Endoscopic Ultrasound System

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic endoscope system in which a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope mounted on an ultrasonic endoscope hardly comes off.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic endoscope system includes an ultrasonic endoscope 1 equipped with an ultrasonic transducer 50 provided in a distal end body 34 and a balloon 120 for an ultrasonic endoscope for covering an external surface of the ultrasonic transducer 50. The balloon 120 for an ultrasonic endoscope has an opening 122a provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of an insertion part and attached to the distal end body 34, and includes a swelling part that can swell when an ultrasonic transmission medium is stored inside, and a fixed part tightly fixed to the distal end body 34. The distal end body 34 includes a standing wall part 91 on each of both sides with the ultrasonic transducer 50 therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. At least the fixed part is fixed to the standing wall part 91 tightly by contractive force of the fixed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic endoscope system, and more particularly to an ultrasonic endoscope system including an ultrasonic endoscope balloon attached to the distal end of an insertion section of the ultrasonic endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultrasound endoscopes are used in the medical field. An ultrasound endoscope has an imaging element and an ultrasound transducer integrally arranged at the tip of an insertion section that is inserted into a body cavity of a subject. The ultrasound transducer emits ultrasound toward an area to be observed within 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 ultrasound observation device. After various signal processing steps are performed in the ultrasound observation device, the signals are displayed on a monitor or the like as an ultrasound tomographic image.

[0003] Because ultrasonic waves and echo signals are significantly attenuated in air, an ultrasonic transmission medium such as water or oil must be placed between the ultrasonic transducer and the region to be observed. Therefore, a stretchable balloon is attached to the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope, and the balloon is inflated by injecting an ultrasonic transmission medium into it and then placed in contact with the region to be observed. This removes air from between the ultrasonic transducer and the region to be observed, preventing attenuation of the ultrasonic waves and echo signals.

[0004] Various balloons have been proposed as balloons to be attached to the tip of such an insertion section. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses that an engagement groove formed on the back side of the tip of the insertion section in the scanning direction and a circumferential groove provided at the rear position of the ultrasound probe secure the balloon to the tip of the insertion section with an engagement protrusion and an O-ring provided on the balloon. Patent Document 2 discloses that the balloon is attached by covering a transducer with the balloon and elastically engaging an elastic ring from above the balloon with an annular engagement groove provided around the transducer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-169804 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-254942 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Because the insertion section of an ultrasound endoscope is inserted into a subject, it is required that the balloon not detach during use. In endoscopes used for the digestive tract, even if the balloon detaches, it is expelled from the body along with feces. However, in endoscopes for the bronchi, if the balloon detaches, it remains in the bronchi and is not expelled from the body, so it is further required that the balloon not detach easily. The tip of the ultrasound diagnostic device described in Patent Document 1 has an engaging protrusion that aligns with the insertion and removal direction of the endoscope, so force applied during insertion and removal of the endoscope is concentrated on the engaging protrusion, which may cause the balloon to detach. Similarly, the ultrasound endoscope described in Patent Document 2 also has a risk of the balloon detaching. Furthermore, because the ultrasound probe (transducer) of the ultrasound endoscope in Patent Document 2 is rectangular, the groove is also rectangular. If the groove is rectangular, force is not applied evenly, which may make it difficult to ensure liquid-tightness.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an ultrasonic endoscope system in which an ultrasonic endoscope balloon attached to an ultrasonic endoscope is less likely to fall off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the ultrasonic endoscopic system of the present invention is an ultrasonic endoscopic system having an ultrasonic endoscope equipped with a tip body provided on the tip side of an insertion section and an ultrasonic transducer provided on the tip body, and an ultrasonic endoscopic balloon covering the outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic endoscopic balloon has an opening provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section and attached to the tip body, covers the transducer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and is equipped with an expansion portion that can expand by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium inside, and a fixing portion that is tightly fixed to the tip body, and the tip body has standing wall portions on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer in the width direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the planar direction of the transducer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and at least the fixing portion is tightly fixed to the standing wall portion by the contraction force of the fixing portion.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the fixing portion of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope before being attached to the tip portion body is smaller than the width of the tip portion body.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the tip body preferably has a vertical wall portion or a groove portion on the base end side of the ultrasonic transducer, and the fixing portion of the balloon for the ultrasonic endoscope preferably has a convex portion that fits into the groove portion.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the grooves are preferably provided on both surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the tip body preferably has a step portion closer to the base end than the ultrasonic transducer, and the fixing portion preferably has a locking portion that locks onto the step portion.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the step portion is preferably provided on the surface opposite to the vibrator surface.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope preferably has a tapered portion that prevents contact with the internal tissue in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby preventing the balloon from falling off the tip body.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion has a flat portion on the base end side of the bulge portion, and the tip main body has a treatment tool outlet on the base end side of the ultrasonic transducer, and preferably has a planar portion between the ultrasonic transducer and the treatment tool outlet where the flat portion is in close contact.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the fixing portion preferably includes a tube communicating with the interior of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the tube is preferably provided on the surface opposite to the vibrator surface.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has at least a two-layer structure including an inner portion and an outer portion covering the inner portion, and has a storage portion for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium between the inner portion and the outer portion, and it is preferable that the fixing portion is provided in the inner portion.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the fixing portion is preferably fixed in close contact with the vibrator surface and the surface opposite to the vibrator surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult for a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope attached to an ultrasonic endoscope to fall off. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of an ultrasonic endoscope (endoscope). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tip body. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip body. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tip body. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the tip body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tip body. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope, omitting the tube. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of an ultrasonic wave transmission medium supplied to a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the transducer surface area of ​​the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope is inflated. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope, without a tube, to a distal end body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the distal end body, to which the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope is attached, cut along the XZ plane, without the tube. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end body with the ultrasonic endoscope balloon attached, cut along the YZ plane. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope, without the tube, as viewed from the proximal end side. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope, without a tube, to a distal end body according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An ultrasonic endoscope 1 constituting an ultrasonic endoscope system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] [Overall configuration of an ultrasound endoscope] Figure 1 is an overall view of an ultrasonic endoscope 1. As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "endoscope 1") is used to collect cellular tissue from a lesion (which may also be an observation site, an examination site, or a medical examination site). In this embodiment, a bronchial lymph node will be used as an example of the lesion.

