Abstract:
A puncture needle device detachably attached to an ultrasonic endoscope via a pipe sleeve including a non-circular collar, including a cylindrical connecting body into which the pipe sleeve is inserted, the cylindrical connecting body including an insertion limit portion which contacts the pipe sleeve to prevent it from being further inserted, and a non-circular collar receiving hole engaged with the collar and irrotatable relative thereto when the pipe sleeve is inserted; a sheath projecting from the cylindrical connecting body and inserted into an internal conduit of the ultrasonic endoscope; a puncture needle inserted into the sheath; and a lock member supported by the cylindrical connecting body and movable between an unlocked position allowing the pipe sleeve to insert and remove from the cylindrical connecting body, and a locked position wherein the lock member contacts the collar of the pipe sleeve to prevent it from removing from the cylindrical connecting body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a puncture needle device for ultrasonic endoscope which is used while being inserted into an internal conduit of an ultrasonic endoscope. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    An ultrasonic endoscope with a pipe sleeve projecting from a control body of the ultrasonic endoscope, and a puncture needle device detachably attached to the pipe sleeve are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2005-137814. 
         [0005]    This puncture needle device includes a cylindrical connecting body of the puncture needle device, a sheath which projects outwardly through an internal space of the cylindrical connecting body, and a puncture needle which is inserted into the sheath to be movable therein. 
         [0006]    When the puncture needle device is used, an end of a cylindrical forceps plug, made of an elastic material such as rubber, is mounted to the pipe sleeve with the aid of the elasticity of the elastic material, and an end of the cylindrical connecting body of the puncture needle device is connected to the other end of the forceps plug with the aid of the elasticity of the forceps plug. Thereupon, the sheath (and the puncture needle) enters an internal conduit of the ultrasonic endoscope through the inside of the pipe sleeve, and the distal end of the sheath (and the distal end of the puncture needle) projects outwardly from a portion of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope in the vicinity of the distal end thereof. 
         [0007]    In order for the operator to precisely manipulate the puncture needle device connected to the ultrasonic endoscope, tilting and rotation of the cylindrical connecting body of the puncture needle device relative to the pipe sleeve needs to be limited as much as possible. 
         [0008]    However, in above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2005-137814, the puncture needle device tilts relative to the pipe sleeve (ultrasonic endoscope) of the ultrasonic endoscope when connected thereto via the forceps plug because the forceps plug disclosed therein is made of an elastic material. 
         [0009]    In addition, attempts have been made to limit the rotation of the puncture needle device relative to the pipe sleeve about the central axis thereof by using frictional resistance produced between the forceps plug and each of the puncture needle device and the pipe sleeve. However, if a large torque is exerted on the puncture needle device, the puncture needle device cannot stand against this large torque solely by the aforementioned frictional resistance, thus the puncture needle device freely rotates about the central axis thereof. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a puncture needle device for ultrasonic endoscope, wherein tilting and rotation of the puncture needle device relative to the pipe sleeve of the ultrasonic endoscope can be limited as much as possible, even though the puncture needle device is simple in structure. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a puncture needle device is provided, detachably attached to an ultrasonic endoscope via a pipe sleeve which projects from the ultrasonic endoscope, the pipe sleeve including a non-circular-shaped collar, the puncture needle device including a cylindrical connecting body into which the pipe sleeve is inserted when the puncture needle device is attached to the ultrasonic endoscope, the cylindrical connecting body including an insertion limit portion which comes in contact with the pipe sleeve to prevent the pipe sleeve from being further inserted into the cylindrical connecting body when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to a predetermined position in an internal space of the cylindrical connecting body; and a non-circular-shaped collar receiving hole which is engaged with the collar and irrotatable relative to the collar when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position; a flexible sheath which projects outwardly from the cylindrical connecting body through the internal space thereof and is inserted into an internal conduit of the ultrasonic endoscope through the inside of the pipe sleeve when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical connecting body; a puncture needle inserted into the sheath to be movable therein; and a lock member supported by the cylindrical connecting body to be movable between an unlocked position that allows the pipe sleeve to be inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position and to be removed from the cylindrical connecting body, and a locked position wherein the lock member contacts the collar of the pipe sleeve, that is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position, to thereby prevent the collar from moving in a removal direction from the cylindrical connecting body. 
         [0012]    According to this structure, even though the puncture needle device is simple in structure, the puncture needle device can be totally prevented from moving relative to the pipe sleeve (ultrasonic endoscope) in the axial direction thereof if the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to a predetermined position, in an internal space thereof, with the lock member being positioned in the unlocked position, and subsequently, the lock member is moved to the locked position. 
         [0013]    Moreover, the puncture needle device can be totally prevented from rotating about the axis of the pipe sleeve since the non-circular-shaped collar that projects from the pipe sleeve is engaged with the collar receiving hole, which is formed on the cylindrical connecting body, so as to be irrotatable relative to the collar receiving hole. 
         [0014]    Hence, the operator can precisely manipulate the puncture needle device connected to an ultrasonic endoscope. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the ultrasonic endoscope and the puncture needle device can be securely prevented from rotating relative to each other if the collar receiving hole and the collar are made to be mutually the same in shape. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, a puncture needle device is provided, detachably attached to an ultrasonic endoscope via a pipe sleeve which projects from the ultrasonic endoscope, the pipe sleeve including a collar, the puncture needle device including a cylindrical connecting body into which the pipe sleeve is inserted when the puncture needle device is attached to the ultrasonic endoscope, the cylindrical connecting body including an insertion limit portion which comes in contact with the pipe sleeve to prevent the pipe sleeve from being further inserted into the cylindrical connecting body when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to a predetermined position in an internal space of the cylindrical connecting body; and a collar receiving hole which limits a range of rotation of the collar relative to the collar receiving hole about an axis of the pipe sleeve to a predetermined rotational angle range when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position; a flexible sheath which projects outwardly from the cylindrical connecting body through the internal space thereof and is inserted into an internal conduit of the ultrasonic endoscope through the inside of the pipe sleeve when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the internal space of the cylindrical connecting body; a puncture needle inserted into the sheath to be movable therein; and a lock member supported by the cylindrical connecting body to be movable between an unlocked position that allows the pipe sleeve to be inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position and to be removed from the cylindrical connecting body, and a locked position at which the lock member contacts the collar on an opposite side thereof from the insertion limit portion to thereby prevent the pipe sleeve from moving in a removal direction from the cylindrical connecting body at any rotational position of said collar within the predetermined rotational angle range when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position. 
         [0017]    According to this structure, the puncture needle device can be totally prevented from moving relative to the pipe sleeve (ultrasonic endoscope) in the axial direction thereof if the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to a predetermined position, in an internal space thereof, with the lock member being positioned in the unlocked position, and subsequently the lock member is moved to the locked position. 
