ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-156430 filed on Sep. 27, 2021, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in its entirety, into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope system, and in particular, to an ultrasonic endoscope system comprising a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope that is mounted on a distal end part of an insertion part of an ultrasonic endoscope.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the medical field, an ultrasonic endoscope is used. The ultrasonic endoscope disposes an imaging element and an ultrasound transducer integrally in a distal end part of an insertion part that is inserted into a body cavity of a subject. The ultrasound transducer emits an ultrasonic wave toward a site to be observed in the body cavity and receives an echo signal reflected from the site to be observed, and an electric signal depending on the received echo signal is output to an ultrasonic observation device. Then, the electric signal is subjected to various kinds of signal processing in the ultrasonic observation device, and is then displayed as an ultrasound tomographic image on a monitor or the like.

The ultrasonic wave and the echo signal are considerably attenuated in the air. For this reason, there is a need to interpose an ultrasonic wave transmission medium, such as water or oil, between the ultrasound transducer and the site to be observed. Accordingly, an expandable balloon is mounted on a distal end part of an ultrasonic endoscope, and the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is injected into the balloon to expand the balloon to be brought into contact with the site to be observed. As a result, air is eliminated from a region between the ultrasound transducer and the site to be observed, and the attenuation of the ultrasonic wave and of the echo signal is restrained.

As the balloon that is mounted on the distal end part of the insertion part, various balloons have been suggested. For example, JP2003-169804A discloses that an engaging groove formed on a rear surface side of a distal end of an insertion part in a scanning direction and a circumferential groove provided behind an ultrasound probe fix a balloon to a distal end part of the insertion part with an engaging protrusion and an O-ring provided in the balloon.

JP2004-254942A discloses that a balloon is mounted by putting the balloon on an oscillator and elastically engaging an elastic ring with an annular locking groove provided in the periphery of an oscillator from above the balloon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Since the insertion part of the ultrasonic endoscope is inserted into a subject for use, the balloon is required to be not detached in use. Here, in an endoscope that is used for a digestive tract, even though the balloon is detached, the balloon is discharged outside a body along with feces. Note that, in an endoscope for a bronchus, in a case where the balloon is detached, since the balloon is left in the bronchus and is not discharged outside the body, the balloon is further required to be hardly detached. Since a distal end part of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus described in JP2003-169804A is an engaging protrusion along an insertion and pull-out direction of an endoscope, force applied at the time of insertion and pull-out of the endoscope concentrates on the engaging protrusion, and the balloon may be detached. Even in an ultrasonic endoscope described in JP2004-254942A, the balloon may be detached. Since an ultrasound probe (oscillator) of the ultrasonic endoscope of JP2004-254942A has a rectangular shape, the groove is also formed in a rectangular shape. In a case where the groove is formed in a rectangular shape, since force is not applied evenly, it may be difficult to secure fluid-tightness.

The present invention has been accomplished in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic endoscope system that restrains falling of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope mounted on an ultrasonic endoscope.

To achieve the object of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic endoscope system according to the present invention comprising an ultrasonic endoscope including a distal end part body provided on a distal end side of an insertion part and an ultrasound transducer provided in the distal end part body, and a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope that covers an outside surface of an ultrasound transducer, in which the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has an opening portion that is provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the insertion part and that is attached to the distal end part body, and includes a swelling portion that covers an oscillator surface of the ultrasound transducer and stores an ultrasonic wave transmission medium inside to be swellable, and a fixing portion that is in close contact with and fixed to the distal end part body, and the distal end part body includes standing wall portions on both sides of the ultrasound transducer in a width direction that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and a direction parallel to a plane direction of the oscillator surface of the ultrasound transducer, and at least the fixing portion is in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions by contractile force of the fixing portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a width of the fixing portion of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope before being mounted on the distal end part body is smaller than a width of the distal end part body.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the distal end part body has groove portions in the standing wall portion or on a proximal end side of the ultrasound transducer, and the fixing portion of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has protrusion portions that are fitted into the groove portions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the groove portions are provided on surfaces on both sides of the ultrasound transducer.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the distal end part body has a stepped portion on a proximal end side with respect to the ultrasound transducer, and the fixing portion has a locking portion that is locked to the stepped portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the stepped portion is provided on a surface on an opposite side to the oscillator surface.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has a tapered portion that releases contact with a tissue inside a body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to restrain falling from the distal end part body.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the fixing portion includes a flat portion on a proximal end side of the swelling portion, and the distal end part body includes a treatment tool outlet port on a proximal end side with respect to the ultrasound transducer, and includes a plane portion with which the flat portion is in close contact, between the ultrasound transducer and the treatment tool outlet port.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the fixing portion includes a tube that communicates with an inside of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the tube is provided on a surface side opposite to the oscillator surface.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has at least a two-layer structure including an inner part and an outer part that covers the inner part, a storage portion that stores an ultrasonic wave transmission medium is provided between the inner part and the outer part, and the fixing portion is provided in the inner part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the fixing portion is in close contact with and fixed to the oscillator surface and a surface on an opposite side to the oscillator surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to restrain falling of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope mounted on an ultrasonic endoscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general view of an ultrasonic endoscope (endoscope).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distal end part body.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the distal end part body.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the distal end part body.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the distal end part body.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the distal end part body.

FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly diagram of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope in which a tube is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a flow of an ultrasonic wave transmission medium that is supplied to the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a state in which an oscillator surface region of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope is swollen.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope with the tube omitted, on the distal end part body.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a distal end part body on which the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope with the tube omitted is mounted, taken along an XZ plane.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the distal end part body on which the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope is mounted, taken along a YZ plane.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view as the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope with the tube omitted is viewed from a proximal end side.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope with a tube omitted of another embodiment on the distal end part body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an ultrasonic endoscope 1 that configures an ultrasonic endoscope system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Overall Configuration of Ultrasonic Endoscope

FIG. 1 is a general view of the ultrasonic endoscope 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as an “endoscope 1”) is used for collection or the like of a cellular tissue of a lesion part (an observation part, a test part, or an examination part can be used). In the present embodiment, description will be provided in connection with a lymph node of a bronchus as an example of a lesion part.