[0024] The endoscope 1 is composed of an operation section 10 that is held by the practitioner to perform various operations, an insertion section 12 that is inserted into the patient's body, and a universal cord 14. The endoscope 1 is connected via the universal cord 14 to system component devices such as a processor device, a light source device, and an ultrasound observation device (not shown) that constitute an endoscope system.

[0025] The operation unit 10 is provided with various operation members that are operated by the practitioner, such as an angle lever 16 and a suction button 22.

[0026] The operation section 10 is also provided with a treatment tool introduction port 24 for inserting a treatment tool into a treatment tool insertion channel 23 (see FIG. 3) that passes through the insertion section 12.

[0027] The insertion section 12 extends from the tip of the operating section 10 and is formed in a long shape with a small diameter as a whole. The insertion section 12 is composed of, in order from the base end side to the tip end side, a flexible section 30, a bending section 32, and a tip section main body 34 which is the tip end.

[0028] The flexible section 30 occupies the majority of the proximal end side of the insertion section 12 and has flexibility that allows it to bend in any direction. When the insertion section 12 is inserted into a body cavity, the flexible section 30 bends along the insertion path into the body cavity.

[0029] The bending portion 32 is adapted to bend in the vertical direction (A2 direction) by rotating the angle lever 16 of the operating unit 10 in the A1 direction, and by bending the bending portion 32, the tip body 34 can be directed in the desired direction.

[0030] The tip body 34 will be described in detail using Figures 2 and 3 below, and is equipped with an observation optical system 40 and an illumination optical system 44 for capturing observation images inside the body, an ultrasonic transducer 50 for acquiring ultrasonic images, and a treatment tool outlet 52 (hereinafter referred to as outlet 52) ​​for guiding the treatment tool inserted from the treatment tool inlet 24.

[0031] The universal cord 14 contains signal cables 54, 56, and a light guide 58, the details of which are shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. A connector is provided at one end (not shown) of the universal cord 14. This connector is connected to predetermined system components that constitute an endoscope system, such as a processor device, a light source device, and an ultrasound observation device. As a result, the system components supply the endoscope 1 with power, control signals, illumination light, and other signals necessary for operating the endoscope 1. Signals of observation images acquired by the observation optical system 40 and signals of ultrasound images acquired by the ultrasound transducer 50 are transmitted from the endoscope 1 to the system components. The signals transmitted to the system components are subjected to image processing, and the observation images and ultrasound images are displayed on a monitor for observation by a practitioner, etc.

[0032] The configuration of the operating unit 10 is not limited to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. A pair of angle knobs may be provided instead of the angle lever 16, and the bending portion 32 may be bent in the up-down and left-right directions by rotating the pair of angle knobs. Also, an air / water supply button may be provided on the operating unit 10, and a gas such as air and a cleaning liquid may be supplied to the tip portion main body 34 by operating the air / water supply button.

[0033] [Configuration of the tip body] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tip body 34 from which the puncture needle is drawn, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tip body 34.

[0034] The configuration of each part will be described below using a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y, and Z axes. The Z direction in the drawings is parallel to the longitudinal axis 38 of the tip portion main body 34 (insertion section 12). The Z(+) direction side of the Z direction in the drawings is the tip side of the tip portion main body 34, and the Z(-) direction side is the base end side of the tip portion main body 34. The Z direction in the drawings corresponds to the first direction of the present invention. The Y direction in the drawings is perpendicular to the Z direction and, in this embodiment, corresponds to the up-down direction in each drawing. The Y(+) direction side, which is one side of this Y direction, is the upward direction in the drawings, and the Y(-) direction side, which is the other side opposite to the one side of the Y direction, is the downward direction in the drawings. The X direction in the drawings is perpendicular to both the Z and Y directions and corresponds to the second direction of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tip portion main body 34 includes, from the tip side to the base end side of the tip portion main body 34, an ultrasound mounting portion 34a, an outlet forming portion 34b, and a main body portion 34c (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0036] When the tip body 34 is viewed from the X direction side, the ultrasonic transducer 50 is attached to the ultrasonic mounting portion 34a in a position tilted forward (inclined) toward the Y (-) direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 38. This ultrasonic transducer 50 is a convex type having an oscillator surface 51 on which ultrasonic vibrators that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves are arranged in an arc along the longitudinal axis 38 (first direction). Ultrasound is transmitted from the oscillator surface 51 toward a living body, and ultrasonic echoes reflected by the living tissue are received by the oscillator surface 51. This ultrasonic transducer 50 acquires a signal that generates an ultrasonic image of the lymph node. The number of ultrasonic vibrators that make up the ultrasonic transducer 50 is not limited.

[0037] The outlet forming portion 34b has a treatment tool outlet 52 that opens toward the Y(+) direction, and a substantially rectangular opening forming surface 71 that is parallel to the XZ plane in which the outlet 52 opens and that extends along the Z direction (including the longitudinal axis 38; the same applies below). The opening forming surface 71 is a surface that is parallel to the XZ plane and extends along the Z direction, and constitutes a part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion main body 34. In this embodiment, the outlet 52 opens within the planar opening forming surface 71, but it may also open within a surface of various shapes, such as a curved surface, an inclined surface, or an uneven surface. In this embodiment, a puncture needle 100 used to collect lymph node tissue will be described as an example of the treatment tool.

[0038] A duct 74 is formed inside the outlet forming portion 34b and the main body portion 34c. The distal end side of this duct 74 is connected to the outlet 52, and the proximal end side of the duct 74 is connected to the treatment tool insertion channel 23 that is inserted through the insertion portion 12. As a result, the distal end of the puncture needle 100 inserted from the treatment tool introduction port 24 is guided through the treatment tool insertion channel 23 and the duct 74 to the outlet 52, and is then led out from the outlet 52 to the outside.

[0039] The main body 34c includes an optical system housing section 82 in which the observation optical system 40 and the illumination optical system 44 are disposed. The optical system housing section 82 has a generally semi-cylindrical shape and includes a convex surface 84 and a stepped surface 85. The convex surface 84 forms part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip body 34 (optical system housing section 82). This convex surface 84 is located on the Y(+) direction side of the opening forming surface 71 and has a shape that follows the Z direction. Note that the convex surface 84 may also be formed into various shapes, such as a curved surface, an inclined surface, or an uneven surface.

[0040] The step surface 85 is a slope that connects the base end side of the opening forming surface 71 and the tip side of the convex surface 84, and constitutes part of the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion main body 34. Note that the slope here also includes a vertical surface with an inclination angle of 90° with respect to the Z direction.

