Ultrasonic connector, endoscope, and endoscope system

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic connector, an endoscope and an endoscope system capable of preventing the occurrence of trouble in the use of a processor.SOLUTION: An ultrasound connector 6 is attached to an endoscope connector that acquires an image signal and an ultrasound signal and sends the image signal to a processing device, and sends the ultrasound signal to an external device, the ultrasound connector 6 including a terminal portion 62 that is inserted into the endoscope connector and acquires the ultrasound signal, a columnar holding portion 64 that holds the terminal portion 62 at one end portion 641 in a length direction, and a grip portion 63 that is provided at another end portion 642 of the holding portion 64 and extends in a direction intersecting the length direction of the holding portion 64.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic connector, an endoscope, and an endoscope system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic endoscopes equipped with an ultrasonic transducer and an imaging element at the tip of the endoscope have been widely used.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic endoscopic device having an ultrasonic endoscope in which an endoscope connector connected to an insertion portion inserted into the body is provided with one electrical connector, and a cable connector is provided on an electrical cable electrically connecting to an image processing device and an ultrasonic observation device, and the cable connector is detachable from the electrical connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-166916 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Many ultrasonic endoscopes have an endoscope connector at one end that is inserted into a socket on one side of an image processing device such as a processor or a light source device to connect to the image processing device, and an ultrasound connector for sending ultrasound signals to an ultrasound observation device is attached to the endoscope connector. In the case of such ultrasonic endoscopes, a cable that connects to the insertion section is connected to the other end of the endoscope connector, so the ultrasound connector is attached to the endoscope connector in a direction that intersects the direction in which the one end and the other end face each other, i.e., from the side.

[0006] However, since the ultrasonic connector has an attachment part for attaching to the endoscope connector and a cable connected to the attachment part, when the ultrasonic connector is connected to the endoscope connector from the side, the attachment part and the cable get in the way of viewing the display content on the display part provided on one surface of the image processing device or light source device, and when operating the operation part provided on the same surface.

[0007] However, the ultrasonic endoscope device of Patent Document 1 does not devise a solution to such a problem, and is therefore unable to solve it.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an ultrasonic connector, an endoscope, and an endoscopic system that can prevent problems with the use of the processor as described above when the ultrasonic connector is connected to an endoscopic connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The ultrasonic connector of the present invention is an ultrasonic connector that is attached to an endoscopic connector that acquires image signals and ultrasonic signals and sends the image signals to a processing device, and that sends the ultrasonic signals to an external device, and is equipped with a terminal portion that is inserted into the endoscopic connector and acquires the ultrasonic signals, a columnar holding portion that holds the terminal portion at one end in the longitudinal direction, and a gripping portion that is provided at the other end of the holding portion and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the holding portion.

[0010] In the present invention, the holding portion holds the terminal portion at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the gripping portion provided at the other end of the holding portion extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the holding portion. Therefore, the gripping portion and the cable connected to the gripping portion are positioned away from the processing device, and when the ultrasound connector is attached to the endoscope connector, the ultrasound connector does not interfere with the use of the processing device.

[0011] An endoscope according to the present invention includes the above-described ultrasound connector and the endoscope connector.

[0012] An endoscope system according to the present invention includes the endoscope described above and the processing device.

[0013] In the present invention, the holding portion holds the terminal portion at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the gripping portion provided at the other end of the holding portion extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the holding portion. Therefore, when the ultrasound connector is attached to the endoscope connector of the endoscope inserted into the processing device, the gripping portion and the cable connected to the gripping portion are positioned away from the processing device, and the ultrasound connector does not interfere with use of the processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, when an ultrasound connector is connected to an endoscope connector, it is possible to prevent problems from occurring in the use of the processor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the attachment of a suction tube, a water supply tube, and an ultrasonic connector to an endoscope connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view taken along the arrow IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4 is a view taken along the arrow V in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view taken along arrow VI in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an ultrasound connector of an ultrasound endoscope according to the present embodiment is attached to an endoscope connector connected to a processor. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of fitting a suction tube into a mounting tube portion of an endoscope connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An ultrasonic connector, an endoscope, and an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of an endoscope system 1 according to this embodiment. The endoscope system 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 10, a processor 7 (processing device), and an external device 8 such as an ultrasonic observation device.

[0018] The ultrasonic endoscope 10 is used in the medical field and has a small-diameter insertion section 11 that is inserted into the patient's body, and a control section 12 that is connected to the base of the insertion section 11. The control section 12 is connected to the endoscope connector 5 via a universal tube 13, which is a flexible tubular body.

[0019] An image signal cable (not shown) and an ultrasound signal cable (not shown) are inserted inside the universal tube 13. The universal tube 13 also contains a water channel through which water flows and an air channel through which air flows, both of which are sent from the endoscope connector 5. The endoscope connector 5 is detachably provided to the processor 7, which receives and processes image signals via the image signal cable.

