Ultrasonic transducer unit and ultrasonic endoscope

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer unit and an ultrasonic endoscope capable of suppressing the deterioration of electrical joints caused by sterilization gases. Electrical joints (100, 104) from a coaxial cable (56) to a piezoelectric element (49) are joined by a conductive resin material (102), and the electrical joints (100, 104) using the resin material (102) are covered by a gas-barrier epoxy resin layer (106).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer unit and an ultrasonic endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, ultrasonic endoscopes have been used in medical settings. These endoscopes irradiate ultrasound waves into the body of the patient, receive the reflected waves, and visualize them to observe the internal condition.

[0003] Such ultrasonic endoscopes, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, have an ultrasonic transducer unit provided at the front end of the insertion portion within the insert. Typically, the ultrasonic transducer unit has an ultrasonic transducer array consisting of multiple ultrasonic transducers, which is mounted and held on an external component provided at the front end.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a connection structure that electrically connects the electrode pads of an ultrasonic transducer to the electrode pads of a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as FPC) via solder wires or conductive paste (e.g., silver paste). Additionally, the other ends of a plurality of coaxial cables, one end of which is electrically connected to an ultrasonic processor device, are connected to the aforementioned FPC.

[0005] Previous technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2018 / 003322 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, in the aforementioned connection structures, the heat from the solder is transferred to the ultrasonic transducer during solder wire configuration, sometimes causing micro-cracks in the transducer due to the heat. This can degrade the quality of the ultrasonic image and is therefore undesirable. On the other hand, while connection structures using conductive paste can eliminate the aforementioned heat problems caused by solder, they have the following drawbacks.

[0010] That is, after being used in surgery, the ultrasonic endoscope is, for example, placed in the sterilization tank of a gas sterilization device for cleaning. In this case, the ultrasonic endoscope is cleaned by being exposed to sterilizing gases such as ethylene oxide gas or hydrogen peroxide plasma gas under a reduced pressure atmosphere. However, the sterilizing gas contains components that can deteriorate or degrade the components that come into contact with it. Therefore, if the ultrasonic transducer unit is cleaned repeatedly with sterilizing gas, for example, the electrical junctions formed by the conductive paste may deteriorate, leading to wire breakage.

[0011] The present invention was made in view of this situation, and its object is to provide an ultrasonic transducer unit and an ultrasonic endoscope capable of suppressing the deterioration of electrical joints caused by sterilizing gases.

[0012] means for solving technical problems

[0013] To achieve the purpose of this invention, the ultrasonic transducer unit of this invention is disposed at the front end of the endoscope insertion part and has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. In the ultrasonic transducer unit, the ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric element, and a cable electrically connected to the piezoelectric element passes through the internal space of the front end. At least one of a plurality of electrical joints from the cable to the piezoelectric element is joined by a conductive resin material. The electrical joints using the resin material are covered by a first resin layer, wherein the first resin is an air-barrier epoxy resin.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the epoxy resin preferably has a polyoxyethylene structure.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the epoxy resin preferably comprises an alcohol compound.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the alcohol compound preferably has a hydroxyl equivalent of 25 or more and 150 or less, and a molecular weight of 50 or more and 500 or less.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the epoxy resin preferably has a polyamide structure.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to fill the internal space of the front end through which the cable passes by by means of a second resin layer, wherein the second resin is epoxy resin.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the epoxy resin preferably has a polyamide structure.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the first resin layer has a higher viscosity before curing compared to the second resin layer.

[0021] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the ultrasonic endoscope of this invention comprises: an insertion portion inserted into the body; an ultrasonic observation portion disposed at the front end of the insertion portion; and an ultrasonic transducer unit disposed in the ultrasonic observation portion.

[0022] Invention Effects

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of electrical joints caused by sterilizing gases. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram illustrating an example of the structure of an ultrasound examination system.

