JP3889869B2 - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe that is inserted into a body cavity via a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope and performs ultrasonic examination, and more particularly, is an ultrasonic probe that is guided to an examination site via a guide wire.
[0002]
[Prior art]
By inserting an elongated endoscope insertion part into a body cavity, the internal organs of the body cavity are observed, and a treatment tool is provided in a treatment instrument channel (hereinafter also simply referred to as a channel) provided in the insertion part as necessary. Endoscopes that can be used for various treatments and treatments are widely used. Further, in an endoscope having a channel, ultrasonic diagnosis can be performed by inserting an ultrasonic probe through the channel of the endoscope. In this case, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the channel and guided into the body cavity, and an ultrasound image obtained by scanning the ultrasound transducer is observed to perform ultrasound diagnosis.
[0003]
The ultrasonic probe may be an ultrasonic probe that obtains an ultrasonic image in a lateral direction with respect to the insertion axis by directing an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface in a direction orthogonal to the insertion axis direction, or an ultrasonic wave in the insertion axis direction. For example, an ultrasonic image with respect to the front direction of the insertion axis is obtained by directing the transmission / reception surface.
[0004]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-70403 discloses that a flexible portion between a rigid portion including a vibrator on the distal end side and an elastic member at the distal end of the catheter is improved in flexibility and flexibility, and is inserted into a body cavity. An exterior shaft, a drive shaft that is inserted into the exterior shaft and transmits a mechanical drive force from the proximal end side to the distal end side, and an ultrasonic vibrator, and is located inside the distal end side of the exterior shaft And a housing fixed to the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable by an external drive source, and the exterior shaft has a coil-shaped first elastic member at the tip. And an ultrasonic catheter in which the housing includes a second elastic member extending toward a distal end side of the catheter at a distal end portion, and a distal end of the second elastic member is located in the first elastic member. To have.
[0005]
In addition, the applicant of the present application, in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239115, has a small amount of insertion force and is configured to be inserted into a forceps channel of an endoscope in order to shorten the length from the ultrasonic scanning surface to the probe tip. In an ultrasonic probe in which an ultrasonic probe is provided at the tip of the insertion portion having a hard portion and a guide wire lumen is formed, the central axis of the hard portion is inclined with respect to the central axis of the insertion portion. In addition, an ultrasonic probe is proposed in which a bulging portion is formed on a side portion of a hard portion and the guide wire lumen is formed on the bulging portion.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the ultrasonic probe proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239115, when the ultrasonic probe 100 is inserted to the target site with the guide wire 200 guided as shown in FIG. In the bent state, the guide wire 200 is caught by the guide wire lumen 102 of the distal tip 101 of the ultrasonic probe 100, and between the distal tip 101 and the housing 103 in which the ultrasonic transducer is disposed. There is a possibility that the sheath 104 may be broken by bending the clearance portion 105 due to bending force.
[0007]
In addition, when the ultrasonic probe disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239115 is combined with the ultrasonic catheter disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-70403, a coil-shaped member is inserted into the distal end of the sheath constituting the ultrasonic probe. In addition, by attaching an elastic member extending toward the sheath distal end to the distal end of the housing and disposing the distal end of the elastic member in the coil, it is possible to eliminate the folding at the clearance portion. There is a problem that the number of parts increases and the structure becomes complicated.
[0008]
Further, depending on the temperature change and the shape of the part to be inserted, there is a possibility that rotation failure may occur due to a change in the relative position between the sheath and the rotating member disposed in the sheath. Further, in order to eliminate this rotation failure, a certain amount of clearance is required between the sheath and the elastic member (although not described in the specification, it is apparently the above-described configuration when viewed in each drawing). Therefore, if the distance from the vibrator to the lumen member for guiding the guide wire becomes long and there is a stenosis or the like, it becomes difficult to insert the target portion.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe having a guide wire guiding lumen that has a simple structure, good insertability, and does not break.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, an ultrasonic transducer is provided in a sheath sealed by a sealing portion provided at the distal end of a flexible sheath, by providing a clearance portion having a predetermined gap from the rear end of the sealing portion. And an ultrasonic probe that is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium, is inserted into a body cavity through a channel of an endoscope, and obtains an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic transducer,
A guide wire guide portion for inserting a guide wire into the distal end portion of the flexible sheath is provided, and the hardness of the distal end side of the guide wire guide portion is formed to be harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath. The rear end side is softer than the flexible sheath.
