JPH0984789A - Internal palpatory device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive internal palpatory device with a simple structure which can precisely detect the mechanical characteristic of a vital tissue. SOLUTION: In an interior palpatory device for bringing a contact member 7 into contact with a vital tissue within a body and determining the mechanical characteristic of the tissue, the resonance frequency of the vibrating system formed of the oscillator 6 and the contact member 7 of a controller 15 is adjusted so as to be present in a frequency area where the signal transmissivity of a band pass filter 12 interposed in a return loop for resonantly vibrating the contact member 7 is continuously changed to the frequency.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intracorporeal palpation apparatus for palpating an object in a patient's body with an ultrasonically vibrating palpation member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in the medical field, "palpation" is an important diagnostic method in which the surface of a living tissue of a patient is touched with a doctor's hand and information such as hardness of the living tissue is obtained by the feel of the doctor's hand. . However, the “palpation” has a problem that it is impossible to obtain objective data because the difference in the diagnosis result due to the experience of the doctor is large. There is also a drawback that "palpation" is only possible within the reach of human hands.

Therefore, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-27236, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-2022, etc., it is necessary to detect a change in acoustic impedance when an ultrasonically vibrating contactor is brought into contact with a living tissue. Has developed a device for obtaining objective mechanical characteristic information of the surface of living tissue.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-322731, a vibration system including a contact is resonated to detect a change in resonance frequency of the vibration system or a change in amplitude voltage when the contact comes into contact with a living tissue. , A structure in which hardness information of an object is detected and mechanical characteristic information of a living body surface is obtained is disclosed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional palpation device for determining the mechanical characteristics of the biological tissue, when the contactor provided in the vibration system of the palpation device is brought into contact with the biological tissue, the contact with the biological tissue is made. Since the change in the resonance state of the vibration system due to the change is small, it is difficult to detect the change amount of the oscillation frequency and the change amount of the voltage of the contactor due to the contact with the biological tissue, and only the noisy data can be detected. There's a problem. Therefore, the conventional palpation device has a problem that the reliability of the detection data is low, and the development of a palpation device capable of detecting the mechanical characteristics of the living tissue with high accuracy is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an intracorporeal palpation apparatus capable of detecting mechanical characteristics of living tissue with high accuracy, having a simple structure, and being inexpensive. It is in.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a palpation member for contacting a living tissue in a body, a vibrator for vibrating the palpation member in a resonance state by a self-oscillation circuit by a feedback loop, and a resonance vibration of the palpation member. And a signal transmittance adjusting means having a frequency range in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to the frequency, and the palpation member in resonance with the living body tissue in contact. When a change in the resonance state of the palpation member is detected, the body palpation means for determining the mechanical characteristics of the biological tissue is provided, and the resonance frequency of the vibration system including at least the palpation member and the vibrator, The signal transmittance of the signal transmittance adjusting means is set in a frequency range in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to the frequency.

With the above configuration, when the palpation member is brought into contact with the living tissue in the body during palpation in the body, the resonance frequency and voltage of the self-excited oscillation circuit are largely changed according to the mechanical impedance, which is the hardness of the tissue to be measured. It was done like this.

In this case, when a living body tissue in the body comes into contact with the palpation member which is resonated and vibrated by the vibrator, mechanical impedance is added to the resonance frequency and voltage value of the vibrator. At this time, the oscillator resonates at a frequency at which the admittance of the oscillator has a maximum.

Here, since the conventional palpation apparatus does not have a signal transmittance adjusting means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to the frequency in the resonance system,
When the palpation member vibrated in a resonance state by the vibrator comes into contact with the living tissue with an area, the resonance frequency and the resonance amplitude voltage decrease. This is synonymous with the frequency at which the minimum impedance of the vibration system is lower than that before the contact.

Further, since the resonance amplitude decreases after the contact, it is understood that the impedance at the frequency showing the minimum impedance is greater after the contact than before the contact.
Therefore, the signal transmissivity adjusting means having a frequency region in which the signal transmissivity continuously changes with respect to the frequency as in the intracorporeal palpation device of the present invention (a region in which the signal transmissivity decreases with an increase in frequency is defined as a resonance frequency By incorporating (in the vicinity)) into this resonance circuit, the original resonance circuit and the frequency characteristics of the signal transmissivity adjusting means are added together.

Further, when the biological tissue comes into contact with the palpation member and the resonance frequency changes in the direction of decreasing, the resonance amplitude increases due to the characteristics of the signal transmittance adjusting means. At this time,
Since the stable point is changed in the direction of lower frequency, the resonance frequency of the resonance system is changed to a smaller value and the resonance amplitude is changed to a larger value. As a result, the resonance frequency and the resonance amplitude of the resonance system can be greatly changed according to the mechanical impedance of the living tissue with which it comes in contact. It reacts sensitively to changes in physical characteristics, and can detect the mechanical characteristics of living tissue with high accuracy.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the entire body palpation apparatus according to the present embodiment.
This body examination apparatus is provided with a probe body 1 for body examination.

The casing 2 of the probe body 1 is formed of a highly rigid pipe, such as a stainless pipe, so that it can be inserted into the living body (the body of the patient). Further, in this casing 2, a touching portion 4 having a diameter larger than that of the intermediate pipe 3 is provided on the distal end side of the elongated intermediate pipe 3, and a gripping portion 5 on the proximal side of the intermediate pipe 3 which is held by a measurer (not shown) on the proximal side. Are provided respectively.

Further, a vibrator 6 that vibrates ultrasonically is disposed in the touching section 4 of the casing 2. The vibrator 6 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic. The tip portion of the vibrator 6 is brought into contact with the measured portion Y which is a living tissue in the body,
A contact member (touching member) 7 for detecting hardness is mechanically connected. The tip of the contact member 7 is projected to the outside from the tip opening of the casing 2.

Further, a vibration detecting element 8 for detecting the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator 6 is attached to the vibrator 6. The vibration detecting element 8 is made of piezoelectric ceramic. Here, the vibrator 6 and the vibration detection element 8 may be integrally molded, or may be mechanically connected to different members.

A holding member 10 for holding a vibrating system 9 composed of a contact member 7, a piezoelectric vibrator 6 and a vibration detecting element 8 is mounted in the touching section 4 of the casing 2. This holding member 10 is made of silicone rubber. For this reason,
The vibration of the vibration system 9 is not affected by the casing 2. Although silicon rubber is used as the holding member 10 in the present embodiment, any other vibration absorbing material such as urethane resin, fluororubber, NBR (nitrile rubber) may be used.

An amplifier 11 for amplification connected to the vibration detecting element 8 is arranged in the grip portion 5 of the casing 2. The amplifier 11 receives a signal from the vibration detecting element 8 and amplifies it.

