Ultrasonic endoscope

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic endoscope capable of improving water droplet removal performance.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic endoscope includes a radial type ultrasonic transducer disposed at a tip of a slender insertion part inserted into a subject. An apical surface of the tip includes a central surface part positioned on a central side of the apical surface and an annular outer peripheral surface part positioned outside the central surface part when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the apical surface. The central surface part is provided with an observation window, an illumination window, a forceps port, and a nozzle. The outer peripheral surface part is a dead space of the apical surface generated by the ultrasonic transducer, and at least a partial region of the outer peripheral surface part has a height different from that of the central surface part with a longitudinal axis direction of the insertion part as a height direction in the apical surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, ultrasonic endoscopes have been widely used for diagnosis and treatment in the medical field. As such an ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic endoscope equipped with a radial type ultrasonic transducer is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The ultrasonic endoscope shown in Patent Document 1 has an ultrasonic transducer on the outer peripheral surface of the tip, and further has an observation optical system on the tip surface of the tip. The ultrasonic transducer irradiates ultrasonic waves into the body of the subject and receives the reflected waves. The reflected waves are visualized. The observation optical system captures an image of the inside of the body of the subject. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 188762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Radial-type ultrasound endoscopes are equipped with an observation optical system, and so there is an increasing need to use them for gastrointestinal observation. In order to enable gastrointestinal observation, the ability to remove water droplets from the tip surface, especially the observation window, is an important aspect.

[0006] However, since the radial ultrasonic transducer is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip, the outer diameter of the insertion part becomes large. Therefore, the outer peripheral area of ​​the tip surface of the tip part corresponding to the ultrasonic transducer becomes dead space. On the other hand, the observation window and illumination window constituting the observation optical system, and the nozzle for removing deposits on the observation window, etc. are biasedly disposed in the central area of ​​the tip surface excluding the outer peripheral area.

[0007] In the radial-type ultrasonic endoscope having the above-mentioned structure, the outer diameter of the tip surface is large, so that water droplets and dirt are likely to adhere to the tip surface. Furthermore, since the observation window and the nozzle are arranged biased toward the center, it is difficult to remove water droplets and dirt from the outer peripheral area of ​​the tip surface. There is also a concern that water droplets and dirt in the central area of ​​the tip surface may not fly off completely even if they are removed by the nozzle, and may return to the observation window and the like arranged in the central area.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a radial type ultrasonic endoscope capable of improving the water droplet removal performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The ultrasonic endoscope of the first embodiment comprises a radial type ultrasonic transducer disposed at the tip of an elongated insertion section which is inserted into a subject, and the tip surface of the tip section, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the tip surface, comprises a central surface portion located at the center of the tip surface and an annular outer peripheral surface portion located on the outside of the central surface portion, and the central surface portion is provided with an observation window, an illumination window, a forceps port, and a nozzle, and the outer peripheral surface portion is a dead space at the tip surface created by the ultrasonic transducer, and when the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion section is the height direction at the tip surface, at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface portion has a different height from the central surface portion.

[0010] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the second aspect, the at least some region includes a nozzle adjacent region adjacent to the nozzle.

[0011] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the third aspect, the nozzle adjacent region has a height lower than that of the central surface portion.

[0012] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the fourth aspect, the nozzle adjacent region includes a region extending from a position where the nozzle outlet is extended to a position on the opposite side of the nozzle observation window.

[0013] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the fifth aspect, the at least some region includes an observation window adjacent region adjacent to the observation window.

[0014] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the sixth aspect, the observation window adjacent region has a height lower than that of the central surface portion.

[0015] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the seventh aspect, the observation window adjacent region has a height greater than that of the central surface portion.

[0016] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the eighth aspect, the observation window adjacent region is located on the opposite side of the observation window from the nozzle.

[0017] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the ninth aspect, the observation window adjacent region is a region that includes the ejection range of the liquid ejected from the nozzle.

[0018] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the tenth aspect, the observation window adjacent region is a region including a range sandwiched between two imaginary tangent lines that start from the center of the nozzle outlet and are in contact with the outer periphery of the observation window.

[0019] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the eleventh aspect, the at least some region includes a nozzle adjacent region adjacent to the nozzle and an observation window adjacent region adjacent to the observation window.

[0020] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the twelfth aspect, at least a portion of the region has a surface wettability different from that of the central surface portion.

[0021] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the thirteenth aspect, the outer circumferential surface portion has a chamfered structure at the outer circumferential end portion.

