Balloon for endoscope, balloon unit for endoscope and endoscope

Abstract

To provide a balloon for an endoscope, which is improved in fixing property with respect to a main body of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope, and to provide a balloon unit for an endoscope and an endoscope.SOLUTION: An endoscope balloon 110 comprises: a cover body 120 which has a bottomed cylindrical shape closed on a distal end side, and opened on a proximal end side, includes a bulged portion capable of being bulged by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium, is fitted to a main body portion of a distal end side, and covers an ultrasonic transducer; a fixing body 124 which is provided closer to the proximal end side than the cover body 120, and is fixed to a fixing-target portion of an endoscope insertion portion; and a connection body 122 connecting the cover body 120 and the fixing body 124 to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an endoscope balloon that is attached to a tip body of an endoscope insertion section, an endoscope balloon unit, and an endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] An ultrasonic endoscope has an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the distal end of the endoscope insertion section that is inserted into the body cavity of a subject. The ultrasonic transducer emits ultrasonic waves toward an area to be observed in the body cavity, receives echo signals reflected from the area to be observed, and outputs electrical signals corresponding to the received echo signals to an ultrasonic observation device. After various signal processing steps are performed in the ultrasonic observation device, the signals are displayed on a monitor or the like as ultrasonic tomographic images.

[0003] Since ultrasonic waves and echo signals are significantly attenuated when air is present between the ultrasonic transducer and the site to be observed, it is necessary to interpose an ultrasonic transmission medium such as water or oil between the ultrasonic transducer and the site to be observed. For this reason, an elastic balloon is attached to the tip body of the endoscope insertion part. Then, by injecting an ultrasonic transmission medium into this balloon to expand it and bringing it into contact with the site to be observed, air is removed from between the ultrasonic transducer and the site to be observed, and attenuation of the ultrasonic waves and echo signals is prevented.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a balloon having a two-layer structure including an inner part and an outer part. With this balloon, the space defined between the inner part and the outer part serves as a reservoir for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium, so liquid-tightness of the reservoir can be more easily ensured than with a balloon of a general configuration in which the reservoir is the space between the balloon and the tip body of the endoscope insertion part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-47488 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The balloon disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a bottomed tubular shape with a closed tip end and an open base end, and is of a type that is attached by covering the tip end of the tip body. However, this balloon is fixed to the tip body by sandwiching two standing walls arranged on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer in the tip body from the outside, so there is a problem that sufficient fixing force cannot be obtained. In particular, since the inner diameter is narrow in a lumen such as a bronchus or pharynx, when the endoscope insertion part is removed from the lumen, a load is applied in the direction of turning the balloon over due to contact between the balloon and the lumen, and there is a concern that the balloon may come off.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope balloon, an endoscope balloon unit, and an endoscope that have improved fixation of the endoscope insertion portion to the tip body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure includes the following inventions.

[0009] The endoscopic balloon of the first aspect is an endoscopic balloon that covers an ultrasonic transducer provided on the tip body of the endoscope insertion portion, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape with the tip side in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope insertion portion blocked and the base end side in the first direction open, and includes an expansion portion that can expand by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium, and is equipped with a cover body that is attached to the tip body and covers the ultrasonic transducer, a fixed body that is provided on the base end side of the cover body and fixed to the fixed portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and a connecting body that connects the cover body and the fixed body.

[0010] In the balloon for endoscope according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the fixing body is closely attached and fixed to the fixed portion.

[0011] In the third aspect of the balloon for endoscope, in the first or second aspect, the fixed body is constituted by a tubular body having a through passage in the first direction, and the inner surface of the tubular body is fixed to the fixed portion.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a balloon for an endoscope, wherein the opening of the cover body is provided at a position intersecting with an extension direction of the axis of the through passage in the third aspect.

[0013] The balloon for endoscope according to a fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the fixing body is fixed to the tip portion main body as the fixed part.

[0014] The sixth aspect of the balloon for an endoscope is any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the endoscope insertion portion has a curved portion on the base end side of the tip main body, and the fixed body is fixed to the curved portion as the fixed part.

[0015] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a balloon for an endoscope according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the cover body has a cover body fixing portion that is fixed to the tip portion main body.

[0016] In the eighth aspect, the balloon for endoscope of the seventh aspect has a cover body fixing portion having a pair of fixing surfaces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the pair of fixing surfaces elastically clamp the tip body.

[0017] The endoscopic balloon according to the ninth aspect is any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the tip body has a treatment tool outlet, and the connecting body is gutter-shaped with the side where the treatment tool outlet is provided being open.

[0018] The endoscopic balloon of the 10th aspect is, in any of the 1st to 9th aspects, a cover body having an inner portion, an outer portion covering the inner portion, and a storage portion for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium between the inner portion and the outer portion, and the outer portion has a bulge portion at a position opposite the transducer surface of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0019] An eleventh aspect of the present invention relates to an endoscope balloon according to the tenth aspect, wherein the inner portion, the connecting body, and the fixing body are integrally formed.

[0020] A twelfth aspect of the present invention relates to a balloon for an endoscope, in the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein the connector has a communication port that communicates with the reservoir.

[0021] The endoscopic balloon unit of the 13th aspect comprises an endoscopic balloon of any of the 1st to 12th aspects, an attachment member that is detachable from an operating section connected to the base end side of the endoscope insertion section and has a supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging an ultrasonic transmission medium, and a duct member that sends the ultrasonic transmission medium between the attachment member and the endoscopic balloon.

[0022] An endoscope according to a fourteenth aspect is an endoscope equipped with the balloon unit for an endoscope according to the thirteenth aspect. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the fixation of the endoscope insertion portion to the tip portion body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tip body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the balloon unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a balloon. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the balloon as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the balloon when viewed from an angle different from that of FIGS. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the balloon. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the balloon. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the balloon as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the cover body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the bulging portion of the outer portion bulges outward when an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the reservoir. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of attaching a balloon to the tip portion main body. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an attachment member according to the first configuration example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the attachment member according to the first configuration example when viewed from an angle different from that in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a top view of the attachment member according to the first configuration example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing the main part (the peripheral part of the reduced diameter part) of the operation part of the endoscope. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the attachment member according to the first configuration example is attached to an operation section of an endoscope. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an attachment member according to the second configuration example. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the attachment member according to the second configuration example when viewed from an angle different from that in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a top view of the attachment member according to the second configuration example. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the attachment member according to the second configuration example is attached to the operation section of an endoscope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] [Ultrasound endoscope] Fig. 1 is an overall view of an ultrasonic endoscope 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 10 (hereinafter referred to as "endoscope 10") is an ultrasonic bronchoscope, and is used for sampling cell tissue from a lesion (which may also be an observation site, an examination site, or an examination site).

