Probe coupler for ultrasound examination system

An ultrasound probe coupler for electrically and rotationally coupling an ultrasound probe with a probe control unit of an ultrasound examination system. The probe coupler essentially includes a tail end connector provided at the tail end of a flexible cord to be connected to the probe control unit. The tail end connector is provided with a stationary ring which is fixedly connected to a tail end portion of the flexible cord, and a rotational coupler having a series of rotary rings, including at least one electrode ring, for coupling the flexible shaft with a rotational drive means and an electrode on the part of the probe control unit. The rotational coupler further includes a rotation transmission member detachably connected to one of the rotating electrode rings and projected radially outward of the inner periphery of the stationary ring for engagement with a rotational drive member on the part of the probe control unit.

FIELD OF THE ART 
This invention relates generally to an ultrasound examination system with a 
radial scan type ultrasound probe, having an ultrasound scanner to be put 
in rotation within a body cavity to make ultrasound scans in the 
rotational direction, and more particularly to a probe coupler for 
electrically and rotationally coupling an ultrasound probe with a probe 
control unit, the probe coupler permitting to disassemble rotating 
component parts of the ultrasound probe from stationary components easily 
whenever necessary. 
PRIOR ART 
With regard to ultrasound examination systems of the sort as mentioned 
above, it has been known to employ an endoscopically inserting ultrasound 
probe, which is designed to be inserted into a body cavity through a 
biopsy channel or an instrument channel of an endoscope, for example, as 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,802,487 and 5,211,176. Ultrasound 
examination systems of this sort are largely constituted by an ultrasound 
probe member, a probe control unit and an ultrasound image observation 
terminal. In use, an ultrasound probe member is introduced into a body 
cavity through a biopsy channel of an endoscope. Therefore, the ultrasound 
probe usually takes the shape of a thin or narrow flexible cord having a 
tiny ultrasound scanner assembly attached to its tip end. The probe 
control unit is connected to an ultrasound transducer element on the 
scanner assembly to control its operation. The ultrasound image 
observation terminal includes an ultrasound driver for supplying drive 
signals to the ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound signal processor for 
producing ultrasound images on the basis of return echo signals received 
through the ultrasound transducer, and a monitor screen for displaying the 
produced ultrasound images. 
For easy placement in a biopsy or instrument channel of an endoscope, 
ultrasound probes of this type are usually subject to severe restrictions 
in dimensions, especially in thickness. Therefore, it has been the general 
practice for ultrasound probes to employ a single-element ultrasound 
transducer in combination with a mechanical scan system which is geared 
for either radial or linear ultrasound scans. In the case of a mechanical 
radial scan, the ultrasound transducer needs to be put in rotation by 
means of a rotational drive mechanism. 
The above-mentioned probe control unit is provided for the purpose of 
rotationally driving the ultrasound transducer from outside an endoscopic 
biopsy channel. In construction, the probe control unit includes a 
rotational drive means which is arranged to rotate at least the ultrasound 
transducer by remote control, in combination with a position detection 
means which detects the angular position of the ultrasound transducer. In 
addition to the rotational drive means, the probe control unit functions 
as signal relay means for signals to and from the ultrasound transducer 
and the ultrasound image observation terminal. 
In an ultrasound examination using an endoscopically inserting ultrasound 
probe as described above, firstly an elongated insertion instrument of an 
endoscope is inserted into a body cavity along a canal or path of 
insertion. In doing so, the endoscopic insertion instrument can be easily 
introduced into an intracavitary region of particular interest or to a 
position suitable for observation of a diseased portion since an 
endoscopic observation system is built into a fore distal end portion of 
the insertion instrument. As soon as a diseased portion is spotted by an 
endoscopic examination, the ultrasound probe is placed in a biopsy channel 
of the endoscope through an opening of an entrance housing, which is 
provided on a head grip assembly of the endoscope, until a distal end 
portion of the ultrasound probe is extended out of the endoscopic 
insertion instrument by a predetermined extension length. In this state, 
ultrasound pulse signals are transmitted from the ultrasound transducer 
toward an intracavitary wall of interest to receive return echoes from 
body tissues in various tomographic regions. The received return echoes 
are converted into electric signals by the ultrasound transducer element, 
and the transmission and reception of ultrasound pulse signals is repeated 
at predetermined angular intervals during rotation of the ultrasound 
transducer element to obtain information on body tissues in the scanned 
range. 
When an ultrasound probe is inserted into a body cavity through an 
endoscopic biopsy channel in this manner, the probe within a body cavity 
can be monitored through the endoscopic observation system and checked if 
it is located in an appropriate position for an ultrasound scan. 
Therefore, the ultrasound transducer element on the probe can be 
accurately and easily located in an appropriate position facing toward an 
intracavitary portion which needs an ultrasound scan. Besides, it becomes 
possible for the probe to transmit and receive ultrasound pulse signals at 
a position in the proximity of a diseased portion in an intracavitary wall 
or the like in order to ensure extremely high accuracy for an ultrasound 
examination or diagnosis, for example, especially in an ultrasound 
examination checking for a tumor which might exist immediately under 
mucous. 
