Patent Application
20080243121
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a treatment system, a treatment device, and a treatment method for a living tissue using energy that enable energy to function with respect to a living tissue in a state where the living tissue is held.
2. Description of the Related Art
US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0113828 A1 discloses electro-surgical instruments including a pair of juxtaposed jaw members each having an electroconductive surface. An over-shoe having a plurality of apertures is arranged in the pair of jaw members of the electro-surgical instruments. The over-shoe has, e.g., insulating properties. Therefore, energy for a treatment is supplied to a living tissue from the jaw members through the apertures of the over-shoe. Further, the apertures of the over-shoe are arranged in two rows along a longitudinal direction of the over-shoe.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provide a treatment system that applies energy to a living tissue, the system includes:
first and second holding members each having a holding surface to hold the living tissue;
an operating section that operates a relative movement of at least one of the first and second holding members with respect to the other;
an energy source that supplies energy to at least one of the first and second holding members; and
a plurality of energy applying portions that apply energy supplied from the energy source, the plurality of energy applying portions being provided on the holding surface of at least one of the first and second holding members and controlling density of energy applied to the living tissue held by the first and second holding members.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a treatment device that applies energy to a living tissue, the device includes:
a holding section that holds the living tissue, the holding section including:
first and second holding members that are relatively movable with respect to each other; and
a plurality of energy applying portions that are provided on at least one of the first and second holding members and connected with an energy source, the energy applying portions being provided on at least one of the first and second holding members and controlling density of energy applied to the living tissue when applying the energy to the living tissue held by the first and second holding members.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a treatment method for a living tissue using an energy, the method includes:
holding the living tissue;
applying energy to the living tissue to denature the living tissue; and
increasing energy density at a desired position where the held living tissues denatures by the energy applied to the living tissue.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A first embodiment will now be explained with reference to
Here, as an example of an energy treatment device, a linear type bipolar electro-surgical device 12 which performs a treatment through, for example, an abdominal wall will be described.
As shown in
The electro-surgical device 12 includes a handle 22, a shaft 24 and an openable/closable holding section 26. The handle 22 is connected with the energy source 14 via a cable 28. The energy source 14 is connected to a foot switch and a handle switch (not shown). Therefore, these foot and hand switches are operated by an operator to switch ON/OFF of the supply of energy from the energy source 14 to the electro-surgical device 12.
The handle 22 is substantially formed into an L-shape. The shaft 24 is disposed on one end of the handle 22. The cable 28 is extended from a proximal side of the handle 22 disposed coaxially with the shaft 24.
On the other hand, the other end of the handle 22 is a grip held by the operator. The handle 22 includes a holding section opening/closing knob 32 arranged on the other end of the handle 22. The holding section opening/closing knob 32 is connected with a proximal end of a sheath 44 described later of the shaft 24 substantially at the center of the handle 22. When the holding section opening/closing knob 32 is allowed to come close to or come away from the other end of the handle 22, the sheath 44 moves along an axial direction of the shaft 24.
As shown in
Outside the cylindrical member 42, concave portion 46 is formed along the axial direction of the cylindrical member 42. The concave portion 46 is provided with a first conducting line 92a connected to a first high-frequency electrode 56 described later. A second conducting line 92b connected to a second high-frequency electrode 58 described later is passed through the cylindrical member 42.
It is to be noted that the first high-frequency electrode plate 56 is electrically connected with a first electrode connector 88a. This first electrode connector 88a is connected with the cable 28 extended from the handle 22 via a first energization line 92a. The second high-frequency electrode plate 58 is electrically connected with a second electrode connector 88b. This second electrode connector 88a is connected with the cable 28 extended from the handle 22 via a second energization line 92b.
As shown in
It is preferable that the first holding portion 52 and the second holding portion 54 entirely have insulating properties, respectively. The first holding portion 52 integrally includes a first holding portion main body (hereinafter referred to mainly as the main body) 62 provided with the first high-frequency electrode 56 and a base portion 64 disposed at a proximal end of the main body 62. The second holding portion 54 integrally includes a second holding portion main body 66 provided with the second high-frequency electrode 58 and a base portion 68 disposed at a proximal end of the main body 66.