[0027] The endoscope 10 comprises an insertion section 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "endoscope insertion section 12") that is inserted into the patient's body, an operation section 14 that is connected to the base end of the endoscope insertion section 12 and is held by the practitioner to perform various operations, and a universal cord 16 having one end connected to the operation section 14.

[0028] The operation unit 14 is provided with various operation members that are operated by the practitioner, such as an angle lever 18 and a suction button 20.

[0029] Further, a treatment tool introduction port 22 through which a treatment tool is inserted is provided in the operation portion 14. The treatment tool introduction port 22 communicates with a treatment tool insertion channel 62 (see FIG. 3) which will be described later.

[0030] Although not shown, an ultrasound connector connected to an ultrasound processor, an endoscope connector connected to an endoscope processor, and a light source connector connected to a light source device are provided at the other end of the universal cord 16. The endoscope 10 is detachably connected to the ultrasound processor, the endoscope processor, and the light source device, respectively, via these connectors.

[0031] A cylindrical reduced diameter section 24 that reduces in diameter toward the endoscope insertion section 12 side (tip side) is provided on the tip side of the operation section 14 (the side where the endoscope insertion section 12 is provided). The endoscope insertion section 12 is connected to the tip side of the reduced diameter section 24, and the reduced diameter section 24 serves as a breakage prevention member. An attachment member 200, which will be described later, is detachably attached to the reduced diameter section 24 of the operation section 14 (see Figures 18 and 22).

[0032] The endoscope insertion section 12 extends from the tip of the operation section 14 and is formed in a long shape with a small diameter as a whole. The endoscope insertion section 12 is composed of a tip body 30, a bending section 32, and a flexible section 34, in that order from the tip side to the base end side. The configuration of the tip body 30 will be described later.

[0033] The bending portion 32 is adapted to be bent in the up and down directions by rotating the angle lever 18 of the operation portion 14. This bending action allows the tip portion main body 30 to be oriented in a desired direction.

[0034] The flexible section 34 occupies a large part of the endoscope insertion section 12, and has the flexibility to bend in any direction. When the endoscope insertion section 12 is inserted into a body cavity, the flexible section 34 bends along the insertion path into the body cavity.

[0035] [Tip body] Next, the configuration of the tip portion body 30 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tip portion body 30. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion body 30. In Fig. 2, a puncture needle 90 is illustrated as an example of a treatment tool led out from the treatment tool lead-out port 58 of the tip portion body 30.

[0036] In the following description, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis perpendicular to each other may be used. The Z direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis 36 of the tip body 30 (endoscope insertion section 12). Hereinafter, the Z(+) direction side is also referred to as the tip side, and the Z(-) direction side opposite to the Z(+) direction side is also referred to as the base side. The Y direction is the up-down direction when the tip body 30 is viewed from the tip side (Z(+) direction side) so that the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the treatment tool outlet 58 face upward. Hereinafter, the Y(+) direction side is also referred to as the upper side, and the Y(-) direction side is also referred to as the lower side. The X direction is the left-right direction when the tip body 30 is viewed from the tip side (Z(+) direction side) so that the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the treatment tool outlet 58 face upward. Hereinafter, the X(+) direction side is also referred to as the left side, and the X(-) direction side is also referred to as the right side.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tip body 30 includes, from the tip side to the base end side of the tip body 30, an ultrasound attachment section 40, a guide port forming section 42, and a body section 44.

[0038] When the distal end body 30 is viewed from the left-right direction (X direction side), the ultrasonic transducer 50 is attached to the ultrasonic attachment section 40 in a position inclined (tilted) downward (Y (-) direction side) with respect to the longitudinal axis 36. The ultrasonic transducer 50 is a convex type having a transducer surface 52 on which a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves are arranged in an arc shape along the direction of the longitudinal axis 36. Each ultrasonic vibrator transmits ultrasonic waves toward the living body, while each ultrasonic vibrator receives ultrasonic echoes reflected by the living tissue. The ultrasonic echo signals received by each ultrasonic vibrator are transmitted to an ultrasonic processor device via a signal cable 53.

[0039] The ultrasonic attachment section 40 is provided with a pair of standing walls 54 composed of surfaces that are mainly perpendicular (including cases where they are substantially perpendicular, the same applies below) to the X direction. The pair of standing walls 54 face each other at a distance in the width direction (X direction) of the tip body 30 (ultrasonic attachment section 40), and the ultrasonic transducer 50 is disposed therebetween. That is, when the tip body 30 is viewed from the tip side (Z(+) direction side), the standing walls 54 are provided on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer 50. When the tip body 30 is viewed from the top side (Y(+) direction side), the distance (distance in the X direction) between the pair of standing walls 54 is configured to be shorter than the width (distance in the X direction) of other parts of the tip body 30 (the outlet forming section 42 and the main body section 44).

[0040] The outlet forming part 42 is provided with an opening forming surface 56 facing upward (Y(+) direction side) like the ultrasonic transducer 50. The opening forming surface 56 is formed of a surface perpendicular to the Y direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The opening forming surface 56 forms a part of the outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the tip body 30.

[0041] A treatment tool outlet 58 opening upward (Y(+) direction side) is provided in the opening forming surface 56. The treatment tool outlet 58 is a portion through which the tip side of a treatment tool (puncture needle 90 is shown in FIG. 2) inserted from the treatment tool introduction port 22 is led outward. Note that, in this embodiment, the treatment tool outlet 58 opens in the planar opening forming surface 56, but it may open in a surface of various shapes such as a curved surface, an inclined surface, or an uneven surface.