[0025] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 Magnified top view of the anterior end of the ultrasonic endoscope 40 and its surrounding area

[0026] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 Sectional view of line III-III

[0027] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The sectional view shown is cut along line IV-IV.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a coaxial cable. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the ultrasonic transducer unit and ultrasonic endoscope involved in the present invention will be described.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an example of an ultrasonic examination system 10 using an ultrasonic endoscope 12 according to an embodiment.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasound examination system 10 includes: an ultrasound endoscope 12; an ultrasound processor 14 for generating ultrasound images; an endoscope processor 16 for generating endoscopic images; a light source 18 for supplying illumination light to the ultrasound endoscope 12 to illuminate the body cavity; and a display 20 for displaying the ultrasound images and endoscopic images. Furthermore, the ultrasound examination system 10 includes: a water tank 21a for storing cleaning water, etc.; and a suction pump 21b for suctioning material from the body cavity.

[0032] The ultrasonic endoscope 12 has: an insertion part 22, which is inserted into the body cavity of the subject; an operation part 24, which is connected to the base end of the insertion part 22 and is used for operation by a surgeon; and a universal plug 26, one end of which is connected to the operation part 24, and the front end 40 of the insertion part 22 has an ultrasonic observation part 36 and an endoscope observation part 38, which will be described later.

[0033] The operation unit 24 is provided with the following in parallel: an air / water supply button 28a, which opens and closes the air / water supply line from the water tank 21a (not shown); and a suction button 28b, which opens and closes the suction line from the suction pump 21b (not shown). Furthermore, the operation unit 24 is provided with a pair of angle knobs 29, 29 and a device insertion port 30.

[0034] At the other end of the universal plug rope 26 are provided: an ultrasonic connector 32a, connected to the ultrasonic processor device 14; an endoscope connector 32b, connected to the endoscope processor device 16; and a light source connector 32c, connected to the light source device 18. The ultrasonic endoscope 12 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic processor device 14, the endoscope processor device 16, and the light source device 18 via these connectors 32a, 32b, and 32c, respectively. Furthermore, connector 32c includes: an air / water supply hose 34a, connected to the water tank 21a; and a suction hose 34b, connected to the suction pump 21b.

[0035] The insertion part 22 has, in sequence from the front end side: a front end part 40 having an ultrasonic observation part 36 and an endoscope observation part 38; a curved part 42 connected to the base end side of the front end part 40; and a flexible part 43 connecting the base end side of the curved part 42 and the front end side of the operation part 24.

[0036] The curved section 42 can be remotely bent by rotating a pair of bend knobs 29, 29 provided on the operating section 24. As a result, the front end 40 can be oriented in the desired direction.

[0037] The ultrasonic processor device 14 generates and supplies ultrasonic transducer unit 46 (see reference) for use in the ultrasonic observation unit 36 ​​described later. Figure 2 The ultrasonic transducer array 50 generates ultrasonic signals. Furthermore, the ultrasonic processor device 14 receives and acquires echo signals reflected from the observation object that emitted the ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic transducer array 50, and performs various signal processing on the acquired echo signals to generate an ultrasonic image displayed on the display 20.

[0038] The endoscope processor device 16 receives and acquires the camera image signal acquired in the endoscope observation section 38 from the observation object part illuminated by the illumination light from the light source device 18, and performs various signal processing and image processing on the acquired image signal to generate an endoscope image displayed on the display 20.

[0039] In order to acquire image signals by using the endoscope observation section 38 to photograph the observation area inside the body cavity, the light source device 18 generates illumination light, such as white light composed of three primary colors of light (red, green, and blue) or light of a specific wavelength, which propagates in the light guide (not shown) inside the ultrasonic endoscope 12 and is emitted from the endoscope observation section 38, thereby illuminating the observation area inside the body cavity.

[0040] The display 20 receives video signals generated by the ultrasound processor device 14 and the endoscope processor device 16, and displays ultrasound images and endoscope images. Regarding the display of these ultrasound images and endoscope images, it is also possible to appropriately switch to displaying only one image on the display 20, or to display both images simultaneously.

[0041] Next, refer to Figures 2 to 4 The structure of the front end 40 will be explained.

