Patent Application
20170319175
This application is a continuation of PCT international application Ser. No. PCT/JP2016/066459, filed on Jun. 2, 2016 which designates the United States, incorporated herein by reference, and which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-114188, filed on Jun. 4, 2015, incorporated herein by reference.
1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to an ultrasound endoscope for observing inside of a living body using ultrasound and to an injection tool provided in the ultrasound endoscope.
2. Related Art
Ultrasound endoscopes are used by covering an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit using a balloon and filling the balloon with water in order to achieve acoustic matching between the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit and an examination target (such as an organ) (for example, see JP 2006-280407 A). The balloon has a structure in which an O-ring is provided at an aperture of a flexible film (rubber film) formed in a tubular shape or a bag shape, and is attached to the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit by fitting the O-ring into a groove for engagement provided in the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit.
In some embodiments, an ultrasound endoscope includes: an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a living body; a distal end rigid portion provided at a distal end of the insertion portion, the distal end rigid portion including: an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound waves to and from the living body; a balloon surrounding the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit; an engagement portion engaged with the balloon; and a water supply port for supplying water to the balloon; an operating unit provided at a proximal end side of the insertion portion; a cable extending from the operating unit; a balloon water supply channel provided in the insertion portion and leading to the water supply port to supply water toward the water supply port; a water supply pipe provided in the cable; a water supply cylinder provided at the operating unit, one end of the balloon water supply channel and one end of the water supply pipe being opened to the water supply cylinder; an injection port provided in the water supply pipe; and a duct having one end leading to the water supply pipe via the injection port and having the other end to which a syringe for injecting water or supplying air is attachable.
In some embodiments, provided is an injection tool used in an ultrasound endoscope. The ultrasound endoscope includes: an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a living body; an operating unit provided at a proximal end side of the insertion portion; an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit provided at a distal end of the insertion portion and configured to transmit and receive ultrasound waves to and from the living body; a balloon surrounding the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit; a balloon water supply channel provided in the insertion portion to supply water to the balloon; and a water supply cylinder which is provided at the operating unit and to which one end of the balloon water supply channel is opened. The injection tool includes: a plug portion that is insertable into the water supply cylinder; a flow path provided in the plug portion and having one end to which a syringe for injecting or supplying fluid is attachable and having the other end through which the fluid injected or supplied from the syringe is configured to flow; and a lid portion configured to cover the water supply cylinder that is opened to outside the operating unit, and configured to allow the other end of the flow path to be positioned such that the other end of the flow path leads to the balloon water supply channel when the water supply cylinder is covered by the lid portion.
The above and other features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Hereinafter, an ultrasound endoscope and an injection tool according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The same reference signs are used to designate the same elements throughout the drawings. The drawings are schematic, and a relation between a thickness and a width of each member, each ratio of the members, and the like are different from the actual ones. The drawings may include some parts that have different dimensional relationships and ratios among the drawings.
The ultrasound endoscope 2 is obtained by combining an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit with an endoscopic examination unit. The endoscopic examination unit includes an examination optical system including a lens, and an image sensor. The ultrasound endoscope 2 has an endoscopic examination function and an ultrasound observation function. The endoscopic examination apparatus 3 controls the endoscopic examination function, and processes an output signal output from the ultrasound endoscope 2 through endoscopic examination. The ultrasound observation apparatus 4 controls the ultrasound observation function, and processes an output signal output from the ultrasound endoscope 2 through ultrasound observation. The display device 5 acquires signals output from the endoscopic examination apparatus 3 and the ultrasound observation apparatus 4, and suitably displays at least one of an endoscopic image and an ultrasound tomogram. The light source device 6 includes therein a light source for generating illumination light to perform the endoscopic examination, and an air supply pump configured to supply air to the ultrasound endoscope 2.
The ultrasound endoscope 2 includes: an insertion portion 10 which is inserted into a living body, transmits an ultrasound signal inside the body, and receives the ultrasound signal reflected inside the body; an operating unit 11 which is continuously provided at a proximal end side of the insertion portion 10; and a universal cord 12 which extends from a side portion of the operating unit 11.
The insertion portion 10 is configured by continuously providing a distal end rigid portion 10a formed by a rigid member, a bending portion 10b that is bendable, and a flexible pipe portion 10c in the order from the distal end side. A proximal end of the flexible pipe portion 10c is continuously provided at the distal end side of the operating unit 11. The endoscopic examination unit and the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit described above are arranged in the distal end rigid portion 10a.
The operating unit 11 is provided with a treatment tool insertion port 11a configured to introduce a treatment tool such as a puncture needle and forceps inside the body. In addition, the operating unit 11 is provided with a dial or an operating button configured to allow a user to operate the ultrasound endoscope 2. Specific examples thereof may include an air supply and water supply button 11b used at the time of supplying air or water to the body, a suction button 11c used at the time of suctioning liquid from the inside of the body, and the like.