[0042] A duct 60 is formed inside the outlet forming portion 42 and the main body portion 44. The tip side of the duct 60 is connected to the treatment tool outlet 58, and the base end side of the duct 60 is connected to a treatment tool insertion channel 62 inserted inside the endoscope insertion portion 12. As a result, the tip of the treatment tool (puncture needle 90) inserted from the treatment tool introduction port 22 is guided through the treatment tool insertion channel 62 and the duct 60 to the treatment tool outlet 58, and is led out from the treatment tool outlet 58 to the outside.

[0043] The main body 44 includes an optical system housing 68 in which the observation optical system 64 and the illumination optical system 66 are disposed. The optical system housing 68 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and includes a convex surface 70 and a step surface 72. The convex surface 70 constitutes a part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip body 30 (optical system housing 68). The convex surface 70 is located above (on the Y(+) direction side) the opening forming surface 56, and is constituted by a curved (part of a cylindrical) surface having a predetermined length in the direction of the longitudinal axis 36 (Z direction). The convex surface 70 may also be formed into various shapes, such as a curved surface, an inclined surface, or an uneven surface.

[0044] The step surface 72 is a sloping surface that connects the base end side of the opening forming surface 56 and the tip side of the convex surface 70, and constitutes a part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion main body 30. Note that the sloping surface referred to here also includes a vertical surface with an inclination angle of 90° with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis 36 (Z direction).

[0045] An observation window 64 a of the observation optical system 64 and an illumination window 66 a of the pair of illumination optical systems 66 are provided on the step surface 72 .

[0046] The observation optical system 64 includes an observation window 64a provided in the step surface 72, and a lens system 64b and an image pickup element 64c provided in an optical system housing portion 68. The image pickup element 64c is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type image sensor, and picks up an observation image taken from the observation window 64a via the lens system 64b. The image pickup element 64c then outputs an image pickup signal of the observation image to the system configuration device via a signal cable 74 inserted in the endoscope insertion portion 12.

[0047] The illumination optical system 66 is provided on both sides of the observation optical system 64 in the left-right direction (X direction) when the tip body 30 is viewed from the tip side, and includes an illumination window 66a provided in the step surface 72 and a light guide 76 inserted into the endoscope insertion portion 12. An emission end of the light guide 76 is disposed behind each illumination window 66a. Thus, illumination light supplied from the light source device to each light guide 76 is emitted from each illumination window 66a.

[0048] As described above, in the distal end body 30, the ultrasonic transducer 50, the treatment tool outlet 58, and the step surface 72 (observation window 64a) are arranged in this order from the distal end side to the proximal end side. That is, the treatment tool outlet 58 is arranged between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the observation window 64a. Therefore, the puncture site by the puncture needle 90 can be observed by the observation optical system 64.

[0049] [Balloon unit] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope balloon unit 100 (hereinafter referred to as "balloon unit 100"). The balloon unit 100 is an external type that is detachable from the endoscope 10. As shown in FIG. 4, this balloon unit 100 includes an endoscope balloon 110 (hereinafter referred to as "balloon 110"), an attachment member 200, and a tube 300. The tube 300 is a duct member that transmits an ultrasonic transmission medium between the balloon 110 and the attachment member 200.

[0050] When the balloon unit 100 is attached to the endoscope 10, the balloon 110 is attached to the tip body 30, and the attachment member 200 is attached to the operation section 14. The tube 300 is attached to the outer surface of the endoscope insertion section 12 along the longitudinal direction (direction along the longitudinal axis 36) of the endoscope insertion section 12 using, for example, medical tape. Note that the method of fixing the tube 300 to the endoscope insertion section 12 is not limited to medical tape, and a method using a mounting band, a tight wrap, a suture, or the like may also be used.

[0051] [balloon] Next, the configuration of the balloon 110 will be described. In the following description, as with the above-mentioned tip body 30, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis perpendicular to each other may be used. When the balloon 110 is attached to the tip body 30, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the balloon 110 are assumed to coincide with the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the tip body 30, respectively. The Z direction is a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 112 of the balloon 110. In the following, the Z(+) direction side is also referred to as the tip side, and the Z(-) direction side opposite to the Z(+) direction side is also referred to as the base side. In addition, the Y direction is the up-down direction when the balloon 110 is viewed from the tip side (Z(+) direction side) so that the open window 166 of the balloon 110 faces upward. In the following, the Y(+) direction side is also referred to as the upper side, and the Y(-) direction side is also referred to as the lower side. The X direction is the left-right direction when the balloon 110 is viewed from the tip side (Z(+) direction side) so that the open window 166 of the balloon 110 faces upward. Hereinafter, the X(+) direction side will also be referred to as the left side, and the X(-) direction side will also be referred to as the right side.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the balloon 110. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the balloon 110 when viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the balloon 110 when viewed from an angle different from that of Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is a side view of the balloon 110.

[0053] 5 to 8, the balloon 110 covers the ultrasonic transducer 50 provided on the tip body 30 of the endoscope insertion section 12. The balloon 110 has an overall shape based on a cylindrical shape to match the shape of the tip body 30, and is formed to extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis 112 (Z direction). The balloon 110 includes, in order from the tip side to the base end side, a cover body 120, a connecting body 122, and a fixing body 124.

[0054] <Cover body> The cover body 120 is a part disposed on the tip side (Z(+) direction side) of the balloon 110. The cover body 120 has a bottomed tubular shape in which the tip side (Z(+) direction side) in the Z direction (corresponding to the first direction) corresponding to the longitudinal direction (direction of the longitudinal axis 36) of the endoscope insertion section 12 is closed and an opening 126 (see FIG. 6) is formed on the base end side (Z(-) direction side). Inside the cover body 120, a cover body space 128 for accommodating the ultrasound attachment section 40 is provided. This cover body space 128 has a substantially similar shape (similar shape) to the ultrasound attachment section 40 and communicates with the opening 126. The cover body space 128 constitutes a part of the space for accommodating the tip section main body 30 inside the balloon 110.

[0055] Here, the configuration of the cover body 120 will be described in detail.

[0056] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the balloon 110. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the balloon 110 when viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 9. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the cover body 120 of the balloon 110 is configured as a two-layered cover body in which an outer part 130 and an inner part 132 are overlapped.