         [0018]    Additionally, the range of rotation of the puncture needle device relative to the pipe sleeve about the axis thereof can be limited to a predetermined rotational angle by engaging the pipe sleeve into the collar receiving hole. 
         [0019]    In this manner, the puncture needle device can be fully prevented from moving relative to the pipe sleeve in the axial direction thereof; moreover, the range of rotation of the puncture needle device relative to the pipe sleeve about the axis thereof can be limited to a predetermined range, which makes it possible for the operator to precisely manipulate the puncture needle device connected to an ultrasonic endoscope. 
         [0020]    It is desirable for a biaser to be provided, positioned between the lock member and the cylindrical connecting body, for biasing the lock member to move toward the locked position. Accordingly, the lock member automatically moves to the locked position upon the puncture needle device being mounted to the pipe sleeve, which yields an improvement in connection operability of the puncture needle device. Moreover, the puncture needle device can be prevented from coming off the pipe sleeve when the operator (user) forgets to move the lock member to the locked position. 
         [0021]    In addition, even in the case where an external force urging the lock member to move toward the unlocked position is unexpectedly applied to the lock member, the lock member can be held in the locked position, so that the locked state of the puncture needle device by the lock member is effectively prevented from being unexpectedly released. 
         [0022]    It is desirable for the pipe sleeve to include a flange which projects from an outer periphery of the pipe sleeve to lie in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis of the pipe sleeve, wherein the flange is provided closer to a body of the ultrasonic endoscope than the collar and comes into contact with the insertion limit portion when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position, and for the insertion limit portion to include a surface on the cylindrical connecting body which lies in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis of the cylindrical connecting body. Accordingly, the cylindrical connecting body can be prevented from tilting relative to the pipe sleeve; moreover, a force preventing the cylindrical connecting body and the pipe sleeve from moving relative to each other in the axial direction of the pipe sleeve is enhanced. 
         [0023]    It is desirable for the pipe sleeve to include a flange which projects from an outer periphery of the pipe sleeve to lie in a plane substantially orthogonal to an axis of the pipe sleeve, wherein the flange is provided closer to a body of the ultrasonic endoscope than the collar and comes into contact with the insertion limit portion when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position, and for the insertion limit portion to be an elastic member made of an elastic material. Accordingly, a clearance is not easily created between the flange of the pipe sleeve and the insertion limit portion (elastic insertion limit portion) of the cylindrical connecting body, so that the puncture needle device can be prevented from rattling relative to the pipe sleeve in an efficient manner. 
         [0024]    It is desirable for the flange to include an annular flange, and for the cylindrical connecting body to include an annular surface with which a periphery of the annular flange comes in contact when the pipe sleeve is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body to the predetermined position. Accordingly, a force preventing the cylindrical connecting body from tilting relative to the pipe sleeve is further enhanced. 
         [0025]    It is desirable for the lock member to include at least one control knob positioned outside the cylindrical connecting body. Accordingly, the operability of the puncture needle device is improved since the operator can easily operate the lock member while holding the control knob that is positioned outside the cylindrical connecting body. 
         [0026]    It is desirable for the lock member to extend through the cylindrical connecting body, and for two control knobs to be fixed at opposite ends of the lock member, respectively. Accordingly, the operability of the puncture needle device is further improved. 
         [0027]    It is desirable for a surface in the collar receiving hole to be a metal surface. Accordingly, the surface in the collar receiving hole does not easily wear (the possibility of wear is reduced) even if the pipe sleeve slides on the surface in the collar receiving hole. 
         [0028]    It is desirable for the surface in the collar receiving hole and the pipe sleeve to be made of a same metallic material. Accordingly, the abrasion resistance of the surface in the collar receiving hole can further be improved, and hence, further reducing the possibility of wear. 
         [0029]    It is desirable for the biaser to include at least one compression spring. 
         [0030]    It is desirable for the elastic member to be an elastic washer. 
         [0031]    It is desirable for the shape of the collar to be defined by a circular collar having radially opposite ends thereof cut off. 
         [0032]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2009-050403 (filed on Mar. 4, 2009), 2009-105438 (filed on Apr. 23, 2009), and 2010-000095 (filed on Jan. 4, 2010) which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of an ultrasonic endoscope and a puncture needle device according to the present invention, showing a state where the puncture needle device is connected to the ultrasonic endoscope with the control portion of the puncture needle device being fully contracted; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the puncture needle device in a state where the control portion thereof is extended from the fully-contracted state; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pipe sleeve of the ultrasonic endoscope; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the pipe sleeve; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cylindrical connecting body of the puncture needle device; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the cylindrical connecting body; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along the line VII-VII shown in  FIG. 6  and viewed in the direction of the appended arrows; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII shown in  FIG. 1  and viewed in the direction of the appended arrows in a state where a lock member of the puncture needle device is in the locked position preventing the puncture needle device from being detached from the ultrasonic endoscope; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8  in a state where the lock member of the puncture needle device is in an unlocked position allowing the puncture needle device to be attached and detached to and from the ultrasonic endoscope; 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along the line X-X shown in  FIG. 1  and viewed in the direction of the appended arrows in a state where the lock member is in the locked position; 
           [0044]      FIG. 11  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10  in a state where the lock member is in the unlocked position; 
           [0045]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the puncture needle device in a state where the control portion thereof is in the fully-contracted state; 
           [0046]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8 , showing a state where the lock member of the puncture needle device shown in  FIG. 12  is in the locked position; 
           [0047]      FIG. 14  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , showing a state where the lock member of the puncture needle device shown in  FIG. 12  is in the unlocked position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10 , showing a state where the lock member is in the locked position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 16  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 11 , showing a state where the lock member is in the unlocked position; 
           [0050]      FIG. 17  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 13 , showing a state where the lock member of a third embodiment of the puncture needle device is in the locked position, taken along the line VIII-VIII shown in  FIG. 1  and viewed in the direction opposite to the direction of the appended arrows; 
           [0051]      FIG. 18  is a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 17 , showing a state where the third embodiment of the puncture needle device has rotated relative to the pipe sleeve with the lock member of the puncture needle device remaining in the locked position; 
           [0052]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a reinforcing member provided as an element of a first modified embodiment of the puncture needle device; 
           [0053]      FIG. 20  is a side elevational view of the reinforcing member shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 21  is a front elevational view of the reinforcing member shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 22  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8 , showing a state where the lock member of the first modified embodiment of the puncture needle device is in the locked position; 
           [0056]      FIG. 23  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , showing a state where the lock member of the first modified embodiment of the puncture needle device is in the unlocked position; 
           [0057]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a reinforcing member provided as an element of a second modified embodiment of the puncture needle device; 
           [0058]      FIG. 25  is a front elevational view of the reinforcing member shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 26  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 8 , showing a state where the lock member of the second modified embodiment of the puncture needle device is in the locked position; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 27  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , showing a state where the lock member of the second modified embodiment of the puncture needle device is in the unlocked position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0061]    A first embodiment of a puncture needle device for ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention will be hereinafter discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 11 . In the following descriptions, the distal-end side of an insertion portion  13  is defined as the front side of an ultrasonic endoscope  10  and a control body  11  side is defined as the rear side of an ultrasonic endoscope  10 . Additionally, in a puncture needle device  30 , the tip of a puncture needle (centesis needle)  51  is defined as the front side of the puncture needle device  30  and a stylet support cap  55  side is defined as the rear side of the puncture needle device  30 . 
