JP2013085857A

JP2013085857A - Puncture needle device for ultrasonic endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2013085857A
Application number: JP2011231328A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yasunobu Fujita; 泰伸藤田; Masayasu Sato; 雅康佐藤
Original assignee: Hoya Corp
Current assignee: Hoya Corp
Priority date: 2011-10-21
Filing date: 2011-10-21
Publication date: 2013-05-13

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a puncture needle device for an ultrasonic endoscope in which, when a double-thread male screw arranged in a mouth ring side of the ultrasonic endoscope and a double-thread female screw arranged in the puncture needle device side are tightened, a relative rotational direction position to the mouth ring of the puncture needle device comes to the predetermined position without fail.SOLUTION: Equipped with a first female screw 32A and a second female screw 32B, in which both of root diameters in an edge part in an inlet side formed with circumferential phases mutually shifted by 180 degrees on an inner circumferential surface of a connection opening of a cylindrical connection part 31, are larger than the outer diameter of a first male screw 18A and the outer diameter of a second male screw 18B. For the first female screw 32A, the root diameter is constant up to a first end position advanced just by integer pitch with the edge part in the inlet side as a reference, for the second female screw, the root diameter, from the first end position advanced just by the integer pitch with the edge part in the inlet side as the reference to the second end position 32B4 one-pitch short of this first end position, is larger than the outer diameter of the second male screw and smaller than the outer diameter of the first male screw, moreover, the root diameter from the edge part in the inlet side to right before the second end position is constant.

Description

本発明は、超音波内視鏡の内部管路に挿入して使用する超音波内視鏡用穿刺針装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a puncture needle device for an ultrasonic endoscope that is used by being inserted into an internal conduit of the ultrasonic endoscope.

特許文献１には、操作部に口金を突設した超音波内視鏡と、該口金に着脱可能な穿刺針装置とが開示してある。
この穿刺針装置は、本体部である筒状接続部と、筒状接続部の内部空間を通って外部に突出するシースと、シース内に進退可能に挿入した穿刺針と、を具備しており、筒状接続部の開口端部の内周面には雌ねじ溝が形成してある。
穿刺針装置を使用する際には、穿刺針装置の上記雌ねじ溝を口金の外周面に形成した雄ねじ溝に螺合して、筒状接続部の開口端部を口金に固定する。すると、シース（及び穿刺針）が口金の内部を通って超音波内視鏡の内部管路に挿入し、シース（及び穿刺針）の先端部が超音波内視鏡の挿入部の先端付近から外部に突出する。 Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic endoscope having a base protruding from an operation portion and a puncture needle device that can be attached to and detached from the base.
This puncture needle device includes a cylindrical connecting portion that is a main body portion, a sheath that protrudes outside through the internal space of the cylindrical connecting portion, and a puncture needle that is inserted into the sheath so as to be able to advance and retract. A female thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening end of the cylindrical connecting portion.
When using the puncture needle device, the female screw groove of the puncture needle device is screwed into a male screw groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base, and the opening end of the cylindrical connecting portion is fixed to the base. Then, the sheath (and the puncture needle) passes through the inside of the base and is inserted into the inner conduit of the ultrasonic endoscope, and the distal end portion of the sheath (and the puncture needle) is near the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope. Protruding outside.

特表２００６−５２７６０３号公報JP-T-2006-527603

超音波内視鏡及び穿刺針装置を操作する術者にとっては、より少ない回転量（より小さい回転角）により穿刺針装置を口金に接続できるのが好ましい。しかし、特許文献１の口金と穿刺針装置に形成したねじは通常のねじであるため、超音波内視鏡と穿刺針装置の接続を強固にするためにねじの軸線方向長を長くした場合には、穿刺針装置を沢山回転させないと超音波内視鏡の口金に接続（固定）できない。
そこで口金の上記雄ねじと穿刺針装置の上記雌ねじをそれぞれ所謂二条ねじとすれば、ねじのリードがピッチの２倍となるので、より少ない回転量（小さい回転角）で穿刺針装置を口金に接続できるようになる。
このように口金と穿刺針装置に二条ねじを形成すると、口金と穿刺針装置を螺合させるときの周方向の初期位置は２箇所に限定され、いずれの周方向位置で螺合し始めるかによって、終端位置まで螺合したときの口金と穿刺針装置の相対的な周方向位置が変わる。
しかし、一般的に穿刺針装置の周面には穿刺針装置を操作するための摘み部材が突設してあるため、終端位置まで螺合したときの口金に対する穿刺針装置の周方向位置が所望の位置と異なる場合には該摘み部材の操作性に悪影響が出ることがある。 For the operator who operates the ultrasonic endoscope and the puncture needle device, it is preferable that the puncture needle device can be connected to the base with a smaller amount of rotation (smaller rotation angle). However, since the screw formed on the base and the puncture needle device of Patent Document 1 is a normal screw, when the axial length of the screw is increased in order to strengthen the connection between the ultrasonic endoscope and the puncture needle device. Cannot be connected (fixed) to the base of the ultrasonic endoscope unless the puncture needle device is rotated many times.
Therefore, if the male screw of the base and the female thread of the puncture needle device are each a so-called double thread, the lead of the screw becomes twice the pitch, so the puncture needle device can be connected to the base with a smaller amount of rotation (small rotation angle). become able to.
When a double thread is formed on the base and the puncture needle device in this way, the initial position in the circumferential direction when the base and the puncture needle device are screwed is limited to two locations, depending on which circumferential position starts to be screwed. The relative circumferential position of the base and the puncture needle device when screwed to the end position changes.
However, since a knob member for operating the puncture needle device is generally provided on the peripheral surface of the puncture needle device, the circumferential position of the puncture needle device with respect to the base when screwed to the end position is desired. If it is different from the position of the knob, the operability of the knob member may be adversely affected.

本発明は、超音波内視鏡の口金側に設けた二条の雄ねじと穿刺針装置側に設けた二条の雌ねじを締め付けたときに、穿刺針装置の口金に対する相対的な回転方向位置が必ず所定の位置になる超音波内視鏡用穿刺針装置を提供することを目的とする。 According to the present invention, when the two male screws provided on the base of the ultrasonic endoscope and the two female screws provided on the puncture needle device are tightened, the relative rotational direction position of the puncture needle device with respect to the base is always predetermined. An object of the present invention is to provide a puncture needle device for an ultrasonic endoscope at the position of.