[0022] In the ultrasonic endoscope of the fourteenth aspect, the outer peripheral surface portion is formed by a tip cap that is a separate member from the central surface portion. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, the water droplet removal performance can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic inspection system using an ultrasonic endoscope. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the external appearance of the tip portion of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rigid tip portion of the ultrasonic endoscope shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the tip surface of the first embodiment as viewed from a vertical direction. [Diagram 5] 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tip rigid portion of the second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion taken along line 7-7 in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the distal end surface of the second embodiment as viewed from a vertical direction. [Figure 9] 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion taken along line 9-9 in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tip rigid portion of the second modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic inspection system 10 using an ultrasonic endoscope 12 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing the external appearance of the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 12 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion 40.

[0027] [About the Ultrasound Inspection System] 1, an ultrasonic examination system 10 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 12, an ultrasonic processor 14 that generates ultrasonic images, an endoscope processor 16 that generates endoscopic images, a light source device 18 that supplies illumination light for illuminating the inside of the body cavity to the ultrasonic endoscope 12, and a monitor 20 that displays ultrasonic images and endoscopic images. The ultrasonic examination system 10 also includes a water tank 21a that stores cleaning water and the like, and a suction pump 21b that suctions the aspirated material from the body cavity.

[0028] The ultrasonic processor 14 generates and supplies ultrasonic signals for generating ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic observation section 36 of the ultrasonic endoscope 12. The ultrasonic processor 14 also receives and acquires echo signals reflected from the observation target area to which the ultrasonic waves are radiated at the ultrasonic observation section 36, and performs various signal processing on the acquired echo signals to generate an ultrasonic image.

[0029] The endoscope processor device 16 receives an image signal acquired from an observation target site illuminated with illumination light from the light source device 18 in the endoscopic observation section 38 of the ultrasonic endoscope 12. Then, various types of signal processing and image processing are performed on the acquired image signal to generate an endoscopic image.

[0030] In this example, the ultrasonic processor 14 and the endoscope processor 16 are configured by two devices (computers) that are provided separately. However, this is not limited to this, and both the ultrasonic processor 14 and the endoscope processor 16 may be configured by one device.

[0031] The light source device 18 generates illumination light such as white light or light of a specific wavelength composed of three primary colors such as red light, green light, and blue light. The illumination light propagates through the ultrasonic endoscope 12 and is emitted from the endoscopic observation section 38 to illuminate an observation target site within a body cavity.

[0032] The monitor 20 displays an ultrasonic image and an endoscopic image upon receiving the video signals generated by the ultrasonic processor 14 and the endoscope processor 16. The monitor 20 can be switched to display only one of the ultrasonic images and the endoscopic image, or can display both images simultaneously.

[0033] In this example, the ultrasound image and the endoscopic image are displayed on one monitor 20, but a monitor for displaying ultrasound images and a monitor for displaying endoscopic images may be provided separately. Furthermore, the ultrasound image and the endoscopic image may be displayed in a display format other than that of the monitor 20, for example, on the display of a terminal carried by the surgeon.

[0034] [About ultrasound endoscopes] As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 has an elongated insertion section 22 that is inserted into the subject, an operation section 24 that is connected to the base end of the insertion section 22 and allows the surgeon to operate it, and a universal cord 26 having one end connected to the operation section 24.

[0035] An air / water supply button 28a for opening and closing an air / water supply pipe (not shown) from the water supply tank 21a, and a suction button 28b for opening and closing a suction pipe (not shown) from the suction pump 21b are arranged in parallel on the operation unit 24. The operation unit 24 is also provided with a pair of angle knobs 29 and a treatment tool insertion port 30.

[0036] The other end of the universal cord 26 is provided with an ultrasonic connector 32a connected to the ultrasonic processor 14, an endoscope connector 32b connected to the endoscope processor 16, and a light source connector 32c connected to the light source 18. The ultrasonic endoscope 12 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic processor 14, the endoscope processor 16, and the light source 18 via these connectors 32a, 32b, and 32c, respectively. The connector 32c is provided with an air / water supply tube 34a connected to the water tank 21a, and a suction tube 34b connected to the suction pump 21b.

[0037] The insertion section 22 has, in order from the distal end, a distal hard section 40 having an endoscopic observation section 38 and an ultrasonic observation section 36, a bending section 42 connected to the proximal end side of the distal hard section 40, and a flexible section 44 connecting the proximal end side of the bending section 42 and the distal end side of the operation section 24. The distal hard section 40, the bending section 42, and the flexible section 44 are provided along the longitudinal axis Ax of the insertion section 22.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the tip hard portion 40 and the multiple contents inserted into the insertion portion 22 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, an endoscopic observation section 38 is provided on a tip surface 51 of the tip hard portion 40. The endoscopic observation section 38 acquires an endoscopic image. The tip hard portion 40 is an example of the tip of the insertion portion of the present invention. An ultrasonic observation section 36 is provided on the tip hard portion 40 at a position closer to the base end than the tip surface 51. The tip surface 51 is the part of the tip hard portion 40 opposite the side connected to the curved portion 42.