         [0062]    Firstly, the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope  10  to which the puncture needle device  30  can be detachably attached will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0063]    The ultrasonic endoscope  10  is provided with the control body  11 , the insertion portion  13 , a light guide tube (not shown) and an ultrasonic image transmission tube (not shown). The insertion portion  13  extends forward from the control body  11  and is provided at the front end with an ultrasonic probe  12 . Both the light guide tube and the ultrasonic image transmission tube extend from the control body  11  in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the insertion portion  13 . The light guide tube is provided at a rear end thereof with a connector (light source connector) for connection to a light source (not shown), and the ultrasonic image transmission tube is provided at a rear end thereof with a connector (ultrasonic image connector) for connection to an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment (not shown). The insertion portion  13  is provided in the vicinity of the distal end (front end) thereof with a bending portion (bendable portion)  14  which bends in the upward/downward direction by operating a bending control lever  15  provided on the control body  11 . The control body  11  is provided with a treatment tool insertion protrusion  16  which protrudes outwardly from a front part of the control body  11 , and is further provided with a pipe sleeve  17  which projects obliquely rearwards from a rear end surface of the treatment tool insertion protrusion  16 . The pipe sleeve  17  is in the shape of a substantially hollow cylinder, and both ends of the pipe sleeve  17  are formed as open ends. The pipe sleeve  17  is made of an austenitic stainless steel (more specifically, JIS (Japan Industrial Standard) SUS304). As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and others, the pipe sleeve  17  is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof in the vicinity of the outer end of the pipe sleeve  17 , with a non-circular-shaped collar  18  which is formed integral with the pipe sleeve  17  to project radially outwards from the pipe sleeve  17 . The collar  18  is formed in such a manner so as to have cut-off opposite end portions of an imaginary circular collar along a pair of circular arcs (the lengths thereof are mutually identical) symmetrically positioned with respect to the center of the imaginary circular collar. In addition, the pipe sleeve  17  is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at a position different from the position of the collar  18  in the axial direction of the pipe sleeve  17 , with an annular flange (flange)  19  in the shape of a circular ring as viewed from the front. The outer diameter of the annular flange  19  is slightly greater than the longitudinal size (length) of the collar  18  (the diameter of the aforementioned imaginary circular collar), and the annular flange  19  (and the surface thereof which faces the collar  18 ) lies in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the pipe sleeve  17 . In addition, the control body  11  and the insertion portion  13  are provided therethrough with an internal conduit  20  (shown by a broken line in  FIG. 1 ), the rear end of which is connected to the pipe sleeve  17 . The front end of the internal conduit  20  is connected to a treatment tool opening  21  which is formed in the insertion portion  13  at a position immediately behind the ultrasonic probe  12 . 
         [0064]    The ultrasonic image connector of the ultrasonic image transmission tube is connected to the aforementioned ultrasonic diagnostic equipment (not shown), the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is connected to a CRT monitor (not shown), and the ultrasonic probe  12  is covered with a rubber balloon (not shown). Thereafter, upon an ultrasonic image visualization switch of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment being turned ON, an ultrasonic wave is sent out from the surface of the ultrasonic probe  12  toward an test object (not shown), and the ultrasonic wave reflected by a surface of the test object to be incident on the ultrasonic probe  12  is received by the ultrasonic probe  12 . An ultrasonic wave signal transmission cable (not shown) via which the ultrasonic probe  12  and the ultrasonic image connector are connected is inserted into the insertion portion  13 , the control body  11  and the ultrasonic image transmission tube so that the ultrasonic wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe  12  is electrically processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and displayed on the CRT monitor. 
         [0065]    The structure of the puncture needle device  30  will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0066]    The puncture needle device  30  is provided with a cylindrical connecting body  31  which is in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder and made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate), Noryl, or the like, which are resin materials sterilizable by EOG). A slider support hole  32  is formed through the cylindrical connecting body  31  except a front internal portion thereof. A female screw hole  33 , through which the slider support hole  32  and the outer space of the cylindrical connecting body  31  are communicatively connected to each other, is formed as a through-hole in a rear portion of the cylindrical connecting body  31  (see  FIG. 7 ). The front end of the slider support hole  32  is communicatively connected with an intermediate circular hole  34  which is formed in the cylindrical connecting body  31  immediately in front of the front end of the slider support hole  32 . The intermediate circular hole  34  is smaller in diameter than the slider support hole  32  and coaxial with the slider support hole  32 . The cylindrical connecting body  31  is provided at the front end thereof with an anti-tilt recess  35  which is recessed to have the same cross sectional shape as the annular flange  19  of the pipe sleeve. A collar receiving hole  36  is formed in the cylindrical connecting body  31  between the intermediate circular hole  34  and the anti-tilt recess  35  and is coaxial with the intermediate circular hole  34  and the anti-tilt recess  35 . The collar receiving hole  36  has the same front elevational shape as that of the collar  18  of the pipe sleeve  17 , and is non-circular in shape and smaller in size than each of the intermediate circular hole  34  and the anti-tilt recess  35 . The bottom surface (rear surface) in the anti-tilt recess  35  is formed as an insertion limit surface (insertion limit portion)  37  which lies in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical connecting body  31 . The cylindrical connecting body  31  is provided in a front portion thereof with a pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B that are parallel to each other and extend through the front portion in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical connecting body  31 . 