The base portion 64 of the first holding portion 52 is fixed to a distal end of the cylindrical member 42 of the shaft 24. On the other hand, the base portion 68 of the second holding portion 54 is rotatably supported at the distal end of the cylindrical member 42 of the shaft 24 by a support pin 72 disposed in a direction crossing the axial direction of the shaft 24 at right angles. The second holding portion 54 can rotate around an axis of the support pin 72 to open or close with respect to the first holding portion 52. Moreover, the second holding portion 54 is urged so as to open with respect to the first holding portion 52 by an elastic member 74 such as a leaf spring.
Outer surfaces of the main bodies 62 and 66 of the first holding portion 52 and the second holding portion 54 are formed into smooth curved surfaces. Similarly, outer surfaces of the base portions 64 and 68 of the first holding portion 52 and the second holding portion 54 are also formed into smooth curved surfaces. While the second holding portion 54 is closed with respect to the first holding portion 52, sections of the main bodies 62, 66 of the support members 52, 54 are formed into substantially circular or elliptic shapes. When the second holding portion 54 is closed with respect to the first holding portion 52, the base portions 64, 68 are formed into cylindrical shapes. In this state, a diameter of each of the proximal ends of the main bodies 62, 66 of the first holding portion 52 and the second holding portion 54 is formed to be larger than a diameter of each of the base portions 64, 68. Moreover, stepped portions 76a, 76b are formed between the main bodies 62, 66 and the base portions 64, 68, respectively.
Here, in the first holding portion 52 and the second holding portion 54, while the second holding portion 54 is closed with respect to the first holding portion 52, a substantially circular or elliptic outer peripheral surface formed by combining the base portions 64, 68 of the holding portions 52, 54 is substantially the same plane as that of an outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the cylindrical member 42, or a diameter of the outer peripheral surface is formed to be slightly larger than that of the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the cylindrical member 42. Therefore, the sheath 44 can be slid with respect to the cylindrical member 42 to cover the base portions 64, 68 of the first holding portion 52 and the second holding portion 54 with a distal end of the sheath 44. In this state, as shown in
As shown in
The first electrode group 112 is arranged in a region (a first region) along a central axis CY of the main body 62 in the longitudinal direction (a Y axis direction in
It is to be noted that the second electrode group 114 and the third electrode group 116 are arranged at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis CY of the main body 62. That is, the second electrode group 114 and the third electrode group 116 are arranged at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the first electrode group 112. In other words, a distance between the first electrode group 112 and the second electrode group 114 is substantially equal to a distance between the first electrode group 112 and the third electrode group 116. Further, one electrode 122 of the first electrode group 112, one electrode 124 of the second electrode group 114, and one electrode 126 of the third electrode group 116 are arranged on the same axis in the X axis direction in
Exposed areas of the respective electrodes 124 and 126 in the second electrode group 114 and the third electrode group 116 are substantially equal to each other. An exposed area of each electrode 122 in the first electrode group 112 is larger than the exposed area of each of the electrodes 124 and 126 in the second electrode group 114 and the third electrode group 116. Further, a distance between the respective electrodes 122 in the first electrode group 112, a distance between the respective electrodes 124 in the second electrode group 114, and a distance between the respective electrodes 126 in the third electrode group 116 are substantially equal to each other.
Here, it is assumed that outputs from the respective electrodes 122, 124, and 126 in the first to third electrode groups 112, 114, and 116 per unit area are in proportion to each other.
Furthermore, the second high-frequency electrode plate 58 is also arranged on the second holding member 54 to be symmetrical to the first holding member 52. A detailed explanation of this structure will be omitted.
A function of a treatment system 10 according to this embodiment will now be explained.
As shown in
The holding section opening/closing knob 32 of the handle 22 is operated to hold the living tissue as a treatment target by using the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54. At this time, the sheath 44 is moved toward a proximal side of the shaft 24 on the cylindrical member 42. A space between the base portions 64 and 68 cannot be maintained in a cylindrical shape due to an urging force of the elastic member 74, and the second holding member 54 is then opened with respect to the first holding member 52.