[0039] The tip hard portion 40 has an annular tip cap 50 that is placed on the tip side portion, and a base end ring 52 (also called a balloon ring) that is placed on the base end side of the ultrasound observation section 36. The tip cap 50 and the base end ring 52 are made of an insulating material such as a hard resin, and serve as exterior members. As will be described later, the tip cap 50 is one example of a member that constitutes the outer circumferential surface portion of the present invention.

[0040] The tip hard portion 40 has a central surface portion 54 located on the central side of the tip surface 51. An observation window 62 and an illumination window 64 constituting the endoscopic observation section 38 are disposed on the central surface portion 54. A nozzle 66 for removing deposits from the forceps port 60 and the observation window 62 is further disposed on the tip surface 51 (see FIG. 4).

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end rigid portion 40 includes an observation unit behind the observation window 62 (on the base end side), in which, for example, a lens group 86, a prism 88, an imaging element 90, a substrate 92, and a plurality of signal lines 94 are arranged.

[0042] The reflected light from the observation target site entering through the observation window 62 is captured by the lens group 86. The optical path of the captured reflected light is bent at a right angle by the prism 88, and an image is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 90. The image sensor 90 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the observation target site that has been transmitted through the observation window 62, the lens group 86, and the prism 88 and formed on the imaging surface, and outputs an image signal. Examples of the image sensor 90 include a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0043] The imaging element 90 is mounted on a substrate 92. A circuit pattern electrically connected to the imaging element 90 is formed on the substrate 92. The circuit pattern has a plurality of electrodes at its ends, and a plurality of signal lines 94 are connected to the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of signal lines 94 are bundled together and, in a shielded cable state, are inserted from the bending section 42 shown in FIG. 1 through the flexible section 44 to the operation section 24. The plurality of signal lines 94 are then inserted from the operation section 24 through the universal cord 26, and connected to the connector 32b for the endoscope.

[0044] The forceps port 60 disposed in the central surface portion 54 of the distal end surface 51 corresponds to the outlet of the forceps tube 84. The forceps tube 84 extends toward the base end side of the insertion section 22 and extends so as to communicate with the treatment tool insertion port 30 of the operation section 24. A treatment tool such as forceps is inserted into the forceps tube 84 from the treatment tool insertion port 30 of the operation section 24 and protrudes from the forceps port 60. The subject is treated with the treatment tool. That is, the forceps port 60 functions as a treatment tool outlet.

[0045] The forceps tube 84 is connected to a negative pressure source (not shown). When the suction button 28b is pressed, air is sucked from the forceps port 60 through the forceps tube 84 by the negative pressure source. As a result, body fluids such as cleaning water and residues (blood, etc.) in the subject are sucked from the forceps port 60 via the forceps tube 84. That is, the forceps port 60 functions as a suction port.

[0046] An exit end of a light guide 70 is connected to the illumination window 64 (see FIG. 4). The light guide 70 extends from the insertion section 22 to the operation section 24. An entrance end of the light guide 70 is connected to the light source device 18 connected via the universal cord 26. The light guide 70 extends toward the base end side of the insertion section 22, is inserted from the operation section 24 into the universal cord 26, and is finally connected to the light source connector 32c. The light source connector 32c is connected to the light source device 18 (see FIG. 1). Illumination light emitted by the light source device 18 travels through the light guide 70 and is irradiated from the illumination window 64 to the site to be observed.

[0047] An air / water supply channel 68 is connected to the nozzle 66. The air / water supply channel 68 extends toward the base end side of the insertion section 22 and is inserted from the operation section 24 into the universal cord 26. The air / water supply channel 68 is further connected to the light source connector 32c and connected to the water supply tank 21a via the air / water supply tube 34a. In order to clean the surfaces of the observation window 62 and the illumination window 64, the nozzle 66 sprays air or cleaning water from the water supply tank 21a through the air / water supply channel 68 in the ultrasonic endoscope 12 toward the observation window 62 and the illumination window 64.

[0048] 3, a cylindrical base member 53 (also called a shield ring) is disposed on the base end side of the tip cap 50. The ultrasonic transducer 46 constituting the ultrasonic observation section 36 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the base member 53. The base member 53 has a function of supporting the ultrasonic transducer 46, as well as a function of shielding electromagnetic waves emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 48 of the ultrasonic transducer 46.

