission pulse signal that has passed through the second amplifier board 142 is transmitted by the first connector-side transmission / reception cable 141 and input to the first amplifier board 140.

The transmission pulse signal that has passed through the first amplifier board 140 is transmitted from the non-rotating body transmission path to the ultrasonic vibrator 2 as a rotating body via the slip ring 131. That is, the signal is transmitted from the amplifier / slip ring connection cable 109 → slip ring 131 (specifically, brush → rotating electrode → electrical cable 107 → cable connection board 95a) → transmitter / receiver transmission / reception cable 22 and transmitted to the ultrasonic vibrator 2. A pulse signal is input. The ultrasonic transducer 2 converts a transmission pulse signal into ultrasonic vibration, and emits an ultrasonic wave into the body cavity through the ultrasonic transmission medium 200, the cap 44, and the balloon 49.

The ultrasonic signal emitted into the body cavity is reflected by an organ or the like, and the signal is received by the ultrasonic transducer 2. The received signal is first input to the first amplifier board 140 via the reverse path. The first amplifier board 140 amplifies the received signal and outputs the amplified signal to the first connector side transmission / reception cable 141. The amplified reception signal is supplied to the second amplifier board 142
The second amplifier board 142 further amplifies the received signal and outputs the amplified signal to the second connector-side transmission / reception cable 143. The received signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic connector 2
7 → Ultrasonic observation device 52 via ultrasonic cable 52a
Is transmitted to

Next, rotation angle detection will be described. The encoder rotation shaft 137 of the encoder 132 rotates according to the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 2 as described above.
Thus, the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is detected. The rotation angle detection signal output from the encoder 132 is transmitted to the ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 via the encoder driving electric cable 111. Further, the ultrasonic image position adjustment board 123 → the ultrasonic connector 27 → the ultrasonic cable 5
It is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device 52 via 2a. In the ultrasonic observation device 52, an ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic reception signal, and at the same time, the direction of the ultrasonic transducer 2 is determined based on the rotation angle detection signal. The ultrasonic image is displayed at the position where the operation is performed. Since this operation is performed continuously, a cross-sectional image (radial image) in the body cavity of the entire circumference in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ultrasonic transducer 2 can be displayed on the monitor 53.

The present embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects of the ultrasonic endoscope of the first embodiment. (1) The force applied to the operator is smaller than the ultrasonic endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment, and the operability is good. In the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment, when the operator is carrying out the examination while holding the grip portion 4a, (slip ring weight + encoder weight + gear weight + sub-operation unit housing weight) × ( The bending force of only the distance (the distance between the grip portion and the sub-operation portion) is applied to the operator. However, in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment, the grip 4a
Are provided with a slip ring 131 and an encoder 132, and the bending force is hardly applied to the operator. Of course,
There is no gear weight or auxiliary operation unit housing weight. As a result, the force applied to the operator gripping the operation unit while using the ultrasonic endoscope,
It is smaller than the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment.
Further, in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment, since the sub operation unit 14 is not formed as in the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment, the outer shape of the operation unit 130 is very small. . Further, unlike the first embodiment and the conventional ultrasonic endoscope, the slip ring 131 and the encoder 132
Are coaxially integrated with each other, so that they can be stored in the elongated grip portion 4a. Further, in the present embodiment, by arranging the encoder 132 on the rear end side of the slip ring 131, the encoder rotation shaft 137 can be connected to the solid shaft without inserting the transducer side transmission / reception cable 22 into the encoder rotation shaft 137. As a result, the encoder 132
Are made thinner so that they can be easily stored in the gripper 4a.
That is, since the grip portion 4a is not thick and the operator does not have difficulty in gripping, the fatigue of the operator can be reduced as compared with the first ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment, and the operability is improved. Very good.

(2) The ultrasonic image has less rotational fluctuation than the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the slip ring 131 and the encoder 132 are
It is arranged inside the holding portion 4a closer to the ultrasonic transducer 2 than the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the position of the ultrasonic transducer 2 can be detected more accurately than the ultrasonic endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the first
As compared with the first ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment, the ultrasonic image does not fluctuate further, and a good ultrasonic image can be obtained.

(3) The cleaning performance is better than that of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment, and the cleaning operation is easier. Since the slip ring 131 and the encoder 132 are coaxially integrated and provided in the operation unit, the sub-operation unit 14 formed in the ultrasonic endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment is eliminated, so that the location to be cleaned can be further improved. It is easy to clean and easy to clean.