[0011]
According to this configuration, when an ultrasonic probe is inserted into a tortuous lumen using a guide wire inserted through the guide wire guide portion as a guide, the guide wire guide portion having a change in flexibility becomes a guide wire. Turn along. At this time, since the hardness of the distal end side of the guide wire guide part is configured to be harder than the hardness of the sheath, the guide wire and the guide wire guide part are held substantially coaxially. Is less likely to get caught in the guide wire guide. On the other hand, in the unlikely event that the guide wire is caught by the guide wire guide portion and the amount of insertion force increases, the sheath where the rear end side of the guide wire guide portion configured to be softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath is located in the vicinity of the clearance portion Deforms before starting to deform.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a configuration of a tip portion of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of this embodiment.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment has a connector part 2 that is mechanically and electrically detachable from a drive part (not shown), and one end part integrally connected to the connector part 2. For example, a flexible flexible sheath (hereinafter also simply referred to as a sheath) 3a formed of a blend material in which high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene are mixed at a mixing ratio of 1: 1 is extended from the connector portion 2. It is mainly composed of an elongated and flexible insertion portion 3 covering the shaft 4 and a distal end portion 5 incorporating an ultrasonic transducer 7 provided at the other end of the insertion portion 3. The ultrasonic transducer 7 is fixed to a housing 6 provided at the tip of the flexible shaft 4. The ultrasonic transducer 7 is rotated by a driving force transmitted through the connector portion 2 and the flexible shaft 4, and an electrical signal transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer 7 is transmitted through the connector portion 2. It has come to be.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the housing 6 is integrally fixed to the distal end of the flexible shaft 4 by soldering, welding, bonding, or the like. The ultrasonic transducer 7 fixed to the housing 6 includes a backing material, a piezoelectric body, and an acoustic lens. The transmission and reception of signals to the ultrasonic transducer 7 are performed via a coaxial cable (not shown) inserted through the flexible shaft 4 and the housing 6. The ultrasonic transducer 7, the housing 6, the flexible shaft 4, and the coaxial cable are covered with the sheath 3a.
[0015]
A hard tip 10 made of stainless steel or the like is provided at the tip of the sheath 3a, and this tip 10 is integrally fixed to the sheath 3a by thread winding adhesion. A clearance portion 12 is provided between the rear end surface 11 of the front end chip 10 and the front end surface 8 of the housing 6. The sheath 3a is filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium 9 such as water.
[0016]
A bulging portion 13 is provided on the distal end side of the distal tip 10, and a hole 15 constituting a guide wire guide portion 14 is formed in the bulging portion 13. One end portion of the lumen pipe 16 constituting the guide wire guide portion 14 is fitted into the hole portion 15 and fixed integrally by a method such as adhesion. At this time, the central axis of the lumen pipe 16 and the central axis of the hole 15 are fixed so as to be coaxial.
[0017]
The central axis of the guide wire guide portion 14 formed by fitting the lumen pipe 16 into the hole portion 15 is inclined at about 6 ° with respect to the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 3. Crossed. As a result, the guide wire guide portion 14 is located in a plane including the central axis of the insertion portion 3.
[0018]
The lumen pipe 16 fixed in the hole 15 has a high density on the distal end side of the lumen pipe 16 so that the hardness from the hardness of the sheath 3a becomes softer as it goes from the distal end side to the rear end side. It is made of polyethylene and the rear end side is made of low density polyethylene. Then, the mixing ratio of the high-density polyethylene and the low-density polyethylene is changed continuously or stepwise as the intermediate portion moves from the front end side to the rear end side so as to change from a hard state to a soft state.
[0019]
The other end of the lumen pipe 16 is provided with an oblique hole 17 that is cut in an oblique manner so as to satisfy the following expression (1) and has a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the hole 15 on the distal end side. .
[0020]
D + L≈d1 + d2 (1)
Note that D is the outer diameter of the connecting portion between the tip 10 and the sheath 3a, L is the amount of protrusion to the side of the lumen pipe, d1 is the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3, and d2 is The outer diameter of the guide wire.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer 7 is a mechanical radial method, but the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is not limited to the mechanical radial method, and for example, an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic A linear or mechanical linear system may be used.
[0022]
The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1 configured as described above will be described.
In advance, the ultrasonic probe 1 is guided to the target site with the guide wire 200 inserted into the body cavity as a guide. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, when the guide wire guide portion 14 passes through a curved portion of the guide wire 200, the lumen pipe 16 formed so that the hardness becomes softer from the front end side to the rear end side. While the guide wire 200 is curved along the guide wire 200, the guide wire 200 inserted through the hard hole 15 at the distal end portion of the guide wire guide 14 and the hole 15 are kept coaxial.