[0041] The step surface 85 is provided with an observation window 40 a of the observation optical system 40 and illumination windows 44 a of the pair of illumination optical systems 44 .

[0042] The observation optical system 40 includes an observation window 40a provided in the stepped surface 85, and a lens system 40b and an image pickup element 40c provided in the optical system housing portion 82. The image pickup element 40c is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and captures an observation image captured from the observation window 40a via the lens system 40b. The image pickup element 40c then outputs an image pickup signal of the observation image to the system configuration device via a signal cable 56 inserted inside the insertion portion 12.

[0043] The illumination optical systems 44 are provided on both sides of the observation optical system 40 in the X direction, and include illumination windows 44a provided in the step surface 85 and light guides 58 inserted into the insertion section 12. The emission ends of the light guides 58 are disposed behind each illumination window 44a. This allows illumination light supplied from the light source device to each light guide 58 to be emitted from each illumination window 44a.

[0044] As described above, in this tip portion main body 34, the ultrasonic transducer 50, the outlet 52, and the stepped surface 85 (observation window 40a) are arranged in this order from the tip side to the base end. That is, the outlet 52 is arranged between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the observation window 40a. Therefore, the puncture site on the bronchial wall surface toward the lymph node by the puncture needle 100 can be observed with the observation optical system 40.

[0045] <Ultrasound Endoscope System> Next, an ultrasonic endoscope system according to an embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic endoscope system includes an endoscope 1 having a tip body 34 provided at the tip side of the insertion section 12 and an ultrasonic transducer 50 provided on the tip body 34, and an ultrasonic endoscope balloon 120 (see FIG. 7, hereinafter referred to as "balloon") that covers the outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer 50.

[0046] The configuration of the tip portion main body 34 to which the balloon 120 is attached will be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tip portion main body 34. Fig. 5 is a side view of the tip portion main body 34. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the tip portion main body 34.

[0047] The tip portion main body 34 has standing wall portions 91 on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer 50 in a width direction (X direction) that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction) and parallel to the plane direction of the vibrator surface 51 of the ultrasonic transducer 50. The two standing wall portions 91 are formed with surfaces parallel to the YZ plane. The standing wall portion 91 does not need to be parallel to the YZ plane over the entire surface, and "parallel" includes being approximately parallel. The distance in the width direction between the two standing wall portions 91, i.e., the width of the ultrasonic mounting portion 34a, is shorter than other parts of the tip portion main body 34 (the outlet forming portion 34b and the main body portion 34c) when viewed from the Y direction (see FIG. 6).

[0048] A fixing portion of the balloon 120, which will be described later, is fixed in close contact with the upright wall portion 91, whereby the balloon is fixed to the tip portion main body .

[0049] The tip portion main body 34 also has a flat portion 93 between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the outlet 52. The flat portion 93 is a plane that is approximately parallel to the XZ plane, and its length in the X direction is longer than its length in the Z direction. The flat portion 93 is connected to the tip side of the opening forming surface 71 described above, and the flat portion 93 and the opening forming surface 71 form an integrated flat surface.

[0050] The tip portion body 34 also has grooves 92 on both side surfaces in the X direction of the tip portion body 34 between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the outlet port 52. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, when the tip portion body 34 is viewed from the Y(+) direction side, the grooves 92 are disposed between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the outlet port 52. The grooves 92 extend from both ends of the flat portion 93 to the Y(-) direction side. )Y4 to 6, the groove 92 is provided on the base end side of the ultrasonic transducer 50, but the position where the groove 92 is formed is not limited to the base end side of the ultrasonic transducer 50, and the groove 92 may be provided on the standing wall portion 91.

[0051] As will be described later, a protrusion 122j provided on the fixing portion of the balloon 120 fits into the groove 92. The engagement of the groove 92 with the protrusion 122j makes it difficult for the balloon 120 to come off from the tip portion main body 34.

[0052] The tip body 34 has a step portion 94 on the base end side (Z(-) direction side) of the ultrasonic transducer 50, on the surface opposite the transducer surface 51 (see FIG. 5). The step portion 94 is a flat surface approximately parallel to the XY plane, and protrudes in the Y(-) direction when viewed from the Z(-) direction side.

[0053] As will be described later, the step portion 94 can be locked to a locking portion 122k provided on the fixing portion of the balloon 120, thereby preventing the balloon 120 from slipping off from the tip portion main body .

[0054] [Balloon configuration] Next, the balloon of the embodiment will be described. In the figures, as in Figures 2 to 6, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y, and Z axes will be used for description. These correspond to the X, Y, and Z directions when the balloon 120 is attached to the distal end body 34. The Z(+) direction side is the distal end side, and the Z(-) direction side is the proximal end side. The Z direction in the figures corresponds to the first direction of the present invention and corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section. The Y direction in the figures is perpendicular to the Z direction and, in this embodiment, is the up-down direction in each figure. The Y(+) direction side, which is one side of this Y direction, is the upward direction in the figures, and the Y(-) direction side, which is the other side opposite to the one side of the Y direction, is the downward direction in the figures. The X direction in the figures is perpendicular to both the Z and Y directions and corresponds to the second direction of the present invention.

[0055] 7 is an assembly diagram of balloon 120 omitting the tube, where 700A in FIG. 7 is a perspective view after assembly and 700B in FIG. 7 is a perspective view before assembly. As shown in FIG. 7, balloon 120 is composed of balloon body 121 with a two-layer structure including inner portion 122 and outer portion 124.

[0056] <Inner part> The inner portion 122 has an opening 122a at one end in the first direction (Z direction), and includes two opposing side surfaces 122b, a top surface 122c, an inclined surface 122d, and a bottom surface 122e. The inner portion 122 is configured in a bottomed cylindrical shape having the opening 122a, and all parts other than the opening 122a are closed by the two side surfaces 122b, the top surface 122c, the inclined surface 122d, and the bottom surface 122e.

[0057] The opening 122a is defined by two side surface portions 122b, a top surface portion 122c, and a bottom surface portion 122e, each of which has a straight line shape, and the opening 122a has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0058] The opening 122a is inclined from the lower side (Y(-) side) to the upper side (Y(+) side) from the base end side (Z(-) side) to the tip end side (Z(+) side).

[0059] The side surface portion 122b extends along the first direction (Z direction), is composed of a surface substantially parallel to the YZ plane, and includes a first side surface portion 122f located on the side of the top surface portion 122c and the inclined surface portion 122d, and a second side surface portion 122g located on the side of the opening 122a. The distance between the opposing first side surface portions 122f is shorter than the distance between the opposing second side surface portions 122g. A step portion 122h is formed between the first side surface portion 122f and the second side surface portion 122g.