         [0067]    The puncture needle device  30  is provided with a first slider  40  which is cylindrical in shape and made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate) or the like). The first slider  40  is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body  31  from the rear end opening thereof to be freely slidable. Both ends (front and rear ends) of the first slider  40  are open ends which are substantially identical in outer diameter to the diameter of the slider support hole  32 . The puncture needle device  30  is provided at the rear end of the first slider  40  with a first stopper  41 . The first stopper  41  is made of a hard resin, greater in diameter than the slider support hole  32  and fixed to the rear end of the first slider  40 . Therefore, the first slider  40  is slidable between a fully-plunged position, at which the first stopper  41  comes in contact with the rear end surface of the cylindrical connecting body  31 , and a fully-withdrawn position, at which the first slider  40  is prevented from being further withdrawn rearward by a stopper (not shown). In addition, a first fixing screw  43  is inserted (screwed) into the female screw hole  33 , and the position of the first slider  40  relative to the cylindrical connecting body  31  can be fixed by the end surface (inner end surface) of the shaft (threaded shaft) of the first fixing screw being pressed against (screwed against) an outer peripheral surface of the first slider  40 . The puncture needle device  30  is provided with a flexible sheath  44 , both ends of which are open, which is made of a flexible material such as resin. The sheath  44  is fixed at the rear end thereof to an inner surface of the first stopper  41  to be concentric with the first slider  40 . The front of the sheath  44  passes through the slider support hole  32 , the intermediate circular hole  34 , the collar receiving hole  36  and the anti-tilt recess  35  to project outwardly therefrom, toward the front of the cylindrical connecting body  31 . Accordingly, the amount of projection of the sheath  44  from the cylindrical connecting body  31  can be adjusted by changing the slide position of the first slider  40  and the first stopper  41  relative to the cylindrical connecting body  31 . 
         [0068]    The puncture needle device  30  is provided with a second slider  45 , which is cylindrical in shape and made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate) or the like), is inserted into the first slider  40  from the rear end opening thereof to be freely slidable therein. The outer diameter of the second slider  45  is smaller than the inner diameter of the first slider  40 . Both ends (front and rear ends) of the second slider  45  are open ends, and a rear end fixed member  46  made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate), Noryl or the like) is fixed to the rear end of the second slider  45 . The rear end fixed member  46  is formed so that a rear part is smaller in diameter than a front part, and is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the rear part with a male thread. In addition, the puncture needle device  30  is provided around an outer peripheral surface of the second slider  45  with a second stopper  48 . The second stopper  48  is made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate) or the like) and fitted on the second slider  45  to be freely slidable thereon. The second stopper  48  is provided with a female through-hole (not shown) which extends in a radial direction of the second stopper  48 , and a second fixing screw  49  similar to the first fixing screw  43  is inserted (screwed) into this female screw hole. Accordingly, the slide position of the second stopper  48  relative to the second slider  45  can be fixed by the end surface (inner end surface) of the shaft (threaded shaft) of the second fixing screw being pressed against (screwed against) an outer peripheral surface of the second slider  45 . The second slider  45  and the rear end fixed member  46  are slidable relative to the first slider  40  and the first stopper  41  between a plunged position, at which the second stopper  48  comes in contact with the rear end surface of the first stopper  41 , and a fully-withdrawn position, in which the second slider  45  is prevented from being further withdrawn rearward with respect to the first slider  40  and the first stopper  41  by a stopper (not shown). In addition, the plunged position of the second slider  45  and the rear end fixed member  46  can be adjusted by adjusting the slide position of the second stopper  48  relative to the second slider  45 . The puncture needle device  30  is provided with a puncture needle (centesis needle)  51  made of resilient metal and is formed as a hollow member, and the rear open end of the puncture needle  51  is fixed to an inner surface of the rear end fixed member  46  to be concentric therewith. The front (tip) of the puncture needle  51  passes through the inside of the sheath  44  to project outwardly therefrom, toward the front, and the puncture needle  51  is provided in the vicinity of the front end thereof with an opening  52 . Accordingly, the amount of projection of the front end of the puncture needle  51  from the sheath  44  can be adjusted by changing the slide position of the second slider  45  (the rear end fixed member  46 ) relative to the first slider  40 . 
         [0069]    In addition, the female screw thread formed on an inner peripheral surface of the stylet support cap  55 , that is cylindrical in shape and made of a hard resin (e.g., POM or the like), is disengageably screw-engaged with the aforementioned male thread that is formed in the rear of the rear end fixed member  46 . The rear end of a stylet  56  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) made as a resilient member is fixed to the stylet support cap  55 . The stylet  56  is inserted into the internal space of the puncture needle  51  from the rear end opening thereof to be relatively movable therein. 
         [0070]    The puncture needle device  30  is provided with a lock member  60  mounted to the front of the cylindrical connecting body  31  through the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B. 
         [0071]    The lock member  60  is generally a rod-like member consisting of a pair of slide members  61  and two control knobs  66  and  68 . The pair of slide members  61  pass (extend) through the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B, respectively, and are made of metal such as brass or SUS (stainless used steel). The two control knobs  66  and  68  are each made of a hard resin such as PC (polycarbonate). The common ends on one side of the pair of slide members  61  are connected to each other by the control knob  66  and the common ends on the other side of the pair of slide members  61  are connected to each other by the control knob  68 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each slide member  61  of the lock member  60  is provided with a stopper portion  62  and a passage allowing portion  63  that is smaller (narrower) in cross section than the stopper portion  62 . The stopper portion  62  of one slide member  61  (the upper slide member  61  with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the through-hole  38 A and the stopper portion  62  of the other slide member  61  (the lower slide member  61  with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as that of the through-hole  38 B. The passage allowing portion  63  of one slide member  61  (the upper slide member  61  with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) has a smaller cross-sectional size than the through-hole  38 A, and the passage allowing portion  63  of the other slide member  61  (the lower slide member  61  with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) has a smaller cross-sectional size than the through-hole  38 B. Each slide member  61  is provided at an outer end of the stopper portion  62  with an engaging projection  64  smaller in width than the stopper portion  62  and is provided at an outer end of the passage allowing portion  63  with an engaging projection  65  smaller in width than the passage allowing portion  63 . The control knob  66  is provided with a pair of mounting holes  67  in which the engaging projections  64  of the pair of slide members  61  are disengageably engaged, respectively, and the control knob  68  is provided with a pair of mounting holes  69  in which the engaging projections  65  of the pair of slide members  61  are disengageably engaged, respectively. 
         [0073]    When the lock member  60  is mounted (assembled) onto the cylindrical connecting body  31 , the passage allowing portions  63  and the engaging projections  65  of the pair of slide members  61  are inserted into the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B, respectively, with the engaging projections  64  of the pair of slide members  61  being engaged in the mounting holes  67  of the control knob  66 , respectively. Subsequently, the engaging projections  65  of the pair of slide members  61  are fitted into the pair of mounting holes  69  of the control knob  68  after being made to project outward from the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B, respectively. Therefore, since the lock member  60  is composed of the pair of slide members  61  and the two control knobs  66  and thus having simple structure, the number of elements of the lock member  60  is small and the lock member  60  can be mounted to the cylindrical connecting body  31  in an easy manner. Moreover, the lock member  60  can be easily disassembled in the reverse procedure to the above-described procedure of assembling the lock member  60 . 