The endoscope 1 is configured with an operating part 10 that is gripped by a practitioner and that is used for various operations, an insertion part 12 that is inserted into a body of a patient, and a universal cord 14. The endoscope 1 is connected to system constituent devices that configure an endoscope system, such as a processor device, a light source device, and an ultrasonic observation device (not shown), through the universal cord 14.

The operating part 10 is provided with various operation members that are operated by the practitioner. For example, an angle lever 16, a suction button 22, and the like are provided.

The operating part 10 is provided with a treatment tool inlet port 24 through which a treatment tool is inserted into a treatment tool insertion channel 23 (see FIG. 3) that is inserted into the insertion part 12.

The insertion part 12 extends from a distal end of the operating part 10 and is formed in a small-diameter elongated shape as a whole. The insertion part 12 is configured with, in order from a proximal end side toward a distal end side, a soft part 30, a bendable part 32, and a distal end part body 34 as a distal end part.

The soft part 30 occupies most of the insertion part 12 from the proximal end side and has enough flexibility to be bent in any direction. In a case where the insertion part 12 is inserted into a body cavity, the soft part 30 is bent along an insertion path into the body cavity.

The bendable part 32 is bent in an up-down direction (A2 direction) by rotating the angle lever 16 of the operating part 10 in an Al direction. With the bending operation of the bendable part 32, the distal end part body 34 can be directed in a desired direction.

Though details will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 described below, the distal end part body 34 comprises an observation optical system 40 and illumination optical systems 44 that are provided to capture an observation image in a body, an ultrasound transducer 50 that acquires an ultrasound image, and a treatment tool outlet port 52 (hereinafter, referred to as an outlet port 52) from which the treatment tool inserted from the treatment tool inlet port 24 is led out.

The universal cord 14 includes a signal cable 54, a signal cable 56, and light guides 58 shown in FIG. 3 described below in detail. A connector is provided in an end portion (not shown) of the universal cord 14. The connector is connected to predetermined system constituent devices that configure the endoscope system, such as a processor device, a light source device, and an ultrasonic observation device. As a result, power, control signals, illumination light, and the like necessary for the operation of the endoscope 1 are supplied from the system constituent devices to the endoscope 1. A signal of the observation image acquired by the observation optical system 40 and a signal of the ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound transducer 50 are transmitted from the endoscope 1 to the system constituent devices. The signals transmitted to the system constituent devices are subjected to image processing, the observation image and the ultrasound image are displayed on a monitor, and the practitioner or the like can observe the images.

The configuration of the operating part 10 is not limited to the aspect shown in FIG. 1. A pair of angle knobs may be provided instead of the angle lever 16, and the bendable part 32 may be bent in the up-down direction and in a right-left direction by rotating a pair of angle knobs. An air/water supply button may be provided in the operating part 10, and gas, such as air, a liquid for cleaning, or the like may be supplied to the distal end part body 34 by operating the air/water supply button.

Configuration of Distal End Part Body

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the distal end part body 34 from which a puncture needle is led out. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the distal end part body 34.

Hereinafter, in describing the configuration of each part, a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system of an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis is used. A Z direction in the drawings is a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis 38 of the distal end part body 34 (insertion part 12). A Z(+) direction side of the Z direction in the drawings is a distal end side of the distal end part body 34, and a Z(−) direction side is a proximal end side of the distal end part body 34. The Z direction in the drawings corresponds to a first direction of the present invention. A Y direction in the drawings is perpendicular to the Z direction and is an up-down direction in each drawing in the present embodiment. A Y(+) direction side as one direction side of the Y direction is an up direction, and a Y(−) direction side as the other direction side opposite to the one direction side of the Y direction is a down direction. An X direction in the drawings is a direction perpendicular to both the Z direction and the Y direction and corresponds to a second direction of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal end part body 34 comprises, from the distal end side toward the proximal end side of the distal end part body 34, an ultrasonic attachment part 34a, an outlet port forming portion 34b, and a body part 34c (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The ultrasound transducer 50 is attached to the ultrasonic attachment part 34a in a posture tilted forward (inclined) to the Y(−) direction side with respect to the longitudinal axis 38 in a case where the distal end part body 34 is viewed from the X direction side. The ultrasound transducer 50 is a convex type that has an oscillator surface 51 on which ultrasound oscillators that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves are arranged in an arc shape along a direction of the longitudinal axis 38 (first direction). The ultrasound transducer 50 transmits ultrasonic waves from the oscillator surface 51 toward a living body and receives an ultrasound echo reflected by a living body tissue on the oscillator surface 51. A signal that generates an ultrasound image of a lymph node is acquired by the ultrasound transducer 50. The number of ultrasound oscillators that configure the ultrasound transducer 50 is not limited.

The outlet port forming portion 34b has an outlet port 52 for a treatment tool that is opened on the Y(+) direction side, and a substantially rectangular opening forming surface 71 parallel to an XZ plane in which the outlet port 52 is opened and along the Z direction (including the longitudinal axis 38; the same applies hereinafter). The opening forming surface 71 is a surface parallel to the XZ plane and along the Z direction, and configures a part of an outer peripheral surface of the distal end part body 34. In the present embodiment, although the outlet port 52 is opened in the planar opening forming surface 71, the outlet port 52 may be opened in surfaces of various shapes, such as a curved surface, an inclined surface, or an uneven surface. In the present embodiment, description will be provided in connection with a puncture needle 100 that is used in tissue collection, such as a lymph node, as an example of the treatment tool.

A pipe line 74 is formed inside the outlet port forming portion 34b and the body part 34c. A distal end side of the pipe line 74 is connected to the outlet port 52, and a proximal end side of the pipe line 74 is connected to the treatment tool insertion channel 23 inserted into the insertion part 12. As a result, a distal end of the puncture needle 100 inserted from the treatment tool inlet port 24 is guided to the outlet port 52 by way of the treatment tool insertion channel 23 and the pipe line 74, and is led out from the outlet port 52 to the outside.