本発明の超音波内視鏡用穿刺針装置は、超音波内視鏡の口金に突設した、周方向位相を互いに１８０°ずらして形成した第１の雄ねじ及び該第１の雄ねじより外径が小さい第２の雄ねじに対して、自身の接続開口を挿脱可能な筒状接続部と、一部が該筒状接続部内に位置すると共に先端が上記接続開口及び上記口金を通って上記超音波内視鏡の先端開口から突出可能な穿刺針と、上記接続開口の内周面に周方向位相を互いに１８０°ずらして形成した、入口側端部の谷の径が共に上記第１の雄ねじの外径及び第２の雄ねじの外径より大きい第１の雌ねじ及び第２の雌ねじと、を備え、上記第１の雌ねじは、上記入口側端部を基準に整数ピッチ分だけ進んだ位置である第１終端位置までの谷の径が一定であり、上記第２の雌ねじは、上記入口側端部を基準に上記整数ピッチ分だけ進んだ位置である第１終端位置から該第１終端位置より１ピッチ手前の第２終端位置までの谷の径が、上記第２の雄ねじの外径より大きくかつ上記第１の雄ねじの外径より小さく、さらに上記入口側端部から上記第２終端位置の直前までの谷の径が一定であることを特徴としている。 The puncture needle device for an ultrasonic endoscope of the present invention includes a first male screw projecting from a base of an ultrasonic endoscope and having a circumferential phase shifted from each other by 180 ° and an outer diameter of the first male screw. A second male screw having a small diameter, a cylindrical connection portion in which its own connection opening can be inserted and removed, and a part thereof is located in the cylindrical connection portion, and a tip thereof passes through the connection opening and the base, and A puncture needle capable of projecting from the distal end opening of the sonic endoscope and the first male screw having both the diameter of the valley at the inlet side end portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connection opening with the circumferential phase shifted by 180 ° from each other A first female screw and a second female screw larger than the outer diameter of the second male screw, and the first female screw is advanced by an integral pitch with respect to the inlet end. The diameter of the valley to a certain first terminal position is constant, and the second female screw is connected to the inlet side end. The diameter of the valley from the first terminal position, which is a position advanced by the integer pitch with respect to the portion, to the second terminal position one pitch before the first terminal position is larger than the outer diameter of the second male screw And it is smaller than the outer diameter of said 1st external thread, Furthermore, the diameter of the trough from the said entrance side edge part to just before the said 2nd terminal position is characterized by the above-mentioned.

本発明によれば、穿刺針装置の第１の雌ねじを（超音波内視鏡の）口金の第１の雄ねじに螺合し、かつ穿刺針装置の第２の雌ねじを口金の第２の雄ねじに螺合したときは、第１の雄ねじは第１の雌ねじの第１終端位置で締め付けられ、第２の雄ねじは第２の雌ねじの第１終端位置で締め付けられる。
一方、この状態とは１８０°回転させた状態で穿刺針装置を（超音波内視鏡の）口金に接続したとき、即ち、第１の雌ねじを第２の雄ねじに螺合し、かつ第２の雌ねじを第１の雄ねじに螺合したときは、第１の雄ねじは第２の雌ねじの第１終端位置より１ピッチ手前の第２終端位置で締め付けられる。
従っていずれの場合も、締付が完了すると穿刺針装置の口金（超音波内視鏡）に対する相対回転方向位置は必ず同じ所望位置になる。 According to the present invention, the first female screw of the puncture needle device is screwed to the first male screw of the base (of the ultrasonic endoscope), and the second female screw of the puncture needle device is the second male screw of the base. The first male screw is tightened at the first terminal position of the first female screw, and the second male screw is tightened at the first terminal position of the second female screw.
On the other hand, in this state, when the puncture needle device is connected to the base (of the ultrasonic endoscope) in a state rotated by 180 °, that is, the first female screw is screwed to the second male screw, and the second When the female screw is engaged with the first male screw, the first male screw is tightened at the second terminal position one pitch before the first terminal position of the second female screw.
Accordingly, in any case, when the tightening is completed, the relative rotational direction position of the puncture needle device with respect to the base (ultrasonic endoscope) is always the same desired position.

本発明の一実施形態の超音波内視鏡と、スライド部材を突出位置に位置させた穿刺針装置の接続状態における側面図である。It is a side view in the connection state of the ultrasonic endoscope of one Embodiment of this invention, and the puncture needle apparatus which located the slide member in the protrusion position. スライド部材を突出位置に位置させた穿刺針装置の側面図である。It is a side view of the puncture needle apparatus which made the slide member located in the protrusion position. 口金の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a nozzle | cap | die. スライド部材を収納位置に位置させた穿刺針装置の縦断側面図である。It is a vertical side view of the puncture needle device in which the slide member is located at the storage position. 接近状態にある口金と穿刺針装置の前端部の縦断側面図である。It is a vertical side view of the base in the approaching state and the front end of the puncture needle device. 穿刺針装置を図５の状態から９０°回転させたときの穿刺針装置の前端部の縦断側面図である。FIG. 6 is a longitudinal side view of the front end portion of the puncture needle device when the puncture needle device is rotated 90 ° from the state of FIG. 5. 第１の雄ねじに第１の雌ねじを螺合させ、かつ、第２の雄ねじに第２の雌ねじを螺合させ始めたときの口金と穿刺針装置の前端部の縦断側面図である。It is a vertical side view of the front end of the base and the puncture needle device when the first female screw is screwed into the first male screw and the second female screw is started to be screwed into the second male screw. 図７の状態から１ピッチ分（１８０°）回転させたときの図７と同様の縦断側面図である。FIG. 8 is a vertical side view similar to FIG. 7 when rotated by one pitch (180 °) from the state of FIG. 7. 図８の状態から３ピッチ分（５４０°）回転させたときの図７と同様の縦断側面図である。FIG. 9 is a longitudinal side view similar to FIG. 7 when rotated by three pitches (540 °) from the state of FIG. 8. 第１の雄ねじに第２の雌ねじを螺合させ、かつ、第２の雄ねじに第１の雌ねじを螺合させ始めたときの図７と同様の縦断側面図である。FIG. 8 is a vertical side view similar to FIG. 7 when the second female screw is screwed into the first male screw and the first female screw is started to be screwed into the second male screw. 図１０の状態から１ピッチ分（１８０°）回転させたときの図１０と同様の縦断側面図である。FIG. 11 is a vertical side view similar to FIG. 10 when rotated by one pitch (180 °) from the state of FIG. 10. 図１１の状態から２ピッチ分（３６０°）回転させたときの図１０と同様の縦断側面図である。FIG. 12 is a vertical side view similar to FIG. 10 when rotated by two pitches (360 °) from the state of FIG. 11.