[0023]
As a result, the guide wire 200 is less likely to be caught by the distal end portion of the guide wire guide portion 14, and the force for the guide wire 200 to be caught by the distal end portion of the guide wire guide portion 14 to insert the ultrasonic probe should be reduced. In the case of increasing, the rear end side formed softer than the hardness of the sheath 3a of the lumen pipe 16 is deformed before the sheath 3a in the vicinity of the clearance portion 12 having the weakest strength in the sheath 3a on the front end side. Thus, the force to deform the sheath 3a in the vicinity of the clearance portion 12 is absorbed. For this reason, the ultrasonic probe 1 is smoothly inserted to the target site using the guide wire 200 as a guide in a state where the force for deforming the sheath 3a in the vicinity of the clearance portion 12 is difficult to work.
[0024]
As described above, the guide wire guide portion is configured by the hole portion formed in the bulging portion of the tip and the lumen pipe fixed to the hole portion, while the hardness of the lumen pipe is determined by the hardness of the flexible sheath on the tip side. The guide wire is formed so as to be softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath on the rear end side, and gradually changes from a hard state to a soft state in the middle portion from the front end side to the rear end side. When guiding the ultrasonic probe to the target site using the guide as a guide, the lumen pipe is deformed according to the bending state of the guide wire, so that the center axis of the guide wire guide portion and the center of the guide wire passing through the guide wire guide portion are The shaft is held coaxially, and the guide wire can be smoothly inserted into the body cavity without being caught by the distal end portion of the guide wire guide portion.
[0025]
Also, if the guide wire gets caught at the tip of the guide wire guide and the amount of insertion force increases, the rear end of the lumen pipe that is formed softer than the hardness of the sheath is ahead of the sheath near the clearance. It is possible to prevent the sheath near the clearance portion from breaking by absorbing the force that deforms and deforms the vicinity of the clearance portion. This eliminates damage near the clearance.
[0026]
Further, the central axis of the guide wire guide part is made to intersect with the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion part at an inclination angle of about 6 ° and arranged in a plane including the central axis of the insertion part. As a result, the insertion operation of the ultrasonic probe into the body cavity can be easily performed.
[0027]
4 and 5 relate to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing another configuration of the tip of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 5 explains the operation of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the tip 10 is provided at the tip of the sheath 3a in the first embodiment, the hole 15 provided in the bulging portion 13 of the tip 10 and the hole 15 A lumen member 21 is used in place of the guide wire guide portion 14 constituted by the lumen pipe 16 which becomes softer from the hardness of the sheath 3a as the hardness fixed to the rear end side increases from the front end side to the rear end side. The guide wire guide portion 14A is configured. The lumen member 21 and the sheath 20 are formed by integral molding. In the sheath 20, a clearance portion 12 located in front of the front end surface 8 of the housing 6 is provided.
[0029]
The lumen member 21 serving as the guide wire guide portion 14A includes a straight tip portion 22 formed of high density polyethylene, a guide wire introduction portion 23 formed of low density polyethylene, and a blend of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene. It consists of three parts with a sheath connection part 24 formed of a material. The sheath 20 is made of a blend material of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene. Accordingly, the lumen member 21 is configured to change from a state harder than the hardness of the sheath 20 to a softer state as it goes from the front end side to the rear end side.
[0030]
The distal straight portion 22 is provided with a lumen coaxial with the sheath 20, and the guide wire introducing portion 23 has substantially the same shape as the lumen provided on the distal straight portion 22, and the lumen of the distal straight portion 22. There is a lumen that communicates with On the rear end side of the lumen provided in the guide wire introducing portion 23, an oblique hole 17 which is largely cut obliquely and formed to have a diameter larger than the inner diameter dimension of the opening 22a of the distal straight portion 22 is an outer periphery of the sheath 20. An opening is provided on the surface side. In this modification, the central axis of the lumen of the guide wire introducing portion 23 intersects the central axis of the lumen provided in the distal straight portion 22 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0031]
The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1A configured as described above will be described.