         [0074]    The mounting/dismounting procedure (assembling/disassembling procedure) of the puncture needle device  30  to and from the pipe sleeve  17  and the operating procedure of the puncture needle device  30  will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0075]    When the puncture needle device  30  (separated from the ultrasonic endoscope  10 ) is mounted onto the pipe sleeve  17 , firstly the lock member  60  is moved to the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  by pressing the control knob  68  toward the control knob  66  side with respect to the cylindrical connecting body  31 . Subsequently, after the cylindrical connecting body  31  is positioned coaxially with the pipe sleeve  17  while the orientation of the collar receiving hole  36  of the cylindrical connecting body  31  is made to correspond to the orientation of the pipe sleeve  17  and the collar  18 , the anti-tilt recess  35  of the cylindrical connecting body  31  is brought close to the pipe sleeve  17  to engage onto the collar  18  of the pipe sleeve  17 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the distance between the passage allowing portions  63  of the pair of slide members  61  is greater than the dimensions of the collar receiving hole  36  and the collar  18  in the same direction (the vertical direction with respect to  FIG. 9 ). Accordingly, inserting the pipe sleeve  17  into the cylindrical connecting body  31  to a predetermined position therein by further bringing the cylindrical connecting body  31  close to the pipe sleeve  17  side causes the collar  18  to be engaged in the collar receiving hole  36  through the space between the passage allowing portions  63  of the pair of slide members  61 , and causes a peripheral surface of the annular flange  19  of the pipe sleeve  17  to come in surface contact with a ring-shaped inner peripheral surface in the anti-tilt recess  35 , and also causes a surface of the annular flange  19  on the collar  18  side to come in surface contact with the insertion limit surface  37  (see  FIGS. 9 and 11 ). In this state, moving the lock member  60  to the locked position shown in  FIG. 8  by pushing the control knob  66  into the cylindrical connecting body  31  toward the other control knob  68  causes each of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  to come in contact with a surface of the collar  18  on the annular flange  19  side (see  FIGS. 8 and 10 ). 
         [0076]    Once the lock member  60  is positioned as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the cylindrical connecting body  31  is prevented from moving in a dismounting direction relative to the pipe sleeve  17  (i.e., from moving in a direction toward the stylet support cap  55 ) by engagement of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of the pair of slide members  61  with the collar  18 , and is prevented from further moving in an inserting direction relative to the pipe sleeve  17  (i.e., from moving in a direction toward the distal ends of the sheath  44  and the puncture needle  51 ) by engagement of the annular flange  19  with the insertion limit surface  37 . Accordingly, the cylindrical connecting body  31  is totally prevented from moving relative to the pipe sleeve  17  in the axial direction thereof. Moreover, the cylindrical connecting body  31  is totally prevented from rotating relative to the pipe sleeve  17  about the axis thereof since the collar  18  and the collar receiving hole  36 , which are mutually identical in shape and both non-circular in shape, are engaged with each other. Furthermore, since the annular flange  19 , which is formed on the pipe sleeve  17  at a position different from the position of the collar  18  in the axial direction of the pipe sleeve  17 , is brought into surface contact with the insertion limit surface  37  while a peripheral surface of the annular flange  19  is made in surface contact with an inner peripheral surface in the anti-tilt recess  35 , the cylindrical connecting body  31  is also totally prevented from tilting relative to the pipe sleeve  17 . 
         [0077]    In this manner, the puncture needle device  30  is fully prevented from moving relative to the pipe sleeve  17  (the ultrasonic endoscope  10 ), and the operator can manipulate the puncture needle device  30  connected to the ultrasonic endoscope  10  with precision while viewing the image displayed on the CRT monitor. Namely, the operator can precisely manipulate the sheath  44 , the puncture needle  51  and the stylet  56  by sliding the first stopper  41  and the rear end fixed member  46  or moving the stylet  56  forward and rearward relative to the puncture needle  51  with the screw engagement of the stylet support cap  55  with the rear end fixed member  46  being released. 
         [0078]    When an endoscopic operation using the puncture needle device  30  is completed or when it is desired to insert a treatment tool different from the puncture needle device  30  into the pipe sleeve  17 , the operator (user) moves the lock member  60  to the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  by pushing the control knob  68  toward the control knob  66  side with respect to the cylindrical connecting body  31 . This movement of the lock member  60  to the unlocked position causes the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  to move sideways from a surface of the collar  18  on the annular flange  19  side, thereby allowing the collar  18  of the pipe sleeve  17  to pass through the space between the passage allowing portions  63  of the pair of slide members  61 . Therefore, if the operator moves the cylindrical connecting body  31  toward the stylet support cap  55  side (i.e., in a direction away from the pipe sleeve  17 ) along the axis of the cylindrical connecting body  31 , the collar  18  of the pipe sleeve  17  moves out of the collar receiving hole  36 , which completes the dismounting operation for the cylindrical connecting body  31  from the pipe sleeve  17  of the control body  11 . 
         [0079]    A second embodiment of the puncture needle device for ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention will be hereinafter discussed with reference to  FIGS. 12 through 16 . Elements and components of the second embodiment of the puncture needle device which are similar to those of the first embodiment of the puncture needle device are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of such elements and components are omitted. 
         [0080]    The structure of a puncture needle device  70  according to the second embodiment will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0081]    The puncture needle device  70  is provided with a cylindrical connecting body  71  which is in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder and made of the same material as the cylindrical connecting body  31 . A slider support hole  32  is formed through the cylindrical connecting body  71  except a front internal portion thereof, and a female screw hole  33  (not shown in  FIGS. 12 through 16 ), through which the slider support hole  32  and the outer space of the cylindrical connecting body  71  are communicatively connected to each other, is formed as a through-hole in a rear portion of the cylindrical connecting body  71 . The cylindrical connecting body  71  is provided at the front end thereof with an annular recess  72  which is recessed rearward and shaped into a ring as viewed from the front. A female thread  73  is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the annular recess  72 . A collar receiving hole  36  is formed in the cylindrical connecting body  71  between the slider support hole  32  and the annular recess  72  to be coaxial with the slider support hole  32  and the annular recess  72 . The front end of slider support hole  32  and the rear end of the annular recess  72  are communicatively connected to each other via the collar receiving hole  36 . The collar receiving hole  36  is smaller in cross-sectional shape than slider support hole  32  and the annular recess  72 . 
         [0082]    An elastic washer (elastic insertion limit portion)  75  is seated on the bottom surface (rear end surface) of the annular recess  72 . The elastic washer  75  is a ring member smaller in diameter than the annular recess  72  and made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber. In addition, a male thread  77  formed on a male-threaded bushing  76  made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate), Noryl or the like) is screw-engaged with the female thread  73 , and the elastic washer  75  is positioned between the base surface of the annular recess  72  and the male-threaded bushing  76 . The inner diameter of the elastic washer  75  in a free state is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the annular flange  19  and is greater (or can be smaller) than the diameter of the imaginary circular collar that defines the collar  18  (longitudinal size). In addition, a rear part (annular surface)  78  of the inner hole (inner peripheral surface) of the male-threaded bushing  76  has the same shape and size as a peripheral surface of the annular flange  19 , while a front part of the inner hole of the male-threaded bushing  76  is tapered. 