以下、図１〜図１２を参照しながら本発明の一実施形態を説明する。なお、以下の説明中の前後方向は、超音波内視鏡１０については挿入部１３の先端部側を「前方」、操作部１１側を「後方」と定義し、穿刺針装置３０については穿刺針５５の先端側を「前方」、スタイレット支持キャップ５８側を「後方」としている。まず、穿刺針装置３０を着脱可能な超音波内視鏡１０の構造について説明する。
超音波内視鏡１０は、操作部１１と、操作部１１から前方に延びかつ先端に超音波プローブ１２を備える挿入部１３と、共に操作部１１から挿入部１３と反対側に延びるライトガイド用チューブ及び超音波画像伝送用チューブ（いずれも図示略）と、を備え、ライトガイド用チューブと超音波画像伝送用チューブの端部には光源用コネクタと超音波画像用コネクタがそれぞれ設けてある。挿入部１３の先端部近傍をなす湾曲部１４は、操作部１１に設けた湾曲操作レバー１５の回転操作に応じて上下方向に湾曲する。操作部１１には処置具挿通用突部１６が突設してあり、処置具挿通用突部１６の後端面には略円筒形状をなしかつ両端が開口する口金１７が突設してある。図３に示すように、口金１７の外周面の先端部近傍には第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂが一体的に突設してある。この一対の第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂは二条ねじを構成しており、全体形状は円の両側部を該円の中心点に関して対称をなす一対の円弧に沿って切り落とした非円形形状である。口金１７の軸線ＡＬ１方向に見たときに第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂは周方向に１８０°ずれている。第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの厚み（軸線ＡＬ１方向の寸法）は同一であるが、軸線ＡＬ１を基準とした第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの外径Ｌ２は第１の雄ねじ１８Ａの外径Ｌ１より小さい。さらに第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの有効径は共にｄである。また、口金１７の外周面には第１の雄ねじ１８Ａ及び第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂと軸線方向の位置をずらして正面視円形の環状フランジ１９が突設してある。さらに、操作部１１及び挿入部１３の内部には、一端が口金１７に接続し他端が挿入部１３に超音波プローブ１２の直後に位置させて形成した処置具用開口２１に接続する内部管路２０（図１参照）が設けてある。
超音波画像用コネクタを超音波診断装置（図示略）に接続すると共に超音波診断装置をＣＲＴモニタに接続し、さらに超音波プローブ１２にゴム製のバルーン（図示略）を被せた上で、該超音波診断装置の超音波画像描出スイッチを押すと、超音波プローブ１２の表面から被検部に向けて超音波が発信され、被検部によって反射された超音波を超音波プローブ１２が受信する。挿入部１３、操作部１１及び超音波信号伝送用チューブの内部には超音波プローブ１２と超音波画像用コネクタを接続する超音波信号伝送用ケーブル（図示略）が設けてあるので、超音波プローブ１２が受信した超音波画像は超音波診断装置により電気的に処理された上でＣＲＴモニタに表示される。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, in the front-rear direction, the distal end side of the insertion portion 13 is defined as “front” and the operation portion 11 side is defined as “rear” for the ultrasonic endoscope 10, and the puncture needle device 30 is punctured. The front end side of the needle 55 is “front”, and the stylet support cap 58 side is “rear”. First, the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 to which the puncture needle device 30 can be attached and detached will be described.
The ultrasonic endoscope 10 includes an operation unit 11, an insertion unit 13 that extends forward from the operation unit 11 and includes an ultrasonic probe 12 at the tip, and a light guide that extends from the operation unit 11 to the opposite side of the insertion unit 13. A tube and an ultrasonic image transmission tube (both not shown), and a light guide connector and an ultrasonic image connector are provided at the ends of the light guide tube and the ultrasonic image transmission tube, respectively. The bending portion 14 in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 13 bends in the vertical direction according to the rotation operation of the bending operation lever 15 provided in the operation portion 11. A treatment tool insertion protrusion 16 is provided on the operation portion 11, and a base 17 having a substantially cylindrical shape and open at both ends is provided on the rear end surface of the treatment tool insertion protrusion 16. As shown in FIG. 3, a first male screw 18 </ b> A and a second male screw 18 </ b> B project integrally in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base 17. The pair of first male screw 18A and second male screw 18B constitutes a double thread, and the overall shape is a non-circular shape obtained by cutting off both sides of a circle along a pair of arcs that are symmetric with respect to the center point of the circle. Shape. When viewed in the direction of the axis AL1 of the base 17, the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are displaced by 180 ° in the circumferential direction. The first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B have the same thickness (dimension in the direction of the axis AL1), but the outer diameter L2 of the second male screw 18B based on the axis AL1 is the outer diameter of the first male screw 18A. Less than L1. Furthermore, the effective diameters of the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are both d. An annular flange 19 having a circular shape in front view is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base 17 so as to be shifted from the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B in the axial direction. Furthermore, inside the operation unit 11 and the insertion unit 13, an internal tube is connected to the treatment tool opening 21 formed at one end connected to the base 17 and the other end positioned at the insertion unit 13 immediately after the ultrasonic probe 12. A path 20 (see FIG. 1) is provided.
The ultrasonic imaging connector is connected to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (not shown), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is connected to a CRT monitor, and the ultrasonic probe 12 is covered with a rubber balloon (not shown). When the ultrasonic image rendering switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is pressed, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the surface of the ultrasonic probe 12 toward the test part, and the ultrasonic probe 12 receives the ultrasonic wave reflected by the test part. . An ultrasonic signal transmission cable (not shown) for connecting the ultrasonic probe 12 and the ultrasonic image connector is provided inside the insertion unit 13, the operation unit 11, and the ultrasonic signal transmission tube. The ultrasonic image received by 12 is electrically processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and displayed on the CRT monitor.