When the guide wire 200 inserted into the body cavity is guided to guide the ultrasonic probe 1A to the target site, when the guide wire 200 is curved as shown in FIG. 5, from the front end side to the rear end side. The lumen member 21 configured so as to change from a state harder than the hardness of the sheath 20 gradually becomes a shape along the guide wire 200, while the tip straight portion 22 having a high hardness and the tip end thereof. Since it bends while maintaining a coaxial state with the guide wire 200 inserted through the straight portion 22, the possibility of the guide wire 200 being caught at this portion is reduced. If the guide wire 200 is caught in this portion and the amount of insertion force of the ultrasonic probe 1A is increased, the guide wire introducing portion 23 is deformed before the sheath 20 in the vicinity of the clearance portion 12, and the clearance By absorbing the force that deforms the sheath 20 in the vicinity of the portion 12, the bending force applied to the clearance portion 12 is eliminated. Further, since the sheath 20 and the lumen member 21 are integrally formed, and the lumen is provided in the guide wire introducing portion 23 at an inclination angle of about 6 °, the guide protruding from the oblique hole 17 of the guide wire introducing portion 23 is provided. The wire 200 is disposed so as to be parallel to the sheath 20.
[0032]
Thus, the assembly operation can be greatly improved by forming the sheath and the lumen member by integral molding. In addition, since the guide wire is disposed in parallel with the ultrasonic transducer part, it is possible to easily attach the orientation of the ultrasonic image. As a result, the sniping ability to the lesioned portion is enhanced and the examination time can be shortened. Other operations and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0033]
6 to 9 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the distal end ring, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the ultrasonic probe of this embodiment.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 6A, a sealing portion 26 formed in a substantially spherical shape by thermal welding or the like is provided at the distal end portion of the sheath 25 constituting the ultrasonic probe 1B of the present embodiment. A tip ring 27 that constitutes the first guide wire guide portion shown in FIG. Further, a rear ring 28 constituting the second guide wire guide portion shown in FIG. 5C is integrally fixed to the sheath thick portion 25a in the vicinity of the housing 6 of the flexible shaft 4 inserted through the sheath 25. ing. Reference numeral 19 denotes a coaxial cable that passes through the flexible shaft 4 that transmits and receives signals to the ultrasonic transducer 7.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tip ring 27 is formed by providing a circular portion 29 on a single thin metal plate and folding it 180 °. Is set to a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the guide wire to be inserted. Further, when the metal plate is folded back, molten resin flows when heat is applied to form the sealing portion 26 so that the tip ring 27 is integrated with the sealing portion 26. Opposing through-holes 31 are formed to be fixed to each other. 6B, when the tip ring 27 is integrally formed with the sealing portion 26, the buried portion 32 shown in FIG. 7 is buried in the sealing portion 26, and the protruding portion 33 is formed by the sealing portion 26. It protrudes.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the rear ring 28 is also formed by providing a small circular portion 34 and a large circular portion 35 on a single elongated metal plate, and folding back symmetrically in the same manner as the tip ring 27. Is. The small circular portion 34 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the guide wire to be inserted. The large circular portion 35 has an inner diameter dimension larger than the inner diameter dimension of the sheath 25 to be disposed, and the outer diameter dimension of the large circular portion 35 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the sheath 25 to be disposed. Further, the large circular portion 35 is formed with an opposing through hole 36 for fixing the rear ring 28 to the sheath 25 integrally by allowing the resin to flow when the rear ring 28 is integrally formed with the sheath 25. . 6C, when the rear ring 28 is integrally formed with the sheath 25, the buried portion 37 shown in FIG. 8 is buried in the sheath 25, and the protruding portion 38 protrudes from the sheath 25.
[0037]
The central axis of the circular portion 29 of the tip ring 27 provided on the sheath 25 and the central axis of the small circular portion 34 of the rear ring 28 are coaxial so that the ultrasonic probe can be smoothly inserted, and the sheath It lies in a plane that includes 25 longitudinal central axes. In this embodiment, the mechanical radial method is shown as the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer. However, the scanning method is not limited to the mechanical radial method. For example, the electronic radial method, the electronic sector, the electronic linear method, and the mechanical linear method are used. Etc. Furthermore, the structure which attaches the back ring 28 provided only one by the side of the hand side of the sheath 25 may be sufficient. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0038]
The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1B configured as described above will be described.
When the ultrasonic probe 1B is inserted to the target site using the guide wire 200 as a guide, if the guide wire 200 is bent as shown in FIG. 9, the bending force from the guide wire 200 is When the flexible shaft 4 is received by the rear ring 28 as a reinforcing member, the guide wire 200 disposed between the tip ring 27 and the rear ring 28 is in a straight state along the sheath 25. This prevents a bending force from acting on the sheath 25 in the vicinity of the clearance portion 12 provided between the distal end surface 8 of the housing 6 and the sealing portion 26 of the sheath 25.