[0049] The ultrasonic observation section 36 shown in Fig. 2 is composed of an ultrasonic transducer 46. The ultrasonic transducer 46 is configured as a radial type ultrasonic transducer, and is configured by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 48 in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the base member 53 shown in Fig. 3.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 46 is a multi-channel (CH) array consisting of a plurality of, for example, 48 to 192 rectangular parallelepiped ultrasonic vibrators 48 arranged in a cylindrical shape. In the ultrasonic transducer 46, the ultrasonic vibrators 48 are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction as shown in the figure, for example. In this way, the ultrasonic vibrators 48 constituting the ultrasonic transducer 46 are arranged at equal intervals on a circumference centered on the central axis of the tip rigid portion 40 (the longitudinal axis Ax of the insertion portion 22). Furthermore, the ultrasonic vibrators 48 are sequentially driven based on a drive signal input from the ultrasonic processor device 14 (see FIG. 1). As a result, a radial electronic scan is performed with the range in which the ultrasonic vibrators 48 are arranged as the scanning range.

[0051] Moreover, the ultrasonic transducer 46 includes a plurality of individual electrodes corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 48 and a common electrode common to the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 48. The ultrasonic transducer 46 includes a flexible printed circuit board 73 to which the common electrode and the plurality of individual electrodes are respectively connected.

[0052] Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer 46 has an acoustic matching layer (not shown) laminated on the outer peripheral surface side of the ultrasonic vibrator 48, an acoustic lens 49 laminated on the outer peripheral surface side, and a backing material layer (not shown) laminated on the inner peripheral surface side of the ultrasonic vibrator 48.

[0053] 3, a flexible printed circuit board 73 attached to the side surface on the base end side of a backing material layer (not shown) is electrically connected at one end to individual electrodes in the same number as the ultrasonic transducers 48, and is wired and connected at the other end to a plurality of signal lines 74 of an ultrasonic cable 72. The ultrasonic cable 72 is held inside the tip rigid portion 40 by a bracket 80. The signal lines 74 may be composed of, for example, a coaxial cable.

[0054] A balloon (not shown) filled with an ultrasonic transmission medium (eg, water, oil, etc.) that covers the ultrasonic observation section 36 may be detachably attached to the tip rigid section 40 shown in FIG.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 equipped with a radial ultrasonic transducer 46 has the ultrasonic transducer 46 disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip rigid portion 40 .

[0056] 3, the portion where the ultrasonic transducer 46 is arranged constitutes an outer peripheral surface portion 56 of the distal end surface 51 on the distal end side in the direction of the longitudinal axis Ax. This outer peripheral surface portion 56 is a dead space in the distal end surface 51 because the observation window 62, the illumination window 64, the nozzle 66, and the forceps port 60 that constitute the functional parts of the ultrasonic endoscope 12 cannot be arranged therein. Therefore, the observation window 62, the illumination window 64, the nozzle 66, and the forceps port 60 are provided biasedly on the central surface portion 54 on the central side of the distal end surface 51 excluding the outer peripheral surface portion 56.

[0057] As a result of extensive research, the inventors have come up with the invention of an ultrasonic endoscope 12 that can improve the water droplet removal performance by utilizing the outer peripheral surface portion 56 that is a dead space at the distal end surface 51.

[0058] [First embodiment] The configuration of the tip surface 51 of the tip hard portion 40, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, will be described.

[0059] Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the tip surface 51 of the tip rigid portion 40 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the tip surface 51. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

[0060] 4, the tip surface 51 includes a central surface portion 54 and an outer circumferential surface portion 56. The central surface portion 54 is located on the central side of the tip surface 51, and the outer circumferential surface portion 56 is located on the outer side of the central surface portion 54 on the tip surface 51 and has an annular shape surrounding the central surface portion 54. In other words, the central surface portion 54 is located on the central side of the tip surface 51 in relative comparison with the outer circumferential surface portion 56.

[0061] The central surface portion 54 has a structure based on a substantially circular flat surface centered on the intersection with the longitudinal axis Ax in a plan view. The central surface portion 54 is provided with a forceps port 60, an observation window 62, an illumination window 64, and a nozzle 66. The central surface portion 54 includes all of the forceps port 60, the observation window 62, the illumination window 64, and the nozzle 66, and is a substantially circular region centered on the longitudinal axis Ax. The substantially circular shape includes shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, or an oval.

[0062] The central surface portion 54 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. A plurality of through holes are formed in the central surface portion 54, and a forceps port 60, an observation window 62, an illumination window 64, and a nozzle 66 are held by the through holes. The outer peripheral surface portion 56 is made of the central surface portion 54 and a tip cap 50 made of resin, which is a separate member. However, the materials of the central surface portion 54 and the outer peripheral surface portion 56 are not particularly limited.