The body part 34c comprises an optical system storage portion 82 in which the observation optical system 40 and the illumination optical systems 44 are disposed. The optical system storage portion 82 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and has a convex surface 84 and a stepped surface 85. The convex surface 84 configures a part of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end part body 34 (optical system storage portion 82). The convex surface 84 is positioned on the Y(+) direction side with respect to the opening forming surface 71 and has a shape along the Z direction. The convex surface 84 may be formed in various shapes, such as a curved surface, an inclined surface, or an uneven surface.

The stepped surface 85 is an inclined surface that connects a proximal end side of the opening forming surface 71 and a distal end side of the convex surface 84, and configures a part of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end part body 34. The inclined surface used herein includes a vertical surface having an inclined angle of 90° with respect to the Z direction.

The stepped surface 85 is provided with an observation window 40a of the observation optical system 40 and illumination windows 44a of a pair of illumination optical systems 44.

The observation optical system 40 includes the observation window 40a provided in the stepped surface 85, and a lens system 40b and an imaging element 40c provided in the optical system storage portion 82. The imaging element 40c is a charge coupled device (CCD) type or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) type image sensor and captures an observation image taken from the observation window 40a through the lens system 40b. Then, the imaging element 40c outputs an imaging signal of the observation image to the system constituent devices through the signal cable 56 inserted into the insertion part 12.

The illumination optical systems 44 are provided on both sides of the observation optical system 40 in the X direction, and each of the illumination optical systems 44 include the illumination window 44a provided in the stepped surface 85, and the light guide 58 inserted into the insertion part 12. An emission end of the light guide 58 is disposed rearward of each illumination window 44a. As a result, illumination light supplied from the light source device to each light guide 58 is emitted from each illumination window 44a.

As described above, in the distal end part body 34, the ultrasound transducer 50, the outlet port 52, and the stepped surface 85 (observation window 40a) are disposed in order from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. That is, the outlet port 52 is disposed between the ultrasound transducer 50 and the observation window 40a. For this reason, a puncture place toward a lymph node in a bronchial wall surface by the puncture needle 100 can be observed with the observation optical system 40.

Ultrasonic Endoscope System

Next, an ultrasonic endoscope system of the embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic endoscope system has the above-described endoscope 1 comprising the distal end part body 34 provided on the distal end side of the insertion part 12 and the ultrasound transducer 50 provided in the distal end part body 34, and a balloon 120 for an ultrasonic endoscope (see FIG. 7, hereinafter, referred to as a “balloon”) that covers an outside surface of the ultrasound transducer 50.

The configuration of the distal end part body 34 on which the balloon 120 is mounted will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the distal end part body 34. FIG. 5 is a side view of the distal end part body 34. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the distal end part body 34.

The distal end part body 34 has standing wall portions 91 on both side surfaces of the ultrasound transducer 50 in a width direction (X direction) that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction) and is a direction parallel to a plane direction of the oscillator surface 51 of the ultrasound transducer 50. The two standing wall portions 91 are configured with surfaces parallel to a YZ plane. The standing wall portions 91 do not need to be parallel to the YZ plane over the entire surface, and parallel can mean substantially parallel. A distance between the two standing wall portions 91 in the width direction, that is, a width of the ultrasonic attachment part 34a, is shorter than other portions (the outlet port forming portion 34b and the body part 34c) of the distal end part body 34 in a case of being viewed from the Y direction (see FIG. 6).

Fixing portions of the balloon 120 described below are in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91, whereby the balloon is fixed to the distal end part body 34.

The distal end part body 34 has a plane portion 93 between the ultrasound transducer 50 and the outlet port 52. The plane portion 93 is a plane substantially parallel to the XZ plane and has a length in the X direction longer than a length in the Z direction. The plane portion 93 is connected on the distal end side of the above-described opening forming surface 71, and the plane portion 93 and the opening forming surface 71 configure an integrated plane.

The distal end part body 34 has groove portions 92 on both side surfaces of the distal end part body 34 in the X direction between the ultrasound transducer 50 and the outlet port 52. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, in a case where the distal end part body 34 is viewed from the Y(+) direction side, the groove portions 92 are disposed between the ultrasound transducer 50 and the outlet port 52. The groove portions 92 extend from both end portions (Y(−) direction side) of the plane portion 93 in parallel to the Y direction (see FIG. 5) and are disposed on both sides of the plane portion 93 (see FIG. 6). That is, the groove portions 92 are disposed on a proximal end side (Z(−) direction side) of the ultrasound transducer 50 and are disposed on both sides of the ultrasound transducer 50 in a case where the distal end part body 34 is viewed from the Z(+) direction side. In FIGS. 4 to 6, although the groove portions 92 are provided on the proximal end side of the ultrasound transducer 50, positions where the groove portions 92 are formed are not limited to the proximal end side of the ultrasound transducer 50, and may be provided in the standing wall portions 91.

As described below, in regard to the groove portions 92, protrusion portions 122j that are provided in a fixing portion of the balloon 120 are fitted into the groove portions 92. The groove portions 92 and the protrusion portions 122j are fitted, whereby it can be made difficult for the balloon 120 to fall off from the distal end part body 34.

The distal end part body 34 has a stepped portion 94 on a surface on an opposite side to the oscillator surface 51 on the proximal end side (Z(−) direction side) of the ultrasound transducer 50 (see FIG. 5). The stepped portion 94 is a plane substantially parallel to the XY plane and protrudes in the Y(−) direction as viewed from the Z(−) direction side.

As described below, the stepped portion 94 is locked to a locking portion 122k that is provided in the fixing portion of the balloon 120, whereby it is possible to restrain the balloon 120 from falling off from the distal end part body 34.

