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