The ultrasound transducer element to be rotated by remote control is housed 
in an end cap of a synthetic resin material with excellent acoustic 
characteristics, which is fitted on an ultrasound scanner provided at the 
distal end of a flexible catheter-like cord member of the ultrasound 
probe. The flexible cord member has a flexible shaft of tightly wound 
coils fitted in a flexible sheathing outer tube which forms an outer skin 
layer of the cord member. The fore end of the flexible outer tube is 
connected to the end cap, while the fore end of the flexible shaft within 
the flexible outer tube is connected to the ultrasound transducer element. 
A signal cable which is passed internally of the flexible shaft is 
connected to the ultrasound transducer element. The proximal end of the 
flexible outer tube is retained in a fixed state in use, so that, when the 
flexible shaft is turned within the outer tube along with the signal 
cable, its rotation is transmitted to the ultrasound transducer element to 
rotate same within the end cap. 
The probe control unit is provided with a rotational drive source for the 
ultrasound transducer, and arranged to retain the proximal end of the 
outer tube in a fixed state. On the other hand, the proximal end of the 
flexible shaft is rotatably connected to the probe control unit. Through a 
rotary connector which permits relative rotational movements while 
maintaining electrical conduction between two connected parts, the signal 
cable which is passed internally of the flexible shaft is detachably 
connected to corresponding signal lines of a cable which is disconnectibly 
connected to the ultrasound image observation terminal. 
The ultrasound probe and the probe control unit can be provided as one and 
single assembly. However, according to the general practice, the 
ultrasound probe, which is a part to be inserted into a body cavity, is 
provided as a separate component and disconnectibly connected to the probe 
control unit. Therefore, the ultrasound probe is usually provided with a 
coupler or connector, which is disengageably connectible to a 
corresponding coupling portion on the part of the probe control unit after 
placing the ultrasound probe in a biopsy channel of an endoscope. When the 
ultrasound probe is in use, the connector on the probe remains outside the 
endoscopic biopsy channel and therefore its outside diameter is exempt 
from the dimensional restrictions as imposed by the inside diameter of the 
endoscopic biopsy channel. On the other hand, the flexible cord member, 
including the ultrasound scanner at its distal end, has to be smaller than 
the inside diameter of the endoscopic biopsy channel for easy passage 
therethrough. It follows that the ultrasound transducer element, which is 
housed in an end cap as mentioned above, has to be far smaller in size. 
Ultrasound transducer elements of small size which are high in vibration 
frequency and low in output power, however, have inherent problems such as 
a difficulty of transmitting ultrasound signals to deeper portions in 
patients body and weakness of return echoes which are susceptible to 
disturbances and deteriorations in the S/N ratio. 
For the purpose of eliminating the above-described problems, one of the 
present inventors developed an ultrasound probe which permits the use of 
an ultrasound transducer element of a large size for transmission of 
low-frequency and high-power ultrasound pulses, as disclosed in his U.S. 
patent application Ser. No. 08/939,697 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,175. 
According to this prior U.S. patent application, the ultrasound probe 
employs a flexible cord member with a connector member at its proximal end 
to be disconnectibly connected to a probe control unit. The connector 
member is formed in a diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter 
of the endoscopic biopsy channel, so that the ultrasound probe can be 
inserted into the endoscopic biopsy channel inversely from its proximal 
end with the connector member through an exit opening of the biopsy 
channel at the distal end of the endoscopic insertion instrument. In this 
case, free from the dimensional restrictions imposed by the inside 
diameter of the endoscopic biopsy channel, the cord member may employ an 
end cap of a larger outside diameter to accommodate a large-size 
ultrasound transducer element on the ultrasound scanner assembly. 
Nevertheless, the invention of this prior application is not exempted from 
all the problems which are encountered in practical use. 
The above-mentioned connector member is provided with a rigid stationary 
ring which is connected to the outer sheathing tube, a stationary part 
which is blocked against movements in the rotational direction, along with 
electrodes which are located on the side of the flexible shaft, a rotating 
part, and led out to a coupling end of the connector through the 
stationary ring. In use, the stationary ring is fixedly connected to the 
probe control unit and retained in a stationary state relative to the 
latter, while ultrasound signals are transmitted and received through 
rotating electrodes. In this regard, it is desirable for the stationary 
and rotating parts of the ultrasound probe to be easily separable from 
each other whenever necessary, for example, to facilitate troubleshooting 
jobs on the ultrasound probe or to permit introduction of an ultrasound 
transmitting medium into the entire length of the outer tube including the 
inner space of the end cap at the distal end of the cord member. 
When coupling the ultrasound probe with the probe control unit, the 
electrodes are always projected on the outer side of the stationary ring. 