[0063] An observation window 62 and two illumination windows 64 that constitute the endoscopic observation section 38 are disposed on the central surface section 54. The two illumination windows 64 are disposed adjacent to each other at positions sandwiching the observation window 62. As described above, the observation window 62 acquires an endoscopic image of the observed region, and the illumination window 64 irradiates the observed region with illumination light.

[0064] The forceps port 60 is disposed in the central surface portion 54 at a distance from the observation window 62. The forceps port 60 is the region having the largest area in the central surface portion 54, and is disposed at a position closer to the longitudinal axis Ax than the observation window 62. As described above, the forceps port 60 functions as a treatment tool outlet and a suction port.

[0065] A nozzle 66 is disposed on the central surface portion 54 at a position between the forceps port 60 and one of the illumination windows 64. The nozzle 66 has an ejection port 66A, which is directed toward the observation window 62. The ejection port 66A of the nozzle 66 ejects a fluid (liquid or gas) onto the surface of the observation window 62 and its surrounding area (the observation window 62, etc.), thereby blowing off and removing dirt adhering to the observation window 62.

[0066] However, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip surface 51 has an outer peripheral surface portion 56, which is a dead space generated by the ultrasonic transducer 46, outside the central surface portion 54. Therefore, water droplets or dirt (water droplets, etc.) are not blown away by the fluid from the nozzle 66 and remain attached to the outer peripheral surface portion 56. In this case, the water droplets, etc. attached to the outer peripheral surface portion 56 tend to return to the observation window 62, etc. In addition, the water droplets, etc. attached to the outer peripheral surface portion 56 tend to be caught up when air is blown from the nozzle 66 and flow into the observation window 62, etc., and return. These phenomena result in a decrease in the water droplet removal performance.

[0067] Therefore, the inventors have noticed that at least a part of the outer peripheral surface portion 56 is likely to affect the deterioration of the water droplet removal performance of the observation window 62, etc., and have found that the water droplet removal effect can be promoted by making at least a part of the outer peripheral surface portion 56 a different height from the central surface portion 54. In this specification, the direction of the longitudinal axis Ax of the insertion portion 22 is defined as the height direction of the distal end surface 51. For example, when the central surface portion 54 is used as a reference, when the insertion portion 22 is located on the base end side of the central surface portion 54, it is referred to as a height lower than the central surface portion 54, and when the insertion portion 22 is located on the distal end side of the central surface portion 54, it is referred to as a height higher than the central surface portion 54. In addition, the reference of the central surface portion 54 is the area of ​​the central surface portion 54 that is not provided with the forceps port 60, the observation window 62, the illumination window 64, and the nozzle 66.

[0068] Next, we will explain the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B, which are at least a part of the outer peripheral surface portion 56. Note that in Fig. 4, the colors of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B on the outer peripheral surface portion 56 are changed to make it easier to understand.

[0069] <Area adjacent to the nozzle> As shown in FIG. 4, the outer circumferential surface portion 56 includes a nozzle adjacent region 56A adjacent to the nozzle 66.

[0070] The nozzle adjacent region 56A of the embodiment includes at least the region A indicated by the arrow. The region A includes, for example, a region extending from a position (imaginary straight line L1) where the nozzle outlet 66A of the nozzle 66 is extended in the width direction to the opposite side of the forceps port 60 to a position (imaginary straight line L2) of the nozzle 66 opposite the observation window 62. The nozzle adjacent region 56A may be larger than the region A. The imaginary straight line L2 is a straight line connecting the center of the observation window 62 and the center of the nozzle outlet 66A of the nozzle 66, and is a straight line extending to the opposite side of the observation window 62. The center of the nozzle outlet 66A is a position that is half the length of the nozzle outlet 66A in a plan view.

[0071] Incidentally, water droplets and the like remaining in the area adjacent to the nozzle 66 of the outer circumferential surface portion 56 are likely to be caught up when air is blown from the nozzle 66, and are likely to return to the observation window 62 and the like.

[0072] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, the nozzle-adjacent region 56A is lower in height by H1 than the central surface portion 54. The nozzle-adjacent region 56A corresponds to an example of at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface portion of the present invention. Because the nozzle-adjacent region 56A is lower in height by H1, water droplets and the like tend to flow down from the nozzle-adjacent region 56A in the liquid flow direction FL1 (Figs. 4 and 5). As a result, water droplets and the like are less likely to be caught in air when air is blown from the nozzle 66, making it possible to make it difficult for the water droplets and the like to return to the observation window 62.

[0073] <Area adjacent to the observation window> As shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes an observation window adjacent region 56B adjacent to the observation window 62.