[0057] The outer part 130 is formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and is disposed on the outside of the cover body 120. The outer part 130 is configured in a bottomed tubular shape by a left side part 134, a right side part 135, an inclined surface part 136, and a bottom surface part 137. That is, the tip side of the outer part 130 is closed by the left side part 134, the right side part 135, the inclined surface part 136, and the bottom surface part 137, and an outer opening part 138 is provided on the base end side. An outer space part 139 for accommodating the inner part 132 is provided inside the outer part 130. The outer space part 139 is in communication with the outer opening part 138.

[0058] The left side surface portion 134 and the right side surface portion 135 are disposed on the left and right sides of the outer part 130, respectively, and are mainly composed of surfaces perpendicular to the X direction. When the balloon 110 is attached to the tip part main body 30, the left side surface portion 134 and the right side surface portion 135 are disposed in positions facing the standing wall portion 54 of the tip part main body 30 (ultrasonic attachment part 40). The base ends of the left side surface portion 134 and the right side surface portion 135 are shaped so that the distance between the left side surface portion 134 and the right side surface portion 135 becomes wider toward the base end side, following the shape of the facing standing wall portion 54 (the same applies to the inner part 132 described later).

[0059] The inclined surface portion 136 is disposed on the upper side (Y(+) direction side) of the outer part 130. The inclined surface portion 136 has a shape following the transducer surface 52 of the ultrasonic transducer 50. That is, the inclined surface portion 136 is inclined in a curved manner toward the tip side such that the normal of the inclined surface portion 136 faces from the upper side toward the tip side. When the balloon 110 is attached to the tip body 30, the inclined surface portion 136 is disposed at a position facing the transducer surface 52 of the ultrasonic transducer 50.

[0060] The bottom surface portion 137 is disposed on the lower side (Y(-) direction side) of the outer portion 130. The bottom surface portion 137 is connected to the left side surface portion 134 and the right side surface portion 135 on both sides in the left-right direction (X direction), respectively, and is connected to the inclined surface portion 136 on the tip side. The tip side portion of the bottom surface portion 137 is configured by a surface perpendicular to the Y direction, and the base end side portion is configured by an inclined surface having a normal line including components in each direction of the lower side and the base end side (see Figs. 7 and 8). Note that the base end side portion of the bottom surface portion 137 is provided with a groove portion 140 that configures a communication passage described later (see Fig. 10).

[0061] The inner part 132 is formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and is disposed inside the outer part 130 in the cover body 120. The inner part 132 is configured as an integrally formed part 142 with the connecting body 122 and the fixing body 124. The inner part 132 is a part that configures the tip side of the integrally formed part 142.

[0062] The inner part 132 has the same shape (similar shape) as the outer part 130. That is, the inner part 132 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a left side surface part 144, a right side surface part 145, an inclined surface part 146, and a bottom surface part 147. Note that the inner part 132 and the outer part 130 may have partially different shapes (non-similar shapes) as long as they have substantially the same shape.

[0063] The tip side of the inner part 132 is closed by a left side surface part 144, a right side surface part 145, an inclined surface part 146, and a bottom surface part 147. An inner opening part 148 is provided at the base end side of the inner part 132 (see FIG. 10 ). The inner opening part 148 corresponds to the opening part 126 of the cover body 120. An inner space part 149 defined by the left side surface part 144, the right side surface part 145, the inclined surface part 146, and the bottom surface part 147 is provided inside the inner part 132. The inner space part 149 is in communication with the inner opening part 148. The inner space part 149 corresponds to the cover body space part 128 of the cover body 120.

[0064] The configurations (arrangement and orientation) of left side surface portion 144, right side surface portion 145, inclined surface portion 146, and bottom surface portion 147 in inner portion 132 are similar to those of left side surface portion 134, right side surface portion 135, inclined surface portion 136, and bottom surface portion 137 in outer portion 130, respectively, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0065] The left side surface portion 144 and the right side surface portion 145 are portions that constitute a cover body fixing portion that is fixed to the tip portion main body 30, and each includes fixing surfaces that face each other in the X direction (corresponding to the second direction). The left side surface portion 144 and the right side surface portion 145 elastically hold the tip portion main body 30 between these fixing surfaces.

[0066] Before the balloon 110 is attached to the tip portion main body 30, the distance (distance in the X direction) between the left side surface portion 144 and the right side surface portion 145 of the inner portion 132 is configured to be approximately 10% to 20% smaller than the distance (distance in the X direction) between the pair of standing wall portions 54. As a result, when the balloon 110 is attached to the tip portion main body 30 and the ultrasound attachment portion 40 is housed in the inner space portion 149 (cover body space portion 128), the left side surface portion 144 and the right side surface portion 145 are fixed in a state of being in close contact with the corresponding standing wall portions 54, respectively, due to an elastic force (contraction force) acting in a direction in which the left side surface portion 144 and the right side surface portion 145 approach each other.

[0067] The cover body 120 is configured by overlapping the outer part 130 on the outside of the inner part 132 configured in this way. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 are positioned relative to each other so that the left side part 134, the right side part 135, the inclined surface part 136, and the bottom part 137 of the outer part 130 face the left side part 144, the right side part 145, the inclined surface part 146, and the bottom part 147 of the inner part 132, respectively. In this state, the inner part 132 is accommodated in the outer space part 139 through the outer opening part 138 of the outer part 130. At this time, the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 are bonded to each other at the base end side (Z(-) direction side) which is the opening side of each part, and integrated. As a result, the cover body 120 having a two-layer structure in which the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 are overlapped is configured.

[0068] Fig. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the cover body 120. As shown in Fig. 11, the cover body 120 has an outer part 130 and an inner part 132 bonded together at the opening side (base end side), so that an internal space (sealed space) is formed in the gap between the outer part 130 and the inner part 132. This internal space becomes a storage part 150 in which an ultrasonic transmission medium is stored.

[0069] The storage portion 150 is provided in the gap between the outer portion 130 and the inner portion 132. Specifically, the storage portion 150 is configured by a space in the gap between the inclined surface portion 136 and the bottom surface portion 137 of the outer portion 130 and the corresponding inclined surface portion 146 and the bottom surface portion 147 of the inner portion 132, and each space communicates with each other at the tip side. Note that the left side surface portion 134 and the right side surface portion 135 of the outer portion 130 are entirely bonded to the corresponding left side surface portion 144 and the right side surface portion 145 of the inner portion 132, respectively, and no gap is provided between them.