Once coupled, the electrodes have to be retained in a stabilized state by 
means of a stopper mechanism, which prevents the electrodes from being 
drawn into the stationary ring. In addition, the electrodes, which also 
serve as rotation transmitting members, needs to be connected to a 
rotational drive member on the part of the probe control unit in such a 
manner as to prevent slips in the latter, for example, by forming the 
connecting ends of the electrodes in square shape. However, when a bulky 
end cap is used to accommodate an ultrasound transducer element of a large 
diameter, which is larger than the inside diameter of the outer tube, 
difficulties are encountered in separating and extracting the rotating 
part along with the connector member. Besides, separation and extraction 
of the flexible shaft and electrodes through the distal end of the 
endoscopic insertion instrument become more difficult in case the 
electrodes are engaged with a stopper mechanism as mentioned above and 
increased in strength in addition to their square profiles. Therefore, 
once the ultrasound probe is assembled into an operative state, it is 
often the case that rotating and stationary parts of the probe are not 
easily separable from each other, despite inconveniences in maintenance 
and service. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the problems as described above, the present invention has as 
its object the provision of an ultrasound probe which, when in an 
operatively assembled state, can retain electrodes securely in position on 
the side of a rotating flexible shaft of the probe, and which permits to 
separate stationary and rotating parts easily from each other whenever 
necessary. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasound 
probe coupler which, when in an operatively assembled state, can couple a 
connector at the tail end of a cord member with a probe control unit and 
retain the connector in the coupled position in an extremely stabilized 
state. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an 
ultrasound probe coupler which permits to use electrodes of high strength 
to ensure higher accuracy as rotation transmission members. 
In accordance with the present invention, for achieving the above-stated 
objectives, there is provided an ultrasound probe coupler for an 
ultrasound probe of an ultrasound examination system having an ultrasound 
scanner assembly attached to a nose end of an elongated flexible cord, the 
ultrasound scanner assembly having an ultrasound transducer element 
hermetically accommodated within an end cap and the flexible cord being 
detachably connectible at the tail end thereof to a probe control unit 
thereby to remote-control rotation of the ultrasound transducer element 
for radial ultrasound scans, the flexible cord member being largely 
composed of a flexible outer tube and a flexible transmission shaft fitted 
in the flexible outer tube for rotation therein, the flexible outer tube 
having a fore end portion thereof detachably connected to the end cap of 
the ultrasound scanner assembly, and the flexible transmission shaft 
having a fore end portion thereof connected to the ultrasound transducer 
element to transmit rotation thereto and internally providing a passage 
for a signal cable to the ultrasound transducer element. According to the 
present invention, the probe coupler comprises a tail end connector 
provided at the tail end of the flexible cord for electrically and 
rotationally coupling the ultrasound probe with the probe control unit. 
The tail end connector is provided with a stationary ring which is fixedly 
connected to a tail end portion of the flexible cord, and a rotational 
coupler having a series of rotary rings, including at least one electrode 
ring, for coupling the flexible shaft with a rotational drive means and an 
electrode on the part of the probe control unit. The rotational coupler 
further includes a rotation transmission member detachably connected to 
one of the rotating electrode rings and projected radially outward of the 
inner periphery of the stationary ring for engagement with a rotational 
drive member on the part of the probe control unit. 
In a preferred form of the present invention, the rotational coupler of the 
tail end connector comprises a number of rotary rings connected to the 
proximal end of said flexible transmission shaft for rotation on the inner 
side of and in sliding contact with the stationary ring, including a first 
rotary ring formed of a metallic material securely fixed to the proximal 
end of the flexible shaft, a second rotary ring formed of an electrically 
insulating material and connected to the first rotary ring, a third rotary 
ring formed of a conducting metallic material to serve as an electrode, 
and a fourth rotary ring formed of an electrically insulating material and 
connected to the third rotary ring, and an electrode pin fitted in the 
fourth rotary ring. Preferably, the rotation transmission member is 
constituted by a transmission pin of strong metallic material, which is 
removably threaded into the third rotary ring. Even if the ultrasound is 
provided with a bully scanner assembly at the nose end of the flexible 
cord to accommodate a large-size ultrasound transducer element, it can be 
placed in an endoscopic biopsy channel as long as the tail end connector 
and flexible cord portions are passage through the biopsy channel. 
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present 
invention will become apparent from the following particular description 
of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 
which show by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Hereafter, the present invention is described more particularly by way of 
its preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. Referring first to FIG. 
1, there is schematically shown the general layout of an ultrasound 
examination system incorporating an ultrasound probe coupler according to 
the present invention. The ultrasound examination system is largely 
composed of an ultrasound probe 1, a probe control unit 2 and an 
ultrasound image observation terminal 3 with a monitor screen 4. The 
ultrasound probe 1 is of the type which is introduced into a body cavity 
by way of an endoscope 5, more specifically, by way of a biopsy channel 6 
which is provided axially and internally of an endoscopic insertion 
instrument 5a and accessible through an entrance housing 6a, which is 
provided on a manipulating head grip 5a of the endoscope 5. Led out from 
the manipulating head grip 5a of the endoscope 5 is a universal cable 5c 
to be connected to a light source and an ultrasound signal processor which 
are not shown in the drawings. In this instance, the ultrasound image 
observation terminal 3 with a monitor screen 4 is mounted on a rack 7, and 
the probe control unit 2 is mounted on a fore end portion of a foldable 
support arm 8 which is in turn connected to the rack 7 in such a way as to 
permit directional adjustments. A cable 9 which is led out from the probe 
control unit 2 is disconnectibly connected to the ultrasound image 
observation terminal 3. 