[0060] Furthermore, the inner portion 122 includes a flange portion 122i that surrounds the outer periphery of the inner portion 122. The flange portion 122i is provided on the base end side of the top surface portion 122c and on the base end side of the first side surface portion 122f, and is also provided on the bottom surface portion 122e (not shown). The flange portion 122i is made up of four connected linear portions and is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the inner portion 122.

[0061] The inclined surface portion 122d has a shape that imitates the vibrator surface 51 of the ultrasonic transducer 50 described above, and slopes in an arc from the upper side (Y(+) side) to the lower side (Y(-) side) as it moves from the base end side (Z(-) side) to the tip end side (Z(+) side).

[0062] The side surface portion 122b has two opposing protrusions 122j on the inner surface of the second side surface portion 122g. The two protrusions 122j extend parallel to the Y direction and protrude in directions approaching each other.

[0063] <Outer part> The outer part 124 has an opening 124a at one end in the first direction (Z direction), and includes two opposing side surfaces 124b, a top surface 124c, an inclined surface 124d, and a bottom surface 124e. The outer part 124 is configured in a bottomed cylindrical shape having the opening 124a, and all parts other than the opening 124a are closed by the two side surfaces 124b, the top surface 124c, the inclined surface 124d, and the bottom surface 124e.

[0064] The two side surfaces 122b, the top surface 122c, and the bottom surface 122e that define the opening 124a are all straight, so that the opening 124a has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0065] The side surface portion 124b extends along the first direction (Z direction) and is configured as a surface approximately parallel to the YZ plane. The opening 124a of the outer portion 124 widens toward the side surface portion 124b (X direction) to accommodate the step portion 122h of the inner portion 122.

[0066] The inclined surface portion 124d has a shape that imitates the vibrator surface 51 of the ultrasonic transducer 50 described above, and is curved and inclined from the upper side (Y(+) side) to the lower side (Y(-) side) as it moves from the base end side (Z(-) side) to the tip end side (Z(+) side).

[0067] <Balloon body> As shown in 700A, the inner part 122 is housed in the outer part 124 via the opening 124a of the outer part 124, and the outer part 124 covers the inner part 122. However, the outer part 124 does not need to cover the entire inner part 122. The outer part 124 covers the two first side surface parts 122f, the top surface part 122c, the inclined surface part 122d, and a portion (on the tip side) of the bottom surface part 122e of the inner part 122. On the other hand, the outer part 124 does not cover the second side surface part 122g of the inner part 122 and a portion (on the base side) of the bottom surface part 122e.

[0068] As shown in 700A, the two side surface portions 122b and the two side surface portions 124b constituting the inner portion 122 and the outer portion 124 are arranged opposite each other, the top surface portion 122c and the top surface portion 124c are arranged opposite each other, the inclined surface portion 122d and the inclined surface portion 124d are arranged opposite each other, and the bottom surface portion 122e and the bottom surface portion 124e are arranged opposite each other.

[0069] The peripheral edge of the opening 124a of the outer part 124 abuts against the flange part 122i of the inner part 122. The relative position of the outer part 124 with respect to the inner part 122 is determined by the flange part 122i.

[0070] The outer part 124 is bonded to the inner part 122 on the side of the opening 122a to form a two-layered balloon body 121. The balloon body 121 is provided at one end of the insertion part 12 in the first direction (Z direction) and is configured in a bottomed tubular shape having the opening 122a attached to the tip part body 34.

[0071] As for the material of the balloon body 121, it is preferable that the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are made of different materials so that the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 do not stick together. However, as will be described later, by providing a clearance between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, it is possible to prevent the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 from sticking together. Therefore, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 may be made of the same material. The material of the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 may be silicone rubber, natural rubber, or the like.

[0072] When the balloon 120 is attached to the tip portion main body 34, the first side surface portion 122f of the inner portion 122 and the standing wall portion 91 are arranged opposite to each other, and the inclined surface portion 122d and the ultrasonic transducer 50 are arranged opposite to each other. The side surface portion 124b of the outer portion 124 and the standing wall portion 91 are arranged opposite to each other with the first side surface portion 122f interposed therebetween, and the inclined surface portion 124d and the ultrasonic transducer 50 are arranged opposite to each other with the inclined surface portion 122d interposed therebetween.

[0073] The opening 122a provided in the inner part 122 serves as an insertion port through which the tip portion main body 34 described above is inserted. The internal space of the inner part 122 has a shape similar to that of the tip portion main body 34 and is formed in a shape smaller than the outer shape of the tip portion main body 34. The width (length in the X direction) of the two side surface parts 122b of the balloon 120 before being attached to the tip portion main body 34 is set smaller than the distance in the width direction between the two standing wall parts 91. As a result, when the balloon 120 is inserted into the tip portion main body 34 from the opening 122a of the inner part 122, the two side surface parts 122b of the inner part 122 expand in the X direction, and the contractile force that tries to return causes the side surface parts 122b to adhere closely to the standing wall parts 91, thereby fixing them in place. The two side surface parts 122b of the inner part 122 function as fixing parts that adhere closely to the tip portion main body 34.

[0074] The two convex portions 122j provided on the second side surface portion 122g constituting the side surface portion 122b of the inner portion 122 fit into the groove portion 92 of the tip portion main body 34 described above when the balloon 120 is attached to the tip portion main body 34. The two convex portions 122j that fit into the groove portion 92 of the tip portion main body 34 are provided on the side surface portion 122b that functions as a fixing portion. Note that when the groove portion 92 is provided on the standing wall portion 91, the two convex portions 122j are provided on the first side surface portion 122f constituting the side surface portion 122b.

[0075] Furthermore, by making the inside of the inner part 122 similar in shape to the tip part main body 34 and smaller in shape than the outer shape of the tip part main body 34, it is possible to closely fix the inner part 122 from the transducer surface 51 and the surface opposite to the transducer surface 51. This allows the inner part 122 to closely fix the inner part 122 to the transducer surface 51 and the surface opposite to the transducer surface 51 of the tip part main body 34, and the balloon 120 can be firmly fixed to the tip part main body 34. The inclined surface part 122d and the bottom surface part 122e of the inner part 122 function as fixing parts that closely fix the inner part 122 to the tip part main body 34.