Configuration of Balloon

Next, the balloon of the embodiment will be described. In the drawings, similarly to FIGS. 2 to 6, description will be provided using the three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis coincide with the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in a case where the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. A Z(+) direction side is a distal end side, and a Z(−) direction side is a proximal end side. The Z direction in the drawings corresponds to a first direction of the present invention and corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the insertion part. A Y direction in the drawings is perpendicular to the Z direction and is an up-down direction in each drawing in the present embodiment. A Y(+) direction side as one direction side of the Y direction is an up direction, and a Y(−) direction side as the other direction side opposite to the one direction side of the Y direction is a down direction. An X direction in the drawings is a direction perpendicular to both the Z direction and the Y direction and corresponds to a second direction of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an assembly diagram of the balloon 120 in which a tube is omitted, 700A of FIG. 7 is a perspective view after assembly, and 700B of FIG. 7 is a perspective view before assembly. As shown in FIG. 7, the balloon 120 is configured with a balloon body 121 of a two-layer structure including an inner part 122 and an outer part 124.

Inner Part

The inner part 122 has an opening portion 122a at one end in the first direction (Z direction), and comprises two side surface portions 122b disposed to face each other, a top surface portion 122c, an inclined surface portion 122d, and a bottom surface portion 122e. The inner part 122 is configured in a bottomed tubular shape having the opening portion 122a, and portions other than the opening portion 122a are closed by the two side surface portions 122b, the top surface portion 122c, the inclined surface portion 122d, and the bottom surface portion 122e.

Each side of the two side surface portions 122b, the top surface portion 122c, and the bottom surface portion 122e that define the opening portion 122a is linear, and a shape of the opening portion 122a is a substantially rectangular shape.

The opening portion 122a is inclined from a downside (Y(−) side) to an upside (Y(+) side) from the proximal end side (Z(−) side) toward the distal end side (Z(+) side).

Each of the side surface portions 122b extends along the first direction (Z direction) and is configured with surfaces substantially parallel to the YZ plane. Each of the side surface portions 122b comprises a first side surface portion 122f that is positioned on a top surface portion 122c side and on an inclined surface portion 122d side, and a second side surface portion 122g that is positioned on an opening portion 122a side. A distance between the first side surface portions 122f facing each other is smaller than a distance between the second side surface portions 122g facing each other. A stepped portion 122h is formed between the first side surface portion 122f and the second side surface portion 122g.

The inner part 122 comprises a flange portion 122i that surrounds an outer periphery of the inner part 122. The flange portion 122i is provided on a proximal end side of the top surface portion 122c and on a proximal end side of the first side surface portion 122f and is also provided in the bottom surface portion 122e (not shown). The flange portion 122i is configured with four connected linear portions and is provided to surround the outer periphery of the inner part 122.

The inclined surface portion 122d has a shape following the oscillator surface 51 of the ultrasound transducer 50 described above and is inclined in an arc shape from an upside (Y(+) side) to a downside (Y(−) side) from the proximal end side (Z(−) side) toward the distal end side (Z(+) side).

The side surface portions 122b have the two protrusion portions 122j facing each other on inner surfaces of the second side surface portions 122g. The two protrusion portions 122j extend in parallel in the Y direction and protrude in a direction approaching each other.

Outer Part

The outer part 124 has an opening portion 124a at one end in the first direction (Z direction), and comprises two side surface portions 124b disposed to face each other, a top surface portion 124c, an inclined surface portion 124d, and a bottom surface portion 124e. The outer part 124 is configured in a bottomed tubular shape having the opening portion 124a, and portions other than the opening portion 124a are closed by the two side surface portions 124b, the top surface portion 124c, the inclined surface portion 124d, and the bottom surface portion 124e.

Each side of the two side surface portions 122b, the top surface portion 122c, and the bottom surface portion 122e that define the opening portion 124a is linear, and a shape of the opening portion 124a is a substantially rectangular shape.

Each of the side surface portions 124b extends along the first direction (Z direction) and is configured with surfaces substantially parallel to the YZ plane. The opening portion 124a of the outer part 124 is widened to a side surface portion 124b side (X direction) to house the stepped portion 122h of the inner part 122.

The inclined surface portion 124d has a shape following the oscillator surface 51 of the ultrasound transducer 50 described above and is inclined in a curved shape from the upside (Y(+) side) to the downside (Y(−) side) from the proximal end side (Z(−) side) toward the distal end side (Z(+) side).

Balloon Body

As shown in 700A, the inner part 122 is housed in the outer part 124 through the opening portion 124a of the outer part 124, and the outer part 124 covers the inner part 122. Note that the outer part 124 does not needto cover the entire inner part 122. The outer part 124 covers the two first side surface portions 122f, the top surface portion 122c, the inclined surface portion 122d, and a part (distal end side) of the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122. On the other hand, the outer part 124 does not cover the second side surface portions 122g and a part (proximal end side) of the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122.

As shown in 700A, the two side surface portions 122b and the two side surface portions 124b that configure the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are disposed to face each other, respectively, the top surface portion 122c and the top surface portion 124c are disposed to face each other, the inclined surface portion 122d and the inclined surface portion 124d are disposed to face each other, and the bottom surface portion 122e and the bottom surface portion 124e are disposed to face each other.

A peripheral edge portion of the opening portion 124a of the outer part 124 comes into contact with the flange portion 122i of the inner part 122. With the flange portion 122i, a relative position of the outer part 124 with respect to the inner part 122 is determined.

The outer part 124 is bonded on the opening portion 122a side of the inner part 122, and the balloon body 121 having the two-layer structure is configured. The balloon body 121 is configured in a bottomed tubular shape that has the opening portion 122a provided at one end in the first direction (Z direction) of the insertion part 12 and attached to the distal end part body 34.

As a material for the balloon body 121, to make a configuration in which it is difficult for the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 to stick to each other, it is preferable that the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are formed of different materials. Note that, as described below, a clearance is provided between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, whereby it is possible to restrain the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 from being stuck to each other. Accordingly, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 may be formed of the same material. As the materials for the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, silicon rubber, natural rubber, or the like can be used.

In a case where the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34, the first side surface portions 122f of the inner part 122 and the standing wall portions 91 are disposed to face each other, and the inclined surface portion 122d and the ultrasound transducer 50 are disposed to face each other. The side surface portions 124b of the outer part 124 and the standing wall portions 91 are disposed to face each other with the first side surface portions 122f interposed therebetween, and the inclined surface portion 124d and the ultrasound transducer 50 are disposed to face each other with the inclined surface portion 122d interposed therebetween.