[0042] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 An enlarged top view of the front end 40 and its surrounding area shown. Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The sectional view shown, cut along line III-III, is a longitudinal sectional view with the front end 40 cut along the centerline along its length. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The sectional view shown along line IV-IV is a cross-sectional view taken along the center line of the arc structure of the ultrasonic transducer array 50 of the ultrasonic observation section 36 at the front end 40.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, on the front end 40, an ultrasonic observation section 36 for acquiring ultrasonic images is mounted on the front end side, and an endoscope observation section 38 for acquiring endoscopic images is mounted on the base end side. Furthermore, a treatment device outlet 44 is provided between the ultrasonic observation section 36 and the endoscope observation section 38.

[0044] The endoscope observation section 38 consists of an observation window 82, an objective lens 84, a solid-state imaging element 86, an illumination window 88, a cleaning nozzle 90, and a wiring cable 92 consisting of multiple coaxial cables (not shown).

[0045] The treatment device outlet 44 is connected to the treatment device channel 45 inside the penetrating insertion part 22, from Figure 1 The treatment device (not shown) inserted into the treatment device insertion port 30 is discharged into the body cavity through the treatment device channel 45 and the treatment device outlet 44.

[0046] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the ultrasonic observation unit 36 ​​includes an ultrasonic transducer unit 46, an external component 41 for holding the ultrasonic transducer unit 46, and multiple coaxial cables 56 wired to the ultrasonic transducer unit 46. Furthermore, the external component 41 is made of a rigid material such as rigid resin and forms part of the front end portion 40.

[0047] The ultrasonic transducer unit 46 includes: an ultrasonic transducer array 50 composed of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 48; an electrode 52 disposed at the end side of the ultrasonic transducer array 50 in the width direction (orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 22); a backing material layer 54 supporting each ultrasonic transducer 48 from the lower surface side; an FPC 60 disposed along the side of the backing material layer 54 in the width direction and connected to the electrode 52; and a filler layer 80 serving as a second resin layer, filling the internal space 55 between the outer component 41 and the backing material layer 54.

[0048] Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer unit 46 includes: an acoustic matching layer 76 stacked on the ultrasonic transducer array 50; and an acoustic lens 78 stacked on the acoustic matching layer 76. That is, the ultrasonic transducer unit 46 is configured as a laminate 47 having an acoustic lens 78, an acoustic matching layer 76, an ultrasonic transducer array 50, and a backing material layer 54.

[0049] The ultrasonic transducer array 50 is composed of a plurality of cuboid-shaped ultrasonic transducers 48 arranged outward in a convex arc shape. For example, the ultrasonic transducer array 50 is an array of 48 to 192 channels composed of 48 to 192 ultrasonic transducers 48. Each of these ultrasonic transducers 48 has a piezoelectric element 49.

[0050] As an example, the ultrasonic transducer array 50 in this example is formed by arranging multiple ultrasonic transducers 48 in a one-dimensional array at a predetermined spacing. Each ultrasonic transducer 48 constituting this ultrasonic transducer array 50 is arranged at equal intervals in a convex curved shape along the axial direction of the front end portion 40 (the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 22), according to the ultrasonic processor device 14 (reference...). Figure 1 The input drive signals are driven sequentially. Thus, the array of... Figure 2 The range of the ultrasonic transducer 48 shown is used as the scanning range for convex electronic scanning.

[0051] Furthermore, the electrodes 52 of the ultrasonic transducer array 50 have: individual electrodes 52a, independent for each ultrasonic transducer 48; and a transducer ground 52b, which serves as a common electrode for all ultrasonic transducers 48. Figure 4 In this configuration, multiple individual electrodes 52a are disposed on the lower surface of the ends of multiple ultrasonic transducers 48, and transducer grounding 52b is disposed on the upper surface of the ends of the ultrasonic transducers 48.

[0052] The acoustic matching layer 76 is used to obtain acoustic impedance matching between the test subject and the ultrasonic transducer 48.

[0053] The acoustic lens 78 is used to converge the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transducer array 50 toward the object being observed. Furthermore, to achieve acoustic impedance matching between the subject and the ultrasonic transducer 48 in the acoustic matching layer 76, and to improve the transmittance of the ultrasonic waves, powders such as titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, or silicon dioxide are mixed into the acoustic lens 78 as needed. The acoustic lens 78 is formed, for example, from a silicone-based resin (millable silicone rubber and liquid silicone rubber), a butadiene-based resin, or a polyurethane-based resin.