[0076] Moreover, it is preferable that the balloon body 121 has a shape that follows the outer shape of the vibrator surface of the aforementioned ultrasonic transducer 50. By configuring the balloon body 121 in this way, the orientation of the balloon 120 when attached to the tip portion body 34 can be stabilized.

[0077] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of balloon 120. 800A is a cross-sectional view of balloon 120 cut along the YZ plane, and 800B is a cross-sectional view of balloon 120 cut along the XY plane. As shown in Figure 8, outer part 124 covers inner part 122, and balloon body 121 is formed by bonding outer part 124 and inner part 122 together.

[0078] As shown in 800A, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded together, forming a closed space between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124. This space serves as a storage part 121a for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium. By storing the ultrasonic transmission medium in the storage part 121a, the transducer surface area 124f constituting the inclined surface part 124d of the outer part 124 can be expanded, and the transducer surface area 124f functions as a bulging part. The transducer surface area 124f is an area facing the transducer surface 51 of the ultrasonic transducer 50.

[0079] As described above, the reservoir 121a of the balloon 120 is formed by a closed space between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, so the balloon 120 itself can ensure liquid-tightness. Therefore, unlike conventional methods for ensuring liquid-tightness between the distal end portion body and the balloon, the balloon 120 does not necessarily have to have a circular groove shape to engage the distal end portion body and the balloon. The balloon 120 makes it possible to avoid the increase in diameter and size of the distal end portion body 34 that would result from having a circular groove shape. Furthermore, the balloon 120 allows for freedom in designing the shape of the distal end portion body 34. As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 122a of the balloon 120 can be rectangular rather than circular.

[0080] It is preferable that there is a clearance between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124, and that they are not in close contact with each other. By not having the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 in close contact with each other, when supplying the ultrasonic transmission medium to the storage part 121a, it is possible to prevent the outer surface of the inner part 122 from sticking to the inner surface of the outer part 124, which would make it difficult to supply the ultrasonic transmission medium. Furthermore, as will be described later, when the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded and assembled, it is possible to prevent the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 from sticking to each other. The clearance means a state in which the outer surface of the inner part 122 and the inner surface of the outer part 124 are separated by a certain distance.

[0081] As shown in 800A, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded together with an adhesive or the like in the area surrounded by a square. There is no clearance at the adhesive joint 121b between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 bonded together with the adhesive. The clearance does not have to exist in the entire area between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124.

[0082] The adhesive portion 121b may be located at a position corresponding to, for example, an upper surface portion 122c (not shown) of the inner portion 122 and an upper surface portion 124c (not shown) of the outer portion 124.

[0083] The adhesive portion 121b does not expand even when an ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied into the balloon 120, and therefore the base end side (Z(-) side) of the balloon 120 does not expand even when the puncture needle 100 is led out from the lead-out port 52, thereby preventing the puncture needle 100 led out from the lead-out port 52 from coming into contact with the inflated balloon 120. The adhesive portion 121b can suppress expansion other than in the transducer surface region 124f, which will be described later, and functions as an expansion restriction portion. The adhesive portion 121b suppresses expansion of the base end side (Z(-) side) of the transducer surface region 124f.

[0084] The inclined surface portion 124d of the outer portion 124 includes a transducer surface region 124f and a thick portion 124g. The thick portion 124g is arranged on the other end side (Z(+) side) opposite to one end (Z(-) side) in the first direction (Z direction), and is formed with a thickness greater than the thickness of the transducer surface region 124f. The thick portion 124g prevents the tip side (Z(+) side) of the transducer surface region 124f of the outer portion 124 from expanding when the ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a. The thick portion 124g functions as an expansion restriction portion, allowing the transducer surface region 124f to expand more effectively.

[0085] The transducer surface region 124f is formed to have a thickness thinner than other regions of the outer portion 124, including the thick portion 124g, so that the transducer surface region 124f can bulge more easily than other regions.

[0086] The bottom surface 122e of the inner part 122, which functions as a fixing part for the balloon 120, has a locking part 122k on the inside. The locking part 122k is formed of a flat surface that is approximately parallel to the XY plane, and rises in the Y(+) direction when viewed from the tip side (Z(+) side). When the balloon 120 is attached to the tip part main body 34, the locking part 122k locks with the step part 94 of the tip part main body 34 described above.

[0087] The inner portion 122 of the balloon body 121 has a communication passage 122m that communicates with the storage portion 121a on the bottom surface portion 122e opposite the transducer surface region 124f. The communication passage 122m has an opening in the Z(-) direction, and the storage portion 121a communicates with the outside via the communication passage 122m.

[0088] The tube 140 can be attached to the balloon 120 by inserting it into the communication passage 122m in the bottom surface portion 122e of the inner portion 122, which functions as a fixing portion for the balloon 120. The tube 140 may be attached to the balloon 120 in a detachable or inseparable manner. The tube 140 is a cylindrical member having a space therein that serves as a flow path. An ultrasound transmission medium can be supplied from the flow path of the tube 140 to the reservoir portion 121a in the balloon 120 via the communication passage 122m. This allows the transducer surface region 124f that constitutes the outer portion 124 of the balloon 120 to be inflated. Attaching the tube 140 to the balloon 120 eliminates the need to provide a supply pipe in the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 1 for supplying the ultrasound transmission medium to the balloon 120, allowing the diameter of the insertion portion 12 to be reduced. Furthermore, by making the balloon 120 (and the tube 140) disposable, there is no need to clean and sterilize the tube 140. In recent years, sterilization devices have specified the minimum diameter of pipes to be sterilized, and the demands for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization have increased. By making the tube 140 disposable, it is possible to omit the work of cleaning and sterilizing the supply pipes.

[0089] The tube 140 is configured to be less likely to expand than the balloon body 121 (the inner portion 122 and the outer portion 124). In other words, the balloon body 121 is configured to be more easily expanded than the tube 140. Making the balloon body 121 more easily expandable than the tube 140 can be achieved, for example, by making the film thickness of the balloon body thinner than the film thickness of the tube, or by using a material for the balloon body 121 with a higher expansion coefficient than the material for the tube 140.

[0090] As shown in 800B, the outer portion 124 has side portions 124b (i.e., thick portions) formed with a thickness greater than the thickness of the transducer surface region 124f on both sides of the transducer surface region 124f in a second direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Z direction). The outer portion 124 has a transition portion 124h connecting the transducer surface region 124f and the side portion 122b. The transition portion 124h becomes thicker as it approaches the side portion 124b from the transducer surface region 124f. The transition portion 124h can suppress the transducer surface region 124f from expanding in the X direction when the ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a, and functions as an expansion restriction portion. The transition portion 124h can be formed by a portion of the Y(+) side of the side portion 124b.