Moreover, the living tissue as a treatment target is arranged between the first high-frequency electrode plate 56 of the first holding member 52 and the second high-frequency electrode plate 58 of the second holding member 54. In this state, the holding section opening/closing knob 32 of the handle 22 is operated. At this time, the sheath 44 is moved to a distal end side of the shaft 24 with respect to the cylindrical body 42. The base portions 64 and 68 are closed to form the cylindrical shape therebetween against the urging force of the elastic member 74 by using the sheath 44. Therefore, the first holding member main body 62 integrally formed on the base portion 64 and the second holding member main body 66 integrally formed on the base portion 68 are closed. That is, the second holding member 54 is closed with respect to the first holding member 52. Therefore, the living tissue as a treatment target is grasped between the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54.
At this time, the living tissue as a treatment target is in contact with both the electrodes 122, 124, and 126 of the first high-frequency electrode plate 56 provided on the first holding member 52 and the electrodes 122, 124, and 126 of the second high-frequency electrode plate 58 provided on the second holding member 54. A surrounding tissue of the living tissue as a treatment target is appressed against both a contact surface of the edge portion 82 of the first holding member and a contact surface of the edge portion (not shown) of the second holding member 54.
In this state, the foot switch or the hand switch is operated. Energy is respectively applied to the first high-frequency electrode plate 56 and the second high-frequency electrode plate 58 from the energy source 14 through the cable 28, the first and second energization lines 92a and 92b, and the first and second energization connectors 88a and 88b.
Since the treatment system 10 according to the embodiment is of a bipolar type as shown in
As this time, as shown in
Further, the living tissue that is in contact with the second electrode group 114 or the third electrode group 116 is away from the central axis CY and close to the outside of the holding section 26. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 26 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54. That is, heat of the living tissue grasped by the holding section 26 is taken by a peripheral environment at a position close to the edge portion of the holding section 26.
Therefore, density of the energy supplied to the living tissue from the holding section 26 is high at a position near the central axis CY, and becomes lower than that at a position near the central axis CY as distanced from the central axis CY. Therefore, energy distribution of the first electrode group 112 is higher than those of the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116. That is, temperature distribution (the energy density) TX of the living tissue held by the holding section 26 in the X axis direction is high at a position near the central axis CY, and becomes low as distanced from the central axis CY. Therefore, a temperature gradient of the living tissue in the holding section 26 along the X axis direction is large.
In other words, in the X axis direction of the holding section 26, the living tissue receives large energy at a position near the central axis CY, and receives smaller energy than that at the position near central axis CY as distanced from the central axis CY. Therefore, for example, when welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central axis CY of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
Meanwhile, electrodes e1 and e2 are arranged in two columns at positions away from a central axis CY by an equal distance on a main body 62 of a first holding member 52 according to the prior art depicted in
As explained above, according to this embodiment, the following effect can be obtained.
As shown in
Then, a larger temperature gradient can be obtained, for example, in the temperature distribution TX in the X axis direction demonstrated by the living tissue due to the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 depicted in
It is to be noted that the holding section 26 when the structure of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52 and the structure of the main body 66 of the second holding member 54 are symmetrical (the same) has been explained in this embodiment. Besides, as shown in
Although using the bipolar type electro-surgical device 12 has been explained in this embodiment, using a monopolar type electro-surgical device is also preferable as shown in
Furthermore, although not shown, when the monopolar type electro-surgical device is used, arranging the high-frequency electrodes on one of the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54 alone is also preferable.
Although using the high-frequency electrodes has been explained in this embodiment, ultrasonic transducers or heater elements (not shown) can be used as energy applying portions in place of adopting the high-frequency electrodes. When using the ultrasonic transducers or the heater elements in this manner, arranging the ultrasonic transducers or the heater elements on at least one of the first and second holding members 52 and 54 enables performing a treatment.
When using, e.g., spot-like ultrasonic transducers in place of the high-frequency electrodes, subjecting these ultrasonic transducers to ultrasonic vibration enables performing a treatment with respect to the living tissue that is in contact with a surface of each ultrasonic transducer like an example where the high-frequency electrodes are used to effect a treatment.
Moreover, when using, e.g., spot-like heater elements in place of the high-frequency electrodes, allowing heat generation from these heater elements enables performing a treatment with respect to the living tissue that is in contact with a surface of each heater element like an example where the high-frequency electrodes are used to effect a treatment.
In this embodiment, the linear electro-surgical device 12 for treating the living tissue of the abdominal cavity (in a body) through the abdominal wall has been described as an example. However, for example, as shown in
The electro-surgical device 12a includes a handle 22 and a holding section 26. That is, unlike the electro-surgical device 12 for treating the tissue through the abdominal wall, the shaft 24 (see
A second embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
Two types of distances DY1 and DY2 are provided between centers of the respective electrodes 122 in the first electrode group 112. The distance DY1 is a distance between a center of the electrode 122 at the outermost end in a Y axis direction and a center of the next inner electrode 122 adjacent to this end. Additionally, the distance DY2 is a distance between the center of the next inner electrode 122 adjacent to the outermost end in the Y axis direction and a center of the next inner electrode 122 adjacent to the former electrode.
On the other hand, the second electrode group 114 includes four electrodes 124. Distances between centers of the electrodes 124 adjacent to each other are equal. Further, each electrode 124 in the second electrode group 114 is arranged at a position that is between the centers of the electrodes 122 arranged with a gap having the distance DY1 therebetween and is away from a central axis CY by a predetermined distance. It is to be noted that, in regard to an arrangement of each electrode 126 in the third electrode group 116, distances between centers of the electrodes 126 adjacent to each other are equal like the second electrode group 114. Furthermore, the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116 are provided at symmetrical positions with the central axis CY at the center.
Therefore, a holding surface 62a of a main body 62 of a first holding member 52 has high density since the number of the electrodes 122 in the first electrode group 112 near the central axis CY in an X axis direction is large, and densities of the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116 away from the central axis CY are low.
Therefore, energy distribution of the first electrode group 112 is higher than those of the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TX of a living tissue held by the holding section 26 in the X axis direction is high near the central axis CY, and becomes lower as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, a temperature gradient of the living tissue along the X axis direction in the holding section 26 is large.
In other words, the living tissues receives large energy at a position near the central axis CY in the X axis direction of the holding section 26, and receives smaller energy than that at the position near the central axis CY as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central axis CY of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
A third embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
Each of second and third electrode groups 114 and 116 includes five rectangular electrodes 164 or 166. The electrodes 164 or 166 in the second or third electrode group 114 or 116 are provided in a single row along the X axis direction. The respective electrodes 164 and the respective electrodes 166 are arranged at equal intervals. A longitudinal direction of the respective electrodes 164 in the second electrode group 114 or the respective electrodes 166 in the third electrode group 116 is the Y axis direction.
It is to be noted that the respective electrodes 162 in the first electrode group 112 and the respective electrodes 164 and 166 in the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116 have substantially the same areas.
Further, a distance DX1 between the electrode 162 in the first electrode group 112 arranged on the central axis CY in the X axis direction of a main body 62 of a first holding member 52 (the electrode 162 in a second column) and the electrode 162 in a first column close the second electrode group 114 or the electrode 162 in a third column close to the third electrode group 116 is shorter than a distance DX2 between the electrode 162 in the first column in the first electrode group 112 and the electrode 164 in the second electrode group 114. This is also applied to a relationship between the first electrode group 112 and the third electrode group 116.
That is, the example where the number of the electrodes 122 in the first electrode group 112 along the Y axis direction is larger than the number of the electrodes 124 or 126 in the second or the third electrode group 114 or 116 has been explained in the second embodiment, but this embodiment provides an example where the number of electrodes 162 in the first electrode group 112 in the X axis direction is larger than the number of the electrodes 164 or 166 in the second or the third electrode group 114 and 116.
A function of a treatment system 10 according to this embodiment will now be explained.
As shown in
Therefore, energy distribution of the first electrode group 112 is higher than those of the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TX in the X axis direction of a living tissue grasped by the holding section 26 is high near the central axis CY, and becomes low as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the X axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 26 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy at a position near the central axis CY along the X axis direction of the holding section 26, and receives smaller energy than that at the position near the central axis CY as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central axis CY of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52, and denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
It is to be noted that the example where each of the electrodes 162, 164, and 166 in the first to third electrode groups 112, 114, and 116 has the rectangular shape has been explained in this embodiment, various shapes, e.g., an elliptic shape can be allowed.
Although the example where the electrodes 162 in the first electrode group 112 are provided in the three columns has been explained in this embodiment, it is also preferable for the first electrode group 112 to have a structure where the three electrodes 162 adjacent to each other along the X axis direction are formed as one electrode.
A fourth embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
An electrode 122 at the uppermost end in a first electrode group 112 is arranged on the distal end side apart from the upper end of the cutter guide groove 192a. The remaining electrodes 122 in the first electrode groove 122 are symmetrically arranged with a central axis of the main body 62 having the cutter guide groove 192a provided therein at the center along a Y axis direction at equal intervals. Therefore, the remaining electrodes 122 in the first electrode group 112 are arranged to face the cutter guide groove 192a formed in the main body 62. In particular, an area of each electrode 122 in the first electrode group 112 is larger than those of respective electrodes 124 and 126 in second and third electrode groups 114 and 116.
A function of a treatment system 10 according to this embodiment will now be explained.
As shown in
Therefore, energy density applied to the living tissue by the holding section 26 is high near the central axis CY and becomes lower than that near the central axis CY as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, energy distribution of the first electrode group 112 is higher than those of the second and third electrode groups 114 and 116. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TX in the X axis direction of the living tissue held by the holding section 26 is high near the central axis CY, and is reduced as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the X axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 26 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy at a position near the central axis CY along the X axis direction of the holding section 26, and receives smaller energy than that at the position near the central axis CY as away from the central axis CY. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central axis CY of the main body 62 of the first holding member 52. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
Furthermore, after the living tissue is subjected to a heat treatment, the cutter driving knob 34 of the handle 22 is operated. Then, a cutter 174 moves toward the distal ends of the first holding member 52 and the second holding member 54. Since the cutter 174 has a blade 174a at a distal end thereof, thereby cutting the treated living tissue.
It is to be noted that the electrode 122 provided at the uppermost end in the first electrode group 112 in
It is to be noted that the main bodies 62 and 66 of the first and second holding members 52 and 54 having the shapes explained in the first to sixth embodiments can be also allowed. In this case, arranging the respective electrodes of the first electrode group 112 in, e.g., two columns as shown in
A fifth embodiment will now be explained with reference to
Here, as an example of an energy treatment device, a circular type bipolar electro-surgical device (a treatment device for curing) 12c will be described which performs a treatment, for example, through an abdominal wall or outside the abdominal wall.
As shown in
The handle 202 is provided with a holding section opening/closing knob 212 and a cutter driving lever 214. The holding section opening/closing knob 212 is rotatable with respect to the handle 202. When the holding section opening/closing knob 212 is rotated, for example, clockwise with respect to the handle 202, a detachable side holding portion 224 of the holding section 206 described later comes away from a main body side holding portion 222 (see
The shaft 204 is formed into a cylindrical shape. This shaft 204 is appropriately curved in consideration of an insertion property into a living tissue. Needless to say, the shaft 204 may linearly be formed.
A distal end of the shaft 204 is provided with the holding section 206. As shown in
The main body side holding portion 222 includes a cylindrical member 232, a frame 234 and an electric conductive pipe 236. The cylindrical member 232 and the frame 234 have an insulating property. The cylindrical member 232 is connected with the distal end of the shaft 204. The frame 234 is fixed to the cylindrical member 232.
A central axis of the frame 234 is opened. The opened central axis of the frame 234 is provided with the electric conductive pipe 236 which is movable in a predetermined region along the central axis of the frame 234. When the holding section opening/closing knob 212 is rotated, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Further, an annular first insulating member 284a is arranged between the first annular electrode 282a and the second annular electrode 282b. An annular second insulating member 284b is arranged between the first annular electrode 282a and the third annular electrode 282c.
The first to third annular electrodes 282a, 282b, and 282c of the first high-frequency electrode ring 254, the first and second insulating members 284a and 284b, and the edge portion 258 of a main body side holding section 222 are a holding surface 222a of the main body side holding section 222 with respect to a living tissue.
On the other hand, as shown in
As shown in
It is to be noted that the energization pipe 236 is connected with the cable 28 through the shaft 204 and the handle 202. Therefore, when the connecting portion 262a of the energization shaft 262 of the detachable side holding portion 224 is engaged with the protrusion 236a of the energization pipe 236, the second high-frequency electrode ring 274 is electrically connected with the energization pipe 236.
As shown in
Furthermore, an annular first insulating member 294a is arranged between the first annular electrode 292a and the second annular electrode 292b. An annular second insulating member 294b is arranged between the first annular electrode 292a and the third annular electrode 292c.
A function of a treatment system 10 according to this embodiment will now be explained.
As shown in
The holding section opening/closing knob 212 of the handle 202 is operated to grasp the living tissue as a treatment target by the main body side holding section 222 and the detachable side holding portion 224. At this time, the holding section opening/closing knob 212 is rotated, e.g., clockwise with respect to the handle 202. Then, as shown in
Moreover, the living tissue as a treatment target is arranged between the first high-frequency electrode ring 254 of the main body side holding section 222 and the second high-frequency electrode ring 274 of the detachable side holding portion 224. The energization shaft 262 of the detachable side holding portion 224 is inserted into the energization pipe 236 of the main body side holding section 222. In this state, the holding section opening/closing knob 212 of the handle 202 is rotated, e.g., counterclockwise. Therefore, the detachable side holding portion 224 is closed with respect to the main body side holding section 222. In this manner, the living tissue as a treatment target is held between the main body side holding section 222 and the detachable side holding portion 224.
In this state, the foot switch or the hand switch is operated, and energy is thereby supplied to the first high-frequency electrode ring 254 and the second high-frequency electrode ring 274 from an energy source 14 via the cable 28. The first to third annular electrodes 282a, 282b, and 282c of the first high-frequency electrode ring 254 apply a high-frequency current to a space between themselves and the first to third annular electrodes 292a, 292b, and 292c of the second high-frequency electrode ring 274 via the living tissue. Therefore, the living tissue between the main body side holding section 222 and the detachable side holding portion 224 is heated.
At this time, as shown in
Moreover, the living tissue that is in contact with the second annular electrode 282b or the third annular electrode 282c is away from the central line C and close to the outside of the holding section 206. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 206 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between the main body side holding section 222 and the detachable side holding portion 224. That is, heat of the living tissue grasped by the holding section 206 is taken by a peripheral environment at a position close to the edge portion of the holding section 206.
Therefore, energy density given to the living tissue by the holding section 206 is high at a position close to the central line C, and becomes lower than that at the position close to the central line C as distanced from the central line C. Accordingly, energy distribution of the first annular electrode 282a is higher than those of the second and third annular electrodes 282b and 282c. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TR1 in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is high at a position near the central line C, and reduced as distanced from the central line C. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 206 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy at a position near the central line C along the R1 axis direction of the holding section 206, and receives smaller energy than that at the position near the central line C as away from the central line C. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central line C of the main body side holding section 222. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
Additionally, when the cutter driving lever 214 of the handle 202 is operated, a cutter 242 protrudes from a space 246 of the main body side holding section 222 and moves toward a cutter receiving portion 270 of the detachable side holding portion 224. Since the cutter 242 has a blade at a distal end thereof, the treated living tissue is cut into a circular shape.
Meanwhile, one annular electrode e is arranged along the central line C on a holding section 222 on a main side according to the prior art depicted in
As explained above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
As depicted in
Then, a large temperature gradient can be obtained. For example, the temperature distribution TR1 in the R1 axis direction given to the living tissue by the main body side holding section 222 depicted in
It is to be noted that each of the first and the second high-frequency electrode rings 251 and 274 has the annular shape in this embodiment, but various kinds of shapes, e.g., an elliptic shape can be allowed.
A sixth embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
At this time, a width of an R1 axis direction of the first annular electrode 302a is larger than a width in the R1 axis direction of the second annular electrode 302b. Therefore, energy in the R1 axis direction applied to a living tissue from the first annular electrode 302a is larger than energy in the R1 axis direction applied to the living tissue from the second annular electrode 302b.
Furthermore, the living tissue that is in contact with an edge portion on the inner side of the first circular electrode 302a or an edge portion 258 on the outer side of the second circular electrode 302b is away from a central line C and close to the outside of the holding section 206. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 206 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between a main body side holding section 222 and a detachable side holding portion 224. That is, heat of the living tissue grasped by the holding section 206 is taken by peripheral environment at a position close to the edge portion of the holding section 206.
Therefore, energy distribution of the first circular electrode 302a is higher than that of the second circular electrode 302b. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TR1 in an R1 axis direction of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is high on the central line C and the inner side of this line, and reduced toward the outer side of the central line C. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 206 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy on the central line C and the inner side of the line along the R1 axis direction of the holding section 206, and receives smaller energy than that at a position close to the central line C as being away from the central line C. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed on the central line C and the inner side of this line of the main body side holding section 222. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
A seventh embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
The first annular electrode group 312a includes a plurality of circular electrodes 314a on the same circumference. The second annular electrode group 312b includes a plurality of circular electrodes 314b on the same circumference. The third annular electrode group 312c includes a plurality of circular electrodes 314c on the same circumference. The electrodes 314a, the electrodes 314b, and the electrodes 314c are aligned in a radial direction, e.g., an R1 axis direction and an R2 axis direction. That is, each of the first to third annular electrode groups 312a, 312b, and 312c includes the same number of the electrodes 314a, 314b, or 314c each having the same central angle. Therefore, a length of an arc between centers of the respective electrodes 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a (a distance between centers) is longer than a length of an arc between centers of the respect electrodes 314b in the second annular electrode group 312b. Further, the length of the arc between the centers of the respective electrodes 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is shorter than a length of an arc between centers of the respective electrodes 314c in the third annular electrode group 312c.
Here, comparing an area or a width in the R1 axis direction (a diameter) of the electrode 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a with that of the electrode 314b in the second annular electrode group 312, the area or the diameter of the electrode 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is larger. The area or the diameter of the electrode 314b in the second annular electrode group 312b is substantially equal to that of the electrode 314c in the third annular electrode group 312c. Therefore, energy applied to a living tissue from each electrode 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is larger than energies applied to the living tissue from each electrode 314b and each electrode 314c in the second annular electrode group 312b and the third annular electrode group 312c.
Moreover, the living tissue that is in contact with the second annular electrode group 312b or the third annular electrode group 312c is away from a central line C and close to the outside of a holding section 206. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 206 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between a main body side holding section 222 and a detachable side holding portion 224. That is, heat of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is taken by a peripheral environment at a position close to an edge portion of the holding section 206.
Therefore, energy distribution of the first annular electrode group 312a is higher than energy distributions of the second and third annular electrode groups 312b and 312c. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TR1 in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue grasped by the holding section 206 is high at a position near the central line C, and reduced as away from the central line C. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 206 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy at a position near the central line C along the R1 axis direction of the holding section 206, and receives smaller energy than that at a position near the central line C as away from the central line C. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central line C of the main body side holding section 222. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
It is to be noted that the example where the first annular electrode group 312a includes the plurality of electrodes 314a has been explained in this embodiment, but a structure where the first annular electrode group 312a is formed into a continuous annular shape like the first annular electrode 282a (see
An eighth embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
The first annular electrode group 312a includes a plurality of circular electrodes 314a on the same circumference. The second annular electrode group 312b includes a plurality of circular electrodes 314b on the same circumference. The third annular electrode group 312c includes a plurality of circular electrodes 314c on the same circumference. The electrodes 314b in the second annular electrode group 312b and the electrodes 314c in the third annular electrode group 312c are aligned in a radial direction, e.g., an R1 axis direction and an R2 axis direction. Additionally, each of the second and third annular electrode groups 312b and 312c includes the same number of the electrodes 314b or 314c. The number of the electrodes 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is increased to be approximately 1.5-fold of the number of the electrodes 314b or 314c in the second or the third annular electrode group 312b or 312c.
It is to be noted that the electrodes 314a, 314b, and 314c in the first to third annular electrode groups 312a, 312b, and 312c have the same area.
Therefore, a length of an arc between centers of the respective electrodes 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a (a distance between centers) is shorter than a length of an arc between centers of the respective electrodes 314b in the second annular electrode group 312b. Further, the length of the arc between the centers of the respective electrodes 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is shorter than a length of an arc between centers of the respective electrodes 314c in the third annular electrode group 312c. Therefore, density of the first annular electrode group 312a is higher than those of the second and third annular electrode groups 312b and 312c.
Furthermore, a living tissue that is in contact with the second annular electrode group 312b or the third annular electrode group 312c is away from the central line C and close to the outside of a holding section 206. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 206 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between the main body side holding section 222 and the detachable side holding portion 224. That is, heat of the living tissue grasped by the holding section 206 is taken by a peripheral environment at a position near an edge portion of the holding section 206.
Therefore, energy distribution of the first annular electrode group 312a is higher than energy distributions of the second and third annular electrode groups 312b and 312c. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TR1 in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is high at a position near the central line C, and reduced as distanced from the central line C. Therefore, a temperature gradient along the R1 axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 206 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy at a position near the central line C and receives smaller energy than that at the position near the central line C as distanced from the central line C in the R1 axis direction of the holding section 206. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed near the central line C of the main body side holding section 222. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
A ninth embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
However, as explained above, the distance Ca3 between the electrodes 314c adjacent to each other in the third annular electrode group 312c is longer than the distance Ca2 between the electrodes 314b adjacent to each other in the second annular electrode group 312b. Therefore, density of the third annular electrode group 312c is lower than that of the second annular electrode group 312b. Then, energy applied to the living tissue from each electrode 314b in the second annular electrode group 312b is larger than energy applied to the living tissue from each electrode 314c in the third annular electrode group 312c.
Further, the living tissue that is in contact with an outer edge portion of the third annular electrode group is away from a central line C and close to the outside of a holding section 206. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 206 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between the main body side holding section 222 and a detachable side holding portion 224. That is, heat of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is taken by a surrounding environment at a position close to an edge portion of the holding section 206.
Therefore, energy distribution of the second annular electrode group 312b is higher than energy distribution of the third annular electrode group 312c. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TR1 in an R1 axis direction of the living tissue grasped by the holding section 206 is high on the central line C and an inner side of this line, and reduced as being away from the central line C. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 206 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy on the central line C and the inner side of this line along the R1 axis direction of the holding section 206, and receives smaller energy than that at a position near the central line C as being away from the central line C. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed on the central line C and the inner side of this line of the main body side holding section 222. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
A tenth embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
Other structures, functions, and effects are the same as those in the sixth embodiments, thereby omitting an explanation thereof.
An Eleventh embodiment will now be explained with reference to
As shown in
Furthermore, each electrode 314a in a first annular electrode group 312a is arranged on an inner side apart from a central line C. In this embodiment, each electrode 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is inscribed with respect to the central line C. That is, each electrode 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is arranged at a position that is slightly close to the inner side apart from the central line C, and approximates each electrode 314b in the second annular electrode group 312b. Moreover, each electrode 314a in the first annular electrode group 312a is arranged between the respective electrodes 314b and 314c in the second and third annular electrode groups 312b and 312c.
Therefore, on a holding surface 222a of a main body side holding section 222, the first and the second annular electrode groups 312a and 312b on the inner side apart from the central line C have high densities, and the third annular electrode group 312c on the outer side has low density.
Additionally, a living tissue that is in contact with an outer edge portion of the third annular electrode group 312c is away from the central line C and close to the outside of a holding section 206. Therefore, the living tissue is affected by the outside of the holding section 206 having temperature far lower than that of the living tissue present between the main body side holding section 222 and a detachable side holding portion 224. That is, heat of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is taken by a peripheral environment at a position close to an edge portion of the holding section 206.
Therefore, energy distributions of the first and the second annular electrode groups 312a and 312b are higher than energy distribution of the third annular electrode group 312c. That is, temperature distribution (energy density) TR1 in an R1 axis direction of the living tissue held by the holding section 206 is high on the central line C and the inner side of this line, and reduced as being away from the central line C. Therefore, a temperature gradient in the R1 axis direction of the living tissue in the holding section 206 is large.
In other words, the living tissue receives large energy on the central line C and the inner side of this line along the R1 axis direction of the holding section 206, and receives smaller energy than that at a position near the central line C as being away from the central line C. Therefore, when, e.g., welding the living tissue, a treatment of, e.g., denaturing and conjugating the living tissue can be assuredly performed on the central line C and the inner side of this line of the main body side holding section 222. Contrary, denaturation of a surrounding tissue can be avoided as much as possible.
It is to be noted that the example where each of the electrodes 314a, 314b, and 314c has the circular shape has been explained in the seventh to eleventh embodiments, various kinds of shapes, e.g., an elliptic shape or a rhombic shape can be allowed.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