A connector portion 13 is provided in an end at a side different from the operating unit 11 side of the universal cord 12. The video cable 7 and the ultrasound cable 8 are connected to the connector portion 13. The ultrasound endoscope 2 and the endoscopic examination apparatus 3 are electrically connected via the video cable 7. The ultrasound endoscope 2 and the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 are electrically connected via the ultrasound cable 8.
The connector portion 13 is provided with an inserting portion 14 configured to connect the ultrasound endoscope 2 to the light source device 6. The inserting portion 14 is provided with a light guide 15 and an air supply connector 16. When the inserting portion 14 is inserted into an inserting port (not illustrated) provided in the light source device 6, the ultrasound endoscope 2 and the light source device 6 are electrically connected to each other, and the illumination light generated by the light source device 6 is guided to the ultrasound endoscope 2 via the light guide 15. Then, air is supplied to the ultrasound endoscope 2 via the air supply connector 16 by the air supply pump provided in the light source device 6.
In addition, the connector portion 13 is provided with a water supply connector 18 to which a water supply tank 17 is connected via a water supply tube (not illustrated) and a pressurization pipe 19 configured to pressurize the inside of the water supply tank 17. At the time of supplying water to the ultrasound endoscope 2, the inside of the water supply tank 17 is pressurized by the air supply pump provided in the light source device 6, via the air supply connector 16 and the pressurization pipe 19. Accordingly, water inside the water supply tank 17 is supplied to the ultrasound endoscope 2 via the water supply connector 18.
Further, the connector portion 13 is provided with a suction ferrule 20 to which a suction device (not illustrated), which is configured to suction liquid or the like from the inside of the body by the ultrasound endoscope 2, is connected.
The ultrasound transducer 100 may be any one of a radial transducer, a convex transducer, and a linear transducer.
Further, the groove for balloon engagement may be provided only at the proximal end side of the ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit 101 (only the groove portion 103 in
The endoscopic examination unit 110 includes a light-emitting element (not illustrated) to generate illumination light, an illumination lens (not illustrated) to guide the illumination light into the examination target (the surface of the organ or the like), an objective lens 111 to collect reflection light reflected by the surface of the organ or the like, an image sensor 112 which receives light collected by the objective lens 111 and converts the received light into an electrical signal, an air supply and water supply port 113 which serves as an outlet of air or water configured to clean the objective lens 111 and the like during endoscopic examination, and a suction and forceps port 114 which serves as not only a suction port to suction liquid or the like from the inside of the body but also an outlet of the treatment tool, such as the puncture needle and the forceps, to the inside of the body.
The operating unit 11 is also provided with an air supply and water supply cylinder 121 which switches a flow path of air or water to be supplied inside the insertion portion 10 and a suction cylinder 122 which switches a flow path of liquid or the like to be suctioned from the inside of the insertion portion 10, in addition to the above-described treatment tool insertion port 11a.
A treatment tool channel 123 communicating with the suction and forceps port 114 is provided inside the insertion portion 10, and the treatment tool insertion port 11a is an insertion port for the treatment tool into the treatment tool channel 123.
A water supply pipe 124 which is housed in the universal cord 12 and distributes the water supplied via the water supply connector 18, an air supply pipe 125 which is housed in the universal cord 12 and distributes the air supplied via the air supply connector 16, a water supply channel 126 and an air supply channel 127 communicating with the air supply and water supply port 113, and a balloon water supply channel 128 communicating with the balloon water supply port 104 have their ends opened to the air supply and water supply cylinder 121.
The air supply and water supply button 11b (see
A suction channel 130 branched from the treatment tool channel 123, a balloon suction channel 131 communicating with the balloon suction port 105, and a suction pipe 132 housed in the universal cord 12 have their ends opened to the suction cylinder 122.
The suction button 11c (see
In addition, the air supply and water supply cylinder 121 and the suction cylinder 122 is covered by a duct plug 129 at the time of cleaning the ultrasound endoscope 2.
An injection port 135 configured to directly inject water into the balloon water supply channel 128 is provided at a part of the balloon water supply channel 128. A duct 136 is connected to the injection port 135. An end of the duct 136 at the opposite side to the injection port 135 is opened to the outside of a casing of the operating unit 11, and a port 137 to which a water injection syringe 140 can be mounted is provided at this aperture. Further, the port 137 is covered by a dedicated lid (not illustrated) to be sealed during observation of the inside of the body. Alternatively, a check valve to prevent a back flow to the port 137 may be provided in the middle of the duct 136. In addition, a check valve 138 to prevent flow toward the air supply and water supply cylinder 121 from the injection port 135 is provided at a more upstream side (the air supply and water supply cylinder 121 side) as compared to the injection port 135 of the balloon water supply channel 128.