[0070] In the cover body 120, a communication passage 152 is provided between a groove portion 140 (see FIG. 10) provided in a bottom surface portion 137 of the outer portion 130 and a bottom surface portion 147 of the inner portion 132. One end of the communication passage 152 communicates with the storage portion 150. In addition, the other end of the communication passage 152 communicates with a tube connection port 174 described later.

[0071] Of the inclined surface portion 136 of the outer part 130, at least the region facing the transducer surface 52 of the ultrasonic transducer 50 is a bulging portion 154 that is more likely to bulge outward than other regions (including the left side surface portion 134, the right side surface portion 135, and the bottom surface portion 137). The bulging portion 154 is configured as a region having a thinner wall thickness than the other regions. The bulging portion 154 may be provided only in the region facing the transducer surface 52 of the ultrasonic transducer 50 of the inclined surface portion 136 of the outer part 130, or may be provided over the entire inclined surface portion 136.

[0072] Furthermore, in order to suppress bulging other than at bulging portion 154, for example, a bulge control portion (thick portion or adhesive portion) disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 may be provided around bulging portion 154. The bulge control portion suppresses bulging other than at bulging portion 154 when the ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to storage portion 150. Note that the specific configuration of the bulge control portion is publicly known, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0073] 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the bulging portion 154 of the outer part 130 bulges outward when an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the storage part 150. As shown in FIG. 12, when the ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the storage part 150 from the tube 300 connected to the tube connection port 174 through the communication path 152, the ultrasonic transmission medium passes through the storage part 150 on the lower side (bottom surface part 147 side) of the inner part 132 as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 12, and the ultrasonic transmission medium gathers in the storage part 150 on the upper side (inclined surface part 146 side) of the inner part 132 (i.e., the storage part 150 at the position where the bulging portion 154 of the outer part 130 is provided), and the bulging portion 154 bulges outward. Note that when the ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the storage part 150, the bottom surface part 132 of the outer part 130 also bulges outward as shown in FIG. 12, but the amount of bulging is smaller than that of the bulging portion 154 of the outer part 130.

[0074] According to the cover body 120 configured in this manner, the gap between the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 has a storage part 150 in which an ultrasonic transmission medium is stored, and the outer part 130 is provided with a bulging part 154. The bulging part 154 is provided in a region facing the transducer surface 52 of the ultrasonic transducer 50, and is a part that is more likely to bulge than other regions. As a result, the ultrasonic transmission medium stored in the storage part 150 suppresses the bulging of other regions of the outer part 130 other than the bulging part 154, while the bulging part 154 bulges outward more than other regions. Therefore, it becomes possible to insert the tip part main body 30 to which the balloon 110 is attached into a narrow lumen of the bronchus.

[0075] In addition, in the cover body 120, since the gap between the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 becomes the storage part 150, it is preferable that a predetermined clearance is provided between the outer part 130 and the inner part 132. Moreover, the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 may be made of different materials so that the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 do not stick to each other. In either case, the outer part 130 and the inner part 132 can be prevented from sticking to each other.

[0076] <Fixed body> Next, the configuration of the fixed body 124 will be described.

[0077] As shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the fixed body 124 is a part arranged on the base end side (Z (-) direction side) of the balloon 110. The fixed body 124 is composed of a cylindrical body having a through passage 156 penetrating in the Z direction. The through passage 156 has a size (inner diameter) that allows the tip body 30 to be inserted, and an opening 126 of the cover body 120 is provided at a position intersecting with the extension direction of the axis of the through passage 156. The through passage 156 constitutes a part of a space for accommodating the tip body 30 inside the balloon 110. On the inside of the fixed body 124, a fixing surface 158 (the inner peripheral surface of the through passage 156) is provided, which is fixed to the base end of the tip body 30 (at least the base end side of the step surface 72 of the outlet forming part 42). The base end of the tip body 30 is an example of the "fixed part" of the present invention.

[0078] The fixed body 124 constitutes a part of the integrally formed product 142 described above, and is formed integrally with the inner part 132 and the connecting body 122. Like the inner part 132, the fixed body 124 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber.

[0079] The inner diameter of the fixed body 124 (the inner diameter of the through passage 156) is formed to be approximately 10% (percentage, the same applies below) to 20% smaller than the outer diameter of the base end of the tip body 30. Therefore, when the tip body 30 is inserted into the through passage 156 of the fixed body 124 and the fixed body 124 is fixed to the base end of the tip body 30, the fixed body 124 is tightly fixed to the base end of the tip body 30 due to the elastic force of the fixed body 124 in the diameter contraction direction.

[0080] In this specification, the term "closely fixed" means that the fixing body 124 is fixed in a state of close contact with the tip body 30 without any gaps. As long as the fixing body 124 is fixed to the base end of the tip body 30, it is not necessary that the fixing body 124 is closely fixed. For example, a gap may be formed in a part between the fixing surface 158 of the fixing body 124 and the base end of the tip body 30. However, from the viewpoint of reliably fixing the balloon 110 to the tip body 30, it is preferable that the fixing body 124 is closely fixed over the entire circumference of the base end of the tip body 30.

[0081] 8, the length (length in the Z direction) L1 of the fixing body 124 is preferably in the range of 30% to 90% of the length (length in the Z direction) L2 of the cover body 120. In this example, the length L1 of the fixing body 124 is about 50% of the length L2 of the cover body 120. By making the fixing body 124 have a length in the above range, the area over which the fixing body 124 is fixed (preferably in close contact) to the base end of the tip body 30 becomes large, and the fixation of the balloon 110 to the tip body 30 can be improved.

[0082] The position (position in the Z direction) of the fixing body 124 in the balloon 110 is preferably set within a range of 20 mm (millimeters, the same below) to 60 mm from the tip of the balloon 110 (cover body 120). By increasing the distance (distance in the Z direction) between the fixing body 124 and the cover body 120, the fixing force of the balloon 110 to the tip body 30 can be increased, while if the distance between the fixing body 124 and the cover body 120 is too long, it becomes a factor that requires time and effort to attach and detach the balloon 110 to the tip body 30. Therefore, it is preferable that the position of the fixing body 124 in the balloon 110 is set within the above range. In this embodiment, the base end of the tip body 30 is shown as an example of the fixed part of the endoscope insertion part 12 to which the fixing body 124 is fixed, but it is not limited thereto, and the curved part 32 (preferably the tip of the curved part 32) may be used.