続いて穿刺針装置３０の構造について説明する。
穿刺針装置３０は硬質樹脂（ＰＣ（ポリカーボネイト）や、ノリル等のＥＯＧ滅菌可能な樹脂材料）によって成形した略円筒形状の筒状接続部３１を有している。筒状接続部３１の前部には筒状接続部３１の内部空間と連通する接続開口３１ａが形成してあり、該接続開口３１ａの前端の内周縁部には環状凹部３３が凹設してある。さらに接続開口３１ａの内周面には、共に環状凹部３３から後方に向かって延びかつ筒状接続部３１の軸線ＡＬ２を中心とする螺旋形状をなす第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ及び第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂが形成してある。二条ねじを構成する第１の雌ねじ３２Ａと第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの位相（筒状接続部３１の軸線ＡＬ２を中心とした周方向位置）は互いに１８０°ずれており、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの入口側端部３２Ａ１と第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ｂ１の位相は１８０°ずれている。第１の雌ねじ３２Ａと第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの軸線ＡＬ２を基準とした内径は全長に渡ってＬ３（＜第１の雄ねじ１８Ａの外径Ｌ１、第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの外径Ｌ２）で共通であり、かつ、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの入口側端部３２Ａ１と第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ｂ１の軸線ＡＬ２を基準とした谷の径は共にＬ４（＞第１の雄ねじ１８Ａの外径Ｌ１、第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの外径Ｌ２）である。第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの谷の径は全長に渡って（入口側端部３２Ａ１から、入口側端部３２Ａ１を基準に４ピッチ進んだ位置である第１終端位置３２Ａ２まで）Ｌ４で一定である。一方、第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの谷の径は、入口側端部３２Ｂ１から第１終端位置３２Ｂ２（入口側端部３２Ｂ１から４ピッチ進んだ位置）より１ピッチ手前の第２終端位置３２Ｂ４の直前まではＬ４で一定であるが、第２終端位置３２Ｂ４から第１終端位置３２Ｂ２までの谷の径Ｌ５（＞第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの外径Ｌ２）は入口側端部３２Ｂ１の谷の径Ｌ４より小さい（第１終端位置３２Ｂ２から半ピッチ手前の位置３２Ｂ３を含めて、第２終端位置３２Ｂ４から第１終端位置３２Ｂ２までの谷の径はＬ５で一定である）。第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ及び第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの有効径は共に全長に渡ってｄである。
即ち、Ｌ１、Ｌ２、Ｌ３、Ｌ４、及び、Ｌ５の大小関係は
Ｌ４＞Ｌ１＞Ｌ５＞Ｌ２＞ｄ＞Ｌ３
である。
筒状接続部３１の後端部には、筒状接続部３１より大径の筒状部材であり硬質樹脂（ＰＣ等）からなる第１ロック支持部材３４が同心状態で固定してある。第１ロック支持部材３４には、第１ロック支持部材３４を径方向に貫通する雌ねじ孔３５が形成してあり、雌ねじ孔３５には第１ロック部材３６のねじ部３７が螺合している。 Next, the structure of the puncture needle device 30 will be described.
The puncture needle device 30 has a substantially cylindrical tubular connecting portion 31 formed of a hard resin (PC (polycarbonate) or a resin material capable of EOG sterilization such as Noryl). A connection opening 31a communicating with the internal space of the cylindrical connection part 31 is formed at the front part of the cylindrical connection part 31, and an annular recess 33 is formed in the inner peripheral edge of the front end of the connection opening 31a. is there. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the connection opening 31a, a first female screw 32A and a second female screw 32B both extending rearward from the annular recess 33 and having a spiral shape centering on the axis AL2 of the cylindrical connection portion 31 are provided. It is formed. The phases of the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B constituting the double thread (the circumferential position about the axis AL2 of the cylindrical connecting portion 31) are shifted from each other by 180 °, and the inlet of the first female screw 32A The phases of the side end portion 32A1 and the inlet side end portion 32B1 of the second female screw 32B are shifted by 180 °. The inner diameter of the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B with respect to the axis AL2 is the same as L3 over the entire length (<the outer diameter L1 of the first male screw 18A, the outer diameter L2 of the second male screw 18B). And the diameter of the valley with respect to the axis AL2 of the inlet side end 32A1 of the first female screw 32A and the inlet side end 32B1 of the second female screw 32B is L4 (> the outer diameter of the first male screw 18A). L1, the outer diameter L2) of the second male screw 18B. The diameter of the valley of the first female screw 32A is constant at L4 over the entire length (from the inlet side end portion 32A1 to the first terminal position 32A2 that is a position advanced by four pitches with respect to the inlet side end portion 32A1). On the other hand, the diameter of the valley of the second female screw 32B is from the inlet side end portion 32B1 to the first end position 32B2 (a position advanced by 4 pitches from the inlet side end portion 32B1) to just before the second end position 32B4 one pitch before. Is constant at L4, but the trough diameter L5 from the second end position 32B4 to the first end position 32B2 (> the outer diameter L2 of the second male screw 18B) is smaller than the trough diameter L4 of the inlet side end portion 32B1. (The trough diameter from the second end position 32B4 to the first end position 32B2 including the position 32B3 that is a half pitch before the first end position 32B2 is constant at L5). The effective diameters of the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B are both d over the entire length.
That is, the magnitude relationship between L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 is L4>L1>L5>L2>d> L3
It is.
A first lock support member 34, which is a cylindrical member having a diameter larger than that of the cylindrical connection portion 31 and made of hard resin (PC or the like), is concentrically fixed to the rear end portion of the cylindrical connection portion 31. The first lock support member 34 is formed with a female screw hole 35 that penetrates the first lock support member 34 in the radial direction, and the screw portion 37 of the first lock member 36 is screwed into the female screw hole 35. .

筒状接続部３１及び第１ロック支持部材３４の内部空間には、その外径が筒状接続部３１の内径より小さくかつ第１ロック支持部材３４の後部の内径と略同一であり、筒状接続部３１と同じ材料により成形した筒状部材であるシース支持部材３９が、筒状接続部３１及びシース支持部材３９の軸線方向にスライド自在として挿入してある。シース支持部材３９の後端は開放しており、シース支持部材３９内部の前端部にはホルダ４０が固定してある。ホルダ４０を軸線方向に貫通する貫通支持孔４１には樹脂等の可撓性材料からなり両端が開口するシース４２の後端部が嵌合固定してあり、シース４２の前部は接続開口３１ａを通って筒状接続部３１の前方に突出している。シース支持部材３９の後端部にはシース支持部材３９より大径の硬質樹脂（ＰＣ等）からなる筒状部材である第１ストッパ部材４４が同心状態で固定してある。従ってシース支持部材３９は、第１ストッパ部材４４が第１ロック支持部材３４の後端面に当接する最大押込位置（図４の位置）と、第１ストッパ部材４４が第１ロック支持部材３４の後端面から後方に離間する最大引出位置（図示略。シース支持部材３９の前端部は筒状接続部３１内に位置し、図示を省略したストッパによってそれ以上の後方移動は規制される）との間を筒状接続部３１に対してスライド可能であり、シース支持部材３９をスライドさせることによりシース４２の筒状接続部３１に対する突出量を調整できる。さらに、第１ロック部材３６を雌ねじ孔３５に対して回転させて、ねじ部３７の端面をシース支持部材３９の外周面に圧接すれば、筒状接続部３１に対するシース支持部材３９の相対位置を所望の位置に保持できる。 In the internal space of the cylindrical connection part 31 and the first lock support member 34, the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical connection part 31 and is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the rear part of the first lock support member 34. A sheath support member 39, which is a tubular member molded from the same material as the connection portion 31, is inserted so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the tubular connection portion 31 and the sheath support member 39. The rear end of the sheath support member 39 is open, and a holder 40 is fixed to the front end portion inside the sheath support member 39. A rear end portion of a sheath 42 made of a flexible material such as a resin is fitted and fixed to the through support hole 41 penetrating the holder 40 in the axial direction, and the front portion of the sheath 42 is connected to the connection opening 31a. It protrudes forward of the cylindrical connecting portion 31 through the through hole. A first stopper member 44, which is a cylindrical member made of hard resin (PC or the like) having a diameter larger than that of the sheath support member 39, is concentrically fixed to the rear end portion of the sheath support member 39. Accordingly, the sheath support member 39 includes a maximum pushing position (the position in FIG. 4) where the first stopper member 44 abuts the rear end surface of the first lock support member 34, and the first stopper member 44 is disposed behind the first lock support member 34. Between the maximum drawing position (not shown; the front end portion of the sheath support member 39 is located in the cylindrical connecting portion 31 and further rearward movement is restricted by a stopper not shown) that is spaced backward from the end surface. Can be slid with respect to the cylindrical connecting portion 31, and the protruding amount of the sheath 42 relative to the cylindrical connecting portion 31 can be adjusted by sliding the sheath support member 39. Further, when the first lock member 36 is rotated with respect to the female screw hole 35 and the end surface of the screw portion 37 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheath support member 39, the relative position of the sheath support member 39 with respect to the tubular connection portion 31 is changed. It can be held in a desired position.