         [0083]    The cylindrical connecting body  71  is provided in a front portion thereof with a pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B that are parallel to each other, and a lock member  60  is slidably mounted to the front portion of the cylindrical connecting body  71  through the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIGS. 12 through 14 , the cylindrical connecting body  71  is provided, on a portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof which faces the control knob  68 , with a pair of support recesses  74  which are communicatively connected to the end openings (left end openings with respect to  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) of the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B on the control knob  68  side, respectively. A pair of compression coil springs (biaser) S 1  are placed over the passage allowing portions  63  of the pair of slide members  61 , respectively, and the opposite ends of each compression coil spring S 1  are in contact with the base of the associated support recess  74  and the control knob  68 , respectively. The pair of compression coil springs S 1  are continuously compressed (resiliently deformed) regardless of whether the lock member  60  is in the locked position, the unlocked position, or any position therebetween. Accordingly, upon the operator releasing his/her hand from the lock member  60 , the lock member  60  moves to the locked position shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15  and is held thereat by the biasing force of the pair of compression coil springs S 1 . Thereafter, if the control knob  68  is pushed toward the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B against the biasing force of the pair of compression coil springs S 1 , the lock member  60  moves to the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . 
         [0085]    The puncture needle device  70  is provided with a first slider  40  (not shown in  FIGS. 12 through 16 ) which is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body  71  from the rear end opening thereof to be freely slidable. The puncture needle device  70  is provided at the rear end of the first slider  40  with a first stopper  81 . The first stopper  81  is made of a hard resin, greater in diameter than the slider support hole  32  and fixed to the rear end of the first slider  40 . A sheath  44  is fixed at the rear end thereof to the frontend of the first slider  40 . The puncture needle device  70  is provided with a second slider  45  (not shown in  FIGS. 12 through 16 ) which is inserted into the first slider  40  to be freely slidable, and a rear end fixed member  86  made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate), Noryl or the like) is fixed to the rear end of the second slider  45 . In addition, the puncture needle device  70  is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the second slider  45  with a second stopper  88  which is made of a hard resin (e.g., PC (polycarbonate) or the like) and fitted on the second slider  45  to be freely slidable thereon. The second stopper  88  is provided with a female through-hole (not shown) which extends in a radial direction of the second stopper  88 , and a second fixing screw  49  is inserted (screwed) into this female screw hole. Additionally, the female screw thread formed on an inner peripheral surface of the stylet support cap that supports the rear end of the stylet  56  is disengageably screw-engaged with the male thread formed in the rear of the rear end fixed member  86 . 
         [0086]    The first stopper  81 , the rear end fixed member  86  and the second stopper  88  in the second embodiment of the puncture needle device  70  have the same basic structure (although different in specific shape) as those of the first stopper  41 , the rear end fixed member  46  and the second stopper  48  in the first embodiment of the puncture needle device  30 . Furthermore, the first stopper  81 , the rear end fixed member  86  and the second stopper  88  in the second embodiment of the puncture needle device  70  are mounted to peripheral parts thereof in the same manner as that of the first stopper  41 , the rear end fixed member  46  and the second stopper  48  in the first embodiment of the puncture needle device  30 . Accordingly, basic operations (the expansion/contraction (plunging) operation of the entire puncture needle device  70 , slide operations of the sheath  44 , the puncture needle  51  and the stylet  56 , etc.) of the puncture needle device  70  are the same as those of the puncture needle device  30 . 
         [0087]    The mounting/dismounting procedure of the puncture needle device  70  to and from the pipe sleeve  17  will be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0088]    When the puncture needle device  70  separated from the ultrasonic endoscope  10  is mounted to the pipe sleeve  17 , firstly the lock member  60  held in the locked position by the biasing force of the pair of compression coil springs S 1  is moved to the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16  against the biasing force of the pair of compression coil springs S 1 , and is held manually at this position by pressing the control knob  68  toward the control knob  66  side with respect to the cylindrical connecting body  71 . 
         [0089]    Subsequently, after the cylindrical connecting body  71  is positioned coaxially with the pipe sleeve  17  while the orientation of the collar receiving hole  36  of the cylindrical connecting body  71  is made to correspond to the orientation of the collar  18  of the pipe sleeve  17 , the pipe sleeve  17  is inserted into the cylindrical connecting body  71  to a predetermined position therein. This insertion of the pipe sleeve  17  into the cylindrical connecting body  71  to this predetermined position causes the collar  18  to be engaged in the collar receiving hole  36  of the cylindrical connecting body  71  through the space between the passage allowing portions  63  of the pair of slide members  61 , and causes the annular flange  19  of the pipe sleeve  17  to come in press contact with a front surface of the elastic washer  75  (which is positioned more radially inward than the male-threaded bushing  76 ) to thereby elastically deform (depress) this contacting portion of the elastic washer  75  rearward, and further causes a peripheral surface of the annular flange  19  to come in surface contact with the rear part  78  (annular surface) of the inner peripheral surface (inner hole) of the male-threaded bushing  76  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). 
         [0090]    In this state, upon the operator (user) releasing his/her hand from the lock member  60 , the lock member  60  automatically slides to the locked position by the biasing force of the pair of compression coil springs S 1  to thereby bring each of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  into surface contact with a surface of the collar  18  on the annular flange  19  side (see  FIGS. 13 and 15 ). 
         [0091]    Once the lock member  60  is positioned as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the cylindrical connecting body  71  is prevented from moving in a dismounting direction relative to the pipe sleeve  17  by engagement of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of the pair of slide members  61  with the collar  18 , and is also prevented from moving in an inserting direction relative to the pipe sleeve  17  by engagement of the annular flange  19  with the elastic washer  75 . Accordingly, the cylindrical connecting body  71  is totally prevented from rotating relative to the pipe sleeve  17  in the axial direction thereof. 
         [0092]    In addition, the cylindrical connecting body  71  is prevented from rotating relative to the pipe sleeve  17  about the axis thereof by engagement of the collar  18  with the collar receiving hole  36 , which are mutually identical in shape and both non-circular in shape. 
         [0093]    Furthermore, since the annular flange  19 , which is formed on the pipe sleeve  17  at a position different from the position of the collar  18  in the axial direction of the pipe sleeve  17 , is in contact with the elastic washer  75  while a peripheral surface of the annular flange  19  is in surface contact with the rear part  78  of the inner peripheral surface of the male-threaded bushing  76 , the cylindrical connecting body  71  is also totally prevented from tilting relative to the pipe sleeve  17 . 