Further, the amplifier 11 is connected to the input side of a bandpass filter (signal transmittance adjusting means) 12 having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency. The piezoelectric vibrator 6 is connected to the output side of the bandpass filter 12. As a result, the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 is formed by the feedback loop including the vibration detection element 8, the amplifier 11, the bandpass filter 12, and the piezoelectric vibrator 6. The vibration system 9 is oscillated in a resonance state by the self-excited oscillation circuit 13, and the contact member 7 is oscillated in a resonance state.

Further, the output side of the bandpass filter 12 is connected to a controller (internal palpation means) 15 having an image generating function via a frequency counter 14. The frequency counter 14 measures the frequency of the vibration system 9.

Further, in the controller 15, when the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the part to be measured Y in the body at the time of palpation in the body, the measurement is performed based on the measurement data of the frequency of the vibration system 9 from the frequency counter 14. The hardness information of the part Y is obtained. That is, the controller 15 changes the resonance state of the contact member 7 when the contact member 7 that resonates and vibrates based on the measurement data of the frequency of the vibration system 9 from the frequency counter 14 is brought into contact with the measured portion Y in the body. Detected by
Hardness information, which is a mechanical characteristic of the measured portion Y, is obtained.

Further, the controller 15 includes the endoscope device 1
6 and the monitor 17 are connected to each other. Then, the output signal from the endoscopic device 16 and the output signal from the counter 14 are input to the controller 15, and the image data of the endoscopic image sent from the endoscopic device 16 by the controller 15 and the measurement sent from the counter 14. The hardness information of the measured portion Y obtained based on the data is combined and displayed on the screen of the monitor 17 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. For example, in the present embodiment, an endoscopic image observed by the endoscopic device 16 on one screen of the monitor 17, that is, a portion of the portion where the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the measured portion Y in the body. An endoscopic image display screen 18 displaying an endoscopic image and a graph screen 19 showing hardness information of the measured portion Y at the time of palpation in the body are combined and displayed in a divided state.

As shown in FIG. 6, an endoscopic image display screen 18 observed by the endoscopic device 16 is displayed on the entire screen of the monitor 17, and the endoscopic image display screen 18 is displayed.
The graph screen 19 showing the hardness information of the measured portion Y may be combined and displayed in a state of being superimposed and displayed.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing the frequency characteristic of the vibration system 9 and the frequency characteristic of the bandpass filter 12. In FIG. 2, a is a characteristic curve of the bandpass filter 12, and b is a characteristic curve of the admittance of the vibration system 9. In this embodiment, the characteristic curve a of the bandpass filter 12 has a peak P ₂ of transmittance at a frequency f ₂ lower than the frequency f ₁ of the maximum point P _{1 on} the characteristic curve b of the admittance of the vibration system 9. It is set in the adjusted state. Therefore, the characteristic curve c of the self-oscillation circuit 13 including the vibration system 9, the amplifier 11, and the bandpass filter 12 is lower than the frequency f ₁ indicating the admittance maximum point P ₁ of the vibration system 9 and the bandpass filter. It resonates at a frequency f ₃ higher than the frequency f ₂ showing the peak P ₂ of the transmittance of 12.

Here, when the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 contacts with the measured portion Y of the living tissue while maintaining an area, the impedance of the vibration system 9 increases as shown by a characteristic curve d in FIG. The resonance frequency f ₄ decreases. This is "Medical Electronics and Biotechnology" Vol. 24, No. 5, September 1986, p38
This is as shown in “Prototype of Piezoelectric Transducer for Measuring Compliance Characteristics of Soft Tissue” (Reference 1) of p42.

Further, in the present embodiment, the resonance frequency f of the self-oscillation circuit 13 changes according to the characteristics of the frequency characteristics of the vibration system 9 including the characteristics of the bandpass filter 12. That is, when the contact member 7 contacts the measured portion Y of the biological tissue while maintaining an area, the resonance frequency f ₅ is as shown by the characteristic curve e in FIG. The frequency f ₃ is lower than that before contact, and the impedance of the vibration system 9 increases. Here, the resonance amplitude tends to decrease, but since the signal transmissivity of the bandpass filter 12 increases due to the decrease of the resonance frequency f ₅ , the actual resonance amplitude increases and further toward the low frequency side which is a stable point. The resonance frequency changes.

Therefore, the present embodiment exhibits a larger frequency change than that shown in Reference 1. Therefore, the palpation device of the present embodiment can detect the mechanical characteristics of the measured portion Y of the biological tissue with higher sensitivity.

Next, the principle of the hardness measuring device having the above structure will be described. FIG. 7 shows a tactile sensor 25 in which three electrodes 22, 23 and 24 are provided on a piezoelectric element (vibrator) 21 which is a piezoelectric ceramic. Here, 22 is a first electrode connected to an input terminal for inputting a signal for displacing the piezoelectric element, 23 is a second electrode connected to an output terminal for outputting an electric signal based on the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric element, and 24 is First electrode 2
2, the third connected to the common ground terminal of the second electrode 23
Electrodes.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the electric signal passing through the piezoelectric element 21 of FIG. 7 does not change in frequency between its input wave and output wave, but its amplitude changes, and a wave sent in time is output. To be done. The relationship between the input wave and the output wave at this time is as shown in FIG. Here, the gain G is as shown in the following expression (1) of the equation 1.

[0030]

[Equation 1] Further, the phase (phase difference) θ is as shown in the following expression (2) of the mathematical expression 2.

[0031]

[Equation 2]

FIG. 10 shows the measured input / output frequency characteristics of the piezoelectric element 21 shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, G ₁ is a gain characteristic curve, and θ ₁ is a phase characteristic curve. Here, when the piezoelectric element 21 is caused to resonate and vibrate, it resonates and vibrates at a frequency f ₀ at a position where the gain characteristic curve G ₁ exhibits a maximum.

FIG. 7 shows the frequency characteristic when a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 21. In FIG. 11, G ₂ is a gain characteristic curve, and θ ₂ is a phase characteristic curve.

By comparing FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the soft material is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 21, the frequency showing the maximum of the characteristic curve G ₂ of the gain is reduced and the value of the gain is also reduced. I understand that This means
When the piezoelectric element 21 is resonating, it means that when a soft substance is brought into contact with it, the resonance frequency decreases and the resonance amplitude also decreases.

Further, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the low-pass filter 26 is connected to the output terminal of the piezoelectric element 21. Here, the frequency characteristic G (f) of the low-pass filter 26 is expressed as shown in the following Expression 3.

[0036]

(Equation 3) Further, the frequency characteristic I (f) near the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element 21 is expressed as shown in the following Expression 4.