シース支持部材３９と第１ストッパ部材４４の内部空間には、その外径が第１ストッパ部材４４の後端部の内径と略同一であり、かつ筒状接続部３１と同じ材料により成形した両端が開口する筒状部材であるスライド部材５０が、筒状接続部３１およびシース支持部材３９の軸線方向にスライド自在として挿入してある。スライド部材５０の前端部には、シース支持部材３９の内部空間に位置するリテーナ５１が設けてある。さらに、スライド部材５０の外周面には、硬質樹脂（ＰＣ等）からなる筒状部材である第２ロック支持部材４５の中心貫通孔がスライド自在に嵌合している。この第２ロック支持部材４５には、第２ロック支持部材４５を径方向に貫通する雌ねじ孔４６が形成してあり、雌ねじ孔４６には第２ロック部材４７のねじ部４８が螺合している。従って、スライド部材５０に対する第２ロック支持部材４５の位置を調整し、かつ第２ロック部材４７のねじ部４８の端面をスライド部材５０の外周面に圧接してスライド部材５０に対する第２ロック支持部材４５の位置を固定すれば、第２ロック支持部材４５の前端面が第１ストッパ部材４４の後端面に当接したときのシース４２の筒状接続部３１に対する突出量を調整できる。 In the inner space of the sheath support member 39 and the first stopper member 44, both outer diameters thereof are substantially the same as the inner diameter of the rear end portion of the first stopper member 44, and both ends are formed of the same material as the cylindrical connection portion 31. A slide member 50, which is a tubular member having an opening, is inserted so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the tubular connection portion 31 and the sheath support member 39. A retainer 51 located in the internal space of the sheath support member 39 is provided at the front end of the slide member 50. Furthermore, the center through-hole of the 2nd lock support member 45 which is a cylindrical member consisting of hard resin (PC etc.) is slidably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the slide member 50. The second lock support member 45 is formed with a female screw hole 46 that penetrates the second lock support member 45 in the radial direction, and the screw portion 48 of the second lock member 47 is screwed into the female screw hole 46. Yes. Accordingly, the position of the second lock support member 45 with respect to the slide member 50 is adjusted, and the end surface of the threaded portion 48 of the second lock member 47 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the slide member 50, so that the second lock support member with respect to the slide member 50 is reached. If the position of 45 is fixed, the protrusion amount of the sheath 42 with respect to the cylindrical connection portion 31 when the front end surface of the second lock support member 45 abuts on the rear end surface of the first stopper member 44 can be adjusted.

スライド部材５０は、リテーナ５１がシース支持部材３９の内部空間の後端部に位置し、かつリテーナ５１の後端面が第１ストッパ部材４４の内面４４ａ（シース支持部材３９の後端面が当接している面。図４参照）に当接する収納位置（図４の位置）と、第２ロック支持部材４５の前端面が第１ストッパ部材４４の後端面に接触すると共にリテーナ５１の後端面が第１ストッパ部材４４の上記内面４４ａから前方に離間して後述する穿刺針５５がシース４２の先端から突出する突出位置（図１、図２の位置）との間を、シース支持部材３９（及び筒状接続部３１）に対してスライド可能である。なお、図１、図２に示す「突出位置」は第２ロック支持部材４５をスライド部材５０の後端部５０ａの前端面に当接させた場合の「突出位置」であり、第２ロック支持部材４５の位置をより前方に位置させた場合の「突出位置」は、後端部５０ａから前方に離間した第２ロック支持部材４５の前端面が第１ストッパ部材４４の後端面に接触し、かつ後述する穿刺針５５がシース４２の先端から突出する位置のことである。
また、図４に示すように、第２ロック部材４７によって第２ロック支持部材４５をスライド部材５０に対する前端位置に保持しかつ第２ロック支持部材４５を第１ストッパ部材４４に当接させれば、スライド部材５０に前向きに外力を掛けてもスライド部材５０が収納位置から前方にスライドすることはない。 In the slide member 50, the retainer 51 is positioned at the rear end of the inner space of the sheath support member 39, and the rear end surface of the retainer 51 is in contact with the inner surface 44a of the first stopper member 44 (the rear end surface of the sheath support member 39 is in contact with the slide member 50). 4 and the storage position (the position shown in FIG. 4), the front end face of the second lock support member 45 contacts the rear end face of the first stopper member 44, and the rear end face of the retainer 51 is the first end face. A sheath support member 39 (and a tubular shape) is formed between a protruding position (a position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) where a puncture needle 55 described later protrudes from the distal end of the sheath 42 and is spaced forward from the inner surface 44a of the stopper member 44. It can slide with respect to the connecting part 31). The “projection position” shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a “projection position” when the second lock support member 45 is brought into contact with the front end surface of the rear end portion 50a of the slide member 50, and the second lock support. The “protruding position” when the position of the member 45 is positioned further forward is such that the front end surface of the second lock support member 45 spaced forward from the rear end portion 50a contacts the rear end surface of the first stopper member 44, In addition, it is a position where a puncture needle 55 described later protrudes from the distal end of the sheath 42.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second lock support member 45 is held at the front end position with respect to the slide member 50 by the second lock member 47 and the second lock support member 45 is brought into contact with the first stopper member 44. Even if an external force is applied forward to the slide member 50, the slide member 50 does not slide forward from the storage position.

スライド部材５０の後端部５０ａの内部空間には硬質樹脂（ポリプロピレン等）からなる穿刺針支持部材５３の前部が嵌合固定してある。穿刺針支持部材５３の前部に形成した支持孔５４には、可撓性を有する中空の金属材からなり、後端が開口すると共に前端近傍に開口５５ａ（図１参照）を有する穿刺針５５の後端部が嵌合固定してある。穿刺針５５の前部は、スライド部材５０の内部空間を通ってシース４２の内部に挿入してある。スライド部材５０が上記収納位置に位置するとき穿刺針５５の先端はシース４２の内部に位置するが、スライド部材５０が上記突出位置に移動すると穿刺針５５の先端はシース４２の先端から突出する（図１参照）。また、穿刺針支持部材５３の後部には支持孔５４と連通する後部空間５６が形成してあり、穿刺針支持部材５３の後部の外周面には雄ねじ５７が形成してある。
穿刺針支持部材５３に対しては硬質樹脂製（例えばＰＯＭ等）のスタイレット支持キャップ５８を着脱可能である。スタイレット支持キャップ５８の前部には、穿刺針支持部材５３の後部空間５６に挿脱可能な嵌合部５９と、嵌合部５９の外周側に位置する外側筒状部６０とが同心状態で設けてあり、外側筒状部６０の内周面には雌ねじ６１が形成してある。さらに、スタイレット支持キャップ５８には可撓性部材であるスタイレット６３の後端が固定してある。従って、嵌合部５９を後部空間５６に嵌合し、雌ねじ６１を雄ねじ５７に螺合すると、スタイレット６３の先端が穿刺針５５の後端開口から穿刺針５５の内部空間に挿入され、スタイレット６３の前端部が穿刺針５５の開口５５ａを塞ぐ。 A front portion of a puncture needle support member 53 made of hard resin (polypropylene or the like) is fitted and fixed in the internal space of the rear end portion 50a of the slide member 50. The support hole 54 formed in the front part of the puncture needle support member 53 is made of a hollow metal material having flexibility and has a rear end opened and an opening 55a (see FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the front end. The rear end is fitted and fixed. The front part of the puncture needle 55 is inserted into the sheath 42 through the internal space of the slide member 50. When the slide member 50 is positioned at the storage position, the tip of the puncture needle 55 is positioned inside the sheath 42. However, when the slide member 50 is moved to the protruding position, the tip of the puncture needle 55 protrudes from the tip of the sheath 42 ( (See FIG. 1). A rear space 56 communicating with the support hole 54 is formed at the rear part of the puncture needle support member 53, and a male screw 57 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear part of the puncture needle support member 53.
A stylus support cap 58 made of hard resin (for example, POM) can be attached to and detached from the puncture needle support member 53. At the front portion of the stylet support cap 58, a fitting portion 59 that can be inserted into and removed from the rear space 56 of the puncture needle support member 53 and an outer cylindrical portion 60 located on the outer peripheral side of the fitting portion 59 are concentric. A female screw 61 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 60. Furthermore, the rear end of the stylet 63, which is a flexible member, is fixed to the stylet support cap 58. Therefore, when the fitting portion 59 is fitted into the rear space 56 and the female screw 61 is screwed into the male screw 57, the tip of the stylet 63 is inserted into the inner space of the puncture needle 55 from the rear end opening of the puncture needle 55, The front end portion of the let 63 closes the opening 55 a of the puncture needle 55.