The ultrasound probe 1 is arranged in the construction as shown in FIGS. 2 
through 5. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 2, the ultrasound probe 1 is 
largely constituted by an ultrasound scanner assembly 1a, a flexible cord 
1b and a tail end connector 1c. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ultrasound 
scanner assembly 1a is provided with an end cap 10 which is threaded on a 
connecting member 11, encasing therein an ultrasound transducer element 
13. In use, ultrasound signals are transmitted and received through the 
ultrasound transducer element 13 which is rotated within the end cap 10. 
With regard to dimensional relations of the probe components, the 
ultrasound scanner assembly 1a has the largest outside diameter, while the 
flexible cord 1b and tail connector 1 are smaller or thinner in diameter. 
Namely, the outside diameter of the end cap 10 which houses the ultrasound 
scanner assembly 1a is larger than the inside diameter of the endoscopic 
biopsy channel 6, while the outside diameters of the flexible cord 1b and 
tail connector 1c are smaller than the inside diameter of the endoscopic 
biopsy channel 6. The ultrasound transducer element 13 is accommodated in 
the end cap 10, and mounted on a rotary member 14 which is rotatably 
supported within the end cap 10 through a bearing 15 to scan the 
ultrasound transducer element 13 in the radial direction. Since the 
ultrasound scanner assembly 1a is larger than the inside diameter of the 
endoscopic biopsy channel 6, it can accommodate a large ultrasound 
transducer element of within a large end cap 10 for the purpose of 
securing a broader active surface area for transmission and reception of 
ultrasound signals. However, the end cap 10 is not unlimited in diameter 
and should have a diameter within a range which would not obstruct the 
view field of endoscopic observation because the ultrasound probe 1 is 
placed in the endoscopic insertion instrument 5b in a preparatory stage 
before inserting the endoscope 1 into a body cavity as will be described 
hereinlater. 
The flexible cord 1b is constituted by a flexible outer tube 16 of soft 
synthetic resin material or the like and a flexible transmission shaft 17 
which is fitted in the outer tube 16. Connected to the fore distal end of 
the outer tube 16 is the connecting member 11 which has the end cap 10 
threaded thereon. The internal space of the end cap 10 is shielded from 
the outside when it is fitted on the connecting member 11. The flexible 
transmission shaft 17 is constituted, for example, by tightly wound coils, 
preferably, by double layers of tightly wound coils for transmitting 
rotations accurately in a reliable manner. The fore distal end of the 
flexible shaft 17 is securely fixed to a hollow neck member 18 which is 
connected to the rotary member 14. The ultrasound transducer element 13 is 
provided with a pair of electrodes 19a and 19b to connect signal lines 20a 
and 20b of a coaxial cable 20 which is passed through the neck member 18 
and extended as far as the tail connector 1c of the probe 1 through the 
internal space of the flexible shaft 17. 
Shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 5 is the probe construction where the 
proximal end of the flexible cord 1b is terminated with the tail connector 
1c. More specifically, the proximal end of the outer tube 16 is fixedly 
fitted on a tubular retainer shell 21 of a metal which serves as a 
stationary ring. The proximal end of the flexible shaft 17 is connected to 
a rotational coupler 22 which serves also as an electrode. In this 
instance, the rotational coupler 22 is composed of four rotary members or 
rings 23 to 26 which are successively threaded one in another in the axial 
direction. The first rotary ring 23 which is directly connected to the 
flexible shaft 17 is formed of a rigid metallic material with a sufficient 
degree of shape retainability and received in the retainer shell 21, which 
is similarly formed of a rigid metallic material, for sliding rotational 
movements therein. A seal member 27 is fitted on the first rotary ring 23 
to seal off the clearance between the first rotary ring 23 and the 
retainer shell 21 air- and liquid-tight. Connected to the first rotary 
ring 23 is a second rotary ring 24 which is formed of an electrically 
insulating material such as a synthetic resin material or the like. A 
third rotary ring 25 which is connected to the second rotary ring 24 is 
formed of a metal or other conducting material, while a fourth rotary 
member 26 which is connected to the third rotary ring 25 is formed of an 
electrically insulating material. 
In this case, for the purpose of ensuring the sealing capacity by the seal 
member 27, the first rotary ring 23 is formed of a metal or metallic 
material. To ensure perfect sealing effects, the seal member 27 is 
compressed into a distorted form in a predetermined degree between the 
first rotary ring 23 and the retainer shell 21 which is similarly formed 
of a rigid metal. The third rotary ring 25 is formed of a metal because it 
is required to function as an electrode to be connected to the ultrasound 
transducer element 13. Accordingly, the second and fourth rotary members 
24 and 26 of electrically insulating material are located on the front and 
rear sides of the third rotary ring 25. The coaxial cable 20 is passed 
internally through the rotational coupler 22, with its core wire 20c 
connected to a pin 28, which is fitted in the fourth rotary member 26, and 
its shield wire 20d connected to the third rotary ring 25. 
Further, a rotation transmission pin 29 is removably fixed to the third 
rotary ring 25 by means or screw threads or other suitable fixation means. 