[0037]

[Equation 4] Further, the frequency characteristic F (f) when a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 21 is expressed as shown in the following Expression 5.

[0038]

(Equation 5)

Note that r '> r. Also, the above equation 4,
The frequency dependence of equations (4) and (5) of equation 5 is as shown in FIG. Here, the change amount of the resonance frequency is represented by the maximum value of the expression (5) -the maximum value of the expression (4). Here, this is Δf ₁ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the input / output frequency characteristic of the electric circuit in which the low-pass filter 26 is connected to the output terminal of the piezoelectric element 21 has the following equation (6) when a soft substance is not brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 21. ), When a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element 21, it is represented by the following equation (7).

S _i (f) = G (f) + I (f) (6) S _f (f) = G (f) + F (f) (7) Further, the frequencies of the above equations (6) and (7) The dependency is as shown in FIG. Here, the change amount of the resonance frequency is represented by the maximum value of the expression (7) -the maximum value of the expression (6). Here, this is Δf ₂ .

Comparing FIG. 12 and FIG. 13,
It is clear that Δf ₂ has a larger change ratio than Δf ₁ . From this, it can be seen that the hardness measuring device having the above-described structure has high sensitivity.

The relationship between the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element 21 and the mechanical characteristics of the substance in contact with the piezoelectric element 21 is "Measurement of hardness of soft tissue by piezoelectric vibrometer and its analysis" (medical electronics and living body). Engineering Volume 28 No. 1 (199
(March, 0) It is shown on pages 1 to 4 of Sadao Ogata (Reference 3) and is represented by the equation (11) of Reference 3.

Next, a method of using the intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope device 16 is inserted into the chest cavity through an insertion hole provided on the body surface of the patient, for example, the chest wall X. Then, the image data of the endoscopic observation image sent from the endoscopic device 16 is input to the controller 15, and the endoscopic image is displayed on the endoscopic image display screen 18 of the monitor 17 from the controller 15. Therefore, by visually observing the endoscopic image display screen 18 of the monitor 17, the endoscopic image in the visual field of the endoscopic device 16 is observed.

After that, the probe body 1 of the palpation device of the present embodiment is inserted into the chest cavity through the trocar 20 inserted into the insertion hole provided at another place on the body surface such as the chest wall X of the patient. . Then, at the time of palpation of the measured portion Y which is a biological tissue in the body, the contact member 7 at the tip of the probe body 1
Is brought into contact with the target measured portion Y in the body. At this time, the probe main body 1 is displayed on the endoscopic image display screen 18 of the monitor 17.
When the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 is brought into contact with the surface of the living body at the same time that the endoscopic image of the portion where the contact member 7 of FIG. A graph screen 19 showing the palpation information on the surface of the living body is displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), with the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 of the palpation device kept in contact with the surface of the lung tissue as the part to be measured Y in the patient's body, the probe body 1 Is slid in one direction as indicated by the arrow in the figure. At this time, if there is a tumor part Z such as cancer tissue on the surface of the lung tissue or in the deep part of the lung tissue, this tumor part Z
Is harder than normal tissue. Therefore, when the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 moves to the position of the tumor part Z when the probe main body 1 is slid, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), since the output data of the palpation device indicates that the living tissue is hardened, the position of the tumorous part Z such as cancer tissue existing in lung tissue can be specified.

The body palpation apparatus of the present embodiment can be used not only for lung tissue but also for diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, examination of muscles, etc., and the part to be used in the body tissue in the body is exceptional. It is not limited to.

Therefore, the palpation device of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration has the following effects. That is, the bandpass filter 12 having a frequency range in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to the frequency is provided in the self-excited oscillation circuit 13.
Since the resonance frequency of the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is set in the frequency region in which the signal transmittance of the bandpass filter 12 continuously changes with respect to the frequency, the slight hardness of the DUT P, that is, the acoustic impedance The frequency change of the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 can be increased even with respect to the change. Therefore, although the configuration is simple and inexpensive, it is possible to sensitively react to a slight change in the hardness of the measured portion Y and to measure the hardness with high accuracy.

Further, in the intracorporeal palpation device according to the present embodiment, contact with the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 of the palpation device inserted into the body causes tumors existing on the surface of the living tissue in the body or deep inside the living tissue. It is possible to highly accurately diagnose mechanical characteristics of a living body such as diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, it is possible to easily palpate a site that cannot be directly palpated by using the in-body palpation device according to the present embodiment.

Further, the endoscopic image observed by the endoscopic device 16 within one screen of the monitor 17, that is, the endoscopic image of the portion where the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is brought into contact with the measured portion Y in the body. Since the display screen 18 and the graph screen 19 showing the hardness information of the measured portion Y at the time of palpation in the body are combined and displayed, the contact of the probe main body 1 of the palpation device is currently made. It is possible to continue the diagnosis work by palpation while confirming the position of the living body surface of the measured portion Y in the body where the member 7 is actually contacted to diagnose the mechanical characteristics by the endoscopic image display screen 18. Therefore, there is no risk that the measurement location of the measured portion Y during palpation in the body will be mistaken, and the diagnosis work by palpation can be continued efficiently.

Furthermore, for example, an electric scalpel, a laser treatment device, or a high-frequency treatment device is used for the living tissue, and the coagulation apparatus of the present embodiment is used for the treatment site where the living tissue is coagulated. This makes it possible to diagnose the mechanical characteristics of the living body tissue in the body after treatment, and to easily confirm the effect of treatment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vibrator 6
Although a piezoelectric ceramic is used as the material, any material can be used as long as it converts an electric signal into mechanical vibration. Specifically, a laminated piezoelectric ceramic, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a magnetostrictive element, a bimorph oscillator, a crystal oscillator, a SAW (comb shape), or the like can be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vibration detecting element 8 is made of piezoelectric ceramic, but any material can be used as long as it can convert mechanical vibration into an electric signal. Specifically, a laminated piezoelectric ceramic, PVDF, a magnetostrictive element, a bimorph oscillator, a crystal oscillator, a SAW (comb shape), or the like can be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the bandpass filter 12 is used as the signal transmissivity adjusting means, but any device whose signal transmissivity changes with frequency can be used. For example, a lowpass filter, High pass filter, notch filter, integrator circuit, differentiator circuit,
A peaking amplifier or the like can be used. Furthermore, either an active filter or a passive filter can be used.

14 (A) to 14 (C) show a second embodiment of the present invention. This is a partial modification of the configuration of the probe main body 1 of the intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 5). That is, in the present embodiment, the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 is formed by the needle-shaped contact needle 31.