続いて超音波内視鏡１０の口金１７に対する穿刺針装置３０の着脱要領と使用要領について説明する。
超音波内視鏡１０から分離されている穿刺針装置３０を超音波内視鏡１０の口金１７に接続するには、まず図４に示すようにスライド部材５０を収納位置に位置させ、第１ロック部材３６のねじ部３７の端面をシース支持部材３９の外周面から離間した状態にした上で、第２ロック部材４７のねじ部４８の端面をスライド部材５０の外周面に圧接させておく。そして軸線ＡＬ１と軸線ＡＬ２を一致させた状態で筒状接続部３１の前端部と口金１７を対向させ、シース４２を口金１７の内部及び内部管路２０に挿入する。 Next, a procedure for attaching and detaching the puncture needle device 30 to the base 17 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 will be described.
In order to connect the puncture needle device 30 separated from the ultrasonic endoscope 10 to the base 17 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10, first, the slide member 50 is positioned at the storage position as shown in FIG. The end surface of the screw portion 37 of the lock member 36 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the sheath support member 39, and the end surface of the screw portion 48 of the second lock member 47 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the slide member 50. Then, with the axial line AL1 and the axial line AL2 aligned, the front end portion of the cylindrical connecting portion 31 and the base 17 are opposed to each other, and the sheath 42 is inserted into the base 17 and the internal conduit 20.

次いで、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの入口側端部３２Ａ１と第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ｂ１を第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂにそれぞれ螺合（挿入）する。第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ及び第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ａ１、３２Ｂ１の谷の径Ｌ４が第１の雄ねじ１８Ａの外径Ｌ１及び第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの外径Ｌ２より大きいため、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａと第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂのいずれも第１の雄ねじ１８Ａ及び第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂに対して螺合（挿入）できるが、まずは第１の雌ねじ３２Ａを第１の雄ねじ１８Ａに螺合し第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂを第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂに対して螺合する場合について説明する。
第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの入口側端部３２Ａ１と第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ｂ１を、第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂにそれぞれ螺合すると（図７参照）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７が操作部１１とは反対側に位置するが、図８に示すようにこの状態から筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対して軸線ＡＬ１、軸線ＡＬ２周りに１８０°回転させると（第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ、第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの１ピッチ分回転させると）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７は操作部１１と対向する側に位置する（図示略）。筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに１８０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを位置３２Ａ６と位置３２Ｂ６にそれぞれ係合させると（図示略）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７は操作部１１と反対側に位置する。筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに９０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを位置３２Ａ５と位置３２Ｂ５にそれぞれ係合させた後に、筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに９０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを第２終端位置３２Ａ４と第２終端位置３２Ｂ４にそれぞれ係合させると（図示略）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７は操作部１１と対向する側に位置する。筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに９０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを位置３２Ａ３と位置３２Ｂ３にそれぞれ係合させた（図示略）後に、筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに９０°回転させると（つまり第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの入口側端部３２Ａ１と第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ｂ１を第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂに螺合してから４ピッチ分回転させると）、図９に示すように第１の雄ねじ１８Ａが第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの第１終端位置３２Ａ２に螺合すると共に第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂが第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの第１終端位置３２Ｂ２に螺合し、かつ環状フランジ１９が環状凹部３３に当接するので、口金１７に対する筒状接続部３１の接続が完了する。すると、穿刺針装置３０が口金１７に対して不動状態となり、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７が操作部１１とは反対側に位置する（図１参照）。 Next, the inlet side end portion 32A1 of the first female screw 32A and the inlet side end portion 32B1 of the second female screw 32B are screwed (inserted) into the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B, respectively. The first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B have inlet-side ends 32A1, 32B1 having a valley diameter L4 larger than the outer diameter L1 of the first male screw 18A and the outer diameter L2 of the second male screw 18B. Both the female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B can be screwed (inserted) into the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B. First, the first female screw 32A is screwed into the first male screw 18A. A case where the second female screw 32B is screwed to the second male screw 18B will be described.
When the inlet side end portion 32A1 of the first female screw 32A and the inlet side end portion 32B1 of the second female screw 32B are respectively screwed into the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B (see FIG. 7), the first lock Although the member 36 and the second lock member 47 are located on the side opposite to the operation portion 11, as shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is moved 180 ° around the axis AL 1 and the axis AL 2 from the base 17 from this state. When rotated (when rotated by one pitch of the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B), the first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 are positioned on the side facing the operation portion 11 (not shown). . When the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is further rotated by 180 ° with respect to the base 17 and the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the positions 32A6 and 32B6, respectively (not shown), the first lock member 36 is engaged. The second lock member 47 is located on the opposite side to the operation unit 11. After the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is further rotated by 90 ° with respect to the base 17 and the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the positions 32A5 and 32B5, respectively, the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is connected to the base 17. When the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the second terminal position 32A4 and the second terminal position 32B4, respectively (not shown), the first locking member 36 and the second male screw 18B are engaged with each other. The two lock members 47 are located on the side facing the operation unit 11. After the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is further rotated by 90 ° with respect to the base 17 and the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the positions 32A3 and 32B3 (not shown), the cylindrical connecting portion. 31 is further rotated by 90 ° with respect to the base 17 (that is, the inlet side end 32A1 of the first female screw 32A and the inlet side end 32B1 of the second female screw 32B are turned into the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B). 9), the first male screw 18A is screwed into the first terminal position 32A2 of the first female screw 32A and the second male screw 18B is second as shown in FIG. Since the female flange 32B is screwed into the first terminal position 32B2 and the annular flange 19 comes into contact with the annular recess 33, the connection of the cylindrical connecting portion 31 to the base 17 is completed. Then, the puncture needle device 30 is immovable with respect to the base 17, and the first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 are located on the opposite side to the operation unit 11 (see FIG. 1).