[0091] As shown in 800B, in the balloon main body 121, the side surface portion 122b of the inner part 122 and the side surface portion 124b of the outer part 124 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the transducer surface region 124f in a second direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first direction (Z(+) direction). The balloon main body 121 has an adhesive region 121c between the opposing side surface portions 122b and 124b for bonding the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 with an adhesive or the like. The adhesive region 121c functions as an expansion restrictor, suppressing the transducer surface region 124f from expanding in the X direction when an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the reservoir 121a. As shown in 800B, the adhesive region 121c may be a partial region between the side surface portions 122b and 124b, or the entire region between the opposing side surface portions 122b and 124b.

[0092] As shown in 800B, the bottom surface portion 124e of the outer portion 124 has a recess 124i that is hemispherical in cross section and extends in the Z direction, approximately at the center in the width direction (X direction). The recess 124i forms part of the clearance and is a portion that communicates with the communication passage 122m of the inner portion 122. The recess 124i makes it easy to supply the ultrasonic transmission medium to the storage portion 121a.

[0093] 9 is a cross-sectional view of balloon 120 illustrating the flow of an ultrasound transmission medium supplied to balloon 120. 900A is a cross-sectional view of balloon 120 cut along the YZ plane, and 900B is a cross-sectional view of balloon 120 cut along the XY plane.

[0094] 9, the flow path through which the ultrasonic wave transmission medium is supplied to the storage portion 121a will be described. As shown in 900A, a tube 140 is attached to the communication path 122m of the outer portion 124 to supply the ultrasonic wave transmission medium to the storage portion 121a. The tube 140 is arranged on the opposite side (Y(-) side) of the transducer surface region 124f, so it does not hinder the expansion of the transducer surface region 124f. Furthermore, it does not hinder the acquisition of an observation image by the observation optical system 40.

[0095] An ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the balloon 120 through the tube 140. The ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied to the area having a clearance between the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 via the communication path 122m of the inner part 122. The ultrasonic transmission medium is filled between the bottom surface 122e of the inner part 122 and the bottom surface 124e of the outer part 124, and further filled between the inclined surface 122d of the inner part 122 and the inclined surface 124d of the outer part 124. The ultrasonic transmission medium is finally stored in the reservoir 121a which is mainly composed of the transducer surface area 124f and the inclined surface 122d.

[0096] As shown in 900B, the ultrasonic transmission medium is filled between the bottom surface 122e of the inner part 122 and the bottom surface 124e of the outer part 124, and further between the side surface 122b of the inner part 122 and the side surface 124b of the outer part 124. The ultrasonic transmission medium is finally stored in the reservoir 121a which is mainly composed of the transducer surface region 124f and the inclined surface 122d.

[0097] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the transducer surface region of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope is inflated, and is a cross-sectional view of the balloon 120 cut along the YZ plane. As shown in FIG. 10, when the ultrasonic transmission medium is stored in the storage portion 121a, the transducer surface region 124f is most inflated.

[0098] As described above, the transducer surface region 124f, including the thick portion 124g, is formed to have a thickness thinner than other regions of the outer portion 124. This makes the transducer surface region 124f more likely to bulge than other regions.

[0099] In the region other than the transducer surface region 124f, for example, thickened portion 124g, adhesive portion 121b, transition portion 124h (not shown), and adhesive region 121c (not shown) that function as expansion restriction portions are provided. Thickened portion 124g and adhesive portion 121b prevent expansion of the region other than the transducer surface region 124f (regions in the Z(+) direction and Z(-) direction across transducer surface region 124f). Furthermore, transition portion 124h and adhesive region 121c prevent expansion of the region other than the transducer surface region 124f (regions in the X direction across transducer surface region 124f).

[0100] By expanding the transducer surface region 124f of the balloon 120 to the maximum extent, the expansion of the bottom and side surfaces of the balloon 120 can be suppressed, and when the tip body 34 equipped with the balloon 120 is inserted into a body cavity, it can be inserted further to the periphery.

[0101] The tube 140 is a member that expands least compared to the balloon 120. Therefore, when the ultrasound transmission medium is supplied to the balloon 120 through the tube 140, the expansion of the tube 140 is suppressed, and the ultrasound transmission medium can be supplied to the balloon 120 effectively.

[0102] Next, the attachment of the balloon 120 to the tip portion body 34 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of the balloon 120 to the tip portion body 34, with the tube omitted. 1100A shows the state before the balloon 120 is attached to the tip portion body 34. The opening 122a of the balloon 120 is aligned with the tip side of the tip portion body 34. 1100B shows the state after the balloon 120 has been attached to the tip portion body 34. The opening 122a of the balloon 120 is attached to the tip portion body 34, and the balloon 120 is attached to the tip portion body 34. The inner part 122 covers the ultrasonic transducer 50 of the ultrasonic attachment part 34a and also covers part of the outer peripheral surface of the outlet forming part 34b other than the opening forming surface 71. The outer part 124 is positioned to cover the ultrasonic transducer 50 of the ultrasonic attachment part 34a.

[0103] As described above, at least the side surface portion 122b (not shown), which is the fixing portion of the inner portion 122, is tightly fixed to the standing wall portion 91 by the contraction force of the side surface portion 122b.

[0104] The inner part 122, which functions as a fixing part, has a flat part 122q on the base end side of the transducer surface area 124f, which functions as the expansion part of the balloon 120. The flat part 93 between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the outlet 52 and the flat part 122q of the balloon 120 are closely fixed. In addition, by having the flat part 122q, the transducer surface area 124f and the outlet 52 are closely fixed. Between This can increase the distance between the puncture needle 100 and the inflated balloon 120, thereby preventing the puncture needle 100 from coming into contact with the inflated balloon 120. The flat portion 122q may be located at the position of the adhesive portion 121b described above.

[0105] In addition, since the balloon 120 has a shape in which the ultrasonic transducer 50 is offset as a whole, the operator can easily grasp the orientation in which the balloon 120 is attached to the tip portion main body 34 .

[0106] According to the balloon 120 of this embodiment, the inner part 122 and the outer part 124 are bonded together to form a sealed space, which serves as the storage part 121a for storing the ultrasound transmission medium. Therefore, the external shape of the tip part body 34 is not limited to a shape that ensures liquid-tightness, and can be designed taking into consideration the reduction in diameter of the tip part body 34 and the lead-out route of the puncture needle 100.