As described hereinlater, the transmission pin 29 functions to transmit 
rotation to the rotational coupler 22, and is arranged in such a way as to 
project radially outward from the outer periphery of the third rotary ring 
25 by a predetermined length. A spacer ring 30 is fitted on the outer 
periphery of the rotational coupler 22 between the rotation transmission 
pin 29 and the retainer shell 21. This spacer ring 30 is abutted against 
the front side of the rotation transmission pin 29 and rear end face of 
the retainer shell 21, thereby to retain the rotational coupler 22, the 
flexible shaft 17 which is connected to the rotational coupler 22, the 
flexible tube 16 and the retainer shell 21 in an inseparably assembled 
state. The spacer ring 30 is formed of an electrically insulating 
synthetic resin material or the like with suitable slipperiness. Thus, by 
the spacer ring 30, the retainer shell 21 is electrically insulated from 
the third rotary ring 25 and the rotation transmission pin 29 which are 
both formed of a metallic material. 
In this instance, the end cap 10 which encases the ultrasound scanner 
assembly 1a of the probe 1 is filled with ultrasound transmitting medium 
like liquid paraffin to replace air in the scanner assembly completely. 
Although not necessarily required, it is desirable to supply the 
ultrasound transmitting medium also into the tube 16 as a lubricant for 
ensuring smooth rotations of the flexible shaft 17. Namely, it is 
desirable to fill the ultrasound transmitting medium in all the internal 
spaces of the probe 1 from the end cap 10 to the seal member 27 at the 
proximal end of the outer tube 16. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, the probe control unit 2 is provided with a casing 
31 of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material or the like, in 
which a rotational shaft 32 is rotatably mounted through a bearing 33 to 
extend toward an opening 31a which is provided on the front side of the 
casing 31. Mounted on the rotational shaft 32 are a pair of gears 34 and 
35. One gear 34 is meshed with a drive gear 37 which is mounted on an 
output shaft of an electric motor 36, while the other gear 35 is meshed 
with a follower gear 39 which is mounted on an input shaft of an encoder 
38. Provided internally of the rotational shaft 32 is an electrode member 
40 which is constituted by an inner pipe 41 and an outer pipe 42. These 
inner and outer pipes 41 and 42 are formed of an electrically conducting 
material and insulated from each other by an interposed insulating pipe 
43. In addition, the outer pipe 42 is fitted in an insulating ring 44 
which is fixedly fitted in the rotational shaft 32. Thus, by an adaptor 50 
which will be described hereinlater, the core and shield wires 20c and 20d 
of the coaxial cable 20 are electrically connected to the inner and outer 
pipes 1 and 42, respectively. 
One end of the rotational shaft 32 is disposed in the opening 31a on the 
front side of the casing 31 as mentioned hereinbefore, while the other end 
of the rotational shaft 32 is connected to a rotary member 45a on the 
rotating side of the rotary connector 45 which is provided within the 
casing 31. A cable 9a of the cable assembly 9 to and from the ultrasound 
image observation terminal is connected to a fixed member 45b on the 
stationary side of the rotary connector 45. The fixed member 45b of the 
rotary connector 45 is fitted in a rotation blocking member 46 thereby to 
block its rotational movements and at the same time to restrict its radial 
fluttering movements. A cylindrical connection housing 47 is erected 
around and on the outer side of the opening 31a in such a way as to 
circumvent the rotational shaft 32. 
The tail connector 1c of the ultrasound probe 1 is coupled with the 
above-described probe control unit 2 in the manner as follows. The tail 
connector 1c can be coupled with the probe control unit 2 either directly 
or through a coupling adaptor 50 as employed in this embodiment. For this 
purpose, the coupling adaptor 50 is provided with a first or front 
coupling mechanism at one end to be connected to the tail connector 1c of 
the probe and a second or rear coupling mechanism at the other end to be 
connected to the probe control unit 2. More specifically, as shown 
particularly in FIG. 7, the adaptor 50 is provided with stationary members 
including an outer housing 51 of substantially cylindrical shape and a 
retainer cap 52 which is threaded into one end of the outer housing 51. 
This stationary members of the adaptor are securely fixable relative to 
the casing 31 of the probe control unit 2. To this end, the outer housing 
51 is provided with a stopper groove 51a which is engaged with a stopper 
projection 47a on the part of the connection housing 47 of the probe 
control unit 2 to block relative rotations of the fixed member of the 
adaptor 50 when connected to the latter. Further, the retainer cap 52 of 
the adaptor 50 is provided with an axial hole 52a to receive the retainer 
shell 21 of the tail end connector 1c of the probe 1. The retainer cap 52 
is provided with a plural number of radial through holes 52b in its front 
end wall across the axial hole 52a to receive fixing screws 53, which are 
retractably protrudable into the axial hole 52a. More specifically, the 
fixing screws 53 are urged into the protruding positions by biasing 
springs 55 which are charged between the respective fixing screws 53 and 
spring seats 54. The fixing screws 53 are pointed at the respective inner 
ends for engagement in knurled axial grooves (not shown) which are 
provided on the outer peripheral surface of the retainer shell 21 of the 
tail end connector 1c as rotation blocking grooves. When tail end 
connector 1c is inserted into the axial hole 52a of the retainer cap 52 up 
to the retainer shell 21, the pointed ends of the fixing screws 53 are 
engaged with the stopper grooves to block rotations of the retainer shell 
21 and the outer tube 16 of the probe 1 during radial ultrasound scans 
when the ultrasound transducer element 13 is rotated through the flexible 
shaft 17. 