一方、図１０に示すように、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ（の入口側端部３２Ａ１）を第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂに螺合し、かつ第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂ（の入口側端部３２Ｂ１）を第１の雄ねじ１８Ａに螺合すると、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７が操作部１１と対向する側に位置する（図示略）。図１１に示すようにこの状態から筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対して軸線ＡＬ１、ＡＬ２周りに１８０°回転させると（第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ及び第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの１ピッチ分回転させると）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７が操作部１１とは反対側に位置する（図示略）。筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに１８０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを位置３２Ｂ６と位置３２Ａ６にそれぞれ係合させると（図示略）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７は操作部１１と対向する側に位置する。筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに９０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを位置３２Ｂ５と位置３２Ａ５にそれぞれ係合させた後に、筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対してさらに９０°回転させて第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂを第２終端位置３２Ｂ４と第２終端位置３２Ａ４にそれぞれ係合させると（図１２参照。つまり第１の雌ねじ３２Ａの入口側端部３２Ａ１と第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂの入口側端部３２Ｂ１を第１の雄ねじ１８Ａと第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂに螺合してから３ピッチ分回転させると）、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７は操作部１１と反対側に位置する。すると、第１の雄ねじ１８Ａの外径Ｌ１＞第２終端位置３２Ｂ４から第１終端位置３２Ｂ２までの谷の径Ｌ５であるため、第１の雄ねじ１８Ａはこれ以上第１終端位置３２Ｂ２側には移動できなくなるので、穿刺針装置３０（筒状接続部３１）はこの位置で口金１７に対して固定される。その結果、穿刺針装置３０が口金１７に対して不動状態となり、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７が操作部１１とは反対側に位置する（図示略）。
接続が完了したら、第１ストッパ部材４４を筒状接続部３１に対してスライドさせることによりシース４２の先端を処置具用開口２１から数ｍｍ程度突出させた状態（図１参照）に調整した後に、第１ロック部材３６を締め付けて第１ストッパ部材４４の位置を固定する。 On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the first female screw 32A (the inlet side end 32A1) is screwed into the second male screw 18B, and the second female screw 32B (the inlet side end 32B1) is connected to the first male screw 32B. The first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 are positioned on the side facing the operation portion 11 (not shown). As shown in FIG. 11, when the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is rotated by 180 ° around the axes AL1 and AL2 with respect to the base 17 from this state (when rotated by one pitch of the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B). ), The first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 are located on the side opposite to the operation portion 11 (not shown). When the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is further rotated 180 ° with respect to the base 17 and the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the position 32B6 and the position 32A6, respectively (not shown), the first lock member 36 is engaged. The second lock member 47 is located on the side facing the operation unit 11. After the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is further rotated by 90 ° with respect to the base 17 and the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the position 32B5 and the position 32A5, respectively, the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is connected to the base 17. When the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B are engaged with the second terminal position 32B4 and the second terminal position 32A4, respectively (see FIG. 12, that is, the first female screw 32A). When the inlet side end portion 32A1 and the inlet side end portion 32B1 of the second female screw 32B are screwed into the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B and then rotated by three pitches), the first locking member 36 and the second The two lock member 47 is located on the opposite side to the operation unit 11. Then, since the outer diameter L1 of the first male screw 18A> the valley diameter L5 from the second terminal position 32B4 to the first terminal position 32B2, the first male screw 18A moves further to the first terminal position 32B2 side. Since it becomes impossible, the puncture needle apparatus 30 (cylindrical connection part 31) is fixed with respect to the nozzle | cap | die 17 in this position. As a result, the puncture needle device 30 is in an immobile state with respect to the base 17, and the first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 are located on the opposite side to the operation unit 11 (not shown).
When the connection is completed, the first stopper member 44 is slid with respect to the cylindrical connection portion 31 to adjust the distal end of the sheath 42 to a state where the distal end of the sheath 42 protrudes about several mm from the treatment instrument opening 21 (see FIG. 1). The first locking member 36 is tightened to fix the position of the first stopper member 44.

このようにして穿刺針装置３０を超音波内視鏡１０（口金１７）に接続すると穿刺針装置３０が口金１７（超音波内視鏡１０）に対して不動状態となる。そのため、術者はＣＲＴモニタに表示された画像を見ながら超音波内視鏡１０に接続した穿刺針装置３０を操作できる。例えば、スタイレット支持キャップ５８の穿刺針支持部材５３に対する螺合を解除してスタイレット支持キャップ５８を穿刺針支持部材５３に対して後方に移動させれば、穿刺針５５の内部からスタイレット６３を引き抜くことができる。さらに、第２ロック部材４７を回転させてねじ部４８の端面をスライド部材５０の外周面から離間させた上で（第２ロック部材４７によるロックを解除して）、スライド部材５０を前方にスライドさせれば、穿刺針５５がシース４２に対して先端側に移動し、スライド部材５０が突出位置まで移動したときに穿刺針５５の先端がシース４２の先端から突出する（図１参照）。また、第２ロック支持部材４５のスライド部材５０に対するスライド位置を調整することにより、第２ロック支持部材４５が第１ストッパ部材４４に当接したときの穿刺針５５のシース４２の先端からの突出量を調整できる。
穿刺針装置３０を超音波内視鏡１０から取り外したい場合は、筒状接続部３１を口金１７に対して装着時とは逆方向に回転させて第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ及び第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂと第１の雄ねじ１８Ａ及び第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂの螺合（接続）を解除する。そして、接続解除後に穿刺針装置３０を口金１７から後方に引き離せば穿刺針装置３０が超音波内視鏡１０から分離し、シース４２が超音波内視鏡１０の内部管路２０内を通って口金１７から外部に引き抜かれる。 When the puncture needle device 30 is connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 10 (the base 17) in this way, the puncture needle device 30 is brought into a stationary state with respect to the base 17 (the ultrasonic endoscope 10). Therefore, the surgeon can operate the puncture needle device 30 connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 10 while viewing the image displayed on the CRT monitor. For example, when the stylet support cap 58 is unscrewed from the puncture needle support member 53 and the stylet support cap 58 is moved rearward with respect to the puncture needle support member 53, the stylet 63 extends from the inside of the puncture needle 55. Can be pulled out. Further, the second lock member 47 is rotated so that the end surface of the screw portion 48 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the slide member 50 (the lock by the second lock member 47 is released), and the slide member 50 is slid forward. Then, the puncture needle 55 moves to the distal end side with respect to the sheath 42, and when the slide member 50 moves to the protruding position, the distal end of the puncture needle 55 protrudes from the distal end of the sheath 42 (see FIG. 1). Further, by adjusting the slide position of the second lock support member 45 with respect to the slide member 50, the puncture needle 55 protrudes from the distal end of the sheath 42 when the second lock support member 45 comes into contact with the first stopper member 44. The amount can be adjusted.
When it is desired to remove the puncture needle device 30 from the ultrasonic endoscope 10, the cylindrical connecting portion 31 is rotated in the direction opposite to that at the time of attachment to the base 17, and the first female screw 32 </ b> A and the second female screw 32 </ b> B The screwing (connection) of the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B is released. When the puncture needle device 30 is pulled rearward from the base 17 after the connection is released, the puncture needle device 30 is separated from the ultrasonic endoscope 10 and the sheath 42 passes through the inner conduit 20 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10. And is pulled out from the base 17.