[0074] The observation window-adjacent region 56B in this embodiment is located on the opposite side of the observation window 62 from the nozzle 66. The observation window-adjacent region 56B includes at least region B indicated by the arrow, and region B is, for example, a region including the ejection range of liquid ejected from the nozzle 66. Region B is preferably a range between two imaginary tangent lines L3 and L4 that start from the center of the ejection port 66A and contact the outer periphery of the observation window 62. The observation window-adjacent region 56B may be larger than region B.

[0075] Incidentally, water droplets and the like remaining in the region of the outer peripheral surface portion 56 adjacent to the observation window 62 are likely to return to the observation window 62, etc. Therefore, the observation window-adjacent region 56B is lower in height by H2 than the central surface portion 54, as shown in FIG. 5. The observation window-adjacent region 56B is an example of at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface portion of the present invention. Because the observation window-adjacent region 56B is lower in height by H2, water droplets and the like are likely to flow down from the observation window-adjacent region 56B in the liquid flow direction FL2 (FIGS. 4 and 5), and as a result, water droplets and the like are less likely to return to the observation window 62, etc.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 of the tip surface 51 includes the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B that have a height lower than the central surface portion 54, so that water droplets and the like are less likely to return to the observation window 62, etc., and the water droplet removal performance for the observation window 62, etc. can be improved. Furthermore, the first embodiment can effectively utilize the outer peripheral surface portion 56 that becomes a dead space.

[0077] <Preferable Variation 1> In the above description, the outer circumferential surface portion 56 includes the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B, but a preferred modification 1 of the first embodiment will now be described. In the preferred modification 1, the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B are provided with a property that makes it difficult for water droplets and the like to remain, such as surface wettability or a chamfered structure.

[0078] <Surface wettability> It is preferable that the surface wettability of the central surface portion 54 is different from the surface wettability of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B. Surface wettability is the ease with which a liquid adheres to a solid.

[0079] For example, the surface wettability of the central surface portion 54 can be made hydrophilic, and the surface wettability of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B can be made hydrophobic. In this case, water droplets and the like tend to come close to the central surface portion 54, and water droplets and the like on the central surface portion 54 tend to be sucked in through the forceps opening 60. As a result, water droplets and the like are more reliably removed from the observation window 62 and the like.

[0080] In addition, the surface wettability of the central surface portion 54 can be made hydrophobic, and the surface wettability of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B can be made hydrophilic. In this case, water droplets can be easily dropped from the central surface portion 54. Water droplets and the like can be made less likely to remain on the observation window 62 and the like.

[0081] The surface wettability can be changed by changing the surface properties of the central surface portion 54, the nozzle adjacent region 56A, and the observation window adjacent region 56B. Examples of methods for changing the surface properties include changing the material, changing the surface roughness, or changing the surface coating film. Note that the hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the surface wettability can be determined by the water contact angle, etc.

[0082] <Beveled structure> It is preferable to provide a chamfered structure on the outer peripheral ends of the nozzle adjacent region 56 A and the observation window adjacent region 56 B. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip hard portion 40 at the same position as in Fig. 5 .

[0083] As shown in Fig. 6, the nozzle adjacent region 56A is provided with a chamfered structure 56A1. By providing the chamfered structure 56A1, water droplets and the like can easily fall from the nozzle adjacent region 56A. Similarly, by providing the chamfered structure 56B1, water droplets and the like can easily fall from the observation window adjacent region 56B. The chamfered structures 56A1 and 56B1 are formed of inclined surfaces that increase in diameter from the tip side to the base side at the outer circumferential end of the outer circumferential surface portion 56. The inclined surfaces may be flat as well as curved.

[0084] The combination of the chamfered structure and surface wettability makes it easier for water droplets and the like to fall from the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B.

[0085] <Preferable Modification 2> We have described a case in which the outer peripheral surface portion 56 has a nozzle adjacent region 56A and an observation window adjacent region 56B. However, by making the areas of the outer peripheral surface portion 56 other than the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B higher than the central surface portion 54, it is possible to protect the observation window 62.

[0086] 4, the outer circumferential surface portion 56 includes two outer circumferential surface portion forming regions 56C in addition to the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B. The two outer circumferential surface portion forming regions 56C are each located between the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 7, the outer peripheral surface portion forming region 56C is higher than the central surface portion 54 by H3. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, a plane that contacts the tip of the nozzle 66 and the two outer peripheral surface portion forming regions 56C at the vertices is defined as an imaginary plane S1. In this case, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the observation window 62 is disposed within the imaginary plane S1, and the imaginary plane S1 is located on the tip side of the observation window 62. When the imaginary plane S1 satisfies these conditions, the nozzle 66 and the two observation window adjacent regions 56B can prevent the observation window 62 from coming into contact with a wall, a floor, or the like.