The coupling adaptor 50 is further provided with rotary members internally 
of its stationary members including the housing 51 and the retainer cap 
52. Major rotary members are outer and inner rotary members 56 and 57 of 
generally hollow cylindrical shapes. A socket assembly 58 is threaded into 
the inner rotary member 57 to receive the tail end connector 1c of the 
ultrasound probe 1 therein. The inner rotary member 57 itself is threaded 
into a retainer ring 59 which is fixedly connected to the outer rotary 
member 56 by a box nut 60. A first tubular electrode pin 61 of the socket 
assembly is threaded into the inner rotary member 57, which is formed of 
an electrically insulating material. A tubular insulating member 62 is 
threaded into the first tubular electrode pin 61, and a second tubular 
electrode pin 63 is fitted in this tubular insulating member 62. The first 
and second electrode pins 61 and 63 are in the form of axially split pins 
with spring characteristics. Further, a radial drive pin 64 is provided on 
the inner rotary member 57, which drive pin 64 is abutted against the 
rotation transmission pin 29 on the part of the tail end connector 1c of 
the ultrasound probe 1 when the latter is connected to the coupling 
adaptor 50. By abutting engagement of the drive pin 64 with the rotation 
transmission pin 29, rotation is transmitted from the rotary members of 
the coupling adaptor 50 to the rotational coupler 22 of the tail end 
connector 1c. 
On the other hand, a C-ring 65 is fitted on a proximal end portion of the 
outer rotary member 56, the C-ring 65 being engageable with an annular 
groove 32a around the inner periphery of a coupling portion of an 
increased diameter, which is provided at the outer or front end of the 
rotational shaft 32, for retaining the adaptor 50 securely in a connected 
position relative to the probe control unit 2, precluding the 
possibilities of its dislocations. Further, the distal end portion of the 
outer rotary member 56, on the proximal side of the C-ring, is formed in a 
spline profile for engagement in the inner periphery 32b of an outer end 
portion of the rotational shaft 32 which is formed in a corresponding 
spline profile. Indicated at 67 is a connector member which is fixedly 
provided within the outer rotary member 56. This connector member 67 is 
constituted by an outer tubular cover 68 and an electrode rod 69, each 
formed of an electrically conducting material. An insulating ring 70 is 
interposed between the outer cover 68 and the electrode rod 69 which are 
connected to the first and second tubular electrodes 61 and 63 through 
wires 71 and 72, respectively. Both of the outer cover 68 and electrode 
rod 69 are of an axially split tubular structure. The rotary and 
stationary members may be assembled through a bearing. In this particular 
embodiment, the housing 51 and the outer rotary member 56 are retained in 
small gap relation with each other. 
On the other hand, in case it is desired to connect the ultrasound probe 1 
directly to the probe control unit 2, the coupling portion of the probe 
control unit 2 is arranged substantially in the same manner as the 
coupling portion at the front end of the adaptor 50 on the side of the 
tail end connector of the probe 1. 
With the probe coupler as described above, for the purpose of transmitting 
ultrasound signals of lower frequency and higher power, the ultrasound 
probe 1 can employ the large-size ultrasound transducer element 13 having 
a broader active surface area within the end cap 10 of on the ultrasound 
scanner assembly which is much larger than the inside diameter of the 
biopsy channel 6 of the endoscope 5. Thus, an ultrasound probe of this 
sort can transmit ultrasound signals with greater propulsive energy into a 
body under examination and improve the S/N ratio thanks to its higher 
reception sensitivity to echo signals. In this case, however, the 
ultrasound probe 1 cannot be inserted into the endoscopic biopsy channel 6 
through the entrance 6a since the ultrasound scanner assembly at the nose 
end of the probe 1 is too bulky as compared with the inside diameter of 
the biopsy channel 6. Instead, the ultrasound probe 1 can be placed in the 
endoscopic biopsy channel 6 from the opposite direction through the exit 
opening at the distal end of the endoscopic insertion instrument 5b 
because the tail end connector 1c and the flexible cord 1b are thinner 
than the endoscopic biopsy channel 6. 
More particularly, in a preparatory stage prior to introduction of the 
endoscopic insertion instrument 5b into a body cavity, the ultrasound 
probe 1 is placed in the biopsy channel 6 through the exit opening at the 
distal end of the endoscopic insertion instrument until the tail end 
connector 1c comes out of the biopsy channel 6 through the entrance 
housing 6a on the head grip 5a of the endoscope 5. In this instance, the 
tail end connector 1c is coupled with the ultrasound probe control unit 2 
not directly but through the coupling adaptor 50, so that, the tail end 
connector 1c which has come out through the entrance housing 6a of the 
endoscopic biopsy channel 6 is connected to the coupling adaptor 50 in the 
first place. The connection to the adaptor 50 can be completed simply by 
fitting the electrode pin 28 in the axial hole 52a of the retainer shell 
52. Whereupon, the electrode pin 28 is inserted in the second tubular 
electrode 63 of the socket 58 on the side of the coupling adaptor 50, and 
the rotation transmission pin 29 is brought into engagement with the drive 
pin 64 on the part of the coupling adaptor 50. Simultaneously, the stopper 
screws 53 are urged into engagement with axial grooves on the outer 
periphery of the retainer shell 21. As a consequence, as soon as the 
rotary members of the coupling adaptor 50 are put in rotation, the 
rotation transmission pin 29 is rotated with the drive pin 64 while the 
retainer shell 21 of the ultrasound probe 1 is blocked against rotational 
movements by engagement with the retainer cap 52 of the adaptor 50. 
