Puncture needle guide adapter and ultrasonic probe

Abstract

The present application can easily perform installation of a puncture needle guide adapter to an ultrasonic probe outside the abdominal cavity, and can easily confirm the installation state of the puncture needle guide adapter inside the abdominal cavity. Alternatively, insertion and extraction of the ultrasonic probe from a guide tube that passes through the abdominal wall can be smoothly performed. A puncture adapter (400) is detachably installed to a head (210) of a probe (200) outside the abdominal cavity. The puncture adapter (400) has a main body portion that covers a through hole for guiding a puncture needle, an insertion portion that is inserted into the through hole, and a needle guide hole that communicates with the main body portion and the insertion portion and guides the puncture needle inserted from a needle inlet portion of the main body portion to a needle inlet portion of the insertion portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an adapter for guiding a puncture needle and an ultrasonic probe. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasound diagnostic devices acquire biological information about a subject by sending ultrasound waves into the body through an ultrasound probe and receiving the reflected waves. The acquired biological information is displayed as an ultrasound image representing the state of the subject. For example, in the case of using an ultrasound diagnostic device for laparoscopic surgery, the ultrasound probe is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a trocar positioned in the body wall of the subject.

[0003] During laparoscopic surgery, punctures are sometimes performed. The surgeon inserts a puncture needle into the abdominal cavity and observes the laparoscopic images to confirm the needle's position. After the tip of the puncture needle reaches the target site, the surgeon may collect tissue samples or inject medication into the target site.

[0004] To assist the surgeon in performing the puncture, a needle guide is sometimes installed on the ultrasound probe to guide the puncture needle. In this case, the needle guide is clamped with forceps, and the puncture needle is passed through the needle guide.

[0005] However, moving or rotating the ultrasound probe may cause the position of the needle guide to change, or changing the needle guide in the abdominal cavity may cause it to be unable to be successfully installed on the ultrasound probe. Therefore, a puncture adapter that can be installed on the ultrasound probe has been proposed (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-233261

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-36501

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-214441

[0009] Patent Document 4: International Publication No. 2015 / 166302

[0010] The puncture needle guide adapter can be installed on the ultrasound probe outside the body cavity, but it is desirable to install it on the ultrasound probe easily. Moreover, it is preferably designed so that it is easy to confirm whether the puncture needle guide adapter has fallen off outside the body cavity and the status of the puncture needle guide adapter being installed. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of this invention is to enable easy installation of the puncture needle guide adapter to the ultrasound probe outside the body cavity, and to easily confirm the installation status of the puncture needle guide adapter inside the body cavity. Alternatively, the object of this invention is to enable smooth insertion and withdrawal of the ultrasound probe from a guide tube passing through the body wall.

[0012] The present invention relates to an adapter for guiding a puncture needle, which is detachably mounted on an ultrasonic probe inserted into a body cavity through an internal channel of a guide tube passing through the body wall, and having a vibrator array and a through hole for guiding the puncture needle at its front end. The adapter is characterized by having: an adapter body; and a pair of clamping mechanisms, at least a portion of which has an elastic member extending in opposite directions from the adapter body and bending along the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe. The adapter body has: a plate-shaped main body portion, which, when mounted on the ultrasonic probe, is configured to cover the needle inlet portion of the through hole; an insertion portion inserted into the through hole; and a needle guide hole communicating with the main body portion and the insertion portion, and guiding the puncture needle inserted from the main body portion. When mounted on the ultrasonic probe, the adapter is fixed to the ultrasonic probe by clamping it with the clamping mechanisms.

[0013] Furthermore, the main body can be configured such that the thickness of both ends in the direction of insertion and withdrawal from the guide tube is reduced when the ultrasonic probe is installed.

[0014] Furthermore, the needle guide hole can be configured such that, if light is irradiated within the body cavity, the needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole and its surroundings can be easily visually identified.

[0015] Furthermore, the needle guide hole can be formed in a funnel shape such that the diameter of the needle inlet portion is larger than the inner diameter of the needle guide hole.