By the way, the slip ring and the encoder are fixed to the main operating portion 11 via a support member so as not to move, but the fixing means is very complicated and the fixing is difficult. If not enough, for example, when the non-rotating portion of the slip ring 131 and the encoder 132 is not fixed to the grip portion 4a, the universal cord 5 is bent and the rotating rear-end side flexible shaft 23 expands and contracts. In some cases, the slip ring 131 and the encoder 132 move in the axial direction. Further, the coupling part 9 integrated with the slip ring rotation shaft 135 of the slip ring 131
5 and the cable inserted into the coupling part 95 are rotated, so that they interfere with the surrounding structures, for example, the connection base of the water supply tube, and the cable is cut off.
There was a risk that rotation would be hindered.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a protective cover 150 formed by bending a thin plate is attached to the housing 134 and the slip ring 131 such that the inner surface of the protective cover 150 does not contact the coupling portion 95. Between the slip ring 131 and the encoder 132 in the axial direction.

Accordingly, the protective cover 150 prevents the surrounding balloon suction tube 63, the nozzle water supply tube 82, the imaging cable 74 and the like from coming into contact with the rotating coupling part 95, and the slip ring 131 and the encoder. 132 can be prevented from moving in the axial direction. Therefore, the rotating coupling portion 95 does not hit the non-rotating housing 134 and the rotation is not hindered.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, a pipe such as an air supply / water supply tube inserted into the distal end main body 41 is fixed to the distal end main body 41, and the tube is covered with the pipe. In this case, the diameter was increased at the connection between the tube and the pipe, and the rigid length was increased by the length of the pipe. This could cause pain for the patient.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the respective tubes such as the distal end side guide tube 45, the balloon tube 61, the air / water supply tube 80, and the suction tube 84 are connected to each other.
It is configured to fit directly into the hole of the tip body 41 and to fix it by bonding.

Thus, the distal end main body 41 does not have a portion where the adhesive is piled up with the thread, so that the interval between the tubes can be reduced. Further, since no pipe is required, the hard length can be shortened. As a result,
The pain given to the patient can be reduced.

Incidentally, the rear end side flexible shaft 2
In No. 3, since the universal cord 5 was disposed next to the soft tube, when the universal cord 5 was bent or twisted, it was easy to meander and the rotation property was deteriorated.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the universal cord 5, the rear end side flexible shaft 23 and the rear end side guide tube 103 are arranged along the suction tube 88 led out from the suction button 18. Configuration.

The suction tube 88 has the largest outer diameter among the components incorporated in the universal cord 5 in order to allow the passage of liquid and the like in the body cavity which also contains solid matter such as food waste. Furthermore, it is made of a hard tube such as Teflon. Therefore, the rear end side flexible shaft 2
3 and the rear end side guide tube 103 to the suction tube 88
When the universal cord 5 is bent or twisted, the rear end side flexible shaft 23 can always smoothly rotate along the suction tube 88. As a result, a motor having a relatively low output can be used, and the outer shape of the motor can be reduced. As a result, the outer shape of the scope connector 6 can be reduced, and the operability of the ultrasonic endoscope can be improved. FIG.
As shown in (b), the rear end side flexible shaft 23
The rear end side guide tube 103 may be bound to the suction tube 88 by a band 151 made of rubber or the like.

By the way, depending on the layout of the light source device 50 and the ultrasonic observation device 52, it may be easier to insert the light source device 50 and the ultrasonic code 52a by changing the position of the ultrasonic connector 27. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the scope connector 6 provided at the end of the universal cord 5 is provided with a rotating part 152 rotatable about the longitudinal axis with respect to the universal cord 5 and the light source connector 25. , The ultrasonic connector 2
The ultrasonic cable 52a is inserted into the ultrasonic connector 27 by fixing the 7 and changing the position of the ultrasonic connector 27 by rotating the rotary unit 152 as necessary. Also, the ultrasonic connector 27 and the ultrasonic cable 52
The direction of attachment / detachment with a is made substantially parallel to the center 153 of the longitudinal axis.

The scope connector 6 constructed as described above
In the preparation of the equipment before the inspection, first, the light source device 5
0 is inserted into the light source connector 27. Next, if necessary, the rotation unit 152 is rotated to change the position of the ultrasonic connector 27, and the ultrasonic cable 52 a is inserted into the ultrasonic connector 27.