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the backing material layer 54 is a layer of components made of backing material, disposed on the back side (lower surface) of the ultrasonic transducer array 50, which is inside the arrangement surface of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 48. Therefore, the backing material layer 54 mechanically and flexibly supports the ultrasonic transducer array 50 and attenuates ultrasonic waves propagating towards the backing material layer 54 from the ultrasonic signals oscillating from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 48 or reflected from the observed object. Therefore, the backing material is made of a rigid material such as hard rubber, and ultrasonic attenuating materials (ferrite, ceramic, etc.) are added as needed.

[0055] The filler layer 80 fills the internal space 55 between the outer component 41 and the backing material layer 54, and serves to fix the FPC 60, coaxial cable 56, and various wiring components. Furthermore, the filler layer 80 is preferably matched to the acoustic impedance of the backing material layer 54 with a specified precision or higher, so that ultrasonic signals propagating from the ultrasonic transducer array 50 to the backing material layer 54 are not reflected at the boundary surface with the backing material layer 54. Moreover, in order to improve the efficiency of heat dissipation generated in the multiple ultrasonic transducers 48, the filler layer 80 is preferably composed of a heat-dissipating component. When the filler layer 80 is heat-dissipating, heat dissipation efficiency can be improved because heat is received from the backing material layer 54, FPC 60, and coaxial cable 56.

[0056] According to the ultrasonic transducer unit 46 configured as described above, if each ultrasonic transducer 48 of the ultrasonic transducer array 50 is driven and a voltage is applied to the two electrodes 52 of the ultrasonic transducer 48, the piezoelectric element 49 vibrates and sequentially generates ultrasonic waves, which are then irradiated toward the observation area of ​​the subject. Then, by using an electronic switch such as a multiplexer to sequentially drive multiple ultrasonic transducers 48, ultrasonic waves are scanned within a scanning range along the curved surface where the ultrasonic transducer array 50 is arranged, for example, within a range of about tens of millimeters from the center of curvature of the curved surface.

[0057] Furthermore, if an echo signal reflected from the observed object is received, the piezoelectric element 49 vibrates to generate a voltage, which is then output to the ultrasonic processor device 14 as an electrical signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic echo. After various signal processing steps are performed in the ultrasonic processor device 14, the signal is displayed on the display 20 as an ultrasonic image.

[0058] Figure 4 The FPC60 shown has multiple electrode pads 62 at one end that are electrically connected to multiple individual electrodes 52a, and multiple electrode pads 64 at the other end that are electrically connected to multiple signal lines 56a of a coaxial cable 56. Furthermore, the FPC60 also has a grounding portion (not shown) electrically connected to the vibrator ground 52b.

[0059] Here, as Figure 3 As shown, in this example, the coaxial cable 56 is bundled together with an outer sheath 58 at the base end of the front end 40. During wiring, it is led out from the outer sheath 58 and connected to the FPC 60. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown in the cross-sectional view, the coaxial cable 56 has a signal line 56a connected to the electrode pad 64 on the center side, and has an insulating outer sheath 56b disposed on the outer side of the signal line 56a, a shielding layer 56c disposed on the outer side of the outer sheath 56b, and an insulating outer sheath 56d disposed on the outermost layer.

[0060] Return to Figure 4 The electrode pad 62 is joined to the electrical connection portion 100 of the individual electrode 52a by means of a conductive resin material 102, and the electrode pad 64 is joined to the electrical connection portion 104 of the signal line 56a by means of a conductive resin material 102.

[0061] As the aforementioned resin material 102, examples include materials formed by mixing fine conductive particles into a thermosetting resin and molding them into a film-like ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) or ACP (Anisotropic Conductive Paste). When cleaning the ultrasonic endoscope 12 using a gas sterilization device, the electrical connections 100 and 104 joined by this resin material 102 may deteriorate due to contact with sterilization gases such as ethylene oxide gas or hydrogen peroxide plasma gas, resulting in wire breakage.