Furthermore, a substantially thin tubular outer needle 32 that covers the periphery of the contact needle 31 is provided at the tip of the touching portion 4 of the casing 2. The tip of the outer needle 32 is notched at an acute angle with respect to the axial direction, and sharp puncture teeth 33 capable of puncturing a living tissue are formed. Then, as shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 14B, only the tip portion of the contact needle 31 is projectingly provided on the outer side of the puncture tooth 33. Here, the portion other than the tip portion of the contact needle 31 is the outer needle 3
It is housed inside 2 and is held so that the portion other than the tip portion of the contact needle 31 does not come into contact with living tissue.

A holding member 34 for positioning and holding the contact needle 31 at the axial center position of the outer needle 32 is provided inside the outer needle 32.
Are arranged. The holding member 34 holds the contact needle 31 so as not to directly contact the outer needle 32 and prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the outer needle 32.

Further, the holding member 34 is arranged at a position serving as a node of the resonance frequency of the vibration system 9. This makes it possible to maintain the vibration of the contact needle 31 without the vibration of the vibration system 9 being affected by the holding state of the holding member 34. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, a method of using the intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. During the palpation work of the measured portion Y, which is a biological tissue in the patient's body, by the palpation device of the present embodiment, the outer needle 32 of the probe body 1 is attached as shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. Puncture from the surface of the living tissue of the measured portion Y. At this time, the self-excited oscillation circuit 1 determines the mechanical characteristics such as the hardness information of the living tissue of the portion where the tip of the contact needle 31 comes into contact.
Diagnosis can be made by measuring the change in the resonance frequency of 3. The mechanical characteristics of the living tissue measured here are displayed on the graph screen 19 of the monitor 17.

Further, FIG. 14C shows a puncture position (depth) of the outer needle 32 when the outer needle 32 of the probe main body 1 of the present embodiment is punctured in the living tissue of the portion to be measured Y, and a booklet. It shows an example of the relationship with the output data (hardness data) of the palpation device. Here, the contact needle 31 comes into contact with the tissue surface of the living tissue of the measured portion Y at the initial point L _{1 of the} operation of puncturing the outer needle 32. At this time, with the puncturing operation of the outer needle 32, the tissue surface of the measured portion Y is pulled in the puncturing direction of the outer needle 32 as shown in (a) of FIG. The state where the living tissue has become hard is shown.

After that, as shown in FIG. 14B, (b), L showing a section in which the outer needle 32 is punctured in the normal tissue.
_In the area of _2, the state in which the hardness of the internal tissue is maintained at a constant value is detected from the output data of the palpation device.

When the outer needle 32 comes into contact with the tumorous part Z, L
_{At three} time points, the hardness of the boundary between the normal tissue and the tumorous part Z is detected by the output data of the palpation device. continue,
As shown in (c) of FIG. 14 (B), the outer needle 32 has the tumor part Z.
The hardness of the tumorous part Z is detected by the output data of the palpation apparatus within the region L ₄ punctured inside.

Further, an endoscopic observation image of the portion of the probe main body 1 in which the outer needle 32 is punctured into the measured portion Y in the body is displayed on the observation image display screen 18 of the monitor 17.
By contacting the tip of the contact needle 31 of the probe body 1 of the present embodiment with the lung tissue under the field of view, the mechanical characteristics of the deep tissue of the lung tissue can be directly diagnosed. In this case, since the outer needle 32 of the probe body 1 is punctured in the deep tissue of the lung tissue, the mechanical characteristics of the deep tissue such as the tumor part Z having different mechanical characteristics from the normal tissue can be diagnosed. The depth position of the tumor part Z can be accurately specified.

Therefore, the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure has the following effects. That is, in the present embodiment, the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 is formed by the needle-shaped contact needle 31, and the tip of the palpation unit 4 in the casing 2 has a substantially thin tubular outer shape that covers the periphery of the contact needle 31. Since the needle 32 is projected, the mechanical characteristics of the deep tissue of the living tissue can be directly and accurately diagnosed by puncturing the deep tissue of the living tissue with the outer needle 32 of the probe body 1.

Further, the endoscopic image observed by the endoscopic device 16 on one screen of the monitor 17, that is, the endoscopic image of the portion in which the outer needle 32 of the probe main body 1 is punctured into the measured portion Y in the body. While observing the display screen 18, the outer needle 32 of the probe main body 1 is punctured into the deep tissue of the living tissue, and the contact needle 31
Since it is possible to diagnose the mechanical characteristics of the deep tissue of the biological tissue, the deep portion of the measured portion Y in the body where the contact needle 31 of the probe body 1 of the palpation device is currently in contact to diagnose the mechanical characteristics. While confirming the location of the tissue on the endoscopic image display screen 18, the diagnosis work by palpation can be continued. Therefore, there is no risk that the measurement location of the measured portion Y during palpation in the body will be mistaken, and the diagnosis work by palpation can be continued efficiently.

Further, by puncturing the thyroid gland from the skin surface with the outer needle 32 of the probe body 1 of the present embodiment, measurement data of the mechanical characteristics of the thyroid gland can be obtained, and the palpation information can be monitored 17 Can be displayed on the graph screen 19 of FIG. At this time, the endoscope device 16 is not required. The body palpation apparatus of the present embodiment can of course be used for diagnosing liver cirrhosis, etc., and the site to be used in the living tissue is not particularly limited.

15A to 15C show a third embodiment of the present invention. This is a partial modification of the configuration of the probe main body 1 of the intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 5). That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 (A), the flexible probe main body 4 having a bendable flexible tube, for example, a fluororesin tube or the like, as the insertion portion 41 for insertion into the body cavity.
2 is provided. In addition, as the soft tube of the insertion portion 41, a resin tube of vinyl chloride, polyurethane or the like, a coil sheath or the like can be used.

A palpation section 43 is provided on the distal end side of the insertion section 41, and a gripping section 44 on the proximal side, which is not shown, to be gripped by a measurer is provided on the proximal end side. Here, as shown in FIG. 15B, the palpation unit 43 is provided with a vibrator 45 that vibrates ultrasonically at the axial center of the flexible tube of the insertion unit 41. A contact member (touching member) 46 that contacts the measured portion Y, which is a living tissue in the body, and detects the hardness is mechanically connected to the tip of the vibrator 45. The tip of the contact member 46 is provided outside the flexible tube of the insertion portion 41.

Further, a vibration detecting element 47 for detecting the vibration of the vibrator 45 is attached to the vibrator 45.
The vibration detecting element 47 is provided on the grip portion 44 of the probe main body 42.
It is connected to the same amplifier 11 for amplification as that of the first embodiment arranged inside.