[0039]
Further, when the ultrasonic probe 1B is inserted, even when the guide wire 200 is caught on the distal end ring 27, the rear ring 28 is moved before the bending force acting on the flexible sheath 25 of the ultrasonic probe 1B increases. Due to the bending force, the flexible sheath between the tip ring 27 and the rear ring 28 does not break.
[0040]
In this way, the guide wire guide part is a tip ring that serves as a first guide wire guide part provided in the sealing part of the sheath, and a rear ring that serves as a second guide wire guide part provided in the vicinity of the housing of the sheath. When the ultrasonic probe is guided to the bent portion of the guide wire via these guide wire guide portions, it is possible to prevent a bending force from acting on the sheath in the vicinity of the clearance. . In addition, since the elongated metal plate is formed in a ring shape and provided integrally with the sheath, the guide wire guide portion can be manufactured easily. Furthermore, the insertion property of the ultrasonic probe can be further improved by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of rear rings are attached to the sheath. Other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.
[0041]
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first modification of the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the ultrasonic probe 1C according to the present modification has a first ring 27 and a rear ring 28 that are integrally formed with the sheath 25 as shown in FIG. A hard tip chip 40 having a first through hole 46 serving as a first guide wire guide portion provided in the bulging portion 45 is fixed to the distal end of the sheath 42 by thread winding bonding, and a second guide wire guide portion is formed as a second guide wire guide portion. A rear lumen member 41 provided with a through-hole 48 is attached to the vicinity of the housing 6 fixed to the flexible shaft 4 inserted through the flexible sheath 42 by adhesion or the like. The central axis of the first through hole 46 intersects with the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 3 at an inclination angle of about 6 °.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 4B, the rear lumen member 41 has a disk-shaped member in which a sheath fixing hole 47 and a second through hole 48 are opened, and a sheath 42 is formed in the sheath fixing hole 47. Are fitted and fixed.
[0043]
A clearance portion 12 is provided between the rear end portion 43 of the front end chip 40 and the front end surface 8 of the housing 6. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0044]
In this way, the sheath provided with the first guide wire guide part and the lumen provided with the second guide wire guide part are configured as separate parts, and these parts are generally bonded or wound. Since it is integrally assembled by bonding, this configuration can be realized relatively easily. In addition, since the first through hole is provided at the distal end of the sheath and the central axis of the first through hole is inclined with respect to the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction, Insertability is good. Other effects are the same as those of the second embodiment.
[0045]
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the ultrasonic probe 1D according to the present modification has a first ring 27 and a rear ring 28 that are integrally formed with the sheath 25 as shown in the second embodiment. A distal lumen portion 50 provided with a through hole 50a serving as one guide wire guide portion and a rear lumen portion 51 provided with a second lumen 56 serving as a second guide wire guide portion are formed of the same material as the sheath 49. is there.
[0046]
That is, as shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the sheath 49 constituting the insertion portion 3 of the ultrasonic probe 1D and the distal lumen portion 50 constituting the distal end portion 5 are integrally formed of the same material. A clearance 12 is provided on the front end surface 8 of the housing 6.
[0047]
The distal lumen portion 50 includes a guide wire introducing portion 53 and a sheath connecting portion 54, and the sheath connecting portion 54 is integrally connected to the sheath 49. The central axis of the through hole 50a through which the guide wire formed in the guide wire introducing portion 53 is inserted intersects the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 3 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. is doing.
[0048]
Further, the rear lumen portion 51 provided with the second lumen 56 is formed of the same material as the sheath 49, and in the vicinity where the housing 6 fixed to the flexible shaft 4 passing through the sheath 49 is disposed. Projects to the outer peripheral surface. As shown in FIG. 5B, the rear lumen portion 52 has a double lumen structure, and is provided with a first lumen 55 into which the flexible shaft 4 is inserted and a second lumen 56 into which the guide wire is inserted. . Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0049]
As described above, the rear lumen portion provided with the distal lumen portion 50 provided with the through-hole serving as the first guide wire guide portion provided before and after the ultrasonic transducer and the second lumen serving as the second guide wire guide portion. 51 is made of the same material as the sheath, so that the sheath can be formed easily. This improves the assembly of the ultrasonic probe. Other effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.