[0107] When a tube 140 is attached to the balloon 120 and the ultrasound transmission medium is supplied to the reservoir 121a via the tube 140, there is no need to provide a supply conduit in the tip body 34 of the endoscope 1, as shown in FIG.

[0108] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion main body 34, on which the balloon 120 is mounted, with the tube omitted, taken along the XZ plane. As shown in Fig. 12, the side surface portion 122b, which is the fixing portion of the inner portion 122 constituting the balloon 120, has a convex portion 122j. In addition, a groove portion 92 is provided between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the outlet 52. The convex portion 122j fits into the groove portion 92. The fitting of the groove portion 92 and the convex portion 122j restricts movement of the balloon 120 and the tip portion main body 34 in a direction away from each other, making it difficult for the balloon 120 to come off the tip portion main body 34.

[0109] In addition, when the standing wall portion 91 has a groove portion (not shown), a convex portion (not shown) is provided on the side portion 122b of the balloon 120 facing the ultrasonic transducer 50, and this convex portion and the groove portion fit together to make it difficult for the balloon 120 to come off the tip portion main body 34.

[0110] The balloon 120 has a reservoir 121a between a transducer surface region 124f facing the transducer surface 51 and the inclined surface portion 122d.

[0111] 13 is a cross section of the tip portion main body 34, on which the balloon 120 is attached, cut along the YZ plane. As shown in FIG. 13, the tip portion main body 34 has a step portion 94 on the base end side (Z(-) direction side) of the ultrasonic transducer 50, on the surface opposite the transducer surface 51. The bottom surface portion 122e, which is the fixing portion of the inner portion 122 constituting the balloon 120, has a locking portion 122k. The locking between the step portion 94 and the locking portion 122k prevents the balloon 120 from coming off the tip portion main body 34. When the insertion section 12 of the endoscope 1, on which the balloon 120 is attached, is pulled out from the body cavity in the Z(-) direction, the balloon 120 can be prevented from falling off. In addition, the tube 140 is attached parallel to the insertion section 12 and is connected to a supply / discharge means for an ultrasonic transmission medium, such as a syringe, near the operation unit 10.

[0112] 14 is a perspective view of the balloon 120, with the tube omitted, viewed from the Z(-) direction to the Z(+) direction. The bottom surface portion 122e of the inner portion 122 has a tapered portion 122n on the base end side (Z(-) side). The tapered portion 122n slopes toward the Y(+) direction as it extends in the Z(-) direction. In addition, the two side surface portions 122b of the inner portion 122 each have a tapered portion 122p on the base end side (Z(-) side). The two tapered portions 122p slope toward each other as they extend in the Z(-) direction.

[0113] By providing tapered portion 122n, it is possible to release the force in the first direction (Z direction) in the Y direction. Furthermore, by providing tapered portion 122p, it is possible to release the force in the first direction (Z direction) in the X direction. This allows the force applied by contact with the internal tissue when inserting or removing the tip portion into or from the body cavity to be released in the Y and X directions, thereby preventing the balloon 120 from falling off from the tip portion main body 34.

[0114] Although the balloon 120 has the tapered portion 122n and the tapered portion 122p in the example, it may have only one of them.

[0115] According to the ultrasonic endoscope system of this embodiment, the tip portion main body 34 has standing wall portions 91 on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer 50, and the balloon 120 has a fixing portion that is tightly fixed to the standing wall portions 91. In this embodiment, the inner portion 122 functions as the fixing portion, and the first side surface portion 122f of the inner portion 122 is tightly fixed to the standing wall portions 91 by contraction force, thereby preventing the balloon 120 attached to the tip portion main body 34 from falling off.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the balloon 120 has been described as having a two-layer balloon body 121 made up of an inner portion 122 and an outer portion 124, but is not limited to a two-layer balloon body 121. For example, in addition to the inner portion 122 and the outer portion 124, a separate member may be laminated to form a balloon body having a three-layer or more layer structure.

[0117] Next, a balloon of another embodiment will be described. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining an ultrasonic endoscopic system of another embodiment, and is a perspective view for explaining attachment of a balloon 150 to the tip portion main body 34, with the tube omitted. 1500A in Fig. 15 is a perspective view before the balloon 150 is attached to the tip portion main body 34, and 1500B in Fig. 15 is a perspective view after the balloon 150 has been attached to the tip portion main body 34. Unlike the balloon 120, the balloon 150 is a balloon composed of one layer.

[0118] The structure of the balloon 150 will be described. The balloon 150 includes a balloon body 152, which has an opening 152a at one end in a first direction (Z direction) corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and includes two opposing side surfaces 152b, a top surface 152c, an inclined surface 152d, and a bottom surface 152e. The balloon body 152 is closed by the two side surfaces 152b, the top surface 152c, the inclined surface 152d, and the bottom surface 152e, and the balloon body 152 is configured as a bottomed cylinder having the opening 152a attached to the tip portion body 34. Because the balloon body 152 is configured as a bottomed cylinder, an ultrasound transmission medium can be stored inside.

[0119] The side surface portion 152b extends along the first direction (Z direction), is composed of a surface approximately parallel to the YZ plane, and includes a first side surface portion 152f located on the side of the top surface portion 152c and the inclined surface portion 152d, and a second side surface portion 152g located on the side of the opening 152a. The distance between the opposing first side surface portions 152f is smaller than the distance between the opposing second side surface portions 152g.

[0120] The opening 152a serves as an insertion port through which the tip portion main body 34 is inserted. When the balloon 150 is attached to the tip portion main body 34, the first side surface portion 152f of the balloon 150 and the standing wall portion 91 are arranged opposite each other, and the inclined surface portion 152d and the ultrasonic transducer 50 are arranged opposite each other. The width (length in the X direction) of the two first side surface portions 152f of the balloon 150 before being attached to the tip portion main body 34 is set to be smaller than the distance in the width direction between the two standing wall portions 91. As a result, when the tip portion main body 34 is inserted through the opening 152a of the balloon 150, the two first side surface portions 152f of the balloon 150 expand in the X direction, and due to a contractile force that tries to return, the first side surface portions 152f are brought into close contact with the standing wall portions 91 and are fixed, and the first side surface portions 152f function as a fixing portion.

[0121] The inclined surface portion 152d has a transducer surface region 152i facing the transducer surface 51 of the ultrasonic transducer 50. The transducer surface region 152i is configured to have a thinner film thickness than other parts of the balloon body 152, and therefore the transducer surface region 152i is configured to be more easily inflated than other regions. The transducer surface region 152i becomes inflatable by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium inside the balloon 150, and functions as an inflating portion.