[0020] 1, the insertion section 11 has, from the front where it is inserted into the patient's body, a tip section 20, a bending section 21 that is bent by remote control from the operation section 12, and a flexible tube 22. The flexible tube 22 is passively bent by contact with the target object.

[0021] The operation unit 12 is provided with a bending operation knob 23 for bending the bending portion 21, a treatment tool insertion port 24 for inserting a flexible linear treatment tool such as a puncture needle or forceps, a suction button 25 for performing suction operation at the tip portion 20, an air and water supply button 26 for performing air and water supply operation at the tip portion 20, and multiple operation buttons 27 for inputting signals for image capture, ultrasonic measurement, etc.

[0022] An imaging lens system (not shown) and an imaging element (not shown) are provided within the tip 20 of the insertion section 11. The imaging lens system forms an image of the object to be observed, and the imaging element converts it into a signal. This signal is sent to the endoscope connector 5 via an image signal cable and processed by image processing circuits provided within the endoscope connector 5 and the processor 7, allowing the image to be displayed on a screen or the image data to be recorded on a recording medium. The ultrasonic endoscope 10 and the processor 7 further include an illumination means for distributing illumination light from the tip 20.

[0023] Attached to the endoscope connector 5 are a suction tube S for performing suction through the tip 20 of the insertion section 11, a water supply tube W for supplying water to the tip 20 of the insertion section 11, and an ultrasound connector 6 for sending ultrasound signals from the ultrasound signal cable to an external device 8. That is, the endoscope connector 5 and the external device 8 are connected via the ultrasound connector 6.

[0024] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the attachment of the suction tube S, the water supply tube W, and the ultrasonic connector 6 to the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. For convenience, the suction tube S and the water supply tube W are indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG.

[0025] The endoscope connector 5 extends in one direction and has a substantially rectangular housing 51. A universal tube 13 is connected to one longitudinal end 511 of the housing 51, and the other end 512 opposite the one end 511 is configured to be insertable into and removable from the processor 7.

[0026] The housing 51 is provided with a mounting opening 53 for mounting the ultrasonic connector 6. The mounting opening 53 is provided on one side wall 515 of the housing 51 in a direction intersecting the length direction, i.e., in the width direction.

[0027] Furthermore, a handle 52 is provided on the housing 51 so as to protrude from the other side wall 516 opposite the one side wall 515 in the width direction and facing the one side wall 515. The handle 52 has a truncated cone shape and is disposed so as to correspond to the mounting opening 53 in the width direction of the housing 51.

[0028] Furthermore, the housing 51 has a mounting tube 54 for fitting the suction tube S. More specifically, the mounting tube 54 is provided near the mounting opening 53 and closer to one end 511 of the housing 51 than the mounting opening 53. The mounting tube 54 is, for example, a hose nipple, and is provided so that its axial direction is oblique to the length direction of the housing 51 and the width direction of the housing 51.

[0029] Housing 51 is provided on the other side wall 516, closer to one end 511 of housing 51 than handle 52, with threaded portion 55 for threadably engaging with the end of water supply tube W. Threaded portion 55 is cylindrical, has a thread formed on its outer circumferential surface, and protrudes perpendicularly from other side wall 516.

[0030] The ultrasound endoscope 10 is capable of acquiring ultrasound tomographic images of the object of observation in addition to images obtained by the imaging lens system and imaging element. An ultrasound probe (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the tip 20 of the insertion section 11. The ultrasound probe has an acoustic lens, which is brought into contact with the target area to emit ultrasound waves and receive reflected waves (echoes). One end of the ultrasound signal cable is connected to the ultrasound probe, and as described above, the other end of the ultrasound signal cable is connected to the ultrasound connector 6. The received reflected waves (ultrasound signals) are transmitted to the external device 8 via the endoscope connector 5 and the ultrasound connector 6, where they are processed to obtain an ultrasound tomographic image.

[0031] The ultrasonic connector 6 is detachably attached to the endoscope connector 5 (mounting port 53). More specifically, the ultrasonic connector 6 includes an attachment portion 61 that is attached to the endoscope connector 5, and a transmission cable 65 that has one end connected to the attachment portion 61 and transmits ultrasonic signals to the external device 8. The attachment portion 61 includes a terminal portion 62 that is inserted into the endoscope connector 5 and connected to the ultrasonic signal cable, a holding portion 64 that holds the terminal portion 62, and a gripping portion 63 that is used to grip the attachment portion 61.

[0032] When the terminal portion 62 is inserted into the endoscope connector 5, the terminal portion 62 is connected to the ultrasonic signal cable, and ultrasonic signals can be acquired. The acquired ultrasonic signals are sent to the external device 8 via the transmission cable 65.