[0088] The two outer peripheral surface portion forming regions 56C are higher than the central surface portion 54 by H3, and therefore correspond to at least a part of the outer peripheral surface portion of the present invention. In the preferred modification 2 of the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56, which is a dead space, can be effectively used to protect the observation window 62.

[0089] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes a nozzle adjacent region 56A and an observation window adjacent region 56B having a height lower than the central surface portion 54, whereas in the second embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes a nozzle adjacent region 56A having a height lower than the central surface portion 54 and an observation window adjacent region 56D having a height higher than the central surface portion 54. Hereinafter, a description of the points in common with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only points different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0090] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the distal end surface of the second embodiment as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the distal end surface, Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the distal end rigid portion taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 8.

[0091] 8, the tip surface 51 has a central surface portion 54 and an outer peripheral surface portion 56. The central surface portion 54 is provided with a forceps port 60, an observation window 62, an illumination window 64, and a nozzle 66. The outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes a nozzle adjacent region 56A having a height lower than that of the central surface portion 54. In these respects, the second embodiment is common to the first embodiment.

[0092] <Area adjacent to the observation window> As shown in FIG. 8, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes an observation window adjacent region 56D adjacent to the observation window 62.

[0093] The observation window adjacent region 56D of the embodiment is located on the opposite side of the nozzle 66 with respect to the observation window 62. The observation window adjacent region 56D includes at least the region D indicated by the arrow. The region D is, for example, a region including the ejection range of the liquid ejected from the nozzle 66. The region D is preferably a range between two imaginary tangent lines L3 and L4 that start from the center of the ejection port 66A and contact the outer periphery of the observation window 62. The region D is basically the same as the region B of the first embodiment, whereas the observation window adjacent region 56D of the second embodiment is higher than the central surface portion 54 by H4 as shown in FIG. 9. The observation window adjacent region 56D is an example of at least a part of the region of the outer periphery surface portion of the present invention. Since the observation window adjacent region 56D is higher by H4, the observation window adjacent region 56D becomes a step that protrudes in the height direction relative to the central surface portion 54. This step becomes a wall of the liquid ejected from the nozzle 66, so that water droplets and the like blown away by the fluid hit the observation window adjacent region 56D. Then, as shown in the liquid flow direction FL3, the water droplets etc. flow down the observation window adjacent region 56D and are guided to the forceps opening 60. As a result, the water droplets etc. are more reliably sucked from the forceps opening 60. In addition, the water droplets etc. are less likely to remain in the observation window adjacent region 56D.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 of the tip surface 51 includes the nozzle adjacent region 56A having a height lower than the central surface portion 54 and the observation window adjacent region 56D having a height higher than the central surface portion 54, so that water droplets and the like are less likely to return to the observation window 62 and the like, and water droplets and the like are more reliably sucked from the forceps port 60, improving the water droplet removal performance. Also, the second embodiment can effectively utilize the outer peripheral surface portion 56 which becomes a dead space.

[0095] <Preferable Variation 1> The case where the outer circumferential surface portion 56 includes the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D has been described above, but a preferred modified example 1 of the second embodiment will now be described. As in the first embodiment, in the preferred modified example 1 of the second embodiment, it is possible to impart the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D with the property of preventing water droplets and the like from remaining thereon, surface wettability, and a chamfered structure.

[0096] With regard to the surface wettability, it is preferable that the surface wettability of the central surface portion 54 is different from that of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D. As in the first embodiment, the surface wettability of the central surface portion 54 can be made hydrophilic, and the surface wettability of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D can be made hydrophobic. Alternatively, the surface wettability of the central surface portion 54 can be made hydrophobic, and the surface wettability of the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D can be made hydrophilic. In the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0097] Regarding the chamfered structure, as shown in Fig. 10, the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D are provided with chamfered structures 56A1 and 56D1 at the outer circumferential ends thereof, respectively. By providing the chamfered structures 56A1 and 56D1, water droplets and the like can easily fall from the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D in the second embodiment as in the first embodiment. Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion 40 at the same position as in Fig. 9.

[0098] <Preferable Modification 2> Although the case has been described in which the outer peripheral surface portion 56 has a nozzle adjacent region 56A and an observation window adjacent region 56D, it is further possible to protect the observation window 62 by utilizing the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D of the outer peripheral surface portion 56.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 9, the observation window adjacent region 56D is higher by H4 than the central surface portion 54. Here, as shown in Fig. 8, a plane that contacts the tip of the nozzle 66 and any two points of the observation window adjacent region 56D as vertices is defined as an imaginary plane S2. In this case, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the observation window 62 is disposed within the imaginary plane S2, and the imaginary plane S2 is located on the tip side of the observation window 62. When the imaginary plane S2 satisfies these conditions, the nozzle 66 and the observation window adjacent region 56D can prevent the observation window 62 from coming into contact with a wall, a floor, or the like.