A holding member 49 for holding a vibration system 48 composed of a vibrator 45, a contact member 46 and a vibration detecting element 47 is mounted in the palpation portion 43 of the insertion portion 41.
The holding member 49 is made of a ring-shaped resin material having a circular cross section in order to reduce the contact area with the vibration system 48. As the material of the holding member 49, for example, silicon rubber, urethane resin, fluororubber, NBR (nitrile rubber) or the like can be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15C, the probe main body 42 of the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment treats the flexible endoscope apparatus 50 such as a digestive tract videoscope or a digestive tract fiberscope, as shown in FIG. 15C. It is adapted to be inserted into the tool insertion channel 51 and guided into the body.

Here, the endoscope device 50 is provided with an elongated flexible tube portion 53 in the insertion portion 52 inserted into the body cavity, and the distal end portion of this flexible tube portion 53 is bent and deformed. The tip forming section 55 is connected via a possible bending section 54.
Then, on the distal end surface of the distal end forming portion 55, together with the distal end opening portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 51, an illumination window portion 56 connected to a light guide for guiding illumination light and an observation window portion 57 connected to an observation optical system are respectively provided. It is arranged.

The outer diameter of the insertion portion 41 of the probe main body 42 of the intracorporeal palpation device is set so that it can be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 51 of the endoscope device 50. Further, since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, a method of using the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, for an esophageal varices patient, as shown in FIG. 15 (C), the body for diagnosing the mechanical characteristics such as the hardness of the varicose vein W formed in the esophagus V of the patient by the intracorporeal palpation device of the present embodiment. The palpation work will be described.

First, the flexible endoscope device 50 is orally inserted into the esophagus V of the patient, and the inner wall of the esophagus V is observed by the endoscope device 50. Then, the insertion portion 41 of the probe main body 42 of the endoscopic examination apparatus according to the present embodiment is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 51 of the endoscope device 50. And
The distal end portion of the insertion portion 41 of the probe main body 42 is projected into the esophagus V of the patient from the distal end opening portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 51, and the contact member 46 is brought into contact with the varicose vein W on the inner wall of the esophagus V. At this time, by bending the bending portion 54 of the endoscope device 50 in a desired direction, the field of view of the endoscope device 50 can be oriented in the desired direction for observation and diagnosis.

Further, by bringing the contact member 46 into contact with the varicose vein W on the inner wall of the esophagus V, the frequency of the vibrating system 48 is measured by the frequency counter 14 as in the first embodiment. . At this time, the controller controls the change in the resonance state of the contact member 46 when the contact member 46 that resonates and vibrates based on the measurement data of the frequency of the vibration system 48 from the frequency counter 14 is brought into contact with the varicose vein W of the esophagus V. 15
And obtain the hardness information of the varicose vein W on the inner wall of the esophagus V, and the esophagus V of the esophagus V obtained based on the image data of the endoscopic image sent from the endoscope device 50 and the measurement data sent from the counter 14. The hardness information of the varicose vein W is the controller 1
5, and is displayed on the screen of the monitor 17 as shown in FIG.

As a second example of use of the present embodiment, the mechanical characteristics of the prostate are changed trans-urethroscopically by bringing the contact portion of the tip of the palpation device into contact with the prostate to change the resonance frequency of the resonance system. It can be measured by detecting with a counter. The measurement result is displayed on the monitor together with the endoscopic image.

As a second use example of the present embodiment, the insertion portion 41 of the probe main body 42 of the body palpation device is inserted into the bladder transurethrally, and the contact member 46 of the probe main body 42 is inserted into the bladder inner wall. The mechanical characteristics of the inner wall of the bladder can be measured by detecting the change in the resonance frequency of the vibration system 48 with the counter 14 in the state of being in contact with the.
Here, by measuring the mechanical properties of the inner wall of the bladder, the degree of progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be diagnosed. Note that the application example of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and can be applied to any part of the living tissue inside the body of the patient.

Therefore, the body palpation apparatus of the present embodiment has the following effects. That is, since the flexible probe main body 42 having the bendable flexible tube as the insertion portion 41 for insertion into the body cavity is provided, the probe main body 42 is passed through the treatment instrument insertion channel 51 of the flexible endoscope device 50. When the insertion portion 41 of the probe device 42 is guided into the body of the patient, the insertion portion 41 of the probe main body 42 is bent along with the operation of bending the bending portion 54 of the endoscope device 50 in a desired direction. It can be curved with 54. Therefore, by bending the bending portion 54 of the endoscope device 50 in a desired direction, the field of view of the endoscope device 50 is directed to the lesioned portion, and the contact member 46 of the probe body 42 is moved to the esophagus V that is the lesioned portion. The varicose vein W can be accurately pressed and brought into contact with the varicose vein W, the mechanical characteristics of the varicose vein W of the esophagus V can be measured, and the lesion can be palpated.

Further, in the present embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, a high-sensitivity palpation device is provided, and since the insertion part 41 of the probe main body 42 can be inserted into the living body lumen, It is possible to directly and highly accurately diagnose the mechanical characteristics of the living tissue of the patient's body without performing laparotomy.

Further, the controller 15 combines the image data of the endoscopic image sent from the endoscope device 50 and the hardness information of the varicose vein W of the esophagus V obtained based on the measurement data sent from the counter 14. Since it is displayed on the screen of the monitor 17, the probe body 42 of the palpation device is currently used.
It is possible to continue the diagnosis work by palpation while confirming the position of the lesioned part in the body where the mechanical characteristics are diagnosed by contacting the contact member 46 of FIG.

FIG. 16 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This is provided with an amplitude voltage measuring device 61 instead of the frequency counter 14 of the internal examination apparatus according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 5) as the internal examination means. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, the operation of the intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. That is, when the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 comes into contact with the living tissue of the measured portion Y in the body, the resonance frequency of the vibration system 9 is, as shown in Reference 1, the mechanical characteristics of the living tissue of the measured portion Y. , The resonance frequency and the resonance amplitude change as the mechanical impedance of the vibration system 9 changes.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the characteristic curve a of the bandpass filter 12 is lower than the frequency f ₁ of the maximum point P ₁ of the characteristic curve b of the admittance of the vibration system 9 and is lower than the frequency f _1.
Because it is adjusted to have a peak P ₂ to ₂ side, when the contact member 7 of the probe main body 1 is the resonance frequency of the vibration system 9 upon contact with the measuring portion Y of the living tissue decreases,
The resonance amplitude becomes large, and when the resonance frequency rises, the resonance amplitude becomes small. Therefore, by measuring the change in the resonance amplitude, the mechanical characteristics of the measured portion Y of the living tissue can be obtained.

Since the other functions and usages are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted here. Therefore, the physical examination device according to the present embodiment also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

Furthermore, the frequency counters 14 of the intracorporeal palpation devices of the second and third embodiments may be replaced with the amplitude voltage measuring device 61 of the fourth embodiment, respectively. The same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.