The opening portion 122a provided in the inner part 122 is an insertion port into which the above-described distal end part body 34 is inserted. An internal space of the inner part 122 is a similar shape to the shape of the distal end part body 34, and is formed in a shape smaller than an outer shape of the distal end part body 34. A width (a length in the X direction) of the two side surface portions 122b of the balloon 120 before being mounted on the distal end part body 34 is smaller than a distance between the two standing wall portions 91 in the width direction. As a result, in a case of being inserted into the distal end part body 34 from the opening portion 122a of the inner part 122, the two side surface portions 122b of the inner part 122 expand in the X direction, and the side surface portions 122b are in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91 by contractile force to return. The two side surface portions 122b of the inner part 122 function as a fixing portion that is in close contact with and fixed to the distal end part body 34.

The two protrusion portions 122j provided on the second side surface portions 122g that configure the side surface portions 122b of the inner part 122 are fitted into the groove portions 92 of the distal end part body 34 described above in a case where the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. The two protrusion portions 122j that are fitted into the groove portions 92 of the distal end part body 34 are provided in the side surface portions 122b that function as the fixing portion. In a case where the groove portions 92 are provided in the standing wall portions 91, the two protrusion portions 122j are provided in the first side surface portions 122f that configure the side surface portion 122b.

The inside of the inner part 122 is formed in a similar shape to the distal end part body 34 and in a shape smaller than the outer shape of the distal end part body 34, whereby the inner part 122 can be in contact and fixed from the oscillator surface 51 and the surface on the opposite side to the oscillator surface 51. As a result, the inner part 122 can also be in close contact with and fixed to the oscillator surface 51 and to the surface on the opposite side to the oscillator surface 51 of the distal end part body 34, and the balloon 120 can be firmly fixed to the distal end part body 34. The inclined surface portion 122d and the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122 function as a fixing portion that is in close contact with and fixed to the distal end part body 34.

It is preferable that the balloon body 121 has a shape following the outer shape of the oscillator surface of the ultrasound transducer 50 described above. With the balloon body 121 having such a configuration, it is possible to stabilize an orientation in a case where the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the balloon 120. 800A is a sectional view of the balloon 120 taken along the YZ plane, and 800B is a sectional view of the balloon 120 taken along the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 8, the outer part 124 covers the inner part 122, and the outer part 124 and the inner part 122 are bonded, whereby the balloon body 121 is configured.

As shown in 800A, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded, and a closed space can be formed between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124. This space is a storage portion 121a that stores an ultrasonic wave transmission medium. The ultrasonic wave transmission medium is stored in the storage portion 121a, whereby an oscillator surface region 124f that configures the inclined surface portion 124d of the outer part 124 can be swollen. The oscillator surface region 124f functions as a swelling portion. The oscillator surface region 124f is a region facing the oscillator surface 51 of the ultrasound transducer 50.

As described above, since the storage portion 121a of the balloon 120 is configured with the closed space between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, it is possible to secure fluid-tightness in the balloon 120 itself. Accordingly, unlike the related art in which fluid-tightness is secured between the distal end part body and the balloon, it is not essential that the balloon 120 has an annular groove shape in locking the distal end part body and the balloon. With the balloon 120, it is possible to avoid an increase in diameter and an increase in size of the distal end part body 34 due to the annular groove shape. The balloon 120 gives a degree of freedom for design to the shape of the distal end part body 34. As shown in FIG. 7, the opening portion 122a of the balloon 120 can have a rectangular shape, instead of an annular shape.

It is preferable that the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are not in close contact, and that a clearance is provided therebetween. The inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are not in close contact, whereby it is possible to prevent it from becoming difficult for the ultrasonic wave transmission medium from to be supplied in a case of supplying the ultrasonic wave transmission medium to the storage portion 121a since an outer surface of the inner part 122 and an inner surface of the outer part 124 stick to each other. As described below, in a case of adhering and assembling the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, it can be made difficult for the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 to stick stuck to each other. The clearance means a state in which the outer surface of the inner part 122 and the inner surface of the outer part 124 are separated from each other by a given distance.

As shown in 800A, in a region surrounded by a quadrangle, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded by an adhesive or the like. A clearance is not present in an adhesion portion 121b of the inner part 122 and of the outer part 124 bonded by the adhesive. The clearance may not be provided in the entire region between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124.

The adhesion portion 121b may be, for example, at a position corresponding to the top surface portion 122c (not shown) of the inner part 122 and to the top surface portion 124c (not shown) of the outer part 124.

The adhesion portion 121b does not expand even though the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied into the balloon 120. Thus, even though the puncture needle 100 is led out from the outlet port 52, the proximal end side (Z(−) side) of the balloon 120 does not expand. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the puncture needle 100 led out from the outlet port 52 from being brought into contact with the swollen balloon 120. The adhesion portion 121b functions as a swelling restricting part capable of suppressing swelling except in the oscillator surface region 124f described below. The adhesion portion 121b suppresses swelling of a proximal end side (Z(−) side) of the oscillator surface region 124f.

The inclined surface portion 124d of the outer part 124 includes the oscillator surface region 124f and a thick portion 124g. The thick portion 124g is disposed on the other end side (Z(+) side) opposite to one end side (Z(−) side) in the first direction (Z direction) and is formed to have a thickness greater than a thickness of the oscillator surface region 124f The thick portion 124g suppresses swelling of a distal end side (Z(+) side) of the oscillator surface region 124f of the outer part 124 in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a. The thick portion 124g functions as a swelling restricting part and can make the oscillator surface region 124f more effectively swollen.

Since the oscillator surface region 124f is formed to have a film thickness thinner than other regions of the outer part 124 including the thick portion 124g, the oscillator surface region 124f can be easily swollen compared to other regions.

The bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122 that functions as a fixing portion of the balloon 120 has the locking portion 122k inside. The locking portion 122k is configured with a plane substantially parallel to the XY plane and stands in the Y(+) direction as viewed from the distal end side (Z(+) side). The locking portion 122k is locked to the stepped portion 94 of the distal end part body 34 described above in a case where the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34.