         [0094]    When it is desired to dismount the puncture needle device  70  from the pipe sleeve  17 , the operator moves the lock member  60  to the unlocked position against the biasing force of the pair of compression coil springs S 1 , and thereupon moves the puncture needle device  70  toward the stylet support cap  55  side (i.e., in a direction away from the pipe sleeve  17 ) along the axis of the puncture needle device  70  while holding the lock member  60  in the unlocked position to thereby remove the collar  18  and the annular flange  19  of the pipe sleeve  17  from the inside of the cylindrical connecting body  71 . 
         [0095]    As described above, in the third embodiment of the puncture needle device also, the puncture needle device  70  can be made immovable relative to the pipe sleeve  17 . 
         [0096]    In addition, upon the operator (user) releasing his/her hand from the lock member  60  after mounting the puncture needle device  70  to the pipe sleeve  17 , the lock member  60  automatically slides to the locked position, which yields an improvement in connection operability of the puncture needle device  70  with the pipe sleeve  17 . In addition, the puncture needle device  70  can be prevented from coming off the pipe sleeve  17  when the operator forgets to move the lock member  60  to the locked position. 
         [0097]    Moreover, even in the case where an external force urging the lock member  60  to move toward the unlocked position is unexpectedly applied to the lock member  60 , the lock member  60  is held in the locked position by the pair of compression coil springs S 1 , so that the locked state of the puncture needle device  70  by the lock member  60  is effectively prevented from being unexpectedly released. 
         [0098]    Furthermore, since the elastic washer  75  comes in contact with the annular flange  19  while being elastically deformed when the puncture needle device  70  is connected to the pipe sleeve  17 , no clearance is created between the annular flange  19  and the elastic washer  75 , so that the cylindrical connecting body  71  can be prevented from rattling relative to the pipe sleeve  17  in an efficient manner. 
         [0099]    If the puncture needle device  70  is made to slide toward the pipe sleeve  17  with a great force after the lock member  60  is moved to the locked position with the puncture needle device  70  connected to the pipe sleeve  17 , the elastic washer  75  is greatly compressed, which may create a slight gap between the collar  18  and the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61 . If such a gap is created, the frictional resistance produced between the collar  18  and the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  disappears. Therefore, if the puncture needle device  70  were not equipped with the pair of compression coil springs S 1 , the lock member  60  would otherwise move by its own weight to the unlocked position, so that there is a possibility of the puncture needle device  70  coming off the pipe sleeve  17 . However, this sort of problem hardly occurs in a structure like the puncture needle device  70  which holds the lock member  60  in the locked position using the pair of compression coil springs S 1  that generates a biasing force capable of acting against the weight of the lock member  60 . 
         [0100]    A third embodiment of a puncture needle device for an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention will be hereinafter discussed with reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Elements and components of the third embodiment of the puncture needle device which are similar to those of the first embodiment of the puncture needle device are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of such elements and components are omitted. 
         [0101]    Although the puncture needle device  90  is provided with a cylindrical connecting body  91  having the same basic structure as the cylindrical connecting body  31 , the cylindrical connecting body  91  is provided with a collar receiving hole  92  instead of the collar receiving hole  36  of the cylindrical connecting body  31 . The collar receiving hole  92  is substantially rectangular as viewed from the front as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The collar receiving hole  92  is greater in size than the collar  18  of the pipe sleeve  17 , and a clearance allowing relative rotation between the collar  18  and the collar receiving hole  92  (about the axis of the cylindrical connecting body  91 ) is created therebetween when the collar  18  is positioned in the collar receiving hole  92 . However, the range of relative rotation between the collar  18  and the collar receiving hole  92  is limited to a range between a position shown in  FIG. 18  at which inclined contact surfaces  18   a  and  18   c  of the collar  18  come in contact with the diagonally-positioned inner peripheral surface of the collar receiving hole  92  and another (opposite) position (not shown) at which inclined contact surfaces  18   b  and  18   d  of the collar  18  come in contact with the diagonally-positioned inner peripheral surface of the collar receiving hole  92 . 
         [0102]    If the lock member  60  of the puncture needle device  90  is moved to the locked position as shown in  FIGS. 17  and  18 , the stopper portions  62  of the pair of the pair of slide members  61  are positioned immediately in front of (on the ultrasonic endoscope  10  side) opposite ends (upper and lower ends with respect to  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) of the collar  18  even if the collar  18  and the collar receiving hole  92  (the cylindrical connecting body  91 ) are relatively rotated and positioned at either of the two positions shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Therefore, not only when the longitudinal direction of the collar  18  and the longitudinal direction of the collar receiving hole  92  are coincident with each other as shown in  FIG. 17  but also when the collar  18  and the collar receiving hole  92  relatively rotate to the position shown in  FIG. 18 , the cylindrical connecting body  91  is prevented from moving in a dismounting direction relative to the pipe sleeve  17  by engagement of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of the pair of slide members  61  with the collar  18 , and is further prevented from moving in an inserting direction relative to the pipe sleeve  17  by engagement of the annular flange  19  with the insertion limit surface  37 . Accordingly, the cylindrical connecting body  91  is totally prevented from moving relative to the pipe sleeve  17  in the axial direction thereof. Moreover, since the annular flange  19  of the pipe sleeve  17  and the insertion limit surface  37  are brought into surface contact with each other while a peripheral surface of the annular flange  19  and an inner peripheral surface in the anti-tilt recess  35  are brought into surface contact with each other, the cylindrical connecting body  91  is also totally prevented from tilting relative to the pipe sleeve  17 . 
         [0103]    Although the puncture needle device  90  (the collar receiving hole  92 ) can rotate slightly relative to the collar  18  even when the lock member  60  moves to the locked position, the operator can manipulate the puncture needle device  90  with precision because the range of rotation of the puncture needle device  90  relative to the collar  18  is extremely narrow. 
         [0104]    Although the present invention has been described based on the first through third embodiments of the puncture needle devices, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0105]    For instance, as shown in  FIGS. 19 through 23 , the surfaces in the anti-tilt recess  35  and the collar receiving hole  36  in the second embodiment of the puncture needle device can be covered with a reinforcing member  95  made of stainless steel (JIS SUS304). For instance, the reinforcing member  95  can be formed integrally with the surfaces in the anti-tilt recess  35  and the collar receiving hole  36  by insertion molding. In  FIGS. 22 and 23 , elements of the puncture needle device which are exactly the same as those in the second embodiment of the puncture needle device  70  and also elements of the puncture needle device which are similar in shape to (i.e., slightly different in shape from) those in the second embodiment of the puncture needle device  70  are designated by the same reference numerals. The reinforcing member  95  is provided with a disk portion  96  and a cylindrical portion  98 . The disk portion  96  has the same front elevational shape as the anti-tilt recess  35  and is provided at a center of the disk portion  96  with a through-hole  97  which has substantially in the same cross-sectional shape as that of the collar receiving hole  36 . The cylindrical portion  98  projects from a peripheral edge around the through-hole  97  and is substantially identical in cross-sectional shape to the collar receiving hole  36 . A pair of side holes (through-holes)  99  are formed through the cylindrical portion  98 . The rear surface of the disk portion  96  is in contact with the elastic washer  75  while the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion  98  is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the collar receiving hole  36 . In addition, since the pair of side holes  99  are positioned in the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B, respectively, and since the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  slide through the pair of slide holes  99 , respectively, there is no possibility of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  interfering with the cylindrical portion  98 . 