[0050]
FIGS. 12 and 13 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of this embodiment. is there.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 12, in the ultrasonic probe 1E of the present embodiment, a hard tip 58 having a bulging portion 59 provided on the tip side portion is fixed to the tip of a flexible sheath 57 by pincushion bonding. . The bulging portion 59 is provided with a guide wire guiding hole 60 having a central axis that intersects the central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 3 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. Further, a cylindrical recess 61 having a substantially spherical bottom surface 62 is provided at the rear end portion of the tip tip 58 with respect to the flexible shaft 4.
[0052]
On the other hand, on the distal end side of the housing 63 to which the ultrasonic transducer 7 is fixed, a convex portion 64 is provided which is coaxial with the flexible shaft 4 and has a substantially spherical distal end portion 65 and a cylindrical shape. The front end portion 65 of the convex portion 64 is arranged with an overlap portion 67 having a predetermined distance in the concave portion 61, and at this time, between the front end portion 65 and the bottom surface 62. A clearance portion 66 having a predetermined gap is provided.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the length dimension of the overlap part 67 of the convex part 64 and the concave part 61 is L, the inner diameter dimension of the concave part 61 is φA, the outer diameter dimension of the convex part 64 is φB, and the tip part is bent. When the maximum bending angle at which the convex portion 64 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 61 is θ, the following equation is established.
[0054]
θ = tan −1 ((A−B) / 2L) (2)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, when θ = 30 °, the value of θ is set so that the convex portion 64 does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 61 and bend further. However, the value of θ only needs to be set smaller than an angle at which the sheath 57 may be bent by bending. In this embodiment, the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is a mechanical radial method. However, the scanning method is not limited to the mechanical radial method. For example, an electronic radial method, an electronic sector, an electronic linear method, a mechanical linear method, etc. Good. The distal tip 58 may be an elastic member that is harder than the sheath 57.
[0055]
The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1E configured as described above will be described.
When the ultrasonic probe 1E is inserted to the target site using the guide wire 200 as a guide, when the guide wire 200 is bent as shown in FIG. 13, the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe 1E guided to the guide wire 200 is guided. 5 is bent with respect to the sheath 57. At this time, in the present embodiment, when the distal end portion 5 is bent by 30 ° in advance, the sheath 57 is bent because the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61 are set so as not to be bent by being contacted with each other. Prior to bending at an angle, the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61 are in contact with each other to prevent the sheath 57 from being broken.
[0056]
When the ultrasonic transducer 7 is rotated and scanned with the distal end portion 5 bent by 30 °, the convex portion 64 of the housing 63 and the concave portion 61 of the distal end tip 58 are rotated at two points. At this time, it is unlikely that the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 7 is hindered by the contact between the convex portion 64 and the concave portion 61.
[0057]
In addition, when performing ultrasonic scanning with the front-end | tip part 5 of the said ultrasonic probe 1E straight, the said convex part 64 and the said recessed part 61 rotate in a non-contact state. Further, even when the relative position between the sheath 57 and the ultrasonic transducer 7 changes due to temperature change or bending of the flexible sheath 57, the gap between the concave portion 61 of the distal tip 58 and the convex portion 64 of the housing 63 is changed. Since the clearance part 66 is provided, the said recessed part 61 and the convex part 64 do not contact | abut.
[0058]
As described above, when the distal end portion is bent at a predetermined angle, the concave portion provided on the distal end chip constituting the distal end portion and the convex portion provided on the housing come into contact with each other and bend further and become an angle at which the sheath is bent. This can be prevented. As a result, even when the ultrasonic probe is inserted using the guide wire as a guide in the bent portion of the guide wire, the sheath does not break due to the force acting on the weak portion of the sheath. Further, the tip hard length can be shortened by forming the tip with an elastic member harder than the sheath.
[0059]
In this embodiment, a concave portion is provided on the rear end side of the tip and a convex portion is provided on the front end side of the housing. However, a convex portion is provided on the rear end side of the tip and provided on the front end side of the housing. You may make it provide a recessed part.
[0060]
14 and 15 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment. is there.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 14, the ultrasonic probe 1F of the present embodiment is formed by forming the lumen member 68 and the sheath 69 from the same material. That is, as shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the sheath 69 constituting the insertion portion 3 of the ultrasonic probe 1F and the lumen portion 68 constituting the distal end portion 5 are formed of the same material. A clearance 12 is provided on the front end surface 8 of the housing 6.
