JP2022045749A - Heat dissipation cable and medical examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a heat dissipation cable which easily releases restriction of application, and a medical examination device.SOLUTION: A heat dissipation cable includes: a sheath 11 formed into a cylindrical shape; a tube 12 which is arranged inside the sheath 11 that is formed into a cylindrical shape; a sealing part 15 arranged in both end parts of the sheath 11 and the tube 12, define movements of a heat transport medium HM between a space formed between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 and the outside so that it can be suppressed, and can exchange heat between the space and the outside; a liquid medium movement part 21 which is arranged across both end parts between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 and in which the heat transport medium HM of a liquid phase is movable by a capillary phenomenon; and a flow path formation part 25 which is arranged across both parts between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 and forms a flow path where the heat transport medium HM of gas phase can move.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a heat dissipation cable and a medical inspection device.

Conventionally, a medical inspection device including a cable in which a medical device is arranged at an end such as an endoscope or an ultrasonic probe is known. It has been proposed that this cable has a function of cooling medical equipment.

For example, in order to cool the end portion of the endoscope, a configuration has been proposed in which cooling water is moved by a capillary phenomenon in a porous ceramic in a sheath to dissipate heat (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-098575

In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, vaporized cooling water (in other words, water vapor) was discharged from the tip. The discharged vapor may cool and liquefy again (in other words, condensation). Therefore, there is a problem that it can be used only for the purpose of allowing the vaporized cooling water to condense.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipation cable and a medical inspection device that can easily relax the limitation of usage.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The heat dissipation cable according to the first aspect of the present invention is arranged at a sheath formed in a tubular shape, a tube formed in a tubular shape arranged inside the sheath, and both ends of the sheath and the tube. A sealing portion that can suppress the movement of the heat transport medium between the space formed between the sheath and the tube and the outside, and can exchange heat between the space and the outside. A liquid medium moving portion which is arranged between the sheath and the tube over the both ends and has a structure in which the heat transport medium of the liquid phase can be moved by a capillary phenomenon, and the both ends between the sheath and the tube. A flow path forming portion is provided, which is arranged so as to form a flow path through which the heat transport medium of the gas phase can move.

The medical inspection device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes the heat dissipation cable according to the first aspect, the heat transport medium enclosed inside the sheath and the tube, and the inspection used for the medical inspection. A portion and a case in which the inspection portion is arranged inside and heat exchange is possible between the inspection portion and the sealing portion are provided.

According to the heat dissipation cable according to the first aspect of the present invention and the medical inspection device according to the second aspect, the heat transport medium is placed in the space between the sheath and the tube which is partitioned so as to suppress the movement to the outside. Be trapped. Since the heat transport medium is difficult to move to the outside, it is easy to relax the limitation of the usage in the heat dissipation cable and the medical inspection device. The movement of the heat transport medium to the outside may be expressed as a leak.

It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the heat dissipation cable and the medical inspection apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the heat dissipation cable of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the flow path forming part and the flow path of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of another flow path forming part and a flow path. It is sectional drawing which explains the different arrangement example of the liquid medium moving part and the flow path forming part. It is sectional drawing which explains still another structure of the flow path forming part and the flow path.

The heat dissipation cable and the medical inspection device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The medical inspection device 40 of the present embodiment is various devices such as an ultrasonic probe that performs an inspection using ultrasonic waves and an endoscope device that visually observes using a small optical image pickup element.

As shown in FIG. 1, the medical inspection device 40 is provided with a heat dissipation cable 10, an inspection unit 30, and a case 35.
The heat dissipation cable 10 is a cable provided with an inspection unit 30 at the tip thereof, and uses a heat transport medium HM to dissipate heat generated at the inspection unit 30 at the base end of the cable. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat dissipation cable 10 is provided with a sheath 11, a tube 12, a wiring 13, a sealing portion 15, a liquid medium moving portion 21, and a flow path forming portion 25. Has been done.

The heat transport medium HM transports the heat generated by the device 31 of the inspection unit 30 from the tip end to the base end of the heat dissipation cable 10. The heat transport medium HM is a medium used for heat transport and is also called a refrigerant or a heat medium. The heat transport medium HM is preferably a medium that transports heat by utilizing heat absorption and heat dissipation (also referred to as latent heat) at the time of vaporization or liquefaction.

The heat transport medium HM used in the heat dissipation cable 10 is preferably biocompatible. Specifically, an example of using perfluorocarbon as a heat transport medium HM can be shown. When perfluorocarbon having a boiling point of about 30 ° C. is used as the heat transport medium HM, the temperature of the sealing portion 15A on the vaporizing side is about 40 ° C. and the temperature of the sealing portion 15B on the liquefiing side is 20 ° C. It is preferable to use it in a degree. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the sealing portion 15A and the sealing portion 15B, it is also simply referred to as the sealing portion 15.