[0083] <connector> Next, the configuration of the connector 122 will be described.

[0084] 5 to 8, the connector 122 is a portion of the balloon 110 that is disposed between the cover body 120 and the fixed body 124. The connector 122 connects the cover body 120 (the inner portion 132) and the fixed body 124 to each other.

[0085] The connecting body 122 constitutes a part of the integrally formed product 142 described above, and is formed integrally with the inner part 132 and the fixed body 124. Like the inner part 132, the connecting body 122 is formed from an elastic material such as silicone rubber.

[0086] The connector 122 has a gutter shape with an open upper side (Y(+) direction side) and is provided extending in the direction (Z direction) of the longitudinal axis 112. The connector 122 has a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 112 (XY cross section) that is U-shaped.

[0087] The connector 122 is composed of a left side surface portion 160, a right side surface portion 162, and a bottom surface portion 164, and has an open window 166 on the upper side. A connector space portion 168 defined by the left side surface portion 160, the right side surface portion 162, and the bottom surface portion 164 is provided inside the connector 122. The connector space portion 168 communicates with the open window 166. The connector space portion 168 communicates with the cover body space portion 128 via the opening portion 126 at its tip end, and communicates with the through passage 156 at its base end.

[0088] The connector space 168 constitutes a part of the space for accommodating the tip portion main body 30 inside the balloon 110, and serves as a space for accommodating the outlet forming part 42 and the main body part 44 of the tip portion main body 30. In addition, the open window 166 of the connector 122 exposes the treatment tool outlet 58, the observation window 64a, and each illumination window 66a to the outside when the balloon 110 is attached to the tip portion main body 30.

[0089] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the tip side of the bottom surface portion 164 of the connector 122 has a thick portion 170 configured to be thicker than the base end side. The thick portion 170 is formed to protrude downward (Z(-) direction side) compared to the base end side of the connector 122, and an inclined surface 172 having a normal line including components in each direction of the lower side and the base end side is provided on the base end side of the thick portion 170. A tube connection port 174 is formed on the inclined surface 172. The tube connection port 174 communicates with the storage portion 150 of the cover body 120 via the communication passage 152. The tube connection port 174 may be provided on the cover body 120 instead of the connector 122. The tube connection port 174 is a portion to which the tube 300 is connected (see Figs. 11 and 12), and is an example of the "communication port" of the present invention.

[0090] In the present embodiment, as a preferred embodiment, the connector 122 has a left side surface portion 160, a right side surface portion 162, and a bottom surface portion 164, and has a gutter-like shape with an open window 166 on the upper side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have other shapes than a gutter shape as long as it can connect the cover body 120 (the inner part 132) and the fixed body 124. For example, the connector 122 may have any one or two of the left side surface portion 160, the right side surface portion 162, and the bottom surface portion 164. The left side surface portion 160, the right side surface portion 162, and the bottom surface portion 164 are configured in a planar shape along the outer circumferential surface of the tip body 30, but are not limited to this, and may be, for example, a strip or rod shape. The left side surface portion 160, the right side surface portion 162, and the bottom surface portion 164 may have slits or small holes in parts thereof.

[0091] [How to attach the balloon] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the balloon 110 to the tip body 30. XIIIA in Fig. 13 shows a state before the balloon 110 is mounted to the tip body 30, and XIIIB in Fig. 13 shows a state after the balloon 110 is mounted to the tip body 30.

[0092] When the balloon 110 is attached to the tip body 30, first, the tip body 30 and the balloon 110 are aligned in a substantially straight line as shown in FIG. 13A. At that time, the relative positions of the balloon 110 and the tip body 30 are aligned so that the base end side of the balloon 110 (the side where the fixed body 124 is arranged) faces the tip side of the tip body 30 (the side where the ultrasonic transducer 50 is arranged).

[0093] Next, the balloon 110 is pushed straight into the tip body 30 so that the tip body 30 is inserted into the through passage 156 of the balloon 110 (fixed body 124). Then, when the balloon 110 is further pushed forward until the ultrasonic attachment part 40 of the tip body 30 is accommodated in the cover body space part 128 of the cover body 120, the balloon 110 is attached to the tip body 30 as shown in FIG. 13B. In this state, the outlet forming part 42 of the tip body 30 is accommodated in the connection body space part 168 of the connection body 122. In addition, the fixed body 124 of the balloon 110 is fixed to the base end part of the tip body 30 (at least the base end side of the step surface 72 of the outlet forming part 42). At that time, the fixed body 124 of the balloon 110 is closely fixed to the base end part of the tip body 30 by the elastic force in the diameter reduction direction, so that the fixation of the balloon 110 to the tip body 30 can be improved.

[0094] Furthermore, when the balloon 110 is attached to the tip body 30, in addition to being fixed by the fixing body 124 of the balloon 110, the ultrasonic mounting portion 40 is elastically clamped by a pair of side portions (left side portion 144 and right side portion 145 of the inner portion 132) of the cover body 120 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction (X direction) and opposed to each other, so that the cover body 120 is fixed in a state in which it is in close contact with the upright wall portion 54 of the ultrasonic mounting portion 40.

[0095] <Balloon effect> The balloon 110 of this embodiment configured as described above includes a cover body 120 having a two-layer structure in which an outer portion 130 and an inner portion 132 are overlapped, and a fixing body 124 connected to the cover body 120 via a connecting body 122. The fixing body 124 is configured to be fixed to the fixed portion (the tip body 30 or the curved portion 32) of the endoscope insertion portion 12, thereby improving the fixation of the balloon 110 to the tip body 30.

[0096] Furthermore, in addition to being fixed by the fixing body 124, the balloon 110 of this embodiment is configured to be fixed by elastically clamping the ultrasonic mounting portion 40 between a pair of side portions (left side portion 144 and right side portion 145) that are spaced apart and opposed in the left-right direction (X direction) of the cover body 120, thereby ensuring even more stable fixation in combination with the above-mentioned effects.