[0016] Furthermore, the shape of the insertion part can be formed according to the shape of the through hole.

[0017] The ultrasonic probe of the present invention is characterized in that a recess corresponding to the shape of the main body portion is formed in the portion abutting the main body portion of the aforementioned puncture needle guide adapter.

[0018] Furthermore, a mark guiding the installation of the puncture needle guide adapter may be affixed to the outer surface corresponding to the installation position of the puncture needle guide adapter.

[0019] Furthermore, puncture can be performed at any angle within a specified angle range without the puncture needle guide adapter being installed, and puncture can be performed at a specified fixed angle with the puncture needle guide adapter being installed.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] According to the present invention, the puncture needle guide adapter can be easily installed onto the ultrasound probe outside the body cavity, and the installation status of the puncture needle guide adapter inside the body cavity can be easily confirmed. Alternatively, according to the present invention, the ultrasound probe can be smoothly inserted into and withdrawn from the guide tube passing through the body wall. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the general structure of the ultrasound diagnostic device in this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of the head of the probe in this embodiment, magnified.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the probe head in this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4A This is a front view of the probe head in this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4B This is a top view of the probe head in this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4C This is a right view of the head of the probe in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4D This is a bottom view of the probe head in this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4E It is cut along line AA'. Figure 4A The head shown is a cross-sectional view viewed from the left side.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the puncture adapter in this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6A This is the front view of the puncture adapter in this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6B This is a top view of the puncture adapter in this embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6C This is a right view of the puncture adapter in this embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6D This is a bottom view of the puncture adapter in this embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6E It is cut along the CC' line. Figure 6AThe puncture adapter shown is a cross-sectional view viewed from the left side.

[0036] Figure 7A This is a front view of the head of the probe in this embodiment, with the puncture adapter installed.

[0037] Figure 7B This is a top view of the head of the probe in this embodiment, with the puncture adapter installed.

[0038] Figure 7C This is a right view of the head of the probe in this embodiment, with the puncture adapter installed.

[0039] Figure 7D This is a bottom view of the head of the probe in this embodiment, with the puncture adapter installed.

[0040] Figure 7E It is cut along the DD' line. Figure 7A The probe shown is a cross-sectional view when viewed from the left side.

[0041] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the method of installing the puncture adapter in this embodiment onto the head of the probe.

[0042] Symbol explanation:

[0043] 10-Ultrasound diagnostic device; 12-Cable; 20-Abdominal wall; 22, 32-Cannula; 24-Abdominal cavity; 26-Puncture needle; 28-Organ; 30-Tumor, etc.; 100-Control console; 106-First display unit; 108-Second display unit; 110-Operation panel; 112-Transmit / receive control unit; 114-Beamforming (BF) unit; 116-Signal processing unit; 118-Image processing unit; 120-Display processing unit; 122-Control unit; 200-Probe. 202-Handle portion, 204-Insertion portion, 206-Operating portion, 208-Bending portion, 210-Head, 212-Vortex array, 214-Through hole, 216-Notch for guiding puncture needle, 218-Notch, 220-Marker, 222-Recess, 300-Laparoscope, 400-Punch adapter, 402-Main body portion, 404-Insertion portion, 406-Needle guide hole, 408-Clamp, 408a-Connecting portion, 408b-Leg portion, 408c-Connecting portion. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] (Structure of an ultrasound diagnostic device)

[0046] Figure 1This is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 in this embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 in this embodiment includes a main body 100, a probe 200, and a laparoscope 300. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 can also be referred to as an ultrasound diagnostic system. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 has the function of performing ultrasound diagnosis using the probe 200 and the laparoscope 300.