[0033] 3 is a perspective view showing the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. For convenience, only the attachment portion 61 and the transmission cable 65 of the ultrasonic connector 6 are shown in FIG. Also, Fig. 4 is a view taken along arrow IV in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view taken along arrow V in Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a view taken along arrow VI in Fig. 3. For convenience, only the mounting portion 61 is shown in Figs. 4 to 6.

[0034] The terminal portion 62 extends in one direction, is inserted from one end into the endoscope connector 5 through the mounting port 53, and is connected to the ultrasonic signal cable led into the endoscope connector 5. The terminal portion 62 has a rectangular circuit board 621 and a frame 623 that surrounds and holds the circuit board 621. One main surface 624 (one surface) of the circuit board 621 of the terminal portion 62 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals 622 that are electrically connected to the ultrasonic signal cable.

[0035] The holding portion 64 has a cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the terminal portion 62, and the terminal portion 62 is held at one end 641 of the holding portion 64. That is, the terminal portion 62 and the holding portion 64 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. The terminal portion 62 is connected to the transmission cable 65 via an electric wire embedded in the holding portion 64 and the gripping portion 63.

[0036] In addition, a locking portion 643 is provided at one end 641 of the holding portion 64. The locking portion 643 is configured to engage with the mounting port 53 of the endoscopic connector 5 by a rotational operation, and the engagement between the locking portion 643 and the mounting port 53 allows the mounting portion 61 (ultrasonic connector 6) to maintain its attached state to the endoscopic connector 5.

[0037] A gripping portion 63 is provided at the other end 642 of the holding portion 64. As shown in Fig. 4, the gripping portion 63 extends in a direction intersecting the axial length direction (see the dashed line in Fig. 4) of the holding portion 64 (see Fig. 4). The gripping portion 63 has a base 631 connected to the other end 642 of the holding portion 64, and an inclined portion 632 connected to the base 631.

[0038] The base 631 has a cylindrical shape, and one end in the length direction is connected to the other end 642 of the holding portion 64, and the other end is connected to the inclined portion 632. The axial direction of the base 631 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 64. That is, the base 631 extends in the radial direction of the holding portion 64. In other words, the direction along one main surface 624 of the terminal portion 62 (hereinafter, the surface direction of the one main surface 624) coincides with the radial direction of the holding portion 64, so that, as shown in FIG. 6, the extension direction of the base 631, i.e., the axial direction (see the dashed line in FIG. 6) is parallel to the surface direction of the one main surface 624 (see the dashed line in FIG. 6).

[0039] The inclined portion 632 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the extension direction of the base portion 631, i.e., in a direction intersecting the axial length direction, in a direction in which the surface opposite to one main surface 624 of the circuit board 621 faces. One end of the inclined portion 632 in the length direction is connected to the base portion 631, and the transmission cable 65 is connected to the other end (tip). The diameter of the inclined portion 632 decreases toward the other end.

[0040] 5, the inclined portion 632 extends such that its axial direction (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) forms an acute angle θ with the extension direction of the base portion 631, i.e., the axial direction (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 5). The acute angle θ is, for example, 45±15 degrees, and preferably 30 degrees. If the acute angle θ is less than 30 degrees, the mounting portion 61 (gripping portion 63) will get in the way when attaching the suction tube S, as will be described later. If the acute angle θ is greater than 60 degrees, the operation of attaching the ultrasonic connector 6 (mounting portion 61) to the mounting port 53 will be hindered.

[0041] 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment is attached to the endoscope connector 5 connected to the processor 7. For convenience, the universal tube 13 and the transmission cable 65 of the ultrasonic connector 6 are not shown in FIG.

[0042] The other end 512 of the endoscope connector 5 is connected to a connection port 72 of the processor 7. More specifically, the connection port 72 is a rectangular recess that is long in the width direction of the endoscope connector 5 (housing 51), and is provided on one surface 73 of the processor 7 on which the screen 75 is provided, and the other end 512 of the endoscope connector 5 is inserted into the connection port 72. In addition, the attachment portion 61 of the ultrasonic connector 6 is attached to the attachment port 53 provided on one side wall 515 of the housing 51. The attachment portion 61 protrudes from the one side wall 515 of the housing 51 in the width direction of the housing 51, i.e., the lateral direction.

[0043] The ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 of this embodiment is configured so that when attached to the endoscope connector 5 connected to the processor 7 (hereinafter referred to as the connected state), the ends of the holding portion 64 and the gripping portion 63 do not interfere with the screen 75 of the processor 7.