[0097] In this embodiment, an aspect having both the fixing by the fixing body 124 and the fixing by the pair of side portions of the cover body 120 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover body 120 may be fixed only by the fixing body 124. In this case, the distance between the pair of side portions (the distance in the X direction) is set so that the pair of side portions of the cover body 120 weakly sandwich the ultrasonic attachment portion 40 or are of a size such that they are in slight contact with each other.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the cover body 120 has a two-layer structure in which the outer portion 130 and the inner portion 132 are overlapped, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover body 120 may be composed of three or more layers as long as it is provided with a storage portion 150 for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium inside the cover body 120. In the present embodiment, the entire cover body 120 has a two-layer structure, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only a part of the cover body 120 may be composed of two layers (or three or more layers).

[0099] [Attachment parts] Next, the configuration of the attachment member 200 will be described. In the following description, the attachment member according to the first configuration example is indicated by reference numeral 200A, and the attachment member according to the second configuration example is indicated by reference numeral 200B. Furthermore, when these attachment members 200A and 200B are collectively referred to as attachment members 200.

[0100] <First configuration example> Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example when viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a top view of the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example. Fig. 17 is a configuration diagram of the main part showing the main part (the peripheral part of the reduced diameter section 24) of the operation section 14 of the endoscope 10.

[0101] 14 to 16, the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example has an overall shape based on a conical cylindrical shape whose diameter decreases toward the tip side (the lower side in FIG. 14). The attachment member 200A has a tip opening 202 provided on the tip side and a base opening 204 provided on the base side.

[0102] An insertion slit 206 is provided on the side surface of the attachment member 200A to allow the reduced diameter portion 24 of the operation unit 14 to pass through. The insertion slit 206 is provided extending along the axial direction of the attachment member 200A from the distal end opening 202 to the proximal end opening 204. The opening width of the insertion slit 206 is configured to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion 24 of the operation unit 14, and the opening width of the insertion slit 206 expands and contracts due to elastic deformation of the attachment member 200A, allowing the reduced diameter portion 24 of the operation unit 14 to pass through the insertion slit 206.

[0103] The base end side of the attachment member 200A is provided with a protruding portion 208 that protrudes further toward the base end side than the other portions over a portion of the circumferential direction (less than 180 degrees). The protruding portion 208 has a shape that forms part of the outer circumferential surface of a conical cylinder, like the other portions of the attachment member 200A. The inner surface of the protruding portion 208 is provided with a position shift prevention portion 210 that is formed in a convex shape facing inward along the circumferential direction.

[0104] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 17, the operating section 14 is provided with a convex step portion 26 on the base end side of the reduced diameter section 24. The step portion 26 is provided in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the side surface of the reduced diameter section 24. The step portion 26 is also formed so as to widen at an obtuse angle toward the tip side. In other words, the angle θ of the inclined surface 26a of the step portion 26 with respect to the base end side adjacent surface 27 adjacent to the base end side of the step portion 26 is configured to be an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees.

[0105] The positional shift prevention portion 210 is a portion that engages with the step portion 26 configured as described above from the base end side when the attachment member 200A is attached to the reduced diameter portion 24 of the operating unit 14, and prevents the attachment member 200A from shifting out of position toward the tip side relative to the operating unit 14.

[0106] The attachment member 200A is provided with a supply / discharge port 212. The other end of the tube 300 is connected to the supply / discharge port 212. The supply / discharge port 212 is provided with a lure nozzle 213. The lure nozzle 213 has a cylindrical shape having a supply / discharge port 214. The supply / discharge port 214 is connected to the tube 300 via an internal pipe (not shown) of the supply / discharge port 212. As a result, when an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the suction / discharge port 214 from a syringe 310 (see FIG. 18 ) connected to the lure nozzle 213 of the supply / discharge port 212, the ultrasonic transmission medium is sent to the balloon 110 through the tube 300, and the ultrasonic transmission medium is stored in the storage section 150 of the balloon 110. When suction is performed from the syringe 310, the ultrasonic transmission medium in the storage section 150 is discharged through the tube 300 and collected in the syringe 310 through the supply / discharge port 214.

[0107] Two opening windows 216 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the attachment member 200A. The two opening windows 216 are formed penetrating the side surface of the attachment member 200A. This makes it possible to visually confirm the operation portion 14 (reduced diameter portion 24) through the two opening windows 216. Note that the attachment member 200A does not necessarily have to be provided with the two opening windows 216.

[0108] The attachment member 200A has a pair of grips 218 provided on both sides (both edges) of the insertion slit 206. The pair of grips 218 are curved outwardly in directions away from each other (directions spreading outward) (see FIG. 16). The pair of grips 218 are portions that allow the user to easily hook the fingers of the user's hand so that the opening width of the insertion slit 206 can be elastically expanded or contracted when attaching or detaching the attachment member 200A to the operating unit 14.

[0109] Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the attachment member 200A is attached to the operation section 14 of the endoscope 10. In Fig. 18, reference numeral 310 denotes a syringe connected to the supply / discharge opening 214 of the supply / discharge port 212.

[0110] When attaching the attachment member 200A to the operating unit 14, the user hooks his / her fingers on a pair of gripping portions 218 of the attachment member 200A to elastically widen the opening width of the insertion slit 206, thereby allowing the reduced diameter portion 24 of the operating unit 14 to pass through the insertion slit 206. This allows the attachment member 200A to be easily attached to the operating unit 14, as shown in FIG.

[0111] In addition, when the attachment member 200A is attached to the operating unit 14, the position shift prevention portion 210 engages with the step portion 26 provided on the operating unit 14, thereby preventing the attachment member 200A from shifting toward the tip side relative to the operating unit 14.

[0112] When removing or attaching the attachment member 200A from the operating unit 14, just as when attaching the attachment member 200A, the user hooks his or her fingers onto a pair of grip portions 218 of the attachment member 200A to elastically widen the opening width of the insertion slit 206, thereby making it possible to easily remove the attachment member 200A from the operating unit 14 through the insertion slit 206.

[0113] <Second configuration example> Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the attachment member 200B according to the second configuration example. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the attachment member 200B according to the second configuration example when viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a top view of the attachment member 200B according to the second configuration example. In Figs. 19 to 21, the same reference numerals are used to designate members common to the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example.

[0114] 19 to 21, the attachment member 200B according to the second configuration example has an overall shape based on a conical cylinder whose diameter decreases toward the tip side (the lower side of FIG. 19) like the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example, and includes a tip opening 202, a base opening 204, an insertion slit 206, a position shift prevention portion 210, a supply / discharge port 212 (including a supply / discharge opening 214), and a pair of grip portions 218. Note that the configuration of each portion of the attachment member 200B is common to the attachment member 200A, so only the different portions will be described and the description of the rest will be omitted.