The sheath 11 is a member formed in a tubular shape, and is a member in which a liquid medium moving portion 21, a flow path forming portion 25, a tube 12, a wiring 13, and the like are arranged. Examples of the material constituting the sheath 11 include resins (medical polymer materials) such as polyvinyl chloride, silicone rubber, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which have biocompatibility. The member constituting the sheath 11 is preferably a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the member constituting the sealing portion 15.

The outer diameter of the sheath 11 can be appropriately determined according to the application of the medical inspection device 40. For example, when the medical inspection device 40 is an ultrasonic probe or an endoscope used for inspecting a human body, the outer diameter is preferably in the range of about 15 mm to about 0.5 mm.

The tube 12 is a member formed in a tubular shape, and is a member arranged inside the sheath 11 and the wiring 13 is arranged inside. As the material constituting the tube 12, a resin (medical polymer material) such as polyvinyl chloride, silicone rubber, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having biocompatibility can be exemplified.

The wiring 13 is a member arranged inside the tube 12. The wiring 13 is a member that transmits a signal input to the inspection unit 30 and a signal output from the inspection unit 30. The wiring 13 may be a member that supplies electric power for driving the inspection unit 30. In this embodiment, an example in which seven wirings 13 are arranged will be described, but the number of wirings 13 may be larger or smaller than seven.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing portion 15 is arranged at both ends of the tip end and the base end of the heat dissipation cable 10, and is a heat transport medium between the space formed between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 and the outside. It is a member that can suppress the movement of the HM. More preferably, it is a member that can prevent the movement of the heat transport medium HM. The sealing portion 15 is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that enables heat exchange between the space and the outside. The sealing portion 15 is formed of, for example, copper or a copper alloy containing copper as a component.

The sealing portion 15 is provided with an outer peripheral portion 16, an inner peripheral portion 17, and an end portion 18. The outer peripheral portion 16 is a tubular member attached to the sheath 11 using the sealing resin 19. The inner peripheral portion 17 is a tubular member attached to the tube 12 using the sealing resin 19. The end portion 18 is a ring plate-shaped member connecting the ends of the outer peripheral portion 16 and the inner peripheral portion 17. The shape of the sealing portion 15 is not limited to the above-mentioned shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid medium moving portion 21 is a member arranged between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 from the tip end to the base end. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid medium moving portion 21 is a braid formed in a cylindrical shape using strands. The liquid medium moving portion 21 may be a shield. As the strand, an annealed copper wire having a diameter of 0.05 mm can be exemplified. The annealed copper wire is preferably tin-plated to improve corrosion resistance.

It is preferable that the braid which is the liquid medium moving portion 21 has a structure in which the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase can be moved by the capillary phenomenon. For example, it is preferable that the distance between the strands constituting the braid is such that the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase causes the capillary phenomenon. Further, the surface of the wire may be treated to enhance the affinity of the liquid phase with the heat transport medium HM.

The liquid medium moving portion 21 is located adjacent to the inside of the sheath 11 and is located outside the flow path forming portion 25. The end portion of the liquid medium moving portion 21 on the distal end side is soldered to the sealing portion 15A arranged at the distal end.

For example, the liquid medium moving portion 21 is soldered to the inner peripheral portion 17 of the sealing portion 15. The liquid medium moving portion 21 may be soldered to the outer peripheral portion 16 of the sealing portion 15. The end of the liquid medium moving portion 21 may protrude from the sheath 11 in order to facilitate soldering with the sealing portion 15. The end portion of the liquid medium moving portion 21 on the proximal end side may also be soldered to the sealing portion 15B arranged at the proximal end.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the flow path forming portion 25 is a member arranged between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 from the tip end to the base end. The flow path forming portion 25 secures a space between the sheath 11 and the tube 12. The flow path forming portion 25 forms a flow path 26 in which the heat transport medium HM of the gas phase can move between the tip and the base end together with at least one of the sheath 11 and the tube 12. As the material for forming the flow path forming portion 25, a resin (medical polymer material) such as polyvinyl chloride, silicone rubber, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having biocompatibility can be exemplified.

The flow path forming portion 25 may have a columnar shape extending spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12. One or more spiral flow path forming portions 25 may be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection unit 30 is arranged at the tip of the heat dissipation cable 10 and acquires information used for medical treatment. The inspection unit 30 is arranged inside the case 35. The inspection unit 30 is provided with a device 31 and a substrate 32.