[0047] The main body 100 of the device, also referred to as a "control console," has interfaces (IFs) 102 and 104 for connecting the probe 200 and the laparoscope 300, a first display unit 106, a second display unit 108, and an operation panel 110 as a user interface. The first display unit 106 displays an ultrasound image generated based on the ultrasound signal received by the probe 200. The second display unit 108 displays a photographic image based on the laparoscope 300. Each display unit 106 and 108 is an image display device, for example, composed of a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The operation panel 110 is a device operated by the surgeon or other operator (hereinafter also referred to as "user") for controlling the input and display of parameters, etc., in ultrasound diagnosis.

[0048] The control console 100 performs ultrasound diagnostic processing functions and includes a transceiver control unit 112, a beamforming (BF) unit 114, a signal processing unit 116, an image processing unit 118, a display processing unit 120, and a control unit 122.

[0049] The transceiver control unit 112 controls the ultrasonic transceiver based on each vibrating element within the probe 200. This control includes, for example, supplying electrical transmission signals to each vibrating element and amplifying electrical reception signals from each vibrating element. In supplying transmission signals, the transceiver control unit 112 forms an ultrasonic transmission beam by controlling the timing of supplying transmission signals to each vibrating element.

[0050] The beamforming unit 114 performs phase-integration and summation processing on the received signals from each vibrating element within the probe 200. This phase-integration and summation processing forms a receiving beam. The beamforming unit 114 outputs echo data obtained along the receiving beam as the result of the phase-integration and summation processing. Furthermore, when performing transmit beamforming, the beamforming unit 114 generates multiple transmit signals for transmit beamforming.

[0051] The signal processing unit 116 performs various signal processing operations on the echo data output by the beamforming unit 114, such as gain correction, logarithmic amplification, envelope detection, and filtering.

[0052] The image processing unit 118 has coordinate transformation and interpolation functions, and forms a display frame, i.e., an ultrasound image, based on multiple beam data output from the signal processing unit 116. The beam data from the signal processing unit 116 is data in a beam scanning coordinate system, consisting of multiple data points along the direction of the beam corresponding to the beam data. The image processing unit 118 transforms, for example, the signal values ​​of each data point of the beam data into the display coordinate system, i.e., the coordinate system of the ultrasound image (typically an orthogonal coordinate system represented by a set of x and y coordinates). Furthermore, the image processing unit 118 interpolates the values ​​of pixels without values ​​based on the values ​​of surrounding pixels. The image processing unit 118 forms ultrasound images, such as B-mode tomography images, through this coordinate transformation and interpolation.

[0053] The display processing unit 120 synthesizes images or characters representing various information from the ultrasonic image formed by the image processing unit 118 to form display screen data. The information synthesized from the ultrasonic image includes, for example, ROIs representing the display range of various display modes such as color Doppler modes, and lines representing the sample volume of a pulse Doppler mode or the beam in which that sample volume is located. Furthermore, the display processing unit 120 displays the display screen data formed as described above on the first display unit 106.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 122 controls the execution of ultrasound diagnostic processing by controlling the operation of each component included in the console 100.

[0055] The components 102 to 122 in the console 100 are realized through the coordinated action of the computer mounted on the console 100 and the program running in the CPU of the computer.

[0056] The probe 200 is connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 via cable 12. In this embodiment, the probe 200 is an intra-abdominal insertion type ultrasound probe. "Abdominal cavity" refers to the internal space of a person, the portion surrounded by the abdominal wall lower than the diaphragm; more specifically, it is the space surrounded by the abdominal wall and containing digestive organs such as the stomach and intestines. "Body cavity" refers to the space between the body wall and the digestive tract, primarily the thoracic cavity, pericardial cavity, and abdominal cavity. In this embodiment, "abdominal cavity" and "body cavity" are used with the same meaning.

[0057] The probe 200 mainly includes a handle 202 for the operator to hold and an insertion part 204 extending from the handle 202 and inserted into the abdominal cavity. The probe 200 can include the aforementioned cable 12 as a component. An operating part 206 for operator manipulation is provided in the handle 202. A cannula (guide tube) 22 passing through the abdominal wall 20 is installed on the abdominal wall 20 for use by the probe 200, but the insertion part 204 of the probe 200 is inserted into the abdominal cavity 24 through the internal channel of the cannula 22. If the inner diameter of the cannula 22 is set to about 12 mm, then the outer diameter of the insertion part 204 of the probe 200 needs to be smaller than this inner diameter, for example, about 10 mm.

