JP4091353B2 - Ultrasound endoscope tip - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the distal end portion of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view thereof. An ultrasonic wave in which an ultrasonic probe 91 for sector scanning the side by an ultrasonic signal is arranged. A treatment instrument raising piece 92 for controlling the protruding direction of a treatment instrument such as a puncture needle in an ultrasonic scanning region U by the ultrasonic probe 91 is generally provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope. It is arranged on the same plane as A.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such a treatment instrument raising piece 92 is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the ultrasonic scanning region U by the ultrasonic probe 91.
[0004]
However, since the treatment tool raising piece 92 is formed of a hard material such as metal or ceramics to prevent wear, the ultrasonic signal leaked from the ultrasonic probe 91 to the outside of the ultrasonic scanning region U is treated by the treatment tool. In some cases, an artifact (noise image) 100 as shown in FIG. 5, for example, is generated in the ultrasonic tomographic image by being reflected by the end face of the rising piece 92 and the quality of the ultrasonic tomographic image is deteriorated.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope that can obtain a good ultrasonic tomographic image without generating an artifact even if an ultrasonic signal is reflected by a treatment tool raising piece. And
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic probe for scanning a side by an ultrasonic signal is disposed at the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope of the present invention, and in the ultrasonic scanning region by the ultrasonic probe. In the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope in which the treatment tool raising piece for controlling the protruding direction of the treatment tool is arranged on the same surface as the ultrasonic scanning surface, the treatment tool raising piece faces the ultrasonic scanning region of the treatment tool raising piece. The end surface on the side to be formed is formed in a slope shape that does not reflect the ultrasonic signal leaked from the ultrasonic probe in the direction of the ultrasonic probe.
[0007]
Note that the end surface of the treatment tool raising piece facing the ultrasonic scanning region may be formed in a slope shape inclined with respect to the ultrasonic scanning surface, and the treatment tool raising piece may be formed in the ultrasonic scanning region of the treatment tool raising piece. The facing end surface may be formed in a V shape that is convex toward the ultrasonic scanning region.
[0008]
Moreover, if the surface of the end surface of the treatment instrument raising piece facing the ultrasonic scanning region is formed in a mirror shape, irregular reflection of the ultrasonic signal on the end face of the treatment instrument raising piece is also suppressed.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a plan view of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the distal end portion of the distal end main body 2 connected to the distal end of the elongated flexible tubular insertion portion 1. A convex-type ultrasonic probe 3 for sector scanning the side is disposed on the side half 2a. However, the ultrasonic probe 3 may be a linear scan type or the like.
[0010]
An observation window 4 and an illumination window 5 are arranged side by side on a slope 10 formed obliquely forward in the rear half 2b of the distal end main body 2, and a treatment tool protrusion formed side by side is arranged. In the mouth 6, a treatment tool raising piece 7 for controlling the protruding direction of the treatment tool such as a puncture needle protruding from the treatment tool protrusion 6 into the ultrasonic scanning region U in the vertical direction is disposed. .
[0011]
The treatment instrument raising piece 7 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, for example, and is rotatably supported by the distal end body 2 by a support shaft 8. A guide groove 7a for guiding the treatment tool protruding from the treatment tool protrusion 6 is formed on the same surface as the ultrasonic scanning surface A on the center line in the drawing.
[0012]
As a result, when the operation wire 9 is advanced and retracted by remote operation from an operation unit (not shown), the treatment instrument raising piece 7 is rotated about the support shaft 8 and along the guide groove 7a. The protruding direction of the treatment instrument protruding into the ultrasonic scanning region U from the protruding port 6 can be changed in the ultrasonic scanning plane A.
[0013]
The distal end surface 7b facing the ultrasonic scanning region U side of the surface of the treatment instrument raising piece 7 has an apex on the same surface as the ultrasonic scanning surface A as shown in FIG. It is formed in a convex V shape on the scanning region U side, and is formed in a slope shape inclined with respect to the ultrasonic scanning surface A.
[0014]
As a result, the ultrasonic signal that leaks out of the ultrasonic scanning region U from the ultrasonic probe 3 and is reflected by the distal end surface 7b of the treatment instrument raising piece 7 is directed to the oblique side away from the ultrasonic probe 3. There is no artifact in the tomogram.
[0015]
In addition, the distal end surface 7b of the treatment instrument raising piece 7 is formed in a fine and mirror-like shape without irregularities, thereby reducing irregular reflection of the ultrasonic signal on the distal end surface 7b, thereby further suppressing the generation of artifacts. .
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the end surface of the treatment instrument raising piece facing the ultrasonic scanning region side is formed into a slope shape that does not reflect the ultrasonic signal leaked from the ultrasonic probe toward the ultrasonic probe. Even if the sound wave signal is reflected by the treatment tool raising piece, no artifact is generated in the ultrasonic tomographic image, and a good ultrasonic tomographic image can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a distal end portion of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope.
FIG. 4 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of a conventional ultrasonic endoscope.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state where an artifact is generated in an ultrasonic tomogram in a conventional ultrasonic endoscope.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 2 Tip part main body 3 Ultrasonic probe 7 Treatment tool raising piece 7a Guide groove 7b Tip surface (end surface)
A Ultrasonic scanning surface U Ultrasonic scanning area

Claims (2)

An ultrasonic probe for scanning a side by an ultrasonic signal is arranged, and a treatment instrument raising piece for controlling a protruding direction of the treatment instrument in an ultrasonic scanning region by the ultrasonic probe is ultrasonically scanned. At the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope placed on the same plane as the plane,
The end surface of the side facing to the ultrasonic scanning region of the treatment instrument elevator upper piece has an ultrasonic signal leaked from the ultrasonic probe so as not to reflect the direction of the ultrasonic probe, in the ultrasonic scanning region side A distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope having a convex V shape and a slope shape inclined with respect to the ultrasonic scanning surface . Tip of the ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 Symbol mounting surface of the end face on the side facing to the ultrasonic scanning region of the treatment instrument elevator upper piece are formed in a mirror-like.

Images