As a result, the position of the ultrasonic connector 27 can be changed by rotating the rotating section 152, which is very convenient. Further, the attachment / detachment direction between the ultrasonic connector 27 and the ultrasonic cable 52a is set at the center 153 of the longitudinal axis.
Is substantially parallel to the ultrasonic connector 27.
When the light source connector 2 is attached to and detached from the ultrasonic cable 52a,
No bending force is applied to 5. Therefore, the contact state between the light source connector 25 and the light source device 50 is always kept good, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of failure.

[Additional remarks] (Additional remarks 1) An insertion section having an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, an operation section provided at a rear end of the insertion section, and an operation section 1 derived from the operation section In an ultrasonic endoscope having a hollow tube and a scope connector provided at an end of the hollow tube, a light guide provided in the scope connector and illuminating a light guide provided in the insertion portion is provided. A light source connector detachably connected to a light source device for supplying light, an ultrasonic connector detachably connected to ultrasonic observation means for processing a signal from the ultrasonic transducer, and a signal to the ultrasonic transducer. Rotation type signal transmission means for transmitting the rotation angle and rotation angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer,
A rotation driving unit that is provided in the scope connector unit and drives the ultrasonic vibrator; and the ultrasonic vibrator is inserted into the insertion unit, one end of the ultrasonic vibrator is fixed, and the other end of the rotary signal transmission unit. A rotation transmitting shaft connected to a distal end side, to which a rotating shaft is connected, and a rotating shaft of the rotation angle detecting means or the rotating signal transmitting means being connected to one end of the hollow tube, and the other end of the rotating driving means being connected to the other end; A rear end-side rotation transmission shaft connected to the rotation shaft, and inserted through the front-end side rotation transmission shaft,
One end is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibrator, and the other end is connected to the vibrator-side transmission / reception cable electrically connected to the rotary electrode side of the rotary signal transmission means, and is provided alongside the rear end-side rotation transmission shaft. A connector-side transmission / reception cable, one end of which is electrically connected to the non-rotating electrode side of the rotary signal transmission means, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the ultrasonic connector via signal amplification means. An ultrasonic endoscope, comprising:

(Additional Item 2) An insertion section having an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, an operation section provided at the rear end of the insertion section, and one of the ones derived from the operation section In an ultrasonic endoscope having an empty tube and a scope connector provided at an end of the hollow tube, illumination light is supplied to a light guide provided in the scope connector and disposed in the insertion portion. A light source connector detachably connected to the light source device to be connected, an ultrasonic connector detachably connected to ultrasonic observation means for processing a signal from the ultrasonic transducer, and a signal transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer. A rotation mechanism including a rotation-type signal transmission unit and a rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the ultrasonic vibrator, a rotation driving unit that is provided in the scope connector unit and drives the ultrasonic vibrator, The insert The ultrasonic vibrator is fixed at one end, the tip end side rotation transmission shaft connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation mechanism at the other end, and inserted into the hollow tube, and the rotation is inserted at one end. A rotation shaft of a mechanism is connected, a rear end rotation transmission shaft connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation drive means at the other end, and a front rotation transmission shaft inserted through the front end rotation transmission shaft, and one end is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibrator. A vibrator-side transmission / reception cable electrically connected to the rotating electrode side of the rotary signal transmission means, and a rear end side rotation transmission shaft, one end of which is connected to the rotary signal transmission means. A connector-side transmission / reception cable electrically connected to the non-rotating electrode side and the other end electrically connected to the ultrasonic connector via a signal amplifying means. .

(Supplementary Note 3) The light guide, an imaging cable for transmitting a signal of an imaging device for displaying an image of a body cavity, and an air / water / suction tube are inserted through the hollow tube. Item 3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to item 1 or 2.

(Additional Item 4) The ultrasonic endoscope according to Additional Item 1 or 2, wherein the signal amplifying means is provided in the scope connector section.

(Additional Item 5) The additional item 1 or 2 is characterized in that the signal amplifying means is divided into at least two or more parts and is provided in the operation section or the scope connector section to perform signal amplification in multiple stages. 2. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1.

(Additional Item 6) An ultrasonic image position adjusting means for receiving the rotation angle detection signal from the rotation angle detecting means and adjusting the ultrasonic image is provided in the scope connector portion. 3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2.

(Supplementary Note 7) A protective cover is provided at the connection portion of the rotary shaft of the rotary signal transmission means to prevent peripheral members from interfering with each other and to prevent the rotary signal transmission means from moving in the axial direction. 3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

(Supplementary Item 8) It is assumed that the air / water / suction tube and the guide tube through which the tip side rotation transmission shaft is inserted are directly fitted and fixed to the tip end body provided at the tip end of the insertion portion. 3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

(Additional Item 9) Without damaging the sealing member provided on the distal end side with respect to the sealing member provided for ensuring watertightness of the imaging section having the imaging device provided at the distal end portion of the insertion section, 3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a screw portion that allows the imaging unit to be attached to the distal end.