[0058] The insertion portion 204 includes: a bending portion 208, which bends upwards, downwards, or left and right according to the operation of the operation portion 206; and a front end portion (hereinafter referred to as the "head") 210, located at the front end side extending from the bending portion 208. In the head 210, a transducer array 212 is arranged in the longitudinal direction. The transducer array 212 corresponds to the aforementioned "vibrating elements". The ultrasound diagnostic device 10 performs ultrasound diagnosis on the body cavity by oscillating ultrasound waves from the transducer array 212. The operator bends the bending portion 208 by operating the operation portion 206, thereby ensuring a diagnostic field of view. A through hole for guiding the puncture needle is provided on the bending portion 208 side of the head 210. Alternatively, a puncture needle guide notch may be provided on the front end side of the head 210.

[0059] Furthermore, a puncture needle guide adapter (hereinafter referred to as "puncture adapter") 400, which is a feature of this embodiment, is installed at the location where the through hole is provided. The specific structure of the puncture adapter 400 and the structure of the head 210 of the probe 200 on which the puncture adapter 400 is installed will be described in detail later. The puncture needle 26 is inserted into the abdominal wall 20. The tip portion of the puncture needle 26 passes through the needle guide hole provided in the puncture adapter 400 to reach the target site, such as a tumor 30 in organ 28.

[0060] Furthermore, a cannula 32 for inserting the laparoscope 300 into the abdominal cavity 24 is mounted on the abdominal wall 20. A light source (not shown) is provided at the front end of the laparoscope 300, and the laparoscope 300 is operated by the user to photograph the illumination range of the light source, such as the range including the head 210 of the probe 200.

[0061] The above uses Figure 1The structure of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 and the relationship between the human body, the object of ultrasound diagnosis, and the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 are described. The ultrasound diagnostic device 10 in this embodiment can be configured with essentially the same hardware structure as conventional devices. In this embodiment, the puncture adapter 400 and a portion of the probe 200 on which the puncture adapter 400 is mounted, as described below, have distinctive features, such as their shape. The structure of the puncture adapter 400 and the head 210 of the probe 200 on which the puncture adapter 400 is mounted will be described below.

[0062] (Structure of probe 200)

[0063] Figure 2 It is an enlarged representation Figure 1 A perspective view of an example of the head 210 of the probe 200 shown. Figure 2 As shown, a puncture adapter 400 can be installed on the head 210. First, using... Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figures 4A-4E The structure of the head 210 without the puncture adapter 400 installed is described.

[0064] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the head 210 of the probe 200 used in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the right side of the head 210 as seen from the direction of the bend 208. In contrast, Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the left side of head 210, viewed from the front of head 210. Furthermore, Figure 4A This is the main view of head 210. Figure 4A In the image, the view is considered frontal when viewed from the front end of head 210. Furthermore, Figure 4B This is a top view of the head (210). Figure 4C This is the right view of head 210. Figure 4D It is a top view of the head at angle 210. Figure 4E It is cut along line AA'. Figure 4A The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the head 210 as viewed from the left side. Furthermore, the head 210 may contain internal components such as circuitry for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, but... Figure 4E The illustration is omitted.

[0065] The probe 200, or head 210, has a transducer array 212 and a through hole 214 for guiding the puncture needle at its front end. In this embodiment, the probe 200 has the through hole 214 on the bent side of the transducer array 212. The through hole 214 may also be located further forward than the transducer array 212. In this embodiment, the head 210 has a puncture needle guiding notch 216 formed at its front end. By increasing the notch size from the upper surface to the lower surface of the head 210, the puncture needle guiding notch 216 can guide the tip of the puncture needle 26 into the space below the transducer array 212.