Further, FIG. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This is provided with a low-pass filter having the characteristics shown in FIG. 17 instead of the band-pass filter 12 of the body examination apparatus according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 5) as the signal transmittance adjusting means. Note that the other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

Further, in FIG. 17, a ₂ shows a frequency characteristic curve of the vibration system 9, and b ₂ shows a characteristic curve of the low-pass filter. Further, in the present embodiment, the characteristic curve b ₂ of the low-pass filter is set in a state where the transmittance is adjusted to start decreasing at a frequency f ₁₂ lower than the frequency f ₁₁ of the admittance maximum point P ₁₁ of the vibration system 9. ing.

Therefore, the characteristic curve c of the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 composed of the vibration system 9, the amplifier 11, and the low-pass filter.
₂ is the frequency f indicating the admittance maximum point P ₁₁ of the vibration system 9
It resonates at a frequency f ₁₃ lower than ₁₁ .

Here, when the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 contacts with the measured portion Y of the living tissue while maintaining an area thereof, FIG.
Among them, as shown by the characteristic curve d ₂ , the impedance of the vibration system 9 increases and the resonance frequency f ₁₄ decreases.

Further, in the present embodiment, the resonance frequency f of the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 changes in accordance with the characteristics including the characteristics of the low pass filter in the frequency characteristics of the vibration system 9. That is, when the contact member 7 comes into contact with the measured portion Y of the biological tissue, the resonance frequency f ₁₅ is as shown by the characteristic curve e ₂ in FIG. 17 before the contact member 7 comes into contact with the measured portion Y of the biological tissue. The resonance amplitude tends to decrease as compared with the frequency f _{13 of the above} , but the actual resonance amplitude increases because the signal transmissivity of the low-pass filter increases due to the decrease of the resonance frequency, and the resonance frequency ₁₅ decreases to a low frequency. Change to the side.

Therefore, the palpation device of the present embodiment exhibits a larger frequency change than that shown in Reference Document 1, so that the mechanical characteristics of the measured portion Y of the living tissue can be detected with higher sensitivity. Therefore, the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment also has the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This is the characteristic shown in FIG. 18 in place of the bandpass filter 12 of the endoscopic examination apparatus of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 5) and the lowpass filter of the fifth embodiment as the signal transmittance adjusting means. A high-pass filter is provided. Note that the other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

Further, in FIG. 18, a ₃ shows a frequency characteristic curve of the vibration system 9 and b ₃ shows a characteristic curve of the high-pass filter. Further, in the present embodiment, the characteristic curve b ₃ of the high-pass filter is adjusted in such a manner that the transmittance fluctuates as the frequency increases at the frequency f ₂₁ of the admittance maximum point P ₂₁ of the vibration system 9. It is set.

Therefore, the characteristic curve c of the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 composed of the vibration system 9, the amplifier 11, and the low-pass filter.
₃ resonates at a frequency f ₂₃ higher than the frequency f ₂₁ of the admittance maximum point P ₂₁ of the vibration system 9.

Here, when the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 comes into contact with a hard living tissue such as bone, the impedance of the vibration system 9 increases as shown by a characteristic curve d ₃ in FIG.
The resonance frequency f ₂₄ also increases.

Further, in the present embodiment, the resonance frequency f of the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 changes according to the characteristics including the characteristics of the high-pass filter in the frequency characteristics of the vibration system 9. That is, when the contact member 7 contacts the measured portion Y of the biological tissue, the resonance frequency f ₂₅ is as shown by the characteristic curve e ₃ in FIG. 18 before the contact member 7 contacts the measured portion Y of the biological tissue. increased compared to the frequency f _23, the resonance amplitude attempts to decrease, the actual resonant amplitude for signal transmission of the high-pass filter is increased due to an increase in the resonance frequency increases further, the resonance frequency ₂₅ is the high frequency side Changes to.

Therefore, the palpation device of the present embodiment exhibits a larger frequency change than that shown in Reference Document 1, so that the mechanical characteristics of the measured portion Y of the living tissue can be detected with higher sensitivity. Therefore, the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment also has the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment.

Further, the intracorporeal palpation apparatus of this embodiment is suitable for detecting a slight change in hardness of the hard living tissue in the patient's body. For example, when the endoscopic device (arthroscope) is inserted in the knee joint, the bone near the knee joint is touched by the contact member 7 of the probe body 1 of the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment, so that the bone near the joint is The mechanical properties of the synovium covering the surface can be measured, and the knee joint can be diagnosed.
Therefore, the intracorporeal palpation apparatus of the present embodiment is particularly advantageous in that the mechanical characteristics of relatively hard living tissues such as bone, cartilage, and synovium can be measured with high accuracy.

FIG. 19 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. This is the first embodiment (FIGS.
The configuration of the probe main body 1 of the body examination device in (5) is partially changed. That is, in the present embodiment, the first
In place of the piezoelectric ceramic vibrator 6 of the probe main body 1 of the embodiment, a multilayer piezoelectric ceramic vibrator 72 in which a plurality of piezoelectric ceramics 71 are stacked in the axial direction of the probe main body 1 is provided. is there.

Further, a vibration detecting element 73 made of a film-shaped bimorph vibrator is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vibrator 72 made of a laminated piezoelectric ceramic, instead of the vibration detecting element 8 made of the piezoelectric ceramic of the first embodiment. It is stuck. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted here.

Therefore, the internal palpation apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration has the following effects. That is, since the probe main body 1 is provided with the vibrator 72 made of a laminated piezoelectric ceramic, it is possible to obtain a large amplitude with respect to the input voltage in spite of its small size.

Further, since the vibration detecting element 73 made of a film-shaped bimorph vibrator is provided, it is lightweight, and the space for accommodating the vibration detecting element 73 in the probe main body 1 can be reduced, and the probe main body can be reduced. The entire size can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, in addition to the same effect as the first embodiment, the operability of the probe main body 1 can be further improved because the entire probe main body 1 of the body examination apparatus is small and lightweight. The same effect can be obtained by using a PVDF film as the vibration detecting element 73.

FIG. 20 shows the eighth embodiment of the present invention. This is the seventh embodiment (FIG. 19).
The configuration of the probe main body 1 of the intracorporeal palpation device in (1) is further modified. That is, in the present embodiment, the seventh
Instead of the vibration detecting element 73 made of the film-shaped bimorph vibrator of the embodiment, the laminated piezoelectric ceramic 82 is integrally configured as a vibration detecting element via the insulating layer 81. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted here.