The device 31 acquires information used in medical treatment. For example, when the medical inspection device 40 is an ultrasonic probe, it is a probe that oscillates an ultrasonic wave or detects an reflected ultrasonic wave. In the case of an endoscope device, it is an optical image sensor that acquires an image.

A device 31 is arranged on the board 32, and a signal is communicably connected between the device 31 and the wiring 13. The board 32 may be connected so that power can be supplied from the wiring 13 to the device 31. A control circuit for controlling the device 31 may be provided on the substrate 32.

The case 35 is arranged at the tip of the heat dissipation cable 10 and houses the inspection unit 30 inside. The case 35 is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity, for example, copper or a copper alloy having copper as a component. In addition, the case 35 may be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or the like.

The case 35 is arranged so that heat can be transferred to the device 31. For example, a portion of the case 35 is in heat transferable contact with the device 31. The mode of contact between the case 35 and the device 31 is appropriately selected according to the application of the medical examination device 40 (ultrasonic probe, endoscopic device, etc.).

The case 35 is arranged so that heat can be transferred to the sealing portion 15A arranged at the tip of the heat dissipation cable 10. For example, the end of the case 35 on the base end side is in heat transferable contact with the outer peripheral portion 16 of the sealing portion 15A.

Next, heat dissipation in the medical inspection device 40 having the heat dissipation cable 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Specifically, a case where the heat generated by the device 31 of the inspection unit 30 is dissipated to the outside where the temperature is lower than that of the device 31 will be described.

The device 31 of the medical inspection device 40 generates heat when acquiring information used for medical treatment. The heat generated by the device 31 is transferred to the case 35 which is in heat conductive contact. The heat transferred to the case 35 is transferred to the sealing portion 15A which is in heat conductive contact with the case 35.

The heat transferred to the sealing portion 15A is transferred to the liquid medium moving portion 21 which is in heat conductive contact with the sealing portion 15A, and is absorbed by the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase existing in the liquid medium moving portion 21. The heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase that has absorbed heat is vaporized to become the heat transport medium HM of the gas phase.

The heat transport medium HM of the gas phase flows inside the flow path 26 from the tip end to the base end. The heat transport medium HM of the gas phase that has reached the base end releases heat to the sealing portion 15B on the base end side and is liquefied to become the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase. The sealing portion 15B at the base end releases heat to the outside.

The heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase moves the liquid medium moving portion 21 from the proximal end to the distal end due to the capillary phenomenon. The liquid phase heat transport medium HM that has reached the tip absorbs heat from the sealing portion 15A at the tip and becomes the gas phase heat transport medium HM. After that, the heat transport medium HM repeats the above-mentioned movement to the base end, liquefaction, and movement to the tip end.

According to the medical inspection device 40 having the heat dissipation cable 10 having the above configuration, the heat transport medium HM is confined in the space between the sheath 11 and the tube 12 which is partitioned so as to suppress the movement to the outside. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the heat transport medium HM of the gas phase to move to the outside of the heat dissipation cable, and it is easy to prevent the heat transport medium HM of the moved gas phase from liquefying to the outside. Since the heat transport medium HM is difficult to move, it is easy to relax the limitation of the usage in the medical inspection device 40.

Since the heat transport medium circulates by utilizing the capillary phenomenon in the liquid medium moving portion 21, vaporization on the distal end side, and liquefaction on the proximal end side, it is not necessary to provide a compressor or piping for circulating the heat transport medium. Since it is not necessary to provide a compressor or the like, it is easy to reduce the size of the heat dissipation cable 10 and the medical inspection device 40. Since it is not necessary to provide piping, the heat dissipation cable 10 is unlikely to become thick. In addition, it is easy to secure the bendability of the heat dissipation cable 10.

By making the flow path 26 formed by the flow path forming portion 25 a spirally extending flow path, it is easy to secure the bendability of the heat dissipation cable 10 as compared with the case where the flow path extends linearly.

By forming the liquid medium moving portion 21 as a shield such as a braid containing a plurality of metal strands, the influence of an electric field or a magnetic field is less likely to reach the inside of the heat dissipation cable 10. In addition, it is easy to secure the strength of the heat dissipation cable 10.

When the liquid medium moving portion 21 and the sealing portion 15 are in contact with each other so as to be heat conductive, it becomes easy to exchange heat between the outside and the liquid heat transport medium HM. For example, the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase is easily vaporized by external heat. Alternatively, the heat transport medium HM of the gas phase easily dissipates heat to the outside and easily liquefies.

By arranging the liquid medium moving portion 21 on the sheath 11 side, for example, when the heat of the sealing portion 15 enters from the sheath 11 side, the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase easily absorbs the heat of the sealing portion 15. It becomes easier to be guided to the position. Therefore, when the heat of the sealing portion 15 enters from the sheath 11 side, the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase is easily vaporized as compared with the case where the liquid medium moving portion 21 is arranged on the tube 12 side. ..