[0066] The cross-sectional shape of the needle inlet portion of the through-hole 214 is an inverted triangle. That is, it narrows from the needle inlet portion toward the needle outlet portion of the through-hole 214. This allows the needle to be guided so that its tip, inserted into the through-hole 214, enters below the oscillator array 212. Even without the puncture adapter 400 installed on the probe 200, this shape of the through-hole 214 allows punctures to be performed within a specified angle range. In the following description, punctures guided at any angle within the specified angle range are referred to as "regional punctures."

[0067] like Figure 4B As shown, in this embodiment, the probe 200 has a notch 218 on only the left side of at least one side of the through hole 214. By providing the notch 218, the user can remove the probe 200 from the puncture needle 26 while the puncture needle 26 is inserted into the tumor 30.

[0068] On the other side (the right side in this embodiment) where the notch 218 is not provided, an inverted triangular mark 220 is attached to the head 210. The mark 220 is a marker to guide the installation of the puncture adapter 400. That is, the mark 220 is printed in the shape of an inverted triangle of the through hole 214 on the outer surface corresponding to the through hole 214. Thus, even if the right side is visible but the position of the through hole 214, or more specifically, the needle entrance portion of the through hole 214, cannot be visually identified in the second display unit 108, the user can still know the position and size of the needle entrance portion of the through hole 214 by means of the mark 220. That is, even if the user cannot see the needle entrance portion of the through hole 214, he / she can insert the puncture needle 26 into the through hole 214 by means of the mark 220.

[0069] A recess 222 is formed at the needle inlet portion of the through hole 214 located on the upper surface of the head 210. The puncture adapter 400 is installed in a manner that abuts against a portion of the recess 222. Thus, the main body of the puncture adapter 400 is disposed in the portion where the recess 222 is located, covering the needle inlet portion of the through hole 214. The main body of the puncture adapter 400 can suppress the amount of protrusion from the outer surface of the probe 200 through the recess 222.

[0070] Alternatively, if the puncture adapter 400 is installed on the probe 200 where the recess 222 is not formed, the outer surface of the probe 200, i.e. the location where the puncture adapter 400 is installed, can be machined to form the recess.

[0071] (Structure of puncture adapter 400)

[0072] Next, use Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figures 6A-6E The structure of the puncture adapter 400 is described.

[0073] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the puncture adapter 400 in this embodiment. Figure 5 The puncture adapter 400 shown is a perspective view taken from the side of the bend 208 when it is installed on the probe 200, in the direction of arrow B. Figure 6A This is the main view of the puncture adapter 400. Figure 6A In this configuration, when viewed from the side of the bend 208 with the probe head 210 mounted on the probe 200, the view is considered to be from the front. Furthermore, Figure 6B This is a top view of the puncture adapter 400. Figures 6B to 6E In the figure, the right side of the figure is shown as the front end of the head 210, and the left side of the figure is shown as the side of the bent portion 208. Figure 6C This is a right view of the puncture adapter 400. Additionally, since the puncture adapter 400 has a line-symmetrical shape, the left view is omitted. Figure 6D This is a bottom view of the puncture adapter 400. Figure 6E It is cut along the CC' line. Figure 6A The puncture adapter 400 shown is a cross-sectional view viewed from the left side.

[0074] The puncture adapter 400 is generally divided into an adapter body and a clamping mechanism. The adapter body has a main body portion 402 and an insertion portion 404, and further has a needle guide hole 406 communicating with the main body portion 402 and the insertion portion 404.