[0100] In the preferred modification 2 of the second embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 which would otherwise be a dead space can be effectively utilized to protect the observation window 62.

[0101] 8, the outer circumferential surface portion 56 includes two outer circumferential surface portion forming regions 56E in addition to the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D. Each of the two outer circumferential surface portion forming regions 56E is located between the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B. The two outer circumferential surface portion forming regions 56E have the same height as the central surface portion 54.

[0102] As described above, in the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56B, and in the second embodiment, the outer peripheral surface portion 56 includes the nozzle adjacent region 56A and the observation window adjacent region 56D. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and only one of these may be provided on the outer peripheral surface portion 56. Furthermore, the present invention may be improved or modified in several ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10 Ultrasonic Inspection System 12 Ultrasound Endoscope 14 Ultrasonic processor 16 Endoscope processor 18 Light source device 20 Monitor 21a Water tank 21b Suction pump 22 Insertion section 24 Control section 26 Universal Code 28a Air / water supply button 28b Suction button 29 Angle knob 30 Treatment tool insertion port 32a Connector 32b Connector 32c Connector 34a Air and water supply tube 34b Suction tube 36 Ultrasound Observation Department 38 Endoscopic observation section 40 Hard tip 42 Curved section 44 Soft part 46 Ultrasonic Transducer 48 Ultrasonic transducer 49 Acoustic Lens 50 Tip cap 51 Tip surface 52 Base end ring 53 Base material 54 Center part 56 Outer peripheral surface section 56A Nozzle adjacent area 56A1 Chamfered structure 56B Observation window adjacent area 56B1 Chamfered structure 56C Outer peripheral surface component area 56D Observation window adjacent area 56D1 Chamfered structure 56E Outer peripheral surface component area 60 Forceps port 62 Observation window 64 Lighting window 66 Nozzle 66A spout 68 Air and water supply channel 70 Light Guide 72 Ultrasonic Cable 73 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 74 Signal Line 80 Bracket 84 Forceps tube 86 Lens Group 88 Prism 90 Image sensor 92 Substrate 94 Signal Line Ax Longitudinal axis FL1 Liquid flow direction FL2 Liquid flow direction FL3 Liquid flow direction L1 Virtual line L2 Imaginary line L3 Virtual tangent L4 Virtual tangent S1 Virtual Plane S2 Virtual Plane

Claims

1. An ultrasonic endoscope including a radial ultrasonic transducer disposed at a tip of an elongated insertion section to be inserted into a subject, When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the tip surface, the tip surface of the tip portion includes a central surface portion located on the central side of the tip surface, and an annular outer peripheral surface portion located outside the central surface portion, The central surface portion is provided with an observation window, an illumination window, a forceps port, and a nozzle, the outer peripheral surface portion is a dead space of the tip surface generated by the ultrasonic transducer, When the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion is the height direction at the tip surface, At least a portion of the outer circumferential surface portion has a height different from that of the central surface portion. Ultrasound endoscope.

2. The at least some region includes a nozzle adjacent region adjacent to the nozzle. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. The nozzle adjacent region has a height lower than the central surface portion. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 2 .

4. the nozzle adjacent region includes a region extending from an extension of the nozzle outlet to a position on the opposite side of the nozzle from the observation window, 4. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The at least a portion of the region includes an observation window adjacent region adjacent to the observation window. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 .

6. The observation window adjacent region has a height lower than that of the central surface portion. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5 .

7. The observation window adjacent region has a height greater than that of the central surface portion. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5 .

8. the observation window adjacent region is located on the opposite side of the observation window from the nozzle; 8. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5,

9. the observation window adjacent region is a region including a jetting range of the liquid jetted from the nozzle; The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 8.

10. the observation window adjacent region is a region including a range sandwiched between two imaginary tangent lines that are in contact with an outer periphery of the observation window, the range starting from the center of the nozzle outlet of the nozzle. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 8.

11. the at least a portion of the region includes a nozzle adjacent region adjacent to the nozzle and an observation window adjacent region adjacent to the observation window; The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1 .

12. The at least a portion of the region has a surface wettability different from that of the central surface portion.

8. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic endoscope is a casing.

13. The outer circumferential surface portion has a chamfered structure at an outer circumferential end portion.

8. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic endoscope is a casing.

14. The outer peripheral surface portion is composed of a tip cap which is a separate member from the central surface portion.

8. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic endoscope is a casing.

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