Therefore, the internal palpation apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration has the following effects. That is, since the laminated piezoelectric ceramic 82 is integrally formed with the vibrator 72 made of the laminated piezoelectric ceramic via the insulating layer 81, and the laminated piezoelectric ceramic in which the vibrator and the vibration detection element are integrated is provided,
Despite its small size, a large amplitude can be obtained with respect to the input voltage.

Further, in this embodiment, since the laminated piezoelectric ceramic 82 constituting the vibration detecting element is also integrated with the laminated piezoelectric ceramic vibrator 72 of the seventh embodiment, the entire probe main body 1 is integrated. Can be made smaller and lighter. Therefore, in addition to the same effect as the first embodiment, the operability of the probe main body 1 can be further improved because the entire probe main body 1 of the body examination apparatus is small and lightweight.

Further, FIG. 21 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention. This is the third embodiment (FIG. 15).
(A) to (C)) The configuration of the flexible probe main body 42 of the intracorporeal palpation device is partially modified.

In this embodiment, a substantially bottomed cylindrical holding member 91 made of a conductive metal is fitted into the tip opening of the insertion portion 41 of the probe body 42 made of the flexible tube of the third embodiment. It is installed in the state. The bottom plate 92 of the holding member 91 is provided with a piezoelectric ceramic plate-shaped vibrator 93 on the outer surface side and a piezoelectric ceramic plate-shaped vibration detection element 94 on the inner surface side. Here, electrodes made of a conductive material are provided on both sides of the plate of the vibrator 93, respectively. Similarly, electrodes made of a conductive material are provided on both sides of the plate of the vibration detecting element 94, respectively.

Further, on the outer surface side of the bottom plate 92 of the holding member 91, a contact member (touching member) 95 that comes into contact with the measured portion Y which is a living body tissue in the body and detects hardness is provided. It is attached so as to ensure insulation with the holding member 91.

Further, the holding member 91 is provided with a wiring insertion hole 96 for passing a wiring connected to the electrode on the outer surface side of the vibrator 93. The electrode (anode) on the outer surface side of the oscillator 93 is connected to the output side of the bandpass filter 12 via the wiring that is passed through the wiring insertion hole 96. Further, the electrode (cathode) on the inner surface side of the vibrator 93 connected to the bottom plate 92 of the holding member 91 and one electrode (cathode) of the vibration detection element 94 are grounded via the wiring connected to the holding member 91. ing. The other electrode (anode) of the vibration detecting element 94 is connected to the input side of the bandpass filter 12. Thereby, the vibration detection element 94 and the amplifier 1
1, the self-excited oscillation circuit 13 is formed by a feedback loop including the bandpass filter 12 and the oscillator 93.
Then, the vibration system 97 including the contact member 95, the holding member 91, the vibrator 93, and the vibration detection element 94 is oscillated in a resonance state by the self-excited oscillation circuit 13, and the contact member 95 is oscillated in a resonance state. It has become. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of the third embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted here.

Therefore, the internal palpation apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration has the following effects. That is, the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the third exemplary embodiment, and particularly the contact member 95, the holding member 91, the vibrator 93, and the vibration detection in the internal examination apparatus according to the present embodiment. Element 94
Since the vibration system 97 of the probe main body 42 that vibrates at the resonance frequency can be formed by a minute assembly component made of, the palpation section 43 at the tip of the probe main body 42 can be minutely configured. Therefore, the length of the hard palpation portion 43 arranged at the tip of the probe main body 42 can be shortened, so that the treatment instrument insertion channel 5 of the flexible endoscope device 50 can be shortened.
The insertability of the probe main body 42 when the insertion part 41 of the probe main body 42 is inserted into 1 improves.

FIG. 22 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention. This is the second embodiment (FIG. 1).
4 (A) to 4 (C)) is a partial modification of the configuration of the probe body 1 of the intracorporeal palpation apparatus.

That is, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the outer needle 32 arranged at the tip of the probe body 1 of the second embodiment is gradually reduced toward the tip. 10 narrowed tapered points
1 is provided. The contact needle 31 is held in a state where it does not come into contact with the tip opening of the tapered portion 101.

Therefore, the palpation device for an internal body of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration has the following effects. That is, the internal examination apparatus of the present embodiment can obtain the same effect as that of the second embodiment, and in particular, the tapered portion 10 of the outer needle 32 in the present embodiment.
Since the outer diameter of No. 1 is gradually reduced toward the distal end side, the outer needle 32 is easily punctured into the living tissue.

Furthermore, since the tapered portion 101 of the outer needle 32 is formed symmetrically with respect to the contact needle 31, the outer needle 32
The contact state of the contact needle 31 with the biological tissue can be stably maintained regardless of the puncture state of (3), and stable diagnosis can be performed. Further, since the gap between the tips of the outer needle 32 and the contact needle 31 can be narrowed, there is less possibility that foreign matter will be clogged between the outer needle 32 and the contact needle 31, and stable diagnosis can be performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may, of course, be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows.

(Additional Item 1) An internal palpation apparatus for detecting a mechanical characteristic of a biological tissue by detecting a change in the resonance state of the biological tissue when the object vibrating in resonance is brought into contact with the biological tissue. In the feedback loop that resonates and vibrates with the object to be brought into contact with a living tissue, the signal transmittance has a signal transmittance adjusting unit having a frequency range in which the signal continuously changes with respect to frequency,
The internal palpation apparatus, wherein the resonance frequency of the object is in a frequency range in which the signal transmittance of the signal transmittance adjusting means continuously changes with respect to the frequency.

(Additional Item 2) An object that is resonantly vibrated is
In a body palpation device that detects a change in the resonance frequency of the object when brought into contact with the biological tissue and obtains the mechanical characteristics of the biological tissue, in a feedback loop that resonates with the object brought into contact with the biological tissue. A signal transmittance adjusting means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency, wherein the resonance frequency of the object is the signal transmittance of the signal transmittance adjusting means with respect to the frequency. An intracorporeal palpation device characterized by being in a continuously changing frequency range.

(Additional Item 3) An object that resonates and vibrates,
In a body palpation device that detects a change in the resonance amplitude of the object when contacted with the biological tissue and obtains the mechanical characteristics of the biological tissue, in a feedback loop that resonates and vibrates the object contacted with the biological tissue. A signal transmittance adjusting means having a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency, wherein the resonance frequency of the object is the signal transmittance of the signal transmittance adjusting means with respect to the frequency. An intracorporeal palpation device characterized by being in a continuously changing frequency range.

(Additional Item 4) The body according to Additional Item 1, wherein the signal transmittance adjusting means is any one of a bandpass filter, a lowpass filter, a highpass filter, a notch filter, an integrating circuit, a differentiating circuit, and a peaking amplifier. Palpation device.