[0044] That is, the dimension L in the horizontal direction from the center of the housing 51 to the tip of the attachment portion 61 (holding portion 64) is determined so that when the ultrasonic connector 6 is attached to the endoscope connector 5 in the connected state, the ends of the holding portion 64 and the gripping portion 63 do not interfere with the screen 75 of the processor 7 in the horizontal direction. The dimension L is, for example, 110±30 mm.

[0045] In the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the gripping portion 63 extends in a direction intersecting the axial length direction of the holding portion 64, and therefore the gripping portion 63 and the transmission cable 65, excluding the holding portion 64, are positioned away from the processor 7. Therefore, even when the ultrasonic connector 6 is attached to the endoscope connector 5 in the connected state, the ultrasonic connector 6 does not interfere with the use of the processor 7.

[0046] That is, in the case of a conventional ultrasonic connector in which the gripping portion extends along the axial length of the holding portion, when the connector is attached to an endoscope connector in a connected state, the gripping portion and the transmission cable are located near one surface of the processor, which causes a problem of getting in the way of viewing the display content on the screen on that surface and operating the operating portion (not shown) on that surface.

[0047] In the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the gripping portion 63 and the transmission cable 65 are positioned away from the processor 7, so this type of problem can be prevented in advance. More specifically, as described above, the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that, when attached to the endoscope connector 5 in the connected state, the ends of the holding portion 64 and the gripping portion 63 do not interfere with the screen 75 of the processor 7. Therefore, the user is not hindered from viewing the contents displayed on the screen 75.

[0048] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the extension direction (axial length direction) of the base 631 is parallel to the plane direction of one main surface 624 of the terminal portion 62. Therefore, the user can grasp the orientation of the circuit board 621 (one main surface 624) by touch simply by gripping the grip portion 63 (base 631). Therefore, when inserting the terminal portion 62 into the endoscope connector 5 through the mounting port 53, the orientation of the circuit board 621 can be confirmed by touch in addition to by sight, improving operability.

[0049] 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of fitting the suction tube S into the mounting tube portion 54 of the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 8 illustrates the case where the suction tube S is fitted into the mounting tube portion 54 of the endoscopic connector 5 with the ultrasonic connector 6 attached to the endoscopic connector 5.

[0050] 5 and 8, in the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the axial direction of the inclined portion 632 is arranged to form an acute angle θ (45±15 degrees) with the axial direction of the base portion 631. Therefore, when fitting the suction tube S, the hand holding the end of the suction tube S can be prevented from interfering with the grip portion 63, which would hinder such operation.

[0051] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the inclined portion 632 tapers in diameter toward the other end (tip), making it easy for the user to grip the grip portion 63.

[0052] In the above, an example has been described in which the ultrasonic connector 6 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment is configured such that the axial direction of the base 631 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 64, but the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that the above-described effects can be achieved even if the axial direction of the base 631 is configured to form a predetermined acute angle with the axial direction of the holding portion 64.

[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0054] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any and all combinations, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), but this is not limited to this. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that references at least one other multiple claim may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Endoscopy system 5 Endoscope Connector 6 Ultrasonic Connector 7. Processor (processing unit) 8 External device 10. Ultrasound Endoscope 53 Mounting port 62 Terminal section 63 Gripping part 64 Holding part 65 Transmission Cable 75 Screen (display) 622 connection terminal 624 One principal surface (one surface) 631 Base 632 Slope 641 One end 642 Other end S suction tube W water supply tube

Claims

1. an ultrasound connector attached to an endoscope connector that acquires an image signal and an ultrasound signal and sends the image signal to a processing device, the ultrasound connector sending the ultrasound signal to an external device; a terminal portion that is inserted into the endoscope connector and that acquires the ultrasonic signal; a columnar holding portion that holds the terminal portion at one end in the length direction; an ultrasonic connector including a gripping portion provided at the other end of the holding portion and extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the holding portion;

2. the terminal portion has one surface on which a plurality of connection terminals are provided, 2. The ultrasonic connector according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion has a base portion extending in a direction along the one surface.

3. The gripping portion is an inclined portion connected to the base and extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the base, 3. The ultrasonic connector according to claim 2, wherein a cable for connecting to the external device is connected to a tip of the inclined portion.

4. 4. The ultrasonic connector according to claim 3, wherein the inclined portion has a cylindrical shape whose diameter decreases toward the tip.

5. 5. The ultrasonic connector according to claim 3, wherein the inclined portion forms an angle of 45.+-.15 degrees with the extending direction of the base portion.

6. 2. The ultrasonic connector according to claim 1, wherein when attached to the endoscope connector connected to the processing device, the holding portion and the gripping portion do not interfere with a display unit of the processing device.

7. The ultrasonic connector according to claim 1; an endoscope comprising the endoscope connector.

8. The endoscope according to claim 7; and an endoscope system comprising the processing device.

Images