[0062] Therefore, as Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 covers the electrical junctions 100 and 104 respectively with a low-reactivity epoxy resin layer 106, which serves as the first resin layer. Thus, even if the sterilizing gas, for example, penetrates through the acoustic lens 78 or the filler layer 80 to the electrical junctions 100 and 104, the epoxy resin layer 106 acts as a gas barrier, preventing the sterilizing gas from contacting the electrical junctions 100 and 104. This suppresses the deterioration of the electrical junctions 100 and 104 caused by the sterilizing gas.

[0063] Therefore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 12 according to the embodiment, the electrical joints 100 and 104 from the coaxial cable 56 to the piezoelectric element 49 are joined by a conductive resin material 102, and the electrical joints 100 and 104 using the resin material 102 are covered by a gas-barrier epoxy resin layer 106, thus suppressing the deterioration of the electrical joints 100 and 104 caused by sterilization gas.

[0064] Alternatively, it is preferable to cover all electrical joints from the coaxial cable 56 to the piezoelectric element 49 with an epoxy resin layer 106, but it is not limited thereto. The epoxy resin layer 106 may be used to cover electrical joints 100 and 104 that are joined by a resin material 102 that is at least conductive.

[0065] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of the embodiment, the application of this example in the connection structure connecting the piezoelectric element 49 and the coaxial cable 56 via the FPC 60 has been described, but the connection structure applicable to this example is not limited to this. For example, this example can also be applied in a first other connection structure that directly connects the piezoelectric element 49 and the coaxial cable 56 via an electrical connection, and in a second other connection structure that connects the first FPC connected to the piezoelectric element 49 and the second FPC connected to the coaxial cable 56 via an electrical connection. In this case, in the second other connection structure, since stress tends to concentrate at the aforementioned electrical connection during manufacturing, it is preferable to pre-cover the electrical connection with an epoxy resin layer 106. As a result, the mechanical strength of the electrical connection is improved, thus preventing damage to the electrical connection during manufacturing.

[0066] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of the embodiment, ACF is exemplified as the resin material 102, but it is not limited to this. For example, a resin material in which conductive fillers such as metal particles are dispersed in an adhesive resin such as epoxy or urethane, and the fillers form conductive paths after bonding. Conductive pastes such as silver paste can be exemplified as such resin materials.

[0067] The following describes a specific example of epoxy resin layer 106.

[0068] The epoxy resin in the epoxy resin layer 106 preferably has a polyoxyethylene structure. This improves the epoxy resin layer 106's resistance to sterilization gases.

[0069] Furthermore, the epoxy resin of the epoxy resin layer 106 preferably contains an alcohol compound. This improves the gas resistance of the epoxy resin layer 106 to sterilizing gases. In this case, it is further preferred that the alcohol compound has a hydroxyl equivalent of 25 or more and 150 or less, and a molecular weight of 50 or more and 500 or less. This allows for gas resistance equivalent to that of the polyoxyethylene structure described above.

[0070] Furthermore, the epoxy resin in the epoxy resin layer 106 preferably has a polyamide structure. This improves the resistance of the epoxy resin layer 106 to sterilizing gases.

[0071] On the other hand, the second resin used to form the filler layer 80 is preferably an epoxy resin, and more preferably, the epoxy resin has a polyamide structure. This enables the filler layer 80 to have gas resistance.

[0072] Here, epoxy resins with high gas resistance (i.e., low reactivity to gases) have large molecular weights and high viscosity. Therefore, as the first resin layer used to coat the electrical joints 100 and 104, an epoxy resin with a relatively high viscosity before curing is preferably used. This results in higher gas resistance and reliable coating of the electrical joints 100 and 104.

[0073] Furthermore, the second resin used to form the filler layer 80 is preferably an epoxy resin with a lower viscosity than the first resin before curing. This allows the second resin to be distributed throughout the entire area of ​​the internal space 55, thus suppressing the formation of bubbles in the filler layer 80 that could cause gas permeation.

[0074] Furthermore, as an example, the viscosity of the first resin layer before curing is preferably 50 Pa·s or more and 500 Pa·s or less. Also, as an example, the viscosity of the second resin layer before curing is preferably 1 Pa·s or more and 30 Pa·s or less, and more preferably 1 Pa·s or more and 15 Pa·s or less.