[0115] The attachment member 200B has a generally H-shaped configuration that is open on both the tip and base ends when viewed from the axial direction of the supply / discharge port 214. That is, the attachment member 200B has a pair of grooves 220 on the tip and base ends, each of which is formed by cutting out a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a conical cylinder into a rectangular shape, and each groove 220 opens to a tip opening 202 and a base opening 204, respectively.

[0116] The attachment member 200B has a pair of base end wall surfaces 222 that form the base end opening 204. The pair of base end wall surfaces 222 are provided at positions sandwiched between the groove portion 220 on the base end side and the insertion slit 206, and are provided at positions facing each other.

[0117] A misalignment prevention portion 210 formed in a convex shape facing inward along the circumferential direction is provided on the inner surface of each base end wall portion 222. That is, the attachment member 200B is provided with the misalignment prevention portions 210 at two locations on the inner side of the base end opening 204.

[0118] 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the attachment member 200B is attached to the operation section 14 of the endoscope 10. As shown in FIG. 22, the attachment member 200B is attached to the reduced diameter section 24 of the operation section 14 of the endoscope 10.

[0119] Similarly to the attachment member 200A according to the first configuration example, the attachment member 200B according to the second configuration example is provided with a pair of grip portions 218 on both sides of the insertion slit 206, thereby allowing the attachment member 200B to be easily attached to and detached from the operating unit 14 (mounting and detaching). In addition, the position shift prevention portion 210 makes it possible to prevent the attachment member 200B from shifting position toward the tip side after the attachment member 200B is mounted to the operating unit 14.

[0120] In the above-described embodiment, in order to engage the anti-misalignment portion 210 of the attachment member 200 (200A, 200B) with the operating portion 14, a convex-shaped step portion 26 is provided on the base end side of the reduced diameter portion 24. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, a circumferential groove portion may be provided in the reduced diameter portion 24, and the anti-misalignment portion 210 may be engaged with this groove portion.

[0121] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 Endoscopy 12 Endoscope insertion part 14 Control section 16 Universal Code 18 Angle lever 20 Suction button 22 Treatment tool inlet 24 Reduced diameter part 26 Step 26a Slope 27 Proximal adjacent surface 30 Tip body 32 Curved section 34 Soft part 36 Longitudinal axis 40 Ultrasonic mounting part 42 Outlet forming part 44 Main body 50 Ultrasonic Transducer 52 Transducer surface 53 Signal Cable 54 Standing wall 56 Aperture forming surface 58 Treatment tool outlet 60 conduit 62 Treatment tool insertion channel 64 Observation Optical System 64a Observation window 64b Lens system 64c Image sensor 66 Illumination optical system 66a Lighting window 68 Optical system storage section 70 Convex 72 Step surface 74 Signal Cable 76 Light Guide 90 Puncture needle 100 balloon units 110 Balloon 112 Longitudinal axis 120 Cover body 122 Connectors 124 Fixed body 126 Opening 128 Cover body space 130 Outer part 132 Inner part 134 Left side part 135 Right side part 136 Slope section 137 Bottom part 138 Outer opening 139 Outer space 140 Groove 142 Integral formation 144 Left side part 145 Right side part 146 Slope section 147 Bottom part 148 Inner opening 149 Inner space 150 Storage section 152 Communication path 154 Bulge 156 Passage 158 Fixed surface 160 Left side part 162 Right side part 164 Bottom part 166 Open Window 168 Connection space 170 Thick part 172 Slope 174 Tube connection port 200 Attachment parts 200A attachment material 200B Attachment material 202 Tip opening 204 Proximal opening 206 Insertion slit 208 Protrusion 210 Position shift prevention part 212 Supply and exhaust port 213 Lure tip 214 Supply / discharge port 216 Opening Window 218 Clues Section 220 Groove 222 Base end wall surface 300 tubes 310 Syringe

Claims

1. An endoscope balloon that covers an ultrasonic transducer provided on a distal end body of an endoscope insertion section, a cover body that is attached to the tip body and covers the ultrasonic transducer, the cover body having a bottomed cylindrical shape with a tip side in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the endoscope insertion portion closed and a base end side in the first direction open, the cover body including a bulging portion that can bulge by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium; a fixing body provided closer to the base end than the cover body and fixed to a fixing portion of the endoscope insertion portion; a connector that connects the cover body and the fixed body; A balloon for an endoscope comprising:

2. The fixing body is closely fixed to the fixed portion. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 1.

3. The fixed body is configured by a cylindrical body having a through passage in the first direction, The inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body is fixed to the fixed portion. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 1.

4. The opening of the cover body is provided at a position intersecting an extension direction of the axis of the through passage, The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 3.

5. The fixed body is fixed to the tip portion main body as the fixed portion. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 1.

6. the endoscope insertion portion has a curved portion on a proximal end side of the tip portion main body, The fixed body is fixed to the curved portion as the fixed portion. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 1.

7. The cover body has a cover body fixing portion fixed to the tip portion main body. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 1.

8. The cover body fixing portion has a pair of fixing surfaces facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the pair of fixing surfaces elastically hold the tip portion main body. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 7.

9. The distal end body has a treatment tool outlet port, The connecting body has a gutter shape with an open side on which the treatment tool outlet is provided. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 1.

10. The cover body is The inner part, an outer portion covering the inner portion; a reservoir portion for storing the ultrasonic transmission medium between the inner portion and the outer portion; having the outer portion has the bulge portion at a position facing a transducer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, The balloon for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The inner portion, the connecting body, and the fixing body are integrally formed. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 10.

12. The connector has a communication port that is connected to the storage portion. The balloon for an endoscope according to claim 10.

13. A balloon for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9; an attachment member that is detachably attached to an operation section that is connected to a base end side of the endoscope insertion section and has a supply / discharge port that supplies / discharges the ultrasonic transmission medium; a duct member for feeding the ultrasonic transmission medium between the attachment member and the endoscopic balloon; A balloon unit for an endoscope comprising:

14. An endoscope equipped with the balloon unit for an endoscope according to claim 13.

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