         [0106]    In this manner, if the surfaces in the anti-tilt recess  35  and the collar receiving hole  36  are provided with (covered with) the reinforcing member  95  that is made of the same material as the pipe sleeve  17 , it becomes difficult for wear to occur in the puncture needle device  70  (the reinforcing member  95 ) even if the collar  18  and the annular flange  19  move while sliding on the reinforcing member  95  when the pipe sleeve  17  is inserted into and removed from the inside of the puncture needle device  70 . 
         [0107]    The reinforcing member  95  can also be fitted into the anti-tilt recess  35  and the collar receiving hole  36  in the first embodiment of the puncture needle device  30 . 
         [0108]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 24 through 27 , it is possible for the cylindrical connecting body  71  in the modified embodiment shown in  FIGS. 19 through 23  to be provided with a collar receiving hole  92  instead of the collar receiving hole  36  and for the surface in the collar receiving hole  92  be covered with a reinforcing member  100  made of stainless steel (JIS SUS304). For instance, the reinforcing member  100  can be formed integrally with the surfaces in the anti-tilt recess  35  and the collar receiving hole  36  by insertion molding. The reinforcing member  100  is in shape of a rectangular hollow-section having the same front elevational shape as that of the collar receiving hole  92  and is provided on opposite side surfaces of the reinforcing member  100  with a pair of side holes (through-holes)  101 , respectively, each of which is recessed inwardly to have a semi-circular cylindrical shape as clearly shown in  FIG. 24 . The outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing member  100  is in contact with the inner surface of the collar receiving hole  92 . In addition, since the pair of side holes  101  are positioned in the pair of support through-holes  38 A and  38 B, respectively, and since the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  slide through the pair of slide holes  101 , respectively, there is no possibility of the stopper portions  62  of the pair of slide members  61  interfering with the reinforcing member  100 . 
         [0109]    Furthermore, a collar  18 ′ of the pipe sleeve  17  is non-circular in shape and formed as though radially opposite ends of a circular collar along parallel lines have been cut off, and parallel side edges of the collar  18 ′ thus formed along the aforementioned parallel lines constitute a pair of contact surfaces  18   e , respectively. Upon insertion of the collar  18 ′ into the collar receiving hole  92 , the pair of contact surfaces  18   e  come in contact with side surfaces of the collar receiving hole  92 , respectively, and a pair of arc-shaped outer edge surfaces of the collar  18 ′ (portions of the outer edge surface of the collar  18 ′ other than the pair of contact surfaces  18   e ) come in contact with side surfaces of the collar receiving hole  92 , which prevents the collar receiving hole  92  from rotating relative to the collar  18 ′. 
         [0110]    In addition, since the surface in the collar receiving hole  92  is provided with (covered with) the reinforcing member  100  that is made of the same material as the pipe sleeve  17 , it is difficult for wear to occur in the puncture needle device  70  (the reinforcing member  100 ) even if the collar  18 ′ moves while sliding on the reinforcing member  100  when the pipe sleeve  17  is inserted into and removed from the inside of the puncture needle device  70 . 
         [0111]    Each of the pipe sleeve  17  and the reinforcing member  95  or  100  can be made of a metal other than stainless steel (JIS SUS304) (e.g., brass, copper or the like). In this case also, the surface wear of the puncture needle device  30  or  70  due to sliding friction of the pipe sleeve  17  can be reduced (suppressed) compared to a puncture needle device not equipped with the reinforcing member  95  or  100 . Furthermore, if each of the pipe sleeve  17  and the reinforcing member  95  or  100  is also made of metal other than stainless steel (JIS SUS304), it is desirable that the metallic material of the reinforcing member  95  or  100  be the same as the metallic material of the pipe sleeve  17 . 
         [0112]    Moreover, the collar receiving hole  92  of the puncture needle device  90  can also be provided therein with the reinforcing member  100  made of stainless steel (JIS SUS304) or other metallic material. 
         [0113]    The shape of the collar  18 , which is formed on the pipe sleeve  17 , and the shape of the collar receiving hole  36  of the cylindrical connecting body  31  or  71  in the first and second embodiments of the puncture needle devices can be any other shape so long as the shape is non-circular, and the shape of the collar receiving hole  92  in the third embodiment of the puncture needle device can be formed into any other shape so long as such a shape is capable of limiting the range of rotation of the collar receiving hole  92  relative to the pipe sleeve  17  to a predetermined range. Additionally, cross sectional shapes of the reinforcing members  95  and  100  are not limited solely to the above illustrated shapes and can be modified so as to correspond to a cross sectional shape of the associated collar receiving hole. 
         [0114]    The annular flange  19  can be replaced by a non-annular-shaped projection or projections which project radially outwards from the outer periphery of the pipe sleeve  17 . 
         [0115]    Furthermore, the annular flange  19  can be formed at a position closer to the front end opening of the pipe sleeve  17  than the collar  18  or  18 ′. 
         [0116]    Additionally, the control knob  66  or  68  can be formed only on one side of the lock member  60 . 
         [0117]    A biaser other than the pair of compression coil springs S 1  can be used in the second embodiment of the puncture needle device and each of the above described modified embodiments of the puncture needle devices. For instance, a leaf spring or springs, a coned disk spring or springs, or rubber biasing member or members can be used. In addition, it is possible for a ferromagnetic metal to be mounted to a surface of the cylindrical connecting body  71  while at least one of the control knobs  66  and  68  be made of a magnetic material which produces an attractive force between the magnetic material and the ferromagnetic metal which urges the lock member  60  to move toward the locked position. 
         [0118]    It is possible that the cylindrical connecting body  31  or  91  in the first and third embodiments of the puncture needle devices and the above described modified embodiments of the puncture needle devices be provided with an annular recess (a female thread) corresponding to the annular recess  72  (the female thread  73 ) provided therein with an elastic washer and a male-threaded bushing respectively corresponding to the elastic washer  75  and the male-threaded bushing  76 . 
         [0119]    Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein, such modifications being within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is indicated that all matter contained herein is illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention.