PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic endoscope capable of performing ultrasonic diagnosis while the contact state of an ultrasonic probe or a balloon to an observation object is reliably held.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic probe 23 provided on the surface of a tip 19 of an insertion part 12 extending from an operation part 11 a storing recessed part 28 formed on the surface of the tip to be made different from the ultrasonic probe in the circumferential position around the axis of the insertion part and made to coincide with the ultrasonic probe in the axial position a pressing member 30 movable between a storing position to be stored in the storing recessed part and a projecting position to at least partially get out from the storing recessed part and project in the direction having a moving component in the opposite direction of the ultrasonic probe and operating means 34 for moving the pressing member between the storing position and the projecting position linking with the pressing member through linkage means 32 provided in the internal space of the insertion part.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】超音波プローブ又はバルーンの観察対象に対する接触状態を確実に保持しながら超音波診断を行うことが可能な超音波内視鏡を提供する。【解決手段】操作部11から延びる挿入部12の先端部19の表面に設けた超音波プローブ23と、挿入部の軸線回りの周方向位置を超音波プローブとは異ならせ、かつ、軸線方向位置を超音波プローブと一致させて、上記先端部の表面に形成した格納用凹部28と、格納用凹部に格納される格納位置と、少なくとも一部が該格納用凹部から脱出して超音波プローブと反対方向の移動成分を有する方向に突出する突出位置と、に移動可能な押当部材30と、挿入部の内部空間に設けた連係手段32を介して押当部材と連係し、押当部材を格納位置と突出位置との間で移動させる操作手段34と、を備える。【選択図】図7