(Supplementary Note 10) The scope connector portion is provided with a rotating portion rotatable around the longitudinal axis with respect to the universal cord and the light source connector, and the ultrasonic connector is fixed to the rotating portion. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the ultrasonic connector can be changed by rotating the rotating unit.

(Additional Item 11) At the portion where the tube covering the front end side rotation transmission shaft and the rear end side rotation transmission shaft is bent,
3. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a flex or a rigid tube formed by spirally winding a thin metal strip for reinforcing the bent portion.

(Additional Item 12) The ultrasonic endoscope according to additional item 1 or 2, wherein the rear end side rotation transmission shaft has a larger rotation transmission torque than the front end side rotation transmission shaft.

(Supplementary Item 13) The rear-end rotation transmission shaft inserted into the hollow tube and a rear-end guide tube for guiding the rear-end rotation transmission shaft are arranged along the suction tube. By providing, even if the hollow tube is bent or twisted, the rear end side rotation transmission shaft and the rear end side guide tube are always rotatable along the suction tube. 4. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein:

(Additional Item 14) The ultrasonic endoscope according to Additional Item 13, wherein the rear end side rotation transmitting shaft and the rear end side guide tube are tied and fixed to the suction tube.

[0124]

As described above, according to the present invention, the length of the flexible shaft between the ultrasonic vibrator and the rotation angle detecting means can be shortened without making the insertion portion thick, and a clear ultrasonic image can be obtained. As a result, durability and cleaning properties are good, and operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG. 1;

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a scope connector formed at an end of a universal cord derived from an operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating an operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a scope connector formed at an end of a universal cord derived from an operation unit of the ultrasonic endoscope in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a protective cover to be put on the coupling part of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a tube connection method in which each tube such as a distal guide tube and a balloon tube is fitted directly to a hole of the distal end body and fixed by bonding at the distal end of the insertion portion.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement of a rear end side flexible shaft and a rear end side guide tube in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a rotating unit to which an ultrasonic connector is fixed, which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis with respect to a universal cord and a light source connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A ... ultrasonic endoscope 2 ... ultrasonic transducer 3 ... insertion part 4 ... operation part 5 ... universal cord (hollow tube) 6 ... scope connector part 7 ... imaging device 8 ... tip part 11 ... main operation part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Slip ring (rotation type signal transmission means) 13 ... Encoder (rotation angle detection means) 14 ... Sub-operation part 20 ... Motor (rotation drive means) 21 ... Front side flexible shaft (tip side rotation transmission shaft) 22 ... Vibrator Side transmission / reception cable 23 ... rear end side flexible shaft (rear end side rotation transmission shaft) 24 ... connector side transmission / reception cable 25 ... light source connector 26 ... electric connector 41 ... front end body 95 ... coupling part 133 ... rotating mechanism 150 ... protective cover 152 ... rotating part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An insertion section having an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves therein, an operation section provided at a rear end of the insertion section, and one hollow tube derived from the operation section. And a scope connector provided at an end of the hollow tube. A light source device provided at the scope connector and supplying illumination light to a light guide provided in the insertion portion An ultrasonic connector detachably connected to a light source connector detachably connected to an ultrasonic observation means for processing a signal from the ultrasonic transducer; and a rotary signal transmitting a signal to the ultrasonic transducer. A transmission unit and a rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the ultrasonic vibrator; a rotation driving unit that is provided in the scope connector unit and drives the ultrasonic vibrator; The supersonic A wave vibrator is fixed, and the other end is connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation type signal transmission means at the tip end side rotation transmission shaft; the hollow tube is inserted into one end and the rotation angle detection means or the rotation type is inserted at one end. A rotation shaft of the signal transmission unit is connected, a rear end rotation transmission shaft connected to the rotation shaft of the rotation driving unit at the other end, and the ultrasonic transducer inserted at the front end rotation transmission shaft at one end. A vibrator-side transmission / reception cable electrically connected to the rotary electrode side of the rotary type signal transmission means, and a second end connected to the rear end side rotation transmission shaft; A connector-side transmission / reception cable electrically connected to the non-rotating electrode side of the signal transmission means and the other end electrically connected to the ultrasonic connector via the signal amplification means. Endoscope.