[0062]
The lumen member 68 is composed of three parts: a distal straight part 72, a guide wire introducing part 73, and a sheath connecting part 74. The distal straight portion 72 is provided with a lumen coaxial with the sheath 69, and the guide wire introducing portion 73 has substantially the same shape as the lumen provided in the distal straight portion 72 and communicates with the lumen of the distal straight portion 72. A lumen is provided. On the rear end side of the guide wire introducing portion 73, a proximal opening 76 of a cut end cut at a predetermined angle is formed. The proximal opening 76 is formed so as to be positioned between the distal end surface 8 of the housing 6 disposed in the sheath 69 and the vibrator 7 fixed to the housing 6, and the proximal opening 76. The distance L from the end face to the vibrator 7 is set to be larger than the gap of the clearance portion 12.
[0063]
Note that the central axis of the lumen of the guide wire introducing portion 73 intersects the central axis of the lumen provided in the distal straight portion 72 at an inclination angle of about 6 °. The lumen member 68 is formed of a material that is more flexible than the hardness of the sheath 69. Further, in this embodiment, the mechanical radial method is shown as the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer, but the scanning method is not limited to the mechanical radial method, and for example, electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical linear A system etc. may be sufficient.
[0064]
The operation of the ultrasonic probe 1F configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 15, when the ultrasonic probe 1F is inserted to the target site with the guide wire 200 as a guide, the lumen member 68 bends along the guide wire 200 even if the guide wire 200 is bent. Since the coaxial state of the distal end surface of the straight portion 72 and the guide wire 200 is maintained, there is little possibility of being caught at this portion.
[0065]
Even if this portion is caught and the amount of force for inserting the ultrasonic probe 1F increases, the housing 70 disposed in the sheath 69 on the proximal opening 76 side of the guide wire introducing portion 73 serves as a reinforcing member. Therefore, the sheath 69 is prevented from being broken at this portion.
[0066]
Further, since the guide wire introducing portion 73 of the lumen member 68 serves as a reinforcing portion for the sheath 69 in the vicinity of the clearance portion 71 that is weakest against the bending of the sheath 69, the sheath 69 is prevented from being broken at this portion.
[0067]
In this way, by forming the sheath and the lumen member by integral molding, the guide wire introducing portion constituting the housing and lumen member arranged in the sheath is a reinforcing portion that receives the force acting on the weak portion of the sheath, It is possible to prevent the sheath from being damaged when the ultrasonic probe is inserted using the bent guide wire as a guide. In addition, since the distance from the proximal opening end of the guide wire introducing portion to the vibrator is larger than the gap of the clearance portion, the ultrasonic vibrator 7 is bent by the temperature change or the flexible sheath 69 being bent. Even if the relative distance between the sheath 69 and the sheath 69 changes, the ultrasonic transducer 7 does not interfere with the guide wire introducing portion 73.
[0068]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0069]
[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0070]
(1) In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, an ultrasonic transducer is provided by providing a clearance portion with a predetermined gap from the rear end of the sealing portion. In an ultrasonic probe filled with a transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity through an endoscope channel, and obtaining an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic transducer,
Providing a guide wire guide for inserting a guide wire into the distal end of the flexible sheath;
The ultrasonic probe is configured such that the hardness of the guide wire guide portion on the tip side is harder than the hardness of the flexible sheath, and the hardness of the guide wire guide portion on the rear end side is softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath.
[0071]
(2) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 1, wherein a scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic linear, a mechanical radial, or a mechanical linear scanning method.
[0072]
(3) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 1, wherein the hardness of the guide wire guide portion becomes gradually softer from the front end side toward the rear end side.
[0073]
(4) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 1, wherein a central axis of the guide wire guide portion is inclined and intersects with a central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the flexible sheath.
As a result, the central axis of the guide wire guide portion is located in a plane including the central axis of the flexible sheath.
[0074]
(5) In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, a clearance portion having a predetermined gap is provided from the rear end of the sealing portion, and an ultrasonic transducer is disposed. In an ultrasonic probe filled with a transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity through an endoscope channel, and obtaining an ultrasonic image by scanning the ultrasonic transducer,
A first guide wire guide portion provided on the flexible sheath at a position closer to the distal end side than the ultrasonic transducer, and a second guide wire guide provided at a location near the proximal side of the ultrasonic transducer. And an ultrasonic probe.
[0075]
(6) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein a scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic linear, a mechanical radial, or a mechanical linear scanning method.
[0076]
(7) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the first or second guide wire guide portion is a ring-shaped member, and the ring-shaped member is integrally formed with a flexible sheath.