以上説明したように本実施形態では穿刺針装置３０を口金１７に接続（固定）するときに、第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７は必ず操作部１１とは反対側に位置することになるので、術者は穿刺針装置３０を口金１７に固定した後における第１ロック部材３６及び第２ロック部材４７の回転操作を容易に行うことが可能である。
しかも、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａと第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂのいずれも第１の雄ねじ１８Ａ及び第２の雄ねじ１８Ｂに対して螺合可能であるという利点がある。 As described above, in the present embodiment, when the puncture needle device 30 is connected (fixed) to the base 17, the first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 are always located on the side opposite to the operation unit 11. Therefore, the operator can easily perform the rotation operation of the first lock member 36 and the second lock member 47 after the puncture needle device 30 is fixed to the base 17.
Moreover, there is an advantage that both the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B can be screwed to the first male screw 18A and the second male screw 18B.

以上、上記実施形態に基づいて本発明を説明したが、本発明は様々な変更を施しながら実施可能である。
例えば、第１の雌ねじ３２Ａ及び第２の雌ねじ３２Ｂのピッチ数は２以上の整数であればいくつでもよい。この場合も第１終端位置３２Ａ２、３２Ｂ２から１ピッチ手前の位置に第２終端位置３２Ａ４、３２Ｂ４を形成する。 As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention can be implemented, giving various changes.
For example, the number of pitches of the first female screw 32A and the second female screw 32B may be any number as long as it is an integer of 2 or more. Also in this case, the second terminal positions 32A4 and 32B4 are formed at positions one pitch before the first terminal positions 32A2 and 32B2.

１０超音波内視鏡
１１操作部
１２超音波プローブ
１３挿入部
１４湾曲部
１５湾曲操作レバー
１６処置具挿通用突部
１７口金
１８Ａ第１の雄ねじ
１８Ｂ第２の雄ねじ
１９環状フランジ
２０内部管路
２１処置具用開口
３０穿刺針装置
３１筒状接続部
３１ａ接続開口
３２Ａ第１の雌ねじ
３２Ｂ第２の雌ねじ
３２Ａ１３２Ｂ１入口側端部
３２Ａ２３２Ｂ２第１終端位置
３２Ａ３３２Ｂ３第１終端位置から半ピッチ手前の位置
３２Ａ４３２Ｂ４第２終端位置
３２Ａ５３２Ｂ５第２終端位置から半ピッチ手前の位置
３２Ａ６３２Ｂ６第２終端位置から１ピッチ手前の位置
３３環状凹部
３４第１ロック支持部材
３５雌ねじ孔
３６第１ロック部材
３７ねじ部
３９シース支持部材
４０ホルダ
４１貫通支持孔
４２シース
４４第１ストッパ部材
４５第２ロック支持部材
４６雌ねじ孔
４７第２ロック部材
４８ねじ部
５０スライド部材
５１リテーナ
５３穿刺針支持部材
５４支持孔
５５穿刺針
５６後部空間
５７雄ねじ
５８スタイレット支持キャップ
５９嵌合部
６０外側筒状部
６１雌ねじ
６３スタイレット
ＡＬ１口金の軸線
ＡＬ２筒状接続部の軸線 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic endoscope 11 Operation part 12 Ultrasonic probe 13 Insertion part 14 Bending part 15 Bending operation lever 16 Protrusion part 17 for treatment tool penetration | attachment 18A 1st male screw 18B 2nd male screw 19 Annular flange 20 Internal pipe line 21 Treatment tool opening 30 Puncture needle device 31 Cylindrical connection portion 31a Connection opening 32A First female screw 32B Second female screw 32A1 32B1 Entrance side end portion 32A2 32B2 First terminal position 32A3 32B3 Position before half pitch from first terminal position 32A4 32B4 Second end position 32A5 32B5 Position half-pitch before the second end position 32A6 32B6 Position one pitch before the second end position 33 Annular recess 34 First lock support member 35 Female screw hole 36 First lock member 37 Threaded portion 39 Sheath support member 40 Holder 41 Through support hole 42 Sheath 44 First stop Pa member 45 Second lock support member 46 Female screw hole 47 Second lock member 48 Screw portion 50 Slide member 51 Retainer 53 Puncture needle support member 54 Support hole 55 Puncture needle 56 Rear space 57 Male screw 58 Stylet support cap 59 Fitting portion 60 Outer cylindrical part 61 Female thread 63 Stylet AL1 Axis axis AL2 Axis of cylindrical connection part

Claims

超音波内視鏡の口金に突設した、周方向位相を互いに１８０°ずらして形成した第１の雄ねじ及び該第１の雄ねじより外径が小さい第２の雄ねじに対して、自身の接続開口を挿脱可能な筒状接続部と、
一部が該筒状接続部内に位置すると共に先端が上記接続開口及び上記口金を通って上記超音波内視鏡の先端開口から突出可能な穿刺針と、
上記接続開口の内周面に周方向位相を互いに１８０°ずらして形成した、入口側端部の谷の径が共に上記第１の雄ねじの外径及び第２の雄ねじの外径より大きい第１の雌ねじ及び第２の雌ねじと、を備え、
上記第１の雌ねじは、上記入口側端部を基準に整数ピッチ分だけ進んだ位置である第１終端位置までの谷の径が一定であり、
上記第２の雌ねじは、上記入口側端部を基準に上記整数ピッチ分だけ進んだ位置である第１終端位置から該第１終端位置より１ピッチ手前の第２終端位置までの谷の径が、上記第２の雄ねじの外径より大きくかつ上記第１の雄ねじの外径より小さく、さらに上記入口側端部から上記第２終端位置の直前までの谷の径が一定であることを特徴とする超音波内視鏡用穿刺針装置。 The first male screw protruding from the base of the ultrasonic endoscope and having a circumferential phase shifted from each other by 180 ° and the second male screw having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first male screw are connected to each other. A cylindrical connection part that can be inserted and removed,
A puncture needle that is partly located in the cylindrical connecting portion and whose tip can protrude from the tip opening of the ultrasonic endoscope through the connection opening and the base;
The first and second external threads have first and second external thread outer diameters that are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connection opening so that the circumferential phase is shifted by 180 ° from each other. A female screw and a second female screw,
The first female screw has a constant root diameter to a first terminal position that is a position advanced by an integer pitch with respect to the inlet side end,
The second female screw has a valley diameter from a first terminal position, which is a position advanced by the integral pitch with respect to the inlet side end, to a second terminal position one pitch before the first terminal position. The outer diameter of the second male screw is larger than the outer diameter of the first male screw, and the valley diameter from the inlet end to the position immediately before the second terminal position is constant. A puncture needle device for an ultrasonic endoscope.