[0075] Because an ultrasonic endoscope is an inserted device, a small diameter insertion section is required. To achieve this, the cable connecting the ultrasonic transducer is extremely thin compared to the cable used for surface echo imaging. As a result, the mechanical strength of the electrical joint is very weak, making it prone to breakage during manufacturing processes. In particular, the cable is subjected to load during the operation of housing the ultrasonic transducer at the front end, further increasing the likelihood of breakage at the electrical joint.

[0076] Furthermore, for the small ultrasonic transducers used in ultrasonic endoscopes, using solder instead of conductive resin increases the risk of microcracks and breakage in the piezoelectric element when heat exceeding 100 degrees Celsius is transferred to it. Alternatively, if the electrode pads of the FPC are spaced too narrowly, soldering may not be effective, leading to soldering defects. Therefore, there are inevitably areas where conductive resin materials must be used for bonding. In this case, the lower mechanical strength of conductive resin compared to solder further increases the likelihood of electrical joint breakage during manufacturing. Thus, existing ultrasonic endoscopes suffer from the problem of easily broken electrical joints during manufacturing.

[0077] In contrast, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of this embodiment has the electrical joints 100 and 104 covered by an epoxy resin layer 106, thus improving the mechanical strength of the electrical joints 100 and 104. Therefore, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of this embodiment also eliminates the problem of the electrical joints 100 and 104 being easily damaged during manufacturing operations.

[0078] The present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the examples above. Various modifications or variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0079] Symbol Explanation

[0080] 10-Ultrasonic inspection system, 12-Ultrasonic endoscope, 14-Ultrasonic processor device, 16-Endoscope processor device, 18-Light source device, 20-Display, 21a-Water tank, 21b-Suction pump, 22-Insertion part, 24-Operating part, 26-Universal plug rope, 29-Angle button, 30-Device insertion port, 32a-Connector, 32b-Connector, 32c-Connector, 34a-Air and water supply hose, 34b-Suction hose, 36-Ultrasonic observation part, 38-Endoscope observation part, 40-Front end, 41-External component, 42-Bend part, 43-Flexible part, 44-Device outlet, 45-Device channel, 46-Ultrasonic transducer Element, 48-ultrasonic transducer, 49-piezoelectric element, 50-ultrasonic transducer array, 52-electrode, 52a-individual electrode, 52b-transducer grounding, 54-backing material layer, 55-internal space, 56-coaxial cable, 56a-signal line, 56b-outer sheath, 56c-shielding layer, 56d-outer sheath, 58-outer sheath, 60-FPC, 62-electrode pad, 64-electrode pad, 76-acoustic matching layer, 78-acoustic lens, 80-filler layer, 82-observation window, 84-objective lens, 86-solid-state imaging element, 88-illumination window, 90-cleaning nozzle, 92-wiring cable, 100-electrical joint, 102-resin material, 104-electrical joint, 106-epoxy resin layer.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer unit disposed at the front end of an endoscope insertion portion and having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, wherein the ultrasonic transducer unit, The ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric element. A cable electrically connected to the piezoelectric element passes through the internal space of the front end. At least one of a plurality of electrical joints from the cable to the piezoelectric element is joined by a conductive resin material. The electrical bonding portion using the resin material is covered by a first resin layer of a different material than the resin material. The first resin is a gas-barrier epoxy resin.

2. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 1, wherein, The epoxy resin has a polyoxyethylene structure.

3. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The epoxy resin contains alcohol compounds.

4. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 3, wherein, The alcohol compound has a hydroxyl equivalent of 25 or more and 150 or less, and a molecular weight of 50 or more and 500 or less.

5. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The epoxy resin has a polyamide structure.

6. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The internal space of the front end through which the cable passes is filled by a second resin layer. The second resin is epoxy resin.

7. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 6, wherein, The epoxy resin has a polyamide structure.

8. The ultrasonic transducer unit according to claim 6, wherein, The first resin layer has a higher viscosity before curing compared to the second resin layer.

9. An ultrasonic endoscope, comprising: Insertion point, inserted into the body; An ultrasonic observation unit is disposed at the front end of the insertion unit; and The ultrasonic transducer unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is disposed in the ultrasonic observation unit.

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