[0077]
(8) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein a plurality of the second guide wire guide portions are provided between a position near the proximal side of the ultrasonic transducer and a proximal side of the flexible sheath.
[0078]
(9) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the center axes of the first guide wire guide part and the second guide wire guide part are in a plane including the center axis of the flexible sheath.
(10) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 9, wherein a central axis of the first guide wire guide portion is inclined with respect to a central axis extending toward the distal end side in the insertion direction of the flexible sheath.
[0079]
(11) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the first guide wire guide is located at a distal end of a flexible sheath.
[0080]
(12) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 5, wherein the first guide wire guide portion or the second guide wire guide portion is made of the same material as the flexible sheath.
[0081]
(13) In the sheath sealed by the distal tip provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, an ultrasonic transducer is disposed by providing a clearance portion with a predetermined gap from the rear end of the sealing portion, and ultrasonic transmission is performed. In an ultrasound probe filled with a medium, inserted into a body cavity through an endoscope channel, and obtaining an ultrasound image by scanning the ultrasound transducer,
While providing a guide wire guide hole at the tip of the tip, a recess or projection extending in the axial direction of the flexible sheath is provided at the rear end of the tip.
The housing disposed in the flexible sheath includes a convex portion or a concave portion extending in the axial direction of the flexible sheath corresponding to the concave portion or the convex portion provided in the tip.
The ultrasonic probe which has the overlap part in which the recessed part or convex part of the said front-end | tip tip, and the convex part or recessed part of the said housing provided the clearance part.
[0082]
(14) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 13, wherein a scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is an electronic radial, an electronic sector, an electronic linear, a mechanical radial, or a mechanical linear scanning method.
[0083]
(15) The length dimension of the overlap between the convex part and the concave part is L, the inner diameter dimension of the concave part is φA, the outer diameter dimension of the convex part is φB, and the bending angle when the flexible sheath is folded is θ When
θ> tan −1 ((A−B) / 2L)
The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 13, wherein each value is set so that the above inequality is satisfied.
[0084]
(16) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 13, wherein the tip has a hardness that is higher than that of the flexible sheath.
[0085]
(17) In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, an ultrasonic vibrator is disposed by providing a clearance portion with a predetermined gap from the rear end of the sealing portion. In an ultrasound probe filled with a transmission medium, inserted into a body cavity using a guide wire inserted through a lumen, and obtaining an ultrasound image by scanning the ultrasound transducer,
An ultrasonic probe in which a proximal opening end of the lumen is positioned between a front end of a housing and a front end of an ultrasonic transducer.
[0086]
(18) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 17, wherein the scanning method of the ultrasonic transducer is an electronic radial, electronic sector, electronic linear, mechanical radial, or mechanical linear scanning method.
[0087]
(19) The ultrasonic probe according to appendix 17, wherein a distance from a tip of the ultrasonic transducer to a proximal opening end of the lumen is larger than a gap of the clearance portion.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe that has a guide wire lumen that has a simple structure, good insertability, and does not break.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of an ultrasonic probe
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment.
4 and 5 relate to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Enlarged view showing another configuration of the tip of the ultrasonic probe
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of FIG. 4;
6 to 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Enlarged view explaining the configuration of the tip of the ultrasonic probe
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a tip ring.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a rear ring.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the first modification of the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe according to the second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
12 and 13 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Enlarged view explaining the configuration of the tip of the ultrasonic probe
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment.
14 and 15 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Enlarged view explaining the configuration of the tip of the ultrasonic probe
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ultrasonic probe of the present embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic probe
[Explanation of symbols]
3a ... Sheath
5 ... Flexible shaft
6 ... Housing
7 ... Ultrasonic transducer
9 ... Ultrasonic transmission medium
12 ... Clearance section
14 ... Guide wire guide

Claims (1)

In the sheath sealed by the sealing portion provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath, a clearance portion having a predetermined gap from the rear end of the sealing portion is provided to dispose an ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic transmission medium is provided. In an ultrasound probe that is inserted into a body cavity through a filled endoscope channel and obtains an ultrasound image by scanning the ultrasound transducer,
Providing a guide wire guide for inserting a guide wire into the distal end of the flexible sheath;
The guide wire guide portion has a hardness on the front end side that is harder than that of the flexible sheath, and a hardness on the rear end side of the guide wire guide portion that is softer than the hardness of the flexible sheath. Ultrasonic probe.

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