Coupling adaptor for endoscopically inserting ultrasound probe

摘要

A coupling adaptor for electrically and rotationally coupling a tail end connector of an endoscopically inserting ultrasound probe with a connector portion of a separate probe control unit. The coupling adaptor is intended for use with an endoscopically inserting ultrasound probe having a bulky ultrasound scanner assembly at the nose end of a flexible cord, and a thin and narrow tail end connector at the proximal end of the flexible cord for passage through a biopsy channel of an endoscope. The coupling adaptor is provided with, within a stationary housing, a pair of rotationally interconnected front and rear rotary members to be disconnectibly coupled with the tail end connector of the ultrasound probe and a rotational drive means on the probe control unit, respectively. The front and rear rotary members of the coupling adaptor internally carry electrical connection means to establish electrical connections between the ultrasound probe and the probe control unit when coupled therewith to transmit rotation from the rotational drive means on the probe control unit to an ultrasound transducer element on the ultrasound scanner assembly provided at the distal end of the flexible cord of the ultrasound probe.