At the time of observing the inside of the body using the ultrasound endoscopic system 1, the O-rings provided at both the ends of the balloon 106 are fitted and fixed to the groove portions 102 and 103, respectively, and the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the body. Then, the water that has been supplied via the water supply pipe 124 and the balloon water supply channel 128 is supplied through the balloon water supply port 104 to fill the inside of the balloon 106 with the water, and the balloon 106 brought into contact with the examination target to perform the ultrasound observation. In addition, the examination target is illuminated via the illumination lens to optically examine the inside of the body.
When the observation of the inside of the body is ended, the water inside the balloon 106 is suctioned through the balloon suction port 105, and the water is discharged via the balloon suction channel 131 and the suction pipe 132. Then, the insertion portion 10 is pulled out from the inside of the body in the state where the balloon 106 is deflated. Thereafter, the ultrasound endoscope 2 is taken out of the light source device 6.
At the time of cleaning the ultrasound endoscope 2, the water injection syringe 140 is attached to the port 137. The balloon 106 is inflated by supplying water from the water injection syringe 140 to the balloon 106 via the duct 136 and the balloon water supply channel 128. Accordingly, the balloon 106 can be easily taken out of the groove portions 102 and 103.
As described above, the injection port 135 is provided in the balloon water supply channel 128 so that the water is directly injected into the balloon water supply channel 128 via the duct 136 and the injection port 135 using the water injection syringe 140 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, it is possible to supply the water to the balloon 106 to inflate the balloon 106 even when the ultrasound endoscope 2 is not connected to the light source device 6. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently perform the cleaning of the ultrasound endoscope 2.
As a modified example of the above-described first embodiment, the balloon 106 may be inflated by supplying air instead of injecting water from the water injection syringe 140. Also in this case, it is possible to easily take out the balloon 106 by inflating the balloon 106. In the case of supplying the air, an air supply means, such as a syringe for air supply, may be attached to the port 137.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As illustrated in
In this manner, even when the water is directly injected to the balloon water supply channel 128 from the water injection syringe 140, it is possible to supply water to the balloon 106 to inflate the balloon.
Further, in the second embodiment, the balloon 106 may also be inflated by supplying air instead of injecting water from the water injection syringe 140.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As illustrated in
A flow path 153, which communicates with an open end 152 of a balloon water supply channel 128 at one end and is opened to the outside of an operating unit 11 at the other end, is formed inside the plug portion 151. A port 154 to which a water injection syringe 140 can be connected is provided at the other end of the flow path 153. The flow path 153 is positioned such that one open end of the flow path 153 matches the open end 152 of the balloon water supply channel 128 at the time of covering the air supply and water supply cylinder 121 and the suction cylinder 122 with the lid portion 155.
At the time of cleaning the ultrasound endoscope 2, the plug portion 151 is inserted into the air supply and water supply cylinder 121, the lid portion 155 is placed to cover the air supply and water supply cylinder 121 and the suction cylinder 122, and the water injection syringe 140 is attached to the port 154. It is possible to supply water to a balloon 106 via the flow path 153 and the balloon water supply channel 128 by performing the water injection from the water injection syringe 140, and to easily take the balloon 106 out of groove portions 102 and 103 by inflating the balloon 106.
Further, in the third embodiment, the balloon 106 may also be inflated by supplying air instead of injecting water from the water injection syringe 140.
A modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As illustrated in
In addition,
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As illustrated in
At the time of cleaning the ultrasound endoscope 2, the air supply and water supply button 11b is switched to the mode in which the water supply pipe 124 and the balloon water supply channel 128 communicate with each other to supply water to a balloon 106. Then, the water injection syringe 140 is attached to the port 163. It is possible to supply water to the balloon 106 via the water supply pipe 124, the flow path inside the air supply and water supply button lib, and the balloon water supply channel 128 by injecting the water injection from the water injection syringe 140 into the duct 162, and to easily take the balloon 106 out of the groove portions 102 and 103 by inflating the balloon 106.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, the balloon 106 may also be inflated by supplying air instead of injecting water from the water injection syringe 140.
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As illustrated in
At the time of cleaning the ultrasound endoscope, the water injection syringe 140 is attached to the port 170, and water is injected inside the balloon 106. Accordingly, it is possible to easily take the balloon 106 out of groove portions 102 and 103 by inflating the balloon 106.
Further, in the fifth embodiment, the balloon 106 may also be inflated by supplying air instead of injecting water from the water injection syringe 140.
According to some embodiments, an injection port is provided on a flow path extending from a water supply pipe to a water supply port through a water supply cylinder and a balloon water supply channel, and water is injected into the injection port by an injection means. With this structure, even when the ultrasound endoscope is not connected to the light source device, it is possible to supply water to the balloon provided in the ultrasound endoscope.
The present invention is not limited to the first to fifth embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on specification or the like. For example, modifications can be formed by excluding several elements from the entire elements in the first to fifth embodiments.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-114188 | Jun 2015 | JP | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2016/066459 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 15658523 | US |