(Additional Item 5) The object in which the resonant vibration is brought into contact with the living body, the vibrator for converting electrical vibration into mechanical vibration, and the vibration for converting mechanical vibration into electrical vibration. An additional item 1 comprising a detection element and having the feedback loop for returning the output of the vibration detection element to the vibrator through the signal transmittance adjusting means.
Internal palpation device.

(Additional Item 6) Any one of a piezoelectric ceramic, a laminated piezoelectric ceramic, a PVDF, a magnetostrictive element, a bimorph oscillator, a crystal oscillator, and a SAW (comb type) can be used as the oscillator for converting the electrical vibration into the mechanical vibration. The internal examination apparatus according to appendix 5, characterized in that

(Additional Item 7) The vibration detecting element is a piezoelectric ceramic, a laminated piezoelectric ceramic, PVDF, a magnetostrictive element, a bimorph oscillator, a crystal oscillator, a SAW (comb shape),
6. The intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to additional item 5, wherein the intracorporeal palpation apparatus is any one of the above.

(Additional Item 8) An internal palpation apparatus according to Additional Item 5 is characterized in that it has amplifying means for amplifying the output of the vibration detecting element, and the output of the amplifying means is passed through the signal transmittance adjusting means. .

(Additional Item 9) A contactor for contacting a living tissue provided on the object vibrating in resonance, an insertion portion for inserting the contactor into a body cavity, and only the contactor is a living body. Cover means for covering the vibrating object so as to touch the tissue, and holding for holding the vibrating object so that the vibration of the resonant vibrating object is not transmitted to the insertion part and the cover means. The internal palpation apparatus according to appendix 1, further comprising: a means and a transmission means for transmitting a signal from a resonating and vibrating object to the outside of the body cavity.

(Additional Item 10) The internal examination apparatus according to Additional Item 9, wherein the insertion portion is made of a flexible member. (Additional Item 11) A contactor for contacting a living tissue, which is provided on the resonantly vibrating object, an endoscope device for observing a contact state of the tip of the contactor with the living tissue, and an endoscope. 2. The intracorporeal palpation apparatus according to appendix 1, further comprising a monitor that simultaneously displays an image of the apparatus and a change in the resonance state of the object that vibrates in resonance.

(Additional Item 12) A contact needle for contacting a biological tissue, which is provided at the resonantly vibrating object, with its tip, a hollow outer needle for puncturing the biological tissue, and the contact needle in a body cavity. An insertion part for insertion, a cover means for covering the object that is resonantly vibrating so that only the tip of the contact needle comes into contact with living tissue, and vibration of the object that is resonantly vibrating is the insertion part and the cover. Holding means for holding the resonatingly vibrating object so as not to be transmitted to the means, and transmitting means for transmitting a signal from the resonatingly vibrating object outside the body cavity, wherein the contact needle is inside the outer needle. The palpation device in appendix 1, wherein the tip of the contact needle is provided so as to slightly project from the tip of the outer needle.

(Additional Item 13) The additional item 12 is characterized in that the outer diameter of the outer needle decreases as it approaches the tip.
Internal palpation device. (Additional Item 14) A contactor that comes into contact with a living tissue, an insertion portion for inserting the contactor into a body cavity, and a plate-like pedestal that holds and fixes a part or all of a peripheral portion of the insertion portion. A plate-shaped vibrator fixed to one surface of the pedestal for vibrating the contactor, and vibration detection means for detecting vibration by the vibrator fixed to the other surface of the pedestal The in-patient palpation apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the contactor is fixed to the vibrator, the pedestal, or the vibration detecting means.

[0129]

According to the present invention, the resonance frequency of the vibration system including at least the palpation member and the vibrator of the internal palpation means for contacting the biological tissue in the body to obtain the mechanical characteristics of the biological tissue is set so that the palpation member resonates. Since the signal transmissivity of the signal transmissivity adjusting means interposed in the vibrating feedback loop is set in the frequency region where the frequency continuously changes with respect to the frequency, the mechanical characteristics of the tissue inside the living body can be detected with high accuracy. It is possible to provide a body palpation device that can be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a usage state of an internal palpation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire body palpation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency characteristics of a vibration system and a bandpass filter according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a main part showing a palpation operation state of lung tissue by the intracorporeal palpation device according to the first embodiment; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a change state of the output of the device with respect to the moving position of the palpation member.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a screen display of a monitor.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of the screen display of the monitor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a piezoelectric element used to explain the principle of hardness measurement by an internal palpation device.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between an input wave and an output wave of an electric signal passing through a piezoelectric element.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a low-pass filter is connected to an output terminal of a piezoelectric element.

10 is a characteristic diagram showing a measurement result of measuring frequency characteristics of input and output of the piezoelectric element of FIG.

11 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency characteristics when a soft substance is brought into contact with the piezoelectric element of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency dependence of equations (4) and (5).

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency dependence of equations (6) and (7).

FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
(A) is a side view showing a partial cross-section of a main part of the body palpation device, (B) is an explanatory view for explaining a palpation operation state in the body according to the present embodiment, and (C) is a biological tissue. The characteristic view which shows the relationship between the puncture depth position by the palpation member punctured from the surface, and hardness data.

FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the present invention,
(A) is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire body palpation device, (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the body palpation device according to the present embodiment, and (C) is a palpation operation state in the body according to the present embodiment. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire body palpation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency characteristics of a vibration system and a low-pass filter of a body examination device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a characteristic diagram showing frequency characteristics of a vibration system and a high-pass filter of the intracorporeal palpation device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of an intracorporeal palpation device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of an intracorporeal palpation device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration of a body examination device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing a partial cross-section of the structure of the essential parts of the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

6, 45, 72, 93 ... Transducer, 7, 46, 95 ... Contact member (palpation member), 12 ... Bandpass filter (signal transmittance adjusting means), 13 ... Self-oscillation circuit, 15 ... Controller (palpation in body) Means), 31 ... Contact needle (palpating member).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A palpation member for contacting a living tissue in the body, a vibrator for vibrating the palpation member in a resonance state by a self-oscillation circuit by a feedback loop, and a feedback loop for resonantly vibrating the palpation member. A signal transmittance adjusting unit that is provided and has a frequency region in which the signal transmittance continuously changes with respect to frequency, and the palpation member when the palpation member that resonates and vibrates is brought into contact with biological tissue in the body. A body internal palpation means for detecting a change in a resonance state to obtain a mechanical characteristic of the biological tissue, and a resonance frequency of a vibrating system including at least the palpation member and the vibrator, the signal transmittance adjusting means An intracorporeal palpation device characterized in that the signal transmittance is set in a frequency region in which it continuously changes with respect to frequency.