Patent · US Active

Ultrasonic endoscope

US7569012B2 · kind B2 · utility

66Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 5, 2005
Grant dateAug 4, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 18, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B8/445
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic endoscope comprises an insertion portion comprising a distal hard portion which has: an endoscopic observation unit; and an ultrasonic observation unit having ultrasonic transducers arranged circumferentially on an outer circumferential section of the distal hard portion, wherein the ultrasonic observation unit comprises an ultrasonic-wave transmission/reception unit having an tunnel-shaped path which has an inner circumferential surface formed as a backing layer; a distal block is arranged on a distal side in an axial direction of the distal hard portion with respect to a location where the ultrasonic-wave transmission/reception unit is arranged, and distal ends of respective members constituting the endoscopic observation unit are fixed to the distal block; and part of the members which constitute the endoscopic observation unit are fitted so as to be partially protruded from an inside diameter of the tunnel-shaped path toward an outer circumferential side thereof.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.