[0075] The main body 402 is formed in the shape of a thin plate and is disposed such that it covers the needle inlet portion of the through hole 214 of the probe 200 when mounted on the probe 200. The main body 402 is formed in the shape of a thin plate. That is, the main body 402 is designed to allow for smooth insertion and removal from the cannula needle 22 when mounted on the probe 200. In this embodiment, the main body 402 is further formed such that the thickness of both ends of the probe 200 in the insertion / removal direction from the cannula needle 22 decreases. It is formed in a streamlined shape. Therefore, the main body 402 will not get stuck on the cannula needle 22 or is less likely to get stuck on the cannula needle 22, thus making it easy to insert and remove the probe 200 from the cannula needle 22. As mentioned earlier, the inner diameter of the cannula 22 is approximately 12 mm, and the outer diameter of the insertion portion 204 of the probe 200 is approximately 10 mm. Therefore, with the puncture adapter 400 installed on the head 210, the outer diameter of the insertion portion 204 of the probe 200, including the top of the main body 402, is kept within 12 mm. That is, the protrusion of the puncture adapter 400 from the head 210 is suppressed to within 2 mm. In this embodiment, a recess 222 is provided in the head 210, thereby reducing the amount of protrusion from the outer periphery of the insertion portion 204.

[0076] If the puncture adapter 400 is installed on the head 210, the insertion part 404 is inserted into the through hole 214 formed in the probe 200. The insertion part 404 can be formed according to the shape of the through hole 214 formed in the probe 200. In this embodiment, the insertion part 404 is formed in an inverted triangular shape according to the shape of the through hole 214.

[0077] The needle guide hole 406 extends linearly from the needle inlet portion provided on the upper surface of the main body 402 to the needle outlet portion provided at the constricted front end of the insertion portion 404, guiding the puncture needle 26 inserted from the main body 402 to the target site (in this embodiment, a tumor, etc. 30). Figure 6E As shown, the diameter of the needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole 406 is funnel-shaped, larger than the inner diameter of the needle guide hole 406. By making the needle guide hole 406 funnel-shaped and the needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole 406 wider, the user can easily insert the puncture needle 26 into the needle guide hole 406. Assuming the tip of the puncture needle 26 reaches the funnel-shaped portion, its tip also slides on the inclined surface of the funnel shape and is guided into the needle guide hole 406.

[0078] Furthermore, the needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole 406, i.e., the area around the hole, can be further processed by chamfering or surface finishing. The needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole 406 is illuminated by the light source of the laparoscope 300, but if illuminated within the abdominal cavity 24, the processed needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole 406 reflects light in a different direction than its surroundings. Therefore, the user can easily visually distinguish the needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole 406 from its surroundings.

[0079] However, in the probe 200 with the puncture adapter 400 installed, punctures based on a fixed angle can be performed. In the following description, punctures that guide the puncture needle at a specified fixed angle will be referred to as "thread punctures".

[0080] According to this embodiment, regional puncture can be performed in the probe 200 when the puncture adapter 400 is not installed. Furthermore, the puncture adapter 400 in this embodiment is shaped to be installed in the through hole 214 where regional puncture can be performed; therefore, suture puncture can be performed in the probe 200 when the puncture adapter 400 is installed. That is, by selecting whether to install the puncture adapter 400 on the probe 200 outside the abdominal cavity, the user can use the same probe 200 to perform either regional puncture or suture puncture.

[0081] In this embodiment, only one needle guide hole 406 is provided in the puncture adapter 400, but multiple needle guide holes 406 may also be provided. For example, at least one of the angles or inner diameters may be different from the other multiple needle guide holes 406. Furthermore, multiple puncture adapters 400 may be provided, each having at least one of the angles or inner diameters different from the other needle guide holes 406.

[0082] On the other hand, the clamping mechanism is formed by a pair of clamps 408 that extend in opposite directions from the side of the main body 402 and bend along the outer surface of the probe 200. The pair of clamps 408 have elastic components such as spring steel. For example, the root portion of each clamp 408, which is formed of spring steel or the like, is the portion that engages with the main body 402 (hereinafter referred to as "joint portion 408a"). The joint portion 408a of each clamp 408 is joined to the main body 402 by laser welding, brazing, or solder bonding, etc.