The inner part 122 of the balloon body 121 has a communication path 122m that communicates with the storage portion 121a, in the bottom surface portion 122e on an opposite side to the oscillator surface region 124f. The communication path 122m has an opening in the Z(-) direction, and the storage portion 121a communicates with the outside through the communication path 122m.

A tube 140 is inserted into the communication path 122m of the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122 that functions as a fixing portion of the balloon 120, whereby it is possible to attach the tube 140 to the balloon 120. The attachment of the tube 140 to the balloon 120 may be attachable and detachable or may be inseparable. The tube 140 is a tubular member that has a space to be a flow channel inside. The ultrasonic wave transmission medium can be supplied from the flow channel of the tube 140 to the storage portion 121a in the balloon 120 through the communication path 122m. As a result, it is possible to expand the oscillator surface region 124f that configures the outer part 124 of the balloon 120. The tube 140 is attached to the balloon 120, whereby a supply pipe line for supplying the ultrasonic wave transmission medium to the balloon 120 does not need to be provided in the insertion part 12 of the endoscope 1. Thus, it is possible to achieve a reduction in diameter of the insertion part 12. The balloon 120 (and the tube 140) is disposable, whereby there is no need to perform cleaning and sterilization of the tube 140. In recent years, a minimum pipe line diameter to be sterilized by a sterilization device has been defined, and there is an increasing demand for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. By making the tube 140 disposable, it is possible to omit work of cleaning and sterilization of a supply pipe line.

The tube 140 is configured to expand more difficultly than the balloon body 121 (inner part 122 and outer part 124). That is, the balloon body 121 is configured to more easily expand than the tube 140. A configuration in which the balloon body 121 more easily expands than the tube 140 can be realized, for example, by making a film thickness of the balloon body thinner than a film thickness of the tube or by using a material having an expansion coefficient greater than the material for the tube 140, as the material for the balloon body 121.

As shown in 800B, the outer part 124 has the side surface portions 124b (that is, thick portions) that are formed to have a thickness greater than the thickness of the oscillator surface region 124f, on both sides in the second direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction) of the oscillator surface region 124f. The outer part 124 has transition portions 124h that connect the oscillator surface region 124f and the side surface portions 122b. The transition portions 124h increase in thickness from the oscillator surface region 124f toward the side surface portions 124b. The transition portions 124h can suppress swelling of the oscillator surface region 124f in the X direction in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a, and function as a swelling restricting part. The transition portions 124h can be configured with a part on the Y(+) side of the side surface portions 124b.

As shown in 800B, in the balloon body 121, the side surface portions 122b of the inner part 122 and the side surface portions 124b of the outer part 124 are disposed to face each other on both sides in the second direction(X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Z(+) direction) of the oscillator surface region 124f. The balloon body 121 has adhesion regions 121c where the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are adhered by an adhesive or the like, between the side surface portions 122b and the side surface portion 124b facing each other. The adhesion regions 121c suppress swelling of the oscillator surface region 124f in the X direction in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a, and function as a swelling restricting part. The adhesion regions 121c may be partial regions between the side surface portions 122b and the side surface portion 124b as shown in 800B or may be the entire regions between the side surface portions 122b and the side surface portion 124b facing each other.

As shown in 800B, the bottom surface portion 124e of the outer part 124 has a recess portion 124i that has a semispherical shape in a sectional view and that extends in the Z direction, at substantially a center in the width direction (X direction). The recess portion 124i is a portion that configures a part of the clearance and that communicates with the communication path 122m of the inner part 122. It is possible to easily supply the ultrasonic wave transmission medium to the storage portion 121a with the recess portion 124i.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the balloon 120 illustrating a flow of the ultrasonic wave transmission medium supplied to the balloon 120. 900A is a sectional view of the balloon 120 taken along the YZ plane, and 900B is a sectional view of the balloon 120 taken along the XY plane.

A flow channel through which the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a will be described with reference to FIG. 9. As shown in 900A, the tube 140 is attached to the communication path 122m of the outer part 124 for supplying the ultrasonic wave transmission medium to the storage portion 121a. Since the tube 140 is disposed on an opposite side (Y(−) side) to the oscillator surface region 124f, swelling of the oscillator surface region 124f is not obstructed. The acquisition of the observation image with the observation optical system 40 is not obstructed.

The ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the balloon 120 through the tube 140. The ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to a region having the clearance between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 through the communication path 122m of the inner part 122. A region between the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122 and the bottom surface portion 124e of the outer part 124 is filled with the ultrasonic wave transmission medium, and a region between the inclined surface portion 122d of the inner part 122 and the inclined surface portion 124d of the outer part 124 is filled with the ultrasonic wave transmission medium. The ultrasonic wave transmission medium is finally stored in the storage portion 121a that is mainly configured with the oscillator surface region 124f and the inclined surface portion 122d.

As shown in 900B, a region between the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122 and the bottom surface portion 124e of the outer part 124 is filled with the ultrasonic wave transmission medium, and a region between the side surface portion 122b of the inner part 122 and the side surface portion 124b of the outer part 124 is filled with the ultrasonic wave transmission medium. The ultrasonic wave transmission medium is finally stored in the storage portion 121a that is mainly configured with the oscillator surface region 124f and the inclined surface portion 122d.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a state in which the oscillator surface region of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope is swollen, and is a sectional view of the balloon 120 taken along the YZ plane. As shown in FIG. 10, in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is stored in the storage portion 121a, the oscillator surface region 124f is most swollen.

As described above, the oscillator surface region 124f has a film thickness thinner than other regions of the outer part 124 including the thick portion 124g. As a result, the oscillator surface region 124f is more easily swollen than other regions.

In regions other than the oscillator surface region 124f, for example, the thick portion 124g, the adhesion portion 121b, the transition portions 124h (not shown), and the adhesion regions 121c (not shown) that function as a swelling restricting part are provided. With the thick portion 124g and the adhesion portion 121b, swelling of regions (regions in the Z(+) direction and the Z(−) direction with respect to the oscillator surface region 124f) other than the oscillator surface region 124f is suppressed. With the transition portions 124h and the adhesion regions 121c, swelling of regions (regions in the X direction with respect to the oscillator surface region 124f) other than the oscillator surface region 124f is suppressed.