[0122] Furthermore, since the two first side portions 152f are configured with a film thickness thicker than that of the transducer surface region 152i, they do not expand even when an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied into the balloon 150, and the two first side portions 152f can be tightly fixed to the standing wall portion 91.

[0123] Furthermore, the second side surface 152g of the balloon 150 has two opposing protrusions 152h. When the balloon 150 is attached to the tip portion body 34, the protrusions 152h fit into the grooves 92 of the tip portion body 34. This makes it difficult for the balloon 150 to come off from the tip portion body 34.

[0124] The bottom surface 152e of the balloon 150 has an engaging portion (not shown) on the inside. The engaging portion is formed of a flat surface that is approximately parallel to the XY plane, and rises in the Y(+) direction when viewed from the tip side (Z(+) side). When the balloon 150 is attached to the tip portion main body 34, the engaging portion engages with the step portion 94 of the tip portion main body 34. This makes it difficult for the balloon 150 to come off from the tip portion main body 34. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1. Ultrasound endoscope 10 Control section 12 Insertion section 14 Universal Code 16 Angle lever 22 Suction button 23 Treatment tool insertion channel 24 Treatment tool introduction port 30 Soft part 32 Curved section 34 Tip body 34a Ultrasonic mounting part 34b Outlet forming part 34c Main body 34d slope 38 Longitudinal axis 40 Observation optical system 40a Observation window 40b lens system 40c image sensor 44 Illumination optical system 44a Lighting window 50 Ultrasonic Transducer 51 vibrator surface 52 Treatment tool outlet 54 Signal Cable 56 Signal cable 58 Light Guide 71 Aperture forming surface 74 Pipeline 82 Optical system storage section 84 Convex 85 steps surface 9 1 Standing wall 92 Groove 93 Plane part 94 Step 100 puncture needle 120 Ultrasound Endoscope Balloon 120 Balloon 121 Balloon body 121a Storage section 121b Adhesive part 121c adhesive area 122 Inner part 122a opening 122b Side part 122c Top part 122d Slope section 122e Bottom part 122f 1st side part 122g 2nd side part 122h Step 122i flange 122j convex part 122k locking part 122m communication path 122n Tapered section 122p Tapered section 122q flat area 124 outer part 124a opening 124b Side part 124c Top part 124d Slope section 124e Bottom part 124f Oscillator surface area 124g thick part 124h Transition 124i recess 140 tubes 150 Ultrasound endoscope balloon 152 Balloon body 152a opening 152b Side face 152c upper face 152d Slanted face 152e bottom part 152f 1st side face 152g 2nd side 152h convex part 152i Vibration Surface Area

Claims

1. An ultrasonic endoscope system including an ultrasonic endoscope having a tip body provided at the tip side of an insertion section and an ultrasonic transducer provided on the tip body, and a balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope covering an outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, The balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has an opening provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section and attached to the tip section body, and includes an expansion section that covers the vibrator surface of the ultrasonic transducer and can expand by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium therein, and a fixing section that is tightly fixed to the tip section body, The tip portion main body has upright wall portions on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer in a width direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the surface direction of the vibrator surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and a contraction force of the fixing portion maintains a state in which at least the fixing portion is in close contact with the upright wall portions regardless of whether the bulging portion bulges or not. Endoscopic ultrasound system.

2. The width of the fixing portion of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope before being attached to the tip portion body is smaller than the width of the tip portion body. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 1 .

3. the distal end portion main body has a groove portion on the upright wall portion or on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer, The fixing portion of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has a protrusion that fits into the groove.

3. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 1.

4. The grooves are provided on both surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 3 .

5. the distal end body has a step portion on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer, The fixing portion has a locking portion that locks onto the step portion. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 1 .

6. The step portion is provided on a surface opposite to the vibrator surface. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 5 .

7. the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has a tapered portion that prevents the balloon from coming into contact with the body tissue in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby preventing the balloon from falling off the distal end portion body. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 1 .

8. An ultrasonic endoscope system having an ultrasonic endoscope with a tip body provided on the tip side of an insertion part and an ultrasonic transducer provided on the tip body, and an ultrasonic endoscope balloon covering the outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, The balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has an opening provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section and attached to the tip section body, and is equipped with: a swelling section that covers the vibrator surface of the ultrasonic transducer and can swell by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium therein; a fixing section that is tightly fixed to the tip section body; and a tapered section that prevents the balloon from coming off the tip section body by releasing contact with internal tissue in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The tip portion main body has standing wall portions on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer in a width direction that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the surface direction of the vibrator surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and at least the fixing portion is tightly fixed to the standing wall portions by a contraction force of the fixing portion. Endoscopic ultrasound system.

9. the fixing portion includes a flat portion on a base end side of the bulging portion, The distal end portion main body includes a treatment tool outlet port on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer, and a flat portion with which the flat portion is in close contact between the ultrasonic transducer and the treatment tool outlet port. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 1 .

10. the fixing portion includes a tube communicating with the interior of the balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The tube is provided on the surface opposite to the vibrator surface. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 10.

12. The balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has at least a two-layer structure including an inner part and an outer part covering the inner part, a reservoir portion for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium between the inner portion and the outer portion; The fixing portion is provided on the inner portion. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 1 .

13. An ultrasonic endoscope system having an ultrasonic endoscope with a tip body provided on the tip side of an insertion part and an ultrasonic transducer provided on the tip body, and an ultrasonic endoscope balloon covering the outer surface of the ultrasonic transducer, The balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has an opening provided at one end in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section and attached to the tip section body, and includes an expansion section that covers the vibrator surface of the ultrasonic transducer and can expand by storing an ultrasonic transmission medium therein, and a fixing section that is tightly fixed to the tip section body, the tip portion main body has upstanding wall portions on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer in a width direction that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the surface direction of the vibrator surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and at least the fixing portion is closely fixed to the upstanding wall portions by a contraction force of the fixing portion; The balloon for an ultrasonic endoscope has at least a two-layer structure including an inner part and an outer part covering the inner part, a reservoir portion for storing an ultrasonic transmission medium between the inner portion and the outer portion; The fixing portion is provided on the inner portion. Endoscopic ultrasound system.

14. the fixing portion is fixed in close contact with the vibrator surface and a surface opposite to the vibrator surface; The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 12 or 13.

Images