In assembling the ultrasound probe in this manner, one can hold with one 
hand the coupling connector 50 which is in a free state, so that the tail 
end connector 1c can be connected to the coupling adaptor 50 quite easily 
without possibilities of exerting strong distorting forces on the tail end 
connector 1c of a small diameter. Besides, the tail end connector 1c which 
is relatively thin and fragile is completely surrounded and protected by 
the coupling adaptor 50 of high strength. 
At the time of an ultrasound examination, the coupling adaptor 50 is 
connected to the probe control unit 2 as shown particularly in FIG. 8. 
Although the probe control unit 2 is mounted on the support arm 8 which is 
movable, the connector could be subjected to various forces from various 
directions. However, when connecting the ultrasound probe 1 to the probe 
control unit 2, the coupling adaptor 50 functions to protect the tail end 
connector 1c, which is the most fragile part of the coupling mechanism, 
because it is the adaptor 50 itself that is directly connected to the 
probe control unit 2. Upon coupling the outer rotary member 56 and housing 
51 of the adaptor 50 respectively with the rotational shaft 32 and 
connection housing 47 on the casing 31 of the probe control unit 2, the 
connector member 67 is connected to the electrode member 40 on the part of 
the probe control unit 2. As a consequence, rotation of the rotational 
shaft 32 is transmitted to the rotational coupler 22 of the ultrasound 
probe 1 through the outer and inner rotary members 56 and 57 of the 
adaptor 50, and further to the flexible shaft 17 which is coupled with the 
rotational coupler 22. The signal lines 20a and 20b of the coaxial cable 
20, which are connected to the ultrasound transducer element 13, are 
electrically connected to the first and second tubular electrodes 61 and 
63 of the socket 58 of the adaptor 50 through the electrode pin 28 and 
transmission pin 29, to the inner and outer sleeves 41 and 42 of the 
electrode member 40 on the part of the probe control unit 2 through the 
wires 71 and 72 and to the ultrasound image observation terminal 3 through 
the rotary connector 45 and cable 9. 
Accordingly, as the electric motor 36 is actuated, its rotation is 
transmitted through the flexible shaft 17 to the rotary member 14 at the 
distal end of the ultrasound probe 1 to rotate the ultrasound transducer 
element 13 which is mounted on the rotary member 14. Simultaneously, on 
the basis of angular position signals from the encoder 38, drive pules are 
applied to the ultrasound transducer element 13 to transmit ultrasound 
pulses at predetermined angular intervals, while receiving return echoes. 
The received return echo signals are transferred to the ultrasound image 
observation terminal 3 and processed to generate ultrasound images for 
display on the monitor screen 4. In doing so, the S/N ratio can be 
improved significantly thanks to the use of a large-size ultrasound 
transducer element 13 with a broad active surface area and high ultrasound 
output power. As a result, one can observe sharp and clear ultrasound 
images on the monitor screen 4. 
In transmitting rotation from the probe control unit 2 to the flexible 
shaft 17 through the coupling adaptor 50 as described above, it is the 
rotational coupler 22, which is connected to the flexible shaft 17, that 
the rotation is transmitted directly from the adaptor 50. More 
specifically, at the rotational coupler 22 which is fitted in the retainer 
cylindrical shell 21 of rigid material, rotation is transmitted to the 
flexible shaft 17 by the transmission pin 29 which is provided outside the 
retainer shell 21 to couple with the drive pin 64 which is provided on the 
hollow rotary member 57 of the adaptor 50. Therefore, rotation can be 
transmitted without slips to preclude deviations of actual rotational 
position of the ultrasound transducer element: 13 from the position 
detected by the encoder 38 which is connected to the rotational shaft 32 
of the probe control unit 2. Further, the transmission pin 29, which is 
formed of a rigid metallic material and planted on the third rotary ring 
25 of a similar metallic material, is extremely high in strength to 
preclude damages by the rotational driving force of the drive pin 64, not 
to mention the third rotary ring 25 on which transmission pin 29 is 
planted. 
Ultrasound signals are attenuated to a great degree if air intervenes 
between the ultrasound transducer element 13 and an opposing intracavitary 
wall. Therefore, it becomes necessary to supply deaerated water to a gap 
space between the end cap 10 and the intracavitary wall. Deaerated water 
is supplied either directly into a body cavity or indirectly into a 
balloon which is inflatable upon introduction of deaerated water. On the 
other hand, the end cap 10 is filled with an ultrasound transmitting 
medium. In this regard, it is desirable to use liquid paraffin which also 
has lubricative properties, and to fill liquid paraffin not only in the 
end cap but also in the outer tube 16 of the probe 1 for the purpose of 
ensuring smooth rotations of the flexible shaft 17. For this purpose, it 
is necessary to fill liquid paraffin in the entire inner spaces of the end 
cap 10 and outer tube 16 in an assembling stage of the ultrasound probe 1. 