In the balloon 120, the oscillator surface region 124f is made most swollen, whereby it is possible to suppress swelling of a bottom surface side and side surface sides of the balloon 120, and to insert the distal end part body 34 to a periphery in a case of inserting the distal end part body 34 with the balloon 120 mounted thereon into the body cavity.

The tube 140 is a member that does not expand compared to the balloon 120. Accordingly, in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the balloon 120 through the tube 140, since expansion of the tube 140 is suppressed, it is possible to effectively supply the ultrasonic wave transmission medium to the balloon 120.

Next, mounting of the balloon 120 on the distal end part body 34 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of the balloon 120 with the tube omitted, on the distal end part body 34. 1100A shows a state before the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. The opening portion 122a of the balloon 120 and the distal end side of the distal end part body 34 are aligned. 1100B shows a state after the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. The opening portion 122a of the balloon 120 is attached to the distal end part body 34, and the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. The inner part 122 covers the ultrasound transducer 50 of the ultrasonic attachment part 34a and further covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the outlet port forming portion 34b other than the opening forming surface 71. The outer part 124 is disposed at a position covering the ultrasound transducer 50 of the ultrasonic attachment part 34a.

As described above, at least the side surface portions 122b are in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91 by contractile force of the side surface portion 122b (not shown) as a fixing portion of the inner part 122.

A flat portion 122q of the inner part 122 that functions as a fixing portion is provided on the proximal end side of the oscillator surface region 124f of the balloon 120 that functions as a swelling portion. The plane portion 93 between the ultrasound transducer 50 and the outlet port 52 is in close contact with and fixed to the flat portion 122q of the balloon 120. The flat portion 122q is provided, whereby it is possible to extend a distance between the oscillator surface region 124f and the outlet port 52. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the puncture needle 100 led out from the outlet port 52 from being brought into contact with the swollen balloon 120. The flat portion 122q may be at a position of the adhesion portion 121b described above.

Since the balloon 120 has a shape in which the ultrasound transducer 50 is offset, as a whole, it is possible to allow a worker to easily recognize an orientation in which the balloon 120 is mounted on the distal end part body 34.

With the balloon 120 of the present embodiment, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded to form a sealed space, and the sealed space is used as the storage portion 121a that stores the ultrasonic wave transmission medium. Accordingly, the outer shape of the distal end part body 34 is not limited to a shape for securing fluid-tightness and can be designed in consideration of a reduction in diameter of the distal end part body 34 and a lead-out route of the puncture needle 100.

In a case where the tube 140 is attached to the balloon 120 and the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a through the tube 140, as shown in FIG. 11, there is no need to provide a supply pipe line in the distal end part body 34 of the endoscope 1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the distal end part body 34 on which the balloon 120 with the tube omitted is mounted, taken along the XZ plane. As shown in FIG. 12, the side surface portion 122b as a fixing portion of the inner part 122 that configures the balloon 120 has the protrusion portions 122j. The groove portions 92 are provided between the ultrasound transducer 50 and the outlet port 52. The protrusion portions 122j and the groove portions 92 are fitted. The groove portions 92 and the protrusion portions 122j are fitted, whereby movement in a direction in which the balloon 120 and the distal end part body 34 are separated from each other is restricted, and it can be made difficult for the balloon 120 to fall off from the distal end part body 34.

In a case where the standing wall portions 91 have groove portions (not shown), protrusion portions (not shown) are provided in the side surface portions 122b of the balloon 120 facing the ultrasound transducer 50. The protrusion portions and the groove portions are fitted, whereby the balloon 120 can be made to hardly fall off from the distal end part body 34.

The balloon 120 has the storage portion 121a between the oscillator surface region 124f facing the oscillator surface 51 and the inclined surface portion 122d.

FIG. 13 shows a cross section of the distal end part body 34 on which the balloon 120 is mounted, taken along the YZ plane. As shown in FIG. 13, the distal end part body 34 has the stepped portion 94 in a surface on the opposite side to the oscillator surface 51 on the proximal end side (Z(−) direction side) of the ultrasound transducer 50. The bottom surface portion 122e as a fixing portion of the inner part 122 that configures the balloon 120 has the locking portion 122k. The stepped portion 94 and the locking portion 122k are locked, whereby it is possible to restrain the balloon 120 from falling off from the distal end part body 34. It is possible to restrain falling off of the balloon 120 in a case where the insertion part 12 of the endoscope 1 on which the balloon 120 is mounted is pulled out from the body cavity in the Z(−) direction. The tube 140 is attached in parallel with the insertion part 12 and is connected to a supply and exhaust unit of the ultrasonic wave transmission medium, such as a syringe, near the operating part 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the balloon 120 with the tube omitted as viewed from the Z(−) direction to the Z(+) direction. The bottom surface portion 122e of the inner part 122 has a tapered portion 122n on the proximal end side (Z(-) side). The tapered portion 122n is inclined in the Y(+) direction while extending in the Z(−) direction. The two side surface portions 122b of the inner part 122 have tapered portions 122p on the proximal end side (Z(−) side), respectively. The two tapered portions 122p are inclined in an orientation approaching each other while extending in the Z(−) direction.

The tapered portions 122n are provided, whereby force in the first direction (Z direction) can be released in the Y direction. The tapered portion 122p is provided, whereby force in the first direction (Z direction) can be released in the X direction. As a result, in a case where the distal end part is inserted into and pulled out from the body cavity, force applied due to contact with a tissue in the body can be released in the Y direction and in the X direction. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the balloon 120 from falling off from the distal end part body 34.

Although a case where the balloon 120 has the tapered portions 122n and the tapered portion 122p has been described, any one of the tapered portions 122n or the tapered portion 122p may be provided.

With the ultrasonic endoscope system of the present embodiment, the distal end part body 34 comprises the standing wall portions 91 on both sides of the ultrasound transducer 50, and the balloon 120 includes a fixing portion that is in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91. In the present embodiment, the inner part 122 functions as the fixing portion and the first side surface portions 122f of the inner part 122 are in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91 by contractile force, whereby it is possible to restrain falling of the balloon 120 mounted on the distal end part body 34.