By forming the sheath 11 from a material having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the sealing portion 15, the heat transport medium HM of the liquid phase can be vaporized at a place other than the vicinity of the sealing portion 15, or the heat transport medium HM of the gas phase can be vaporized. Is easy to suppress liquefaction. In other words, the heat transport medium HM is likely to be vaporized or liquefied in the vicinity of the sealing portion 15.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the flow path forming portion 25 may have a columnar shape such as a columnar shape extending linearly from the tip end to the base end along the sheath 11 and the tube 12. It is preferable that a plurality (for example, three or more) of the flow path forming portions 25 extending linearly are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tube 12 at intervals in the circumferential direction.

By making the flow path 26 formed by the flow path forming portion 25 a linearly extending flow path, resistance when the heat transport medium HM of the gas phase flows, as compared with the case where the flow path extends in a spiral shape. Is easy to make smaller.

As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid medium moving portion 21 may be arranged at a position adjacent to the outside of the tube 12 and at a position inside the flow path forming portion 25.
By arranging the liquid medium moving portion 21 on the tube 12 side, it becomes easier to secure the bendability of the heat dissipation cable 10 as compared with the case where the liquid medium moving portion 21 is arranged on the sheath 11 side.

The liquid medium moving portion 21 may be a tubular braid formed from a plurality of strands, or a tubular braid in which the plurality of strands are spirally wound (also referred to as “horizontal winding”). May be.
By winding the liquid medium moving portion 21 horizontally, it is easier to suppress the breakage of the wire due to the bending of the heat dissipation cable 10 as compared with the case of braiding.

A cooling unit may be further provided that removes heat from the sealing portion 15B on the proximal end side and promotes liquefaction of the heat transport medium of the gas phase in the vicinity of the sealing portion 15B. The cooling portion may have a member that is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the sealing portion 15B on the proximal end side and is in contact with the sealing portion 15B so as to be thermally conductive. A device may be used in which external air is blown to the sealing portion 15B on the base end side and the heat of the sealing portion 15B is taken away by the air. It may be a member that is in contact with the sealing portion 15B on the base end side so as to be heat conductive and increase the heat radiation area to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 6, the flow path forming portion 25 is a cylindrical member that fills the space between the sheath 11 and the tube 12, and flows inside the flow path forming portion 25 together with the flow path 26A and the sheath 11. A groove forming the path 26B or a groove forming the flow path 26C together with the tube 12 may be formed.

10 ... heat dissipation cable, 11 ... sheath, 12 ... tube, 15, 15A, 15B ... sealing part, 21 ... liquid medium moving part, 25 ... flow path forming part, 26, 26A, 26B, 26C ... flow path, 30 ... Inspection Department, 35 ... Case, 40 ... Medical Inspection Equipment, HM ... Heat Transport Medium

Claims (9)

With a cylindrically formed sheath,
A tubular tube arranged inside the sheath and
Arranged at both ends of the sheath and the tube, the space formed between the sheath and the tube is partitioned so as to be able to suppress the movement of the heat transport medium between the outside and the space, and the space and the outside. A sealing part that allows heat exchange between them,
A liquid medium moving portion which is arranged between the sheath and the tube over both ends and has a structure in which the heat transport medium of the liquid phase can be moved by a capillary phenomenon.
A flow path forming portion arranged between the sheath and the tube over the both ends to form a flow path through which the heat transport medium of the gas phase can move.
Is provided with a heat dissipation cable. The heat dissipation cable according to claim 1, wherein the flow path formed by the flow path forming portion has a spiral shape extending around the tube between both ends thereof. The heat dissipation cable according to claim 1, wherein the flow path formed by the flow path forming portion has a shape extending linearly between both end portions. The heat dissipation cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid medium moving portion is a shield including a plurality of metal strands. The heat dissipation cable according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid medium moving portion is in contact with the sealing member so as to be thermally conductive. The liquid medium moving portion is arranged on the sheath side, and the liquid medium moving portion is arranged.
The heat dissipation cable according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the flow path formed by the flow path forming portion is arranged on the tube side. The flow path formed by the flow path forming portion is arranged on the sheath side.
The heat dissipation cable according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the liquid medium moving portion is arranged on the tube side. The heat dissipation cable according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheath is made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the sealing portion. The heat dissipation cable according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The heat transport medium enclosed inside the sheath and the tube,
The inspection department used for medical inspections and
A case in which the inspection unit is arranged inside and heat exchange is possible between the inspection unit and the sealing unit.
Medical inspection equipment provided with.

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