[0083] To prevent the clamp 408 of the puncture adapter 400 from getting stuck when inserting and withdrawing the probe 200 from the insertion part 204 of the cannula 22, such as Figure 7A As shown, the curved shape of the clamp 408 can also be formed to match the outer surface of the mounting position of the probe 200.

[0084] In this embodiment, a metal such as stainless steel with a circular cross-section is bent to form a U-shape clamp 408. Furthermore, as described above, the clamp 408 is configured such that both ends are joined to the main body 402. More specifically, the clamp 408 is formed by a joint portion 408a that engages with the main body 402, two legs 408b extending from the joint portion 408a away from the main body 402, and a connecting portion 408c connecting the two legs 408b. The clamp 408 has no corners, thus minimizing damage to the abdominal wall 20 when inserting and removing the probe 200 from the cannula 22. As in this embodiment, even if a notch 218 is provided in the probe 200, the puncture adapter 400 can be reliably fixed to the head 210 by three of the four legs 408b.

[0085] Of course, the shape of the clamp 408 is not limited to this, as long as the installation state of the probe 200 can be visually identified. For example, it can also be formed from a bent flat plate-shaped leaf spring, etc.

[0086] In this embodiment, the puncture adapter 400 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. This is because if it were made of a material such as resin, the puncture needle 26 would have a different hardness than the metal, potentially leading to puncture. However, as long as it functions as a puncture adapter 400, it can be made of a material such as resin.

[0087] (The engagement relationship between the puncture adapter 400 and the head 210)

[0088] Next, use Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figures 7A to 7E The structure in which the puncture adapter 400 is installed on the head 210 of the probe 200 is described.

[0089] Figure 7A This is the main view of head 210. Figure 7A In this case, the view of the head 210 from the front of the probe 200 is considered as a frontal view. Furthermore, Figure 7B This is a top view of the head (210). Figure 7C This is the right view of head 210. Figure 7D It is a top view of the head at angle 210. Figure 7E It is cut along the DD' line. Figure 7A The sectional view of the head 210 as shown when viewed from the left side. Figures 7A to 7E Basically, it means in Figures 4A-4E The head 210 shown is equipped with Figure 5 The state of the puncture adapter 400 is shown. Additionally, the head 210 may contain built-in components such as circuitry for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, but... Figure 7EThe illustration is omitted. Incidentally, a three-dimensional illustration showing the puncture adapter 400 installed on the head 210 of the probe 200 is provided. Figure 2 .

[0090] With the puncture adapter 400 installed on the head 210 of the probe 200, for example, as Figure 7B As shown, the main body 402 of the puncture adapter 400 covers the through hole 214 of the head 210. Furthermore, by forming the clamp 408 into a U-shape, even when the puncture adapter 400 is mounted on the probe 200, for example... Figure 7C As shown, the mark 220 located on the right side of the head 210 can also be viewed from between the legs 408b of the clamp 408.

[0091] (Instructions for attaching and detaching the puncture adapter 400 to the probe 200)

[0092] Next, the method for attaching and detaching the puncture adapter 400 from the probe 200 will be explained.

[0093] In this embodiment, the puncture adapter 400 is installed outside the abdominal cavity on the probe 200. For example... Figure 8 As illustrated, the user aligns the puncture adapter 400 with the through hole 214 of the probe 200. If the through hole 214 is not visible, alignment is performed directly above the mark 220 attached to the probe 200. The user then brings their fingers, which are holding the puncture adapter 400 and the probe 200, closer together. For example, the user's fingers supporting the puncture adapter 400 are positioned along... Figure 8 Force is applied in the direction of arrow E. This pressing force applies force in the opening direction to the engagement portion 408a of the puncture adapter 400, which is formed by the elastic member, pressing the main body portion 402 of the puncture adapter 400 in until it abuts against the recess 222 of the probe 200. If the connecting portions 408c of each clamp 408 are pressed into the probe 200, they slide on the outer surface of the probe 200. When the main body portion 402 abuts against the recess 222 of the probe 200, no force is applied to the engagement portion 408a in the opening direction. Furthermore, the clamps 408 that have been pressed open return to their pre-installation state. As a result, as... Figure 2 As shown, the puncture adapter 400 is mounted on the head 210 of the probe 200.