In the above-described embodiment, although an example where the balloon 120 has the balloon body 121 having the two-layer structure composed of the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 has been described, the present invention is not limited to the balloon body 121 having the two-layer structure. For example, in addition to the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, a separate member may be laminated to form a balloon body having a structure of three layers or more.

Next, a balloon of another embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasonic endoscope system of another embodiment and is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a balloon 150 with a tube omitted on the distal end part body 34. 1500A of FIG. 15 is a perspective view before the balloon 150 is mounted on the distal end part body 34, and 1500B of FIG. 15 is a perspective view after the balloon 150 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. Unlike the balloon 120, the balloon 150 is a balloon that is configured with one layer.

The structure of the balloon 150 will be described. The balloon 150 comprises a balloon body 152. The balloon 150 has an opening portion 152a at one end in the first direction (Z direction) corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion part, and comprises two side surface portions 152b disposed to face each other, a top surface portion 152c, an inclined surface portion 152d, and a bottom surface portion 152e. The balloon body 152 is closed by the two side surface portions 152b, the top surface portion 152c, the inclined surface portion 152d, and the bottom surface portion 152e, and the balloon body 152 is configured in a bottomed tubular shape having an opening portion 152a to be attached to the distal end part body 34. Since the balloon body 152 is configured in a bottomed tubular shape, the balloon body 152 can store the ultrasonic wave transmission medium inside.

Each of the side surface portions 152b extends along the first direction (Z direction) and is configured with surfaces substantially parallel to the YZ plane. Each of the side surface portions 152b comprises a first side surface portion 152f that is positioned on a top surface portion 152c side and an inclined surface portion 152d side, and a second side surface portion 152g that is positioned on an opening portion 152a side. A distance between the first side surface portions 152f facing each other is smaller than a distance between the second side surface portions 152g facing each other.

The opening portion 152a is an insertion port into which the distal end part body 34 is inserted. In a case where the balloon 150 is mounted on the distal end part body 34, the first side surface portions 152f of the balloon 150 and the standing wall portions 91 are disposed to face each other, and the inclined surface portion 152d and the ultrasound transducer 50 are disposed to face each other. A width (a length in the X direction) of the two first side surface portions 152f of the balloon 150 before being mounted on the distal end part body 34 is smaller than a distance between the two standing wall portions 91 in the width direction. As a result, in a case where the distal end part body 34 is inserted from the opening portion 152a of the balloon 150, the two first side surface portions 152f of the balloon 150 expand in the X direction, and the first side surface portions 152f are in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91 by contractile force to return. The first side surface portions 152f function as a fixing portion.

The inclined surface portion 152d has an oscillator surface region 152i facing the oscillator surface 51 of the ultrasound transducer 50. Since the oscillator surface region 152i is configured to have a film thickness thinner than other portions of the balloon body 152, the oscillator surface region 152i is configured to be easily swollen compared to other regions. The oscillator surface region 152i can be swollen in a case where the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is stored in the balloon 150, and functions as a swelling portion.

Since the two first side surface portions 152f are configured to have a film thickness thicker than the oscillator surface region 152i, the first side surface portions 152f do not expand even though the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied into the balloon 150, and the two first side surface portions 152f can be in close contact with and fixed to the standing wall portions 91.

The second side surface portions 152g of the balloon 150 have two protrusion portions 152h facing each other. In a case where the balloon 150 is mounted on the distal end part body 34, the protrusion portions 152h are fitted into the groove portions 92 of the distal end part body 34. As a result, the balloon 150 can be made to hardly fall off from the distal end part body 34.

The bottom surface portion 152e of the balloon 150 has a locking portion (not shown) inside. The locking portion is configured with a plane substantially parallel to the XY plane and stands in the Y(+) direction as viewed from the distal end side (Z(+) side). The locking portion is locked to the stepped portion 94 of the distal end part body 34 in a case where the balloon 150 is mounted on the distal end part body 34. As a result, the balloon 150 can be made to hardly fall off from the distal end part body 34.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

1: ultrasonic endoscope

10: operating part

12: insertion part

14: universal cord

16: angle lever

22: suction button

23: treatment tool insertion channel

24: treatment tool inlet port

30: soft part

32: bendable part

34: distal end part body

34
a: ultrasonic attachment part

34
b: outlet port forming portion

34
c: body part

34
d: inclined surface

38: longitudinal axis

40: observation optical system

40a: observation window

40b: lens system

40c: imaging element

44: illumination optical system

44
a: illumination window

50: ultrasound transducer

51: oscillator surface

52: treatment tool outlet port

54: signal cable

56: signal cable

58: light guide

71: opening forming surface

74: pipe line

82: optical system storage portion

84: convex surface

85: stepped surface

91: standing wall portion

92: groove portion

93: plane portion

94: stepped portion

100: puncture needle

120: balloon for ultrasonic endoscope

121: balloon body

121
a: storage portion

121
b: adhesion portion

121
c: adhesion region

122: inner part

122
a: opening portion

122
b: side surface portion

122
c: top surface portion

122
d: inclined surface portion

122
e: bottom surface portion

122
f: first side surface portion

122
g: second side surface portion

122
h: stepped portion

122
i: flange portion

122
j: protrusion portion

122
k: locking portion

122
m: communication path

122
n: tapered portion

122
p: tapered portion

122
q: flat portion

124: outer part

124
a: opening portion

124
b: side surface portion

124
c: top surface portion

124
d: inclined surface portion

124e: bottom surface portion

124
f: oscillator surface region

124
g: thick portion

124
h: transition portion

124
i: recess portion

140: tube

150: balloon for ultrasonic endoscope

152: balloon body

152
a: opening portion

152
b: side surface portion

152
c: top surface portion

152
d: inclined surface portion

152
e: bottom surface portion

152
f: first side surface portion

152
g: second side surface portion

152
h: protrusion portion

152
i: oscillator surface region

ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)