Difficulties are normally encountered, however, in replacing the entire 
inner spaces completely with liquid paraffin as long as the flexible shaft 
17 is fitted in the outer tube 16. Therefore, the ultrasound probe 1 needs 
to be disassembled and immersed in an ultrasound transmitting medium 
within a vacuum filtration vessel. Namely, after immersing disassembled 
parts of the ultrasound probe 1 in an ultrasound transmitting medium, the 
inside of the immersion vessel is maintained at vacuum pressure to let the 
ultrasound transmitting medium infiltrate not only into the inner spaces 
of the end cap 10 and outer tube 16 but into gap spaces or interstices in 
the flexible shaft 17 and its joint portions with the cylindrical rotary 
member 18 or with the rotational coupler 22. 
In order to disassemble the ultrasound probe 1, the end cap 10 is separated 
from the connecting member 11 in the first place as shown in FIG. 9. In 
the next place, the transmission pin 28 is removed from the third rotary 
ring 25 of the rotational coupler 22 to dismantle the spacer ring 30. In 
this state, the rotary member 14 is pulled out along with the ultrasound 
transducer element 13 to extract the flexible shaft 17 and rotational 
coupler 22, which are connected to the rotary member 14 out of the tube 
16. Accordingly, once the end cap 10 is removed, the outer tube 16 which 
constitutes a major stationary part of the probe 1 can be completely 
separated from other rotary or rotational parts such as the rotary member 
14 with the ultrasound transducer element 13, flexible shaft 17 and 
rotational coupler 22. 
After separating the rotational and stationary parts in this manner, the 
ultrasound probe 1 as a whole is immersed in an ultrasound transmitting 
medium within a vacuum infiltration vessel thereby to infiltrate the 
ultrasound transmitting medium into the entire internal spaces or 
interstices of the respective component parts of the probe 1. After 
infiltration, the vessel is opened and the ultrasound probe 1 is assembled 
in the immersed state. More specifically, in the immersed assembling, the 
rotational coupler 22 of the tail end connector 1c is introduced into the 
outer tube 16 from the side of the connecting member 11 until it is 
projected out of the retainer shell 21 over a suitable length. Then, after 
fitting the spacer ring 30 in position, the transmission pin 29 is 
threaded into the third rotary ring 25, and the end cap 10 is threaded on 
the connecting member 11. By assembling the ultrasound probe 1 in this 
manner, air in the entire internal spaces or interstices of the probe can 
be completely replaced by the ultrasound transmitting medium. Besides, 
once the transmission pin 29 is mounted in position, it functions as a 
stopper preventing the flexible shaft 17 from moving spontaneously in the 
axial direction. Therefore, the flexible shaft 17 can be maintained in a 
suitably tensioned state for restraining spontaneous movements of the 
ultrasound transducer element 13 within the end cap 10 even when the 
flexible cord 1b is flexed into a bent form along a path of insertion. 
When the ultrasound probe 1 is in the assembled state, the end cap 10 is 
threaded on the connecting member 11. The threaded portion can be cemented 
by the use of an adhesive to prevent the end cap 10 from coming off the 
connecting member 11. However, it is desirable for the end cap 10 to be 
removable to permit refilling of the ultrasound transmitting medium in the 
event of contamination or leakage. On such an occasion, the end cap 10 is 
unscrewed and removed, and then the transmission pin 29 is similarly 
unscrewed and removed from the third rotary ring 25 of the rotational 
coupler 22. At this time, the transmission pin 29 which is simply threaded 
into the third rotary ring 25 can be removed quite easily. Upon removal of 
the transmission pin 29, the flexible shaft 17 and rotational coupler 22 
can be extracted out of the tube 16 by pulling out the rotary member 14 
along with the ultrasound transducer element 13. For refilling the 
ultrasound transmitting medium, the ultrasound probe 1 is immersed in the 
disassembled state again in the ultrasound transmitting medium within a 
vacuum infiltration vessel as described above. 
There may arise a necessity for disassembling the ultrasound probe 1 not 
only at the time of filling or refilling an ultrasound transmitting medium 
in the probe in a sealed state as described above but also for a repair 
job or for maintenance and service. In doing so, difficulties are 
experienced in disassembling the component parts on the rotating side, 
which are mostly surrounded by the component parts on the stationary side 
in an unaccessible manner. Therefore, in maintenance and service, for 
example, the rotary member 14 with the ultrasound transducer element 13 as 
well as the flexible shaft 17 and rotational coupler 22 or other component 
parts on the rotating side are easily separable from the component parts 
on the stationary side including the end cap 10 and outer tube 16. 
According to the present invention, maintenance and service for the 
ultrasound probe can be performed in an extremely facilitated manner, 
thanks to the provision of the end cap 10 which is removable from the 
connecting member 11, in combination with the rotational coupler 22 which 
is normally retained in position within the retainer shell 21 by the 
transmission pin 29 but can be extracted through the retainer shell 21 and 
the outer tube 16 upon removing the transmission pin 29.