[0094] Furthermore, if the piercing adapter 400 is pressed from above, the front end of the insertion part 404 slides down the inclined surface of the through hole 214. Therefore, the user can easily install the piercing adapter 400 at the designated position on the head 210 simply by pressing it in from above.

[0095] The puncture adapter 400, with the head 210 attached, is inserted into the abdominal cavity 24 together with the insertion portion 204 of the probe 200. Furthermore, the puncture adapter 400 functions as a guide for the puncture needle 26 within the abdominal cavity 24.

[0096] In this embodiment, the puncture adapter 400 is reliably secured to the probe 200 by the holding force of the spring steel forming part of the clamp 408. However, since the puncture adapter 400 has a detachable structure, it is possible for it to detach from the probe 200 for some reason. In this embodiment, the clamp 408 that secures the puncture adapter 400 to the probe 200 is visible on the outer surface of the probe 200, so the installation status of the puncture adapter 400 in the abdominal cavity can be easily confirmed visually through the photographic images based on the laparoscope 300.

[0097] The puncture adapter 400 is removed from the abdominal cavity 24 via the cannula 22 while it is mounted on the head 210 of the probe 200. The user can remove the puncture adapter 400 from the probe 200, for example, by pushing the connecting part 408c of the clamp 408 of the puncture adapter 400 upward from below or by pulling the main body 402 of the puncture adapter 400 upward from above.

[0098] According to this embodiment, a puncture adapter 400 that can be attached to and detached from the probe 200 outside the abdominal cavity 24 can be provided. Furthermore, by configuring the shape to suppress the amount of protrusion of the puncture adapter 400 from the periphery of the probe 200, the insertion and withdrawal of the probe 200 via the cannula 22 can be performed smoothly. Moreover, the installation status of the puncture adapter 400 within the abdominal cavity 24 relative to the probe 200 can be easily confirmed.

Claims

1. An adapter for guiding a puncture needle, detachably mounted on an ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe being inserted into a body cavity through an internal channel of a guide tube passing through the body wall, and having a transducer array and a through-hole for guiding the puncture needle at its front end, characterized in that... have: Adapter body; and A pair of clamping mechanisms, at least a portion of which has a resilient member, extend from the adapter body in opposite directions and bend along the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe. The adapter body has: The plate-shaped main body is configured to cover the needle inlet portion of the through hole when it is installed on the ultrasonic probe. The insertion part is inserted into the through hole; and The needle guide hole communicates with the main body and the insertion part, and guides the puncture needle inserted from the main body. When installed on the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the ultrasonic probe by being held by the clamping mechanism.

2. The adapter for guiding a puncture needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body is formed such that its thickness decreases at both ends in the direction of insertion and removal from the guide tube when it is installed on the ultrasonic probe.

3. The adapter for guiding a puncture needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The needle guide hole is formed such that, if light is irradiated within the body cavity, the needle inlet portion of the needle guide hole and its surroundings can be easily visually identified.

4. The adapter for guiding a puncture needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The needle guide hole is formed in a funnel shape such that the diameter of the needle inlet portion is larger than the inner diameter of the needle guide hole.

5. The adapter for guiding a puncture needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape of the insertion part is formed according to the shape of the through hole.

6. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that, The portion of the adapter for guiding a puncture needle according to any one of claims 1 to 5 that abuts against the main body portion has a recess corresponding to the shape of the main body portion.

7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, On the outer surface corresponding to the installation position of the puncture needle guide adapter, there is a mark for guiding the installation of the puncture needle guide adapter.

8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, Without the aforementioned puncture needle guide adapter installed, puncture can be performed at any angle within a specified range. With the puncture needle guide adapter installed, puncture can be